BC coilovers installed on my '14 MDX
10-10-2018, 04:54 PM
#1
Intermediate
Thread Starter
BC coilovers installed on my '14 MDX
Yesterday I finished installing BC coilovers on my MDX.
Reason for this is that even though in general I really do like the MDX, I don't like the wobbly suspension and soft leaning cornering of the car.
I must say that first impressions with the BC kit is very positive.
It was a pain to get the old struts out of the car, installing was a lot easier as the BC units ar a lot smaller and shorter.
I set the ridehight as high as possible, didn't want to lower too much, ended up with lowering the car 1 1/4 inch all round from standard hight.
The units came with factory set dampening at 8 of 30 clicks from full hard which seemed a bit too much for my taste, so I changed the setting to 15 clicks from full hard to try out.
I still have to figure out how to get to the adjustment of the rears after the install, but for now I am trying out how it is at this setting.
First impressions are really good:
- now the suspension is a lot firmer, not wobbly anymore
- still reasonably comfortable, not annoyingly hard
- cornering is way better, it goes through corners almost like a good sports sedan, really what I was looking for.
Handling overall is very much improved.
So first impressions are really positive, this was what I was looking for in way of better handling without sacrificing too much comfort.
Reason for this is that even though in general I really do like the MDX, I don't like the wobbly suspension and soft leaning cornering of the car.
I must say that first impressions with the BC kit is very positive.
It was a pain to get the old struts out of the car, installing was a lot easier as the BC units ar a lot smaller and shorter.
I set the ridehight as high as possible, didn't want to lower too much, ended up with lowering the car 1 1/4 inch all round from standard hight.
The units came with factory set dampening at 8 of 30 clicks from full hard which seemed a bit too much for my taste, so I changed the setting to 15 clicks from full hard to try out.
I still have to figure out how to get to the adjustment of the rears after the install, but for now I am trying out how it is at this setting.
First impressions are really good:
- now the suspension is a lot firmer, not wobbly anymore
- still reasonably comfortable, not annoyingly hard
- cornering is way better, it goes through corners almost like a good sports sedan, really what I was looking for.
Handling overall is very much improved.
So first impressions are really positive, this was what I was looking for in way of better handling without sacrificing too much comfort.
The following 2 users liked this post by G3RS:
9SpeedTran (10-11-2018),
justnspace (10-11-2018)
10-10-2018, 11:41 PM
#3
I wish my wife would let me install coilovers
The following users liked this post:
pgeorg (10-11-2018)
10-11-2018, 11:01 AM
#6
Intermediate
Thread Starter
This is why I set the coilovers as high as possible, but that still meant a 1 1/4" drop (I think with this kit you could drop the car 3-4 inches if you wanted to, not my thing..).
However, as the wheelwell gaps above the tyres were quite big to start with, this means that even in the 1 1/4 " lowered stance a gap between wheelwells and tires remains, not giving the obvious lowered look.
Stance as is now, looks good and acceptable for me and ofcourse the lowering means lower gravity point, thus better cornering just as result of the lowering..
And the sportier characteristics of the BC shocks and springs adding a lot more cornering sharpness to this.
Last edited by G3RS; 10-11-2018 at 11:04 AM.
10-11-2018, 01:31 PM
#7
Intermediate
Thread Starter
But the lowering is part of why roadholding improves as center point of gravity of the car will be lower, thus improving handling too..
Trending Topics
10-11-2018, 04:56 PM
#8
How much did this cost? I would have to have the dealer (or somebody else) install... What would installation be likely to run me?
10-11-2018, 07:19 PM
#9
10-11-2018, 07:40 PM
#11
Yesterday I finished installing BC coilovers on my MDX.
Reason for this is that even though in general I really do like the MDX, I don't like the wobbly suspension and soft leaning cornering of the car.
I must say that first impressions with the BC kit is very positive.
It was a pain to get the old struts out of the car, installing was a lot easier as the BC units ar a lot smaller and shorter.
I set the ridehight as high as possible, didn't want to lower too much, ended up with lowering the car 1 1/4 inch all round from standard hight.
The units came with factory set dampening at 8 of 30 clicks from full hard which seemed a bit too much for my taste, so I changed the setting to 15 clicks from full hard to try out.
I still have to figure out how to get to the adjustment of the rears after the install, but for now I am trying out how it is at this setting.
First impressions are really good:
- now the suspension is a lot firmer, not wobbly anymore
- still reasonably comfortable, not annoyingly hard
- cornering is way better, it goes through corners almost like a good sports sedan, really what I was looking for.
Handling overall is very much improved.
So first impressions are really positive, this was what I was looking for in way of better handling without sacrificing too much comfort.
Reason for this is that even though in general I really do like the MDX, I don't like the wobbly suspension and soft leaning cornering of the car.
I must say that first impressions with the BC kit is very positive.
It was a pain to get the old struts out of the car, installing was a lot easier as the BC units ar a lot smaller and shorter.
I set the ridehight as high as possible, didn't want to lower too much, ended up with lowering the car 1 1/4 inch all round from standard hight.
The units came with factory set dampening at 8 of 30 clicks from full hard which seemed a bit too much for my taste, so I changed the setting to 15 clicks from full hard to try out.
I still have to figure out how to get to the adjustment of the rears after the install, but for now I am trying out how it is at this setting.
First impressions are really good:
- now the suspension is a lot firmer, not wobbly anymore
- still reasonably comfortable, not annoyingly hard
- cornering is way better, it goes through corners almost like a good sports sedan, really what I was looking for.
Handling overall is very much improved.
So first impressions are really positive, this was what I was looking for in way of better handling without sacrificing too much comfort.
10-11-2018, 07:44 PM
#12
10-12-2018, 04:25 AM
#13
Intermediate
Thread Starter
For the 14+ MDX there are 2 kits, one with rubber top mounts and one with pillowball camber adjustable top mounts
There is an option of Swift springs (which have different spring rates) at about +300 US, but as I don't know the influence of these as compared to standard BC springs, I chose not to go with these.
I chose the BR-RS kit with front rubber top mounts: code A-81-RS for Acura MDX 14+YD3, ...... most common price about 995 US for the complete kit
NOT the track orientated kit with the pillowball camber-adjustable topmounts A-81-BR as adjustable top camber plates are of no use for the street and because of the absence of rubber, these can cause suspension rattle, which on a track car doesn' t matter, but you don't want on a daily car.
There is an option of Swift springs (which have different spring rates) at about +300 US, but as I don't know the influence of these as compared to standard BC springs, I chose not to go with these.
I chose the BR-RS kit with front rubber top mounts: code A-81-RS for Acura MDX 14+YD3, ...... most common price about 995 US for the complete kit
NOT the track orientated kit with the pillowball camber-adjustable topmounts A-81-BR as adjustable top camber plates are of no use for the street and because of the absence of rubber, these can cause suspension rattle, which on a track car doesn' t matter, but you don't want on a daily car.
Last edited by G3RS; 10-12-2018 at 04:29 AM.
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9SpeedTran (10-12-2018)
10-13-2018, 08:32 AM
#14
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Today I had alignment done.... at least ...that was the intention...
To my big surprise on the G3 MDX FWD that I have, NOTHING of the wheelsettings can be changed: there is NO camber or caster adjustability
!!
Only Toe can be done.
My first ever car that is this (non-adjustable) way, I feel this is rediculous.
Yes, I understand that the MDX is meant as family car, not sports oriëntated, but as in it's segment I thought it was meant to be on the sportier side.
Not having any alignment adjustability is plain stupid.
Big failure on the side of the designing engineers.
As the car is lowered a bit with the BC's and camber cannot be adjusted, this means that it is now out of spec (camber spec is about 1 deg negative, now mine has 2 deg negative). this means it now has somewhat track orientated camber, which is still a quite acceptable setting for me, but why no adjustability???
A good thing that I set ridehight as high as possible, otherwise camber would have been even more neg and outside of the for me acceptable range for a regular daily car.
Some things in the MDX design are really weird.... as if the engineers made it difficult to change the car to be faster/ better steering on purpose...
To my big surprise on the G3 MDX FWD that I have, NOTHING of the wheelsettings can be changed: there is NO camber or caster adjustability
!!Only Toe can be done.
My first ever car that is this (non-adjustable) way, I feel this is rediculous.
Yes, I understand that the MDX is meant as family car, not sports oriëntated, but as in it's segment I thought it was meant to be on the sportier side.
Not having any alignment adjustability is plain stupid.
Big failure on the side of the designing engineers.
As the car is lowered a bit with the BC's and camber cannot be adjusted, this means that it is now out of spec (camber spec is about 1 deg negative, now mine has 2 deg negative). this means it now has somewhat track orientated camber, which is still a quite acceptable setting for me, but why no adjustability???
A good thing that I set ridehight as high as possible, otherwise camber would have been even more neg and outside of the for me acceptable range for a regular daily car.
Some things in the MDX design are really weird.... as if the engineers made it difficult to change the car to be faster/ better steering on purpose...
Last edited by G3RS; 10-13-2018 at 08:34 AM.
10-13-2018, 04:55 PM
#16
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Lots of things can happen to a car to offset the alignment such as hit a curb or whatever to very slightly put things out of factory spec.
With adjustability, things can then be changed back to correct settings.
Also there can be lots of reasons why an owner may choose to personalise alignment, such as changing the steering response or to change understeer-or oversteer chacteristics to personal preference.
Personalising these things this is something that I always do with every car that I own.
Some cars have more alignment adjustability then others but to have none.... I have never seen a car that has only toe adjustability, this is a first.
10-13-2018, 05:35 PM
#17
Then that is a rediculous consideration.
Lots of things can happen to a car to offset the alignment such as hit a curb or whatever to very slightly put things out of factory spec.
With adjustability, things can then be changed back to correct settings.
Also there can be lots of reasons why an owner may choose to personalise alignment, such as changing the steering response or to change understeer-or oversteer chacteristics to personal preference.
Personalising these things this is something that I always do with every car that I own.
Lots of things can happen to a car to offset the alignment such as hit a curb or whatever to very slightly put things out of factory spec.
With adjustability, things can then be changed back to correct settings.
Also there can be lots of reasons why an owner may choose to personalise alignment, such as changing the steering response or to change understeer-or oversteer chacteristics to personal preference.
Personalising these things this is something that I always do with every car that I own.
AFAIK, it's not that uncommon. Many vehicles have no adjustability, from the factory. Although, with some models you can buy aftermarket parts to add some adjustability. I had a Jeep, for example, where aftermarket cam bolts were available. But from the factory there was nothing more than toe adjustment. I heard a mechanic refer to them as "toe and go" for alignments.
10-14-2018, 12:57 PM
#18
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I will be probably one of the very few "idiots'
wanting to personalize alignment to my driving style.Nevertheless on any other car I have or ever had, I could, and it is annoying that on a relatively nice car like the MDX, there is simply no OE possibility to change things..
AFAIK, it's not that uncommon. Many vehicles have no adjustability, from the factory. Although, with some models you can buy aftermarket parts to add some adjustability. I had a Jeep, for example, where aftermarket cam bolts were available. But from the factory there was nothing more than toe adjustment. I heard a mechanic refer to them as "toe and go" for alignments.
Here in Europe all cars that I have ever owned, had one or more possibilities of alignment adjustability (like camber/caster/ Kpi/ toe/ tracking), some just 2 of these, some more, depending on the type/ kind of car ofcourse. Indeed, there are cars like some MB models that need aftermarket install of camberbolts (which MB offer as special part) but at least you can if wanted.
To have simply no adjustibility is completely new for me..
So if one hits a bad pot hole or curb which causes a tiny change in alignment, with all the to me known cars, you simply adjust alignment and go
With a car with NO adjustibility, the only thing that can be done is to research what suspension part has the tiny deformation, and put new parts on... not very cost effective..
I still am sometimes amazed by US common style of some car things (for example also like the (in my opinion) extremely low top speed limitation on the 290 Bhp MDX of 112 Mph).
Here in Europe all SUV style cars with that kind of bhp can do 130 Mph or more..
On a that note: I am lucky to own several nice cars, one of them a US version Mercedes CLK550 convertible and the first time I fully stepped on it, I was very unpleasantly surprised to find out that it's top speed was limited to 131/132 Mph...
The EU version of exactly that same car (the CLK500) is limited to 155 Mph... go figure..
Luckily it was very easy for a MB specialist to raise the top speed limitation in the software on my CLK to the here "normal" 155 Mph
It isn't so much that I go that fast regularly.., possibly just 1 or 2 times a year when driving in Germany, but very strange that in the US things on cars seem to be limited way more, even on the exact same model/ type...
Last edited by G3RS; 10-14-2018 at 01:10 PM.
10-14-2018, 01:20 PM
#19
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Note on the MB CLK550 US vs CLK500 EU comparison/difference that I mentioned above..
I have researched the specs of the US and EU versions of that car and tech wise (engine/ transmission/ diff/ brakes etc) they are exactly the same.
Same capabilities, so no reason for the different top speed limit imaginable other than some US regulation..
I have researched the specs of the US and EU versions of that car and tech wise (engine/ transmission/ diff/ brakes etc) they are exactly the same.
Same capabilities, so no reason for the different top speed limit imaginable other than some US regulation..
10-14-2018, 04:30 PM
#21
Intermediate
Thread Starter
And I am lucky enough to have owned 2 NSX, first a EU Honda NSX and now still have a US Acura NSX that has NO speed limitation... where is the logic in that, why then isn't that car limited too?
Hmm, perhaps I can answer that myself: my Acura NSX is a 1998, perhaps at that time these US restrictions weren't thought of yet..
Last edited by G3RS; 10-14-2018 at 04:35 PM.
10-14-2018, 04:35 PM
#23
I know, but then why... are the US cars mentioned above limited to 112 (the MDX) or 131 the (CLK)?? that is still a lot higher than the state max speeds, still doesn't make much sense..
And I am lucky enough to have owned 2 NSX, first a EU Honda NSX and now still have a US Acura NSX that has NO speed limitation... where is the logic in that?
And I am lucky enough to have owned 2 NSX, first a EU Honda NSX and now still have a US Acura NSX that has NO speed limitation... where is the logic in that?
NSX is a vehicle that is likely to be taken to a track, so a lack of speed limiter makes perfect sense.
This'll be my last post in this thread -- I feel like you're being intentionally obtuse/argumentative and it's not productive for me to continue to respond.
10-14-2018, 04:58 PM
#24
Intermediate
Thread Starter
I am simply surprised/irritated by the unexpected things that I encounter and which I don't see any logic to..
10-14-2018, 05:46 PM
#26
RS-R have a set of RS-R Sports I - Coilover but for the 17 - 18 MDX though
https://www.optionsauto.com/RS-R-SPO.../RSR-XBIH231M/
https://www.optionsauto.com/RS-R-SPO.../RSR-XBIH231M/
04-07-2019, 10:32 AM
#30
Intermediate
Thread Starter
UPDATE..
On my MDX the BC's were nice at first impression, cornering and roadholding clearly improved, but soon problems arose.
However.. all four struts quite quickly started to make clonking noises on uneven roads/ pot holes which the OE struts didn't do.
Also when steering at max angle to get into my driveway, then straigthening the steering and driving back a bit, the fronts make a noise like the coilsprings are resettling themselves: "ploink"-"ploink"....
As if on turning in when the struts rotate a bit, the tops cannot move, coiling up the springs on the turn-in and releasing when turning back.
Sounds really bad and clearly something is not right.
This made me check everything AGAIN, if something was loose but all is tight and nothing to see.
Also over the last 2 months, the dampening on uneven roads has decreased, the car is increasingly jumpy and wobbly, not nice anymore!
BC will not do anything with my complaints, even though I made a demo drive with the selling dealer to let him hear the clonking and he agreed this wasn't normal, BC insists that they want a rebound test performed on the shocks before they will think on doing anything.
The only way to do this is to take everything off, send it to a testing facility, wait what the outcome is and then if BC will agree something IS wrong, they would need to send a new kit, which with shipping to me in Europe will take at least 2-3 weeks.
So my daily driver would be on stands for at least 4-6 weeks to do all this, NOT an option, but it seems BC couldn't care less, feels like
to me as customer..
The selling dealer was embaressed too by the way BC acts (NOT)...on this and after some discussion they agreed to either take back the BC kit at their own risk with full payback, or order me a Megan Racing kit, so I descided to have them order the Megan kit.
This does mean that I will have extra cost for a more expensive Megan kit (as here in Europe, due to shipping and import from the US, the Megan set is 300 Euro/ 335 Usd more expensive) + I will have to do a complete disassembly/install once again, so at least 4-6 hours work (in a workshop this would have set me back at least 400 Euro/ 450 Usd) but I can do it myself AND I will need to have alignment done again, another 80 Euro/ 90 USd.
It is really a shame that the G3 MDX is such a unknown car in the aftermarket scene.
Had it been a G2, I could have gotten a KW setup which is undoubtedly in another league, both build quality and performance, but for the G3 nothing is available except BC and Megan.
I will now have to see what the Megan setup will do.
It has arrived and I hope to install it within a week from now.
I however will now advise everyone to stay away from BC if there is any other option available, as their aftersales and service sucks if there is a problem.
On my MDX the BC's were nice at first impression, cornering and roadholding clearly improved, but soon problems arose.
However.. all four struts quite quickly started to make clonking noises on uneven roads/ pot holes which the OE struts didn't do.
Also when steering at max angle to get into my driveway, then straigthening the steering and driving back a bit, the fronts make a noise like the coilsprings are resettling themselves: "ploink"-"ploink"....
As if on turning in when the struts rotate a bit, the tops cannot move, coiling up the springs on the turn-in and releasing when turning back.
Sounds really bad and clearly something is not right.
This made me check everything AGAIN, if something was loose but all is tight and nothing to see.
Also over the last 2 months, the dampening on uneven roads has decreased, the car is increasingly jumpy and wobbly, not nice anymore!
BC will not do anything with my complaints, even though I made a demo drive with the selling dealer to let him hear the clonking and he agreed this wasn't normal, BC insists that they want a rebound test performed on the shocks before they will think on doing anything.
The only way to do this is to take everything off, send it to a testing facility, wait what the outcome is and then if BC will agree something IS wrong, they would need to send a new kit, which with shipping to me in Europe will take at least 2-3 weeks.
So my daily driver would be on stands for at least 4-6 weeks to do all this, NOT an option, but it seems BC couldn't care less, feels like
to me as customer..The selling dealer was embaressed too by the way BC acts (NOT)...on this and after some discussion they agreed to either take back the BC kit at their own risk with full payback, or order me a Megan Racing kit, so I descided to have them order the Megan kit.
This does mean that I will have extra cost for a more expensive Megan kit (as here in Europe, due to shipping and import from the US, the Megan set is 300 Euro/ 335 Usd more expensive) + I will have to do a complete disassembly/install once again, so at least 4-6 hours work (in a workshop this would have set me back at least 400 Euro/ 450 Usd) but I can do it myself AND I will need to have alignment done again, another 80 Euro/ 90 USd.
It is really a shame that the G3 MDX is such a unknown car in the aftermarket scene.
Had it been a G2, I could have gotten a KW setup which is undoubtedly in another league, both build quality and performance, but for the G3 nothing is available except BC and Megan.
I will now have to see what the Megan setup will do.
It has arrived and I hope to install it within a week from now.
I however will now advise everyone to stay away from BC if there is any other option available, as their aftersales and service sucks if there is a problem.
Last edited by G3RS; 04-07-2019 at 10:35 AM.
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shenofjo (04-07-2019)
04-07-2019, 02:16 PM
#31
with the BC off, maybe they can be sent back to BC to have them take a look at as well. sorry to hear your bad experience with them. keep us updated on your pursuit of handling
04-08-2019, 12:37 PM
#32
Damn, 2 months? That's really bad. When we were running BC stuff in Subies, they were the budget solution so they were known to break down over time, but usually over years if you maintained them properly. The shortest I saw was probably 1 year or so, but chalked that one up to defects. BCs are known to have misaligned damping rates per coil, so that's something to watch out for. And they do get uncomfortably stiff when you dial it up. It is nice what your dealer is doing for you. Megans are usually considered par or subpar (in the Subie world, they are classed as 'garbage' by some while BCs are classed as 'bang for buck/budget') to BC actually, so keep us updated.
04-08-2019, 12:42 PM
#33
BC are known for the "clunking" sounds that develop. You can sometimes eliminate it by pre-loading them before installing? I developed a clunking noise in my passenger rear shock, but BC was great with their customer service and sent me a replacement shock. Coilovers will settle and break in after a few weeks, which is why you may have experienced a difference in your dampening.
From what I understand BC and Megan are made by the same company with BC having "beefier" internals. Both BC and Megan are in the lower tier of quality.
From what I understand BC and Megan are made by the same company with BC having "beefier" internals. Both BC and Megan are in the lower tier of quality.
04-08-2019, 08:13 PM
#34
Sorry to hear about the fail, but not surprised. A true suspension rework is going to be in the high 4 figures, and really doesn't make much sense on a vehicle that was designed as a suburban grocery getter. "Casting pearls before swine" comes to mind. Performance component suppliers look at MDX, Pilot, etc. as minivan replacements for house wives, so not a likely source of strong performance product sales. Same reason I can't get rear air bags for my X - suppliers figure the towing crowd will buy a 3/4 ton pickup. I knew that going in, and the good news is that it is a really nice vehicle for both local trips and extended Interstate drives.
When I want to hit the twisties, I hop on my Yamaha....
When I want to hit the twisties, I hop on my Yamaha....
Last edited by Bluepill; 04-08-2019 at 08:28 PM.
04-08-2019, 09:01 PM
#35
When I look at the size of the oem strut assembly to the BC coilovers, I just can't imagine how such a tiny set up can hold and take the weight over long period of time. Even the oem shocks seem to wear out relatively fast here
06-28-2019, 02:40 PM
#36
https://www.mdxers.org/threads/bc-co....167420/page-2
looks like thats the update on the megans... and another user seems to like the BC coilovers at the moment. really would like to get some better shocks. I had called about OEM shocks and spring replacement and it was going to be upwards of $2000 for parts and labor. BC coilovers are actually cheaper parts wise, if it can last more than a few months...
looks like thats the update on the megans... and another user seems to like the BC coilovers at the moment. really would like to get some better shocks. I had called about OEM shocks and spring replacement and it was going to be upwards of $2000 for parts and labor. BC coilovers are actually cheaper parts wise, if it can last more than a few months...
06-30-2019, 12:32 PM
#37
Intermediate
Thread Starter
Right.. I have been away from this forum for some time now and think an update is needed.
I changed the BC's for the Megan racing.
These kits are apart from different anodizing colors almost identical in appearance and sizes
The Megan kit is only sold with pillowball topmounts in front, so in that aspect differs from the BC with rubber topmounts that I had.
When mounting, it turned out the brackets for the front brakeline mountings didn't fit, the opening in the brackets was too small for the lines, I had to make a small change.
Then it turned out that the pillowball topmounts with camber adjustment didn't fit through the front shocktower openings: the camberplate mounting bolts were just 1-2 mil too wide apart and catched on the edge of the bodywork hole, thus preventing the front topmount to fully seat on the underside of metal of the shocktower, I put inbetween 3 shims per shock to fill,out the gap. Crappy way, but otherwose I would have had to grind into the strut tower holes to make those a little bigger and wasn't prepared to do that damaging the car.
Again the same as with the BC , the rear stance even on highest strut setting is too low, 1 3/4-2 inch lower then OE stance, nothing can be done about that.
Then driving experiences..
Roadholding and cornering is OK, clearly stiffer and much less leaning in corners, but...
On flat roads it is OK, but on bad roads the kit rattles like the parts are not tightened, like all suspension parts are worn out, or loose.... really terrible.
Also when parking with full lock steering and turning back, you hear the front springs making cloncking sounds.
Conclusion..
These kits are JUNK
Never had crappy parts like these 2 kits on any other car in over 40Y of car ownership, having had several other good make coilover kits on other cars.
So the Megan kit is also coming off again.
I am amazed this junk is beeing sold.
Am seriously considering either putting back the OE struts and selling the car or having a custom kit made by a specialised suspension workshop making kits for rally/track cars based on either Bilstein or Öhlin shocks, but pricelevel of that is a seriously high, have to consider if this will be worth it to me.
So only thing I can say on the BC and Megan kits for the MDX G3 is:
DON'T do it!!!!! If you have ever experienced good sport suspension, these 2 in comparison are Junk
I changed the BC's for the Megan racing.
These kits are apart from different anodizing colors almost identical in appearance and sizes
The Megan kit is only sold with pillowball topmounts in front, so in that aspect differs from the BC with rubber topmounts that I had.
When mounting, it turned out the brackets for the front brakeline mountings didn't fit, the opening in the brackets was too small for the lines, I had to make a small change.
Then it turned out that the pillowball topmounts with camber adjustment didn't fit through the front shocktower openings: the camberplate mounting bolts were just 1-2 mil too wide apart and catched on the edge of the bodywork hole, thus preventing the front topmount to fully seat on the underside of metal of the shocktower, I put inbetween 3 shims per shock to fill,out the gap. Crappy way, but otherwose I would have had to grind into the strut tower holes to make those a little bigger and wasn't prepared to do that damaging the car.
Again the same as with the BC , the rear stance even on highest strut setting is too low, 1 3/4-2 inch lower then OE stance, nothing can be done about that.
Then driving experiences..
Roadholding and cornering is OK, clearly stiffer and much less leaning in corners, but...
On flat roads it is OK, but on bad roads the kit rattles like the parts are not tightened, like all suspension parts are worn out, or loose.... really terrible.
Also when parking with full lock steering and turning back, you hear the front springs making cloncking sounds.
Conclusion..
These kits are JUNK
Never had crappy parts like these 2 kits on any other car in over 40Y of car ownership, having had several other good make coilover kits on other cars.
So the Megan kit is also coming off again.
I am amazed this junk is beeing sold.
Am seriously considering either putting back the OE struts and selling the car or having a custom kit made by a specialised suspension workshop making kits for rally/track cars based on either Bilstein or Öhlin shocks, but pricelevel of that is a seriously high, have to consider if this will be worth it to me.
So only thing I can say on the BC and Megan kits for the MDX G3 is:
DON'T do it!!!!! If you have ever experienced good sport suspension, these 2 in comparison are Junk
06-30-2019, 05:43 PM
#38
Since you have had 2 coilovers experience and had this car used, I recommend installing a new set of oem set up. I have driven new mdx and felt it to be very adequate but my 2014 mdx with 40k feels bouncy and under dampened. With your experience, I am looking into replacing my shocks and see if I can get the new MDX feel as well.
07-08-2019, 04:38 AM
#40
1st Gear
Join Date: Jul 2019
Age: 34
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