Lovely jubly! I'm getting old, apparently!

I don't wish to sound down on coilovers, generally; with any product you'll get a few people who've had problems with an array of brands. What I am saying, and this is the important bit, is that suspension is a subjective thing and it's critical that you assess the suitability of any kit you're thinking of getting over conditions that are representative those you find yourself in with the car most often. Just don't kid yourself into thinking that getting something non-adjutable or sticking with the std set up with a few refinements is necessarily a bad thing. Subaru do a good job with these cars as std for our crappy British roads.

 

[quote=New_scooby_04;9019234]LOL I'm not professing to be a guru but I am speaking from the perspective of someone who had thought that the way to get the best handling out of their Subaru was to go the adjustable coilover route and that anything else would be half measures. In actuality, given my use of the car, I would have been better off with something simplier and with more of the std set up's compliance.

the only problem there is a standard sti rear strut set up will cost £400 per corner with new mounts(which you always replace with new struts) i only needed 2 new back struts for mine but at that price i can buy a full set of bc's...which is exactly why i opted for this decision to go coil over plus the fact that i have been through 2 sets of rear sti struts since i bought my car in 03 this would have been my third.Take the gamble!!!

 

well i think im decided i want them just not sure how much to spend on which ones...may leave it a while. lol

 

i would go in quite cheap but a good brand to give you the insight into 'coilover world' will send you a pm when i have my bc's fitted and give em a good run let you know my honest feedback as i have had a lot of coilover experiance...was on a dare i say it ford xr2i 16v zetec but i changed those ****ers 3 times spax / koni / cusco ...got it right in the end though.
simon

 

cool cheers

 

Sorry to re-awaken this thread, but....
An all to familiar knocking noise has started at very low speeds coming from my nearside front wheel area (O7 Hawk WRX). The same noise at the nearside rear proved to be a damper on its way out. Blame the cobbles and potholes of the Isle of Dogs I suppose.

From previous experience of Subaru, I will not get any change out of £350.00 for a new shock, and if I want a matching pair on the front I'll be past £700 in no time.

I know for sure that for commuting coilovers would be a disaster, can anyone recommend non coilover replacement shocks that would be an improvement on the stock OEM?

 

Thats simply not true, just buy the right kit to meet your needs

 

I have commuted on BC's since Feb this year, no issues here!

dipster

 

Might be worth looking into Eibach Pro S

Very impressive compromise between control and comfort so far.

Although the OP needs to know that when someone describes coilovers as comfortable, what they mean is "comfortable for coilovers" Realistically, even the softest coil overs give an STi plus ride that would be a bit of a culture shock to anyone coming from nice squidgy UK turbo/WRX suspension!!

Ns04

 

Happily take you out in my car to prove you wrong there buddy

More comfortable/compliant than std STi suspension.

 

I've also found coilovers (BC's with 6/4 springs) more comfortable than the std sti rubbish.
No more bobble head or rock hard rear shocks.

dipster

 

LOL didn't I say "STi plus"?

The Eibachs I have are more comfortable than STi suspension (that's not hard ), more comfortable than the Teins and more comfortable than cars equipped with BC, AST, Cusco and Spax set ups I've been out in but they're still not as comfortable as a std WRX (which has very good ride quality i.e. think normal saloon), but no where near as much body control as an STi....that's the pay off.

To clarify: I'm just saying that the difference in ride quality offered by "soft" coilovers might be pleasing to someone accustomed to the STi ride (i.e. very stiff), but someone going from std WRX suspension (i.e. soft) to a set of coilovers might get a shock. No such thing as a free lunch as they say.

Dynamix, would love to go for a ride with the EXE-TCs it's about the only kit I've not been for a spin in now!

Ns04

 

It will change your thinking on coilovers for sure.

Where are you based?

 

can i come too? lol

 

LOL Wrighty, you should go FIRST!!! You're the one thinking of buying!

Dynamix, unfortunately, I'm in Kent mate (car park of England hence the problem with overly stiff suspension); a bit far to trek given that I'm happy with the Eibachs. If you're ever in the area though give me a shout and we'll compare notes! If I find myself in Cambs I'll give you a shout.

 

If anyone wants to try some cars running BC racing coilovers then at least two of our cars will be at Bedford Autodrome on 28th November:

Club MSV - Car Trackdays with MotorSport Vision - Event Details

If you are interested int he track day itself than I can get you on with 10% discount, just pm me for the infro you need for the discount Brings the price in at just £134.10, about as cheap as it gets for a proper track day on a circuit where theres virtually nothing to hit!

 

That's a useful offer, Bren . Anyone contemplating BCs should deffo have a peek!

Just remember to test the car off the track too and on some typical pot holed UK roads! Even the stiffest suspension feels good on a smooth track/road. It's what happens when you hit the rough stuff that will make your mind up.

 

It wont be going off track through the day, I wont have time to waste chunks of the day doing road tests :no:

The cars here day in day out for any serious customer to come and try on our (appauling) local roads. The track day is just that, if you want to come and have a giggle then feel free but I wont be giving up hours worth of track time doing road work.

 

Ta for the clarification, Bren; good to know!

 

Mapped a car today running BC coilovers and I have to say I was impressed. Not crashey or clanky at all even on horrid broken (and badly cambered) fen roads. Car just felt nicely connected to the road.

 

That's a new one.

It can join the other helpful adjectives I use to describe a car's secondary ride, such as: "bangy" "boingy" "thumpy" "dongy"....sleepy and bashful....oh wait, went off on a tangent with the last two!

Ns04

 

try tein's and you will recognise that word

 

Having been there, I think you'll find the term is "Ooooooooomebollox" That said, I did tend to wind the dampers up!

I do kinda miss em though; they were firm, no doubt, but blooming good control and the EDFC was genuis.

Now I've just let Eibach tell me what the best settings are....TBH I think they know better anyway!

Ns04

 

A question for NS04,

Can your tell me what Eibachs you have and how much they were. I am currently considering either the basic BC BRSeries Coilovers, or Koni Dampers. Bren from APEX seems pretty certain that with the right springs the BR series will get the job done.

But on the other had I am not terribly bothered about adjustability.....

I have a window of opportunity because the front nearside shock on my WRX has started to "knock", and I can get a set of BC BR's for the same price as a pair of OEM shocks!

Shaer your wisdom please.

 

Too funny, ride on teins and you will find out what it is like to be shot in your lower back everytime you go over anything bigger that a catseye. I dont agree with this suspension is subjective nonsense hard is hard and it usually tracks well, but get use to banging your head on the roof and stopping your drive early to check the front of your car has not been smashed off! Too funny... crank up the super streets to 16 every time wouldnt have it any other way. Er I would really if I had the cash for a new GTR!

 

They are Eibach Pro S Coilovers mate

Pics and representative price here.

Eibach / Pro-Street-S Coilovers / Subaru Impreza (GD, GG) 1.6, 1.8, 2.0, 2.0 WRX Turbo 12.00 - 12.02 / Euro Performance Car Parts

I got mine from David at APi following price inclusive of vat,fitting, lazer allignment and corner weighting

http://www.apiimpreza.com/frames/pro...&categoryID=14

It's a little early to give comprehensive impressions, but they are certainly softer than the Teins, but they are still firm, significantly more so than a STD UK (non STi) Scooby.

If you are really bothered about ride quality, then I'd personally suggest you stick with std Springs and dampers and upgrade the ARBs for something stiffer to remove some of the body roll. If you are prepared to sacrifice some low speed comfort over ****e roads then go for coil overs with well matched spring and damper rates set up for fast road use, not track! The Eibachs are certainly very good in this respect. You probably won't use the adjustability feature if you get adjustable ones set up properly for your intended useage, so that's not a big deal TBH. The Teins were great in this respect with the EDFC, but the Eibachs make them look a bit crude in terms of ride quality.