Coilovers?

[lucid15]

The past month or two i have noticed that my front right strut is squeaky under most activities ( accelerating, decelerating, cornering etc) So i believe its going out. Also, the past week or so ive noticed a different sound added to it, cant really describe it but it sounds like it doesnt have much resistance against bumps. When i go over a speed bump it feels harder than normal. Anyways, pretty sure the strut/struts are going bad. The car has 127k on it. I was looking at purchasing the Megan Racing Coilovers, if i even need coilovers? I was just hoping to get some insight on where to go. OVerall goals are a quick DD around 300WHP eventually.

 

[BigBeans]

Coilovers are a great way to a tight suspension.

All my suspension background is in BMWs, and no one in that community uses Megan stuff, so i have no experience with their products.

You can achieve great results with good springs, good dampeners, a stiff set of sways, and poly bushings. I had a 3-series with 160whp and S compound tires that was as quick as an M6 on tight (slightly more open than autox) courses.

The problem with coilovers and dampeners in general is quality. People in the BMW community have done tests on coilovers, and had spring, compression and rebound rates vary significantly from spec and from the other coils in the kit. One coilover (I dont recall the brand) had stiffer compression on the softest setting than the coil for the other side of the car had on its hardest setting.

Racers, especially in the bmw world, spend 2-8k on coilovers, and companies know this. Most average Joes on the street wont know if the coilovers are way out of spec, so a surprisingly small amount of effort/quality control goes into "street" kits, regardless of manufacturer claims.


Coilovers, depending on adjustability, also tend to be harsh on the street. Because of this, i stick to good springs, good shocks/struts (usually bilstein outperforms most others), poly bushings, and sways if necessary. Good sways tend to make noise, so that's a last resort to reduce body roll.

My talon came with H&R springs and Koni's. H&R makes great stuff, and the Koni's seem decent, but i haven't had it on a road course so i can't make a real judgment.

 

[lucid15]

SO the dealer quoted me for $100 a strut. Would going aftermarket be better than OEM for the same price? Megan Coilovers are out of my price range.

 

[RadDsm]

Ground control and Tein SS both are great coilovers. I have the Tein SS and I really enjoy them.

What is your budget?

 

[phantom_19]

The squeeking sound is familiar to a problem i had. I was caused by a worn out balljoint.I greased it a bit ,and the sound went away.

 

[tvscream]

The squeeking sound is familiar to a problem i had. I was caused by a worn out balljoint.I greased it a bit ,and the sound went away.

this is pretty much what happened to me as well. When I was getting my car state inspected, I had the mechanic who was looking at it put some grease on some of the joints and bushings. No more squeaking.

 

[projecteclipse2]

Coil overs are solid but don't cheap out on them.
Like bigbeans is i come from a german car community and if your driving an audi, bmw, or vw they all love them.
Or you can get some eibachs and some kyb agx's

 

[lucid15]

Ok, so my budget is $200-$250. I am tired of it swaying whenever i accelerate or decelerate and the noises the struts make, i can tell they are going. Anyways, would my best bet be to buy OEM struts for $100 a piece and keep the stock springs? I do not want to lower it at all. What would be the best option? Can i buy 2 aftermarket front struts and leave the rears OEMs? Also, i do not need a big increase in cornering performance, as my car handles better than most cars as is. Just looking for a little more comfortable street ride.

 

[eazy2g]

Get Gr2's. you can get the whole set for around $200 they are better than stock.

 

[Ludachris]

Get Gr2's. you can get the whole set for around $200 they are better than stock.

Just barely... they're actually the equivalent to an OEM replacement really. And if your car is lowered, you run the risk of them wearing out prematurely, just like with any other shocks made for these cars (except Konis).

I'd suggest doing some research in the Road Racing forum. Struts have been discussed countless times.

 

[lucid15]

IS it possible to replace just the front shocks? i was looking at the Koni Sports. Whats the difference between a shock and strut?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

IS it possible to replace just the front shocks? i was looking at the Koni Sports. Whats the difference between a shock and strut?

Struts have the springs attached to them like your car.
Shocks are just the shock absorber with no spring attached like one the solid rear end of a pickup truck.
Just replace your struts and forget about the coilovers. (just my 2 cents)

 

[lucid15]

DO any aftermarket companies sell struts? I can only find shocks? are there any aftermarket strut combos that are better than OEM for around $300?

 

[GRAVEDIGGER]

DO any aftermarket companies sell struts? I can only find shocks? are there any aftermarket strut combos that are better than OEM for around $300?

Here are a great set of struts which will fit your car from a supporting vendor here on this site. They are adjustable and much better than the stockers. And you can get the front and rear for $300 too

Koni : JNZ Tuning

 

[sketzshane]

I would tell you to buy Konis RED (Struts) since the Konis Yellow which are alot better would be out of your range and buy H&R or Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs. Tein L. Spings are a little soft IMHO.

 

[NeoGohan]

I would tell you to buy Konis RED (Struts) since the Konis Yellow which are alot better would be out of your range and buy H&R or Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs. Tein L. Spings are a little soft IMHO.

I was looking up the Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs for my 2ga gsx (I have the Koni RED) but there's two models.

Nvm.

 

[sketzshane]

I was looking up the Eibach Prokit Lowering Springs for my 2ga gsx (I have the Koni RED) but there's two models.

Nvm.

Yes, the AWD can use any of the kits but the reverse is not true(meaning the 2WD ). It also depends on the drop you want on the car. I would go with Part#: E276015140 since it lowers front and rear by 1.3 in. to 1.6 in. Progressive springs rock

 

[LandoAWD]

And you can get the front and rear for $300 too

Koni : JNZ Tuning

They're 150 PER, not per-end.

 

[Oldsid]

DO any aftermarket companies sell struts? I can only find shocks? are there any aftermarket strut combos that are better than OEM for around $300?

GR2's are struts and can be bought for around $220.

http://www.importrp.com/search.php?mode=search

I just installed them with Eibach pro-kit springs are they are really good for a DD.

 

[97gst_spyder]

Its all about the ride you like.

If you want a rail-like ride, I love K-Sports, very stiff but amazing in corners. Also, adjustable ride height and dampening.

Or softer stock like ride, springs with sturts, as in kyb agx and Eibach springs. Then you will have a lowered fixed stance and adjustable dampening.