Quick, someone convince me not to buy cheap coilovers!

Kinja'd!!! "Turner950" (Turner950)
10/21/2013 at 03:17 • Filed to: None

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I've caught the Miata bug. I've ordered a helmet and have started looking for autocross events. I'm on a budget, so if I am going to lower this car it needs to be cost effective. These seem to be cheaper than replacing all four springs and shocks independently. Also, seeing as I drive very long distances yearly (coming home from school), I do like the idea of adjustable height.

Does anyone have good/bad experiences with racelands or coilovers in general?

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(Horrible picture, but this shows how ridiculously high my Miata sits at the stock setting.)


DISCUSSION (15)


Kinja'd!!! YSI-what can brown do for you > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 03:19

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All I know is that, a set of cheap coilovers can be worse than a set of good springs. . . so be wary.


Kinja'd!!! IDROVEAPICKUPTRUCK > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 03:24

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This is what turned up when I searched "cheap coilover fail"

http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showthread.php…

http://forums.vwvortex.com/showthread.php…

The first two results on google were about how shitty raceland coilovers are.

Just pick up a set of springs/shocks from a place like flyin' miata. Trust me it'll be worth the $800 or whatever.
http://www.flyinmiata.com/index.php?dept…


Kinja'd!!! beardsbynelly - Rikerbeard > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 03:32

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51 pages of discussion on raceland coilovers.

give that a read


Kinja'd!!! PS9 > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 03:40

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Here's a good general rule to follow; If the part fails, could I be thrust into a life threatening situation? If so, don't cheap out.

A coil over failure could instantly and significantly change the suspension geometry of the car, or worse, take out a wheel. To me, it isn't worth the risk.

Save up and get some proper gear for that lambo, dude.


Kinja'd!!! gavinski91 > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 03:42

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If you drive very long distances, you will be very uncomfortable with cheap coilovers. Whatever coilovers you end up getting, make sure that they have progressive springs, that will prevent the car from bouncing when you go over bumps.


Kinja'd!!! Shady Balkan Subject, Drives an Alfa > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 04:28

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So this is the price for the whole set? I would suggest giving more money and going with something that is not a complete kit from a decent manufacturer like Koni of Bilstein. It can be done for something like 600$ when I glanced at Amazon. Personaly I would be cheap on everything, except the suspension.


Kinja'd!!! simon_C > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 05:45

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Actually racelands arent all that bad, theyre pretty proven in the vw community and they have lots of good stories to tell about them, not to mention they have stellar customer service. and make sure you just dont slam them, at either extreme, they handle like shit.


Kinja'd!!! d1ck > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 07:02

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I'm sure this has been said already but don't do it. Buy some bilsteins and springs.


Kinja'd!!! N51fanatic > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 07:43

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DO NOT BUY CHEAP COILOVERS.

People don't realize how good the quality is of stuff from the factory. Don't go effing up the most important part of your cars driving experience by buying some cheapo coilovers. Save some money and do it right.


Kinja'd!!! DocWalt > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 09:02

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If you're planning on autocrossing with any sort of competitive-ness, I'd not bother.


Kinja'd!!! MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 09:03

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Read this:

http://farnorthracing.com/autocross_secr…

And all of these:

http://www.motoiq.com/Tech/TheUltima…

Then come to your own conclusions. Basically, if you are paying less than $1200 or so for coilovers, they are almost certainly garbage as far as real track performance goes.


Kinja'd!!! MR2_FTW - Group J's resident Stig > gavinski91
10/21/2013 at 09:04

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That's not a spring problem, that's a shock dampening problem. Cheap coilovers usually just go with over-stiff springs and over-stiff dampening to compensate for going hellaflush, which is terrible for comfort and handling.


Kinja'd!!! Pure87 > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 09:26

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Get a reputable brand and go to a reputable shop to get them installed. I have a friend who went with coilovers from a newer, more expensive brand that were rumored to be higher quality than more common brands out there. They collapsed about two months later due to incorrect installation even though the shop said they were installed within specs. Then came the long tedious battle with the shop and the manufacturer, who each shifted blame to the other. Luckily, the car was still driveable in the meantime, but it was noticeably dragging its ass as if it was full of luggage.


Kinja'd!!! eovnu87435ds > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 11:04

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Don't bother. Keep it stock, run in stock class (or spec Miata class, if available), and get good with it. You already have a car that handles much better than many other stock cars.

Fast laps are made by fast drivers, not fast cars.


Kinja'd!!! NaturallyAspirated > Turner950
10/21/2013 at 12:02

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I put Raceland coilovers on my NA Miata. They turned it into the worst-riding car I've ever owned, and made it oversteer horribly. I don't recommend them at all. I put used factory springs and new Koni orange struts on the car after a few months and was very happy with the improvement in both handling and ride comfort.