I'm looking at picking up a used 05 or 06. I want to lower the car for looks and handling.

I kind of want to go wtih MS parts to avoid voiding warranties, etc.

I see Mazdaspeed sells a shock/spring combo OR you can ge ta coilver setup. the price of the coilovers is quite a bit more than just buying perofrmance shocks/springs.

I could also just go with koni yellows and eibachs or H&Rs, etc.... price for that would probalby be close to buying MS parts.

question is this:

will the improvement in handling be much different with coilovers VS just getting a shock/spring setup?

I will not be racing the car. at most i may attend a track day here and there. like 1-2 times per year maybe. most of my spirited driving will be on local twisty roads, freeway onramps, etc. nothign crazy...but i want it to handle and corner nice.

so..assuming I get told just go shock/spirngs...then the next question is shoudl I go with MS stuff, or is it cheaper/better to go with aftermarket stuff like koni, tokico, etc??

on past cars, i've done aftermarket suspension and never had warranty problems.... but if the MS stuff is just as good and similar in price, why not get some more peace of mind by using MS stuff.

thanks.

i also plan on doing strut bars and sway bars. goal is to make it handle like it's on rails.

 

You don't HAVE to buy MS parts to keep your warranty. That's just a bunch of Dealeship mumbo jumbo.

If you're not going to track your car, do what I did and get springs / struts. The improvement in handling is very noticable over what came with the car. (Grand Touring)

I opted against coilovers because I pretty much wanted a "set it and forget it" upgrade. Koni struts are also VERY easy to adjust. (fronts, rears require removal)

 

just cut your springs it'll be lower and look cool too.

 

ONLY if you drive a Civic!

 

seriously though dude for specific's on what coilover/springs/shocks you just need to research. and one more thing tires first, struts and sways next then worry about coilovers, do the little things first. you stiffen up your ride to much not knowing what it feels like, your gonna get beat up driving your car. (by your car I mean)

 

for the love of god does nobody else realize this guy makes a new thread about commonly discussed **** every single day? SEARCH.

 

shocks and springs

 

Eibach springs, with Bilstein shocks, are a good choice. Nice drop with firmed up, but not harsh ride.

 

There would be no difference between coilovers and a damper/spring setup providing the rates are the same...

 

^^what he said.
getting coilovers does not automatically make your car a racecar. it only makes you want to be a racer...

the stock shocks are competent enough. get some springs, and do research on them to see how you would use them.

get adjustable sways... its like being able to stiffen spring rates on the fly...sort of. its more in torsion stiffness.

there's your adjustability! i mean... how many of us has really adjusted our coilovers. c'mon, aeriously?

if you are using serious racing efforts and can have access to corner weigh your car, go coilovers. and maybe even just some nice adjustable struts like tokico d-spec.

and don't excessively lower your car. get some nice lowering springs, not slamming springs. unless thats what you like.

 

the rsr springs are a nice unit and great for performance and the price. i know cuz i helped a friend on the install...quality piece.

 

23109vc: i highly recommend getting this book. its wonderful tool for wondering enthusiasts. or just a good read. a few mistakes in there, but not many.

"how to make your car handle" by fred puhn.

for those of us who even already have some suspension knowledge, this book is still handy in being able to learn there is more than one way to accomplish the same thing. and can save you $$$.

 

TM, that book is only good for people who are willing to accept the premise that there is more than one way to properly accomplish an objective in the first place.

 

Hello my friends...i'm new in this forum and i didn't find a better topic for my question...So if it's answered somewhere please post me the link.

Q:I'm thinking of buying a coilover kit(ex:AVC D2,TOKICO Dspec) and i would like to know your opinion.
*I don't want to lower the car cause it won't climb to my garage ramp :D
*Is any shop were in Coventry to ask about prices?

 

Watch out the ride will be too stff unless you want to feel like a race car.

The set up out there is Racing Beat Springs w/ Koni ot D spec shocks in rear.

Perfect for a few track sessions and everyday driving.


Hard core .. upgrade to KW Variant 3's, or Bilstiens ect..

Search...

Find other members and get a long ride.

Nothing worse than a bumpy car for every day commute.

Be patient.

 

which coventry?

 

West midlands,United Kingdom.

Razz1:You mean that with 10kg/cm(500lb/i) front and 7kg/cm(350lb/i) rear,it will be very stiff???

 

you bring up a good point chuck. but i just thought its a good book and good for those to understand something to be better fit on parts choosing.
say example: an aesthethic only tuner wanting only a drop... can save $$$ over say tein lowering springs with lower rates than with say...a tanabe race springs with same drop rate and higher spring rates but at double the price...

wouldn't you recommend the book? its cheap, and the knowledge learned is priceless. or shall i say...more $$ in your pocket to spend on other parts.

 

$240 for 4 rb springs doesnt seem that bad. but only a .5" drop?

i am leaning to aesthetics here, but isnt that still a substantial gap above the tires? especially since my new tires are 245/40s (stock rims)?

the ms sport shocks cost a bit more ($258), but they lower the car by .8".

i already cant get into my garage with the stock height, so i guess its not really a problem. i just want to minimize that suv like gap.

anyone have any suggestions as to springs that lower the car by .5-.8" but are cheaper? i dont really care too much about performance, because im not such a professional driver that i'd notice the difference on the track

 

did you look into Tein H-Techs?

 

Stock 'Sport' Suspension RX-8: 156/113 (F/R)
Mazdaspeed: 280/190 - Drop = 0.8"/0.8" ***** Not Confirmed - Actual rates have tested much lower
Tein S-Tech: 207/145 - Drop = 1.4"/0.7"
Tein H-Tech: 179/129 - Drop = 1.0"/0.3"
Tanabe GF: 179/146 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Tanabe NF: 162/112 - Drop = 1.4"/1.2"
Racing Beat: 187/136 - Drop = 0.5"/0.5"
Eibach: 180/130 (progressive) - Drop = 1.2"/1.2"
H&R: 195/141 (progressive) - Drop = 1.0"/1.0"

beers

 

Yes, but remember stiff is subjective.
I'm Stiff now looking at that picture...

ha ha..........................

 

ha ha ha...it's from the first Athens Tunning Show.

 

So what do you recomend then? I say again that i don't want to lower the car,
maybe i can only for a couple of cm...

 

whats the first set of numbers swoope?

Mazdaspeed: 280/190 - Drop = 0.8"/0.8"

what does the 280/190 refer to?