I've been thinking about getting a set of springs for the car. Where I live now, however, makes me reconsider it. I do a fair amount of driving in downtown Charleston, SC and the streets are in very poor condition (pothole ridden, uneven, and very bumpy). It's a fairly rough ride with the stock suspension and I was wondering if I might regret purchasing springs? Any opinions, especially from those who drive on rough streets with springs?

 

I have the Racing Beat full suspension package. It is a little stiffer, but hardly brutal. I live in Los Angeles, it doesn't get any worse than our freeways, unless you take your RX8 off roading.

 

Heheh, thanks. That's actually the reply i was hoping for as I would really like to do the supsension. Anyway I guess it can't be any worse than the F-body I drove around for 3 years, that thing would make my kidneys hurt sometimes.

 

I personally went with the Tein H-Tech springs. They give the car the perfect drop (to even out the wheel well to tire gaps) AND they maintain the ride quality of the stock springs. I've had no clearance issues at all, even though I have the Mazdaspeed side skirts and appearance package front lip. Recommended.

 

I have the eibach springs for a year now in cali and I am very happy with them

 

H&R's on mine. No complaints.

 

Hey therm8, I'm right up the road from you in Lexington, SC :D . I have ordered the Tein S-Tech springs and have some concerns as well. I have the Mazda front spoiler and side aero skirts. Has anybody out there with springs installed had any serious problems dragging on speed bumps or grinding the nose pulling into parking lots or up to parking spaces with curbs, etc? That gap in the front between the tire and fender is just killin' me!

 

If you're going to do a lot of city driving, then I would reconsider getting a set of springs, unless you go for a full suspension package. If you lower the car with just springs, that puts even more stress on your stock shocks, which cuts the life of the shocks, in some cases by as much as half. Pretty soon you're ride would only get worse and you'll have to replace shocks. I changed my springs to Eibachs, and I had to change to full MS suspension at 21K miles, and I'm in LA.

You might as well wait and do it right with a full set, which combined would definitley last longer.

 

I've been reading that aftermarket springs have been wearing out the stock shocks. I'd appreciate it if some members could share their experiences. Can anyone share their experiences with Racing Beat springs? I'm trying to avoid spending the extra money needed to replace the shocks. Thanks.

 

Like I said, I installed Eibach's at 4K miles, and I had to replace the stock shocks at 21K miles; I went with a whole new MS Spring/Shock set.

 

How does the MS full suspension package impact the ride? Much stiffer? Does it prevent wheel hop?

 

I personally went with the Tein H-Tech springs. They give the car the perfect drop (to even out the wheel well to tire gaps) AND they maintain the ride quality of the stock springs. I've had no clearance issues at all, even though I have the Mazdaspeed side skirts and appearance package front lip. Recommended.

Also, regarding shortening the life of the shocks (which I did not replace) - I researched this when I got my springs, and came to the conclusion that I might lose 1-2K miles at most. Small price to pay, IMHO.

 

the racing beat suspension package hasnt really detoriated my ride quality but you can still feel the difference in the turns... its a subtle drop so maybe you might be interested in those :D

 

What exactly is the difference between the Tein S TECH and Tein H TECH? According to their website they provide the exact same drop in hight... so what´s the big difference?

 

Spring rates are a little different...the H-Tech are a little higher(stiffer)..not really noticable though..

Therm8...i was just in Charleston on my way back to my old stomping grounds in Beaufort and Hilton Head, I have the S-Techs and had no problems at all....