Review of MeisterR ZetaCRD+
09 August 2016, 02:36 PM
#1
Review of MeisterR ZetaCRD+
Thought I would post a thread sharing my positive experience with this product. Link: https://www.meisterr.co.uk/products/zetacrd-plus/
I have a JDM 2004 Forester STI that I've owned since February (Some of you probably know my thread on the car). The car already had up-rated suspension fitted that was only a couple of thousand miles old when I purchased the car. She was fitted with Pedders Ezifit lowering kit (new struts and springs) to suit the FSTI. Whilst the ride was great on the car and very forgiving it still suffered from understeer at the front when pushed and didn't handle as well as my 2006 Impreza. Also, once I'd fitted my XXR wheels the ride height looked excessive due to the drop in tyre profiles from 45 to 40s. I ended up upgrading the rear ARB to a 22mm adjustable Whiteline version, along with front & rear bushed, uprated body mounts, uprated steering rack bushes, up-rated drop links front & rear which all helped the handling.
I wanted to change the suspension too as the last point of call to mainly address the ride height and spent a LONG time discussing options with various suppliers to suit the FSTI. Pedders do a coilover kit, but the spring rates are 8kg at the front & 6kg at the rear. Even by their own admission, this is really too stiff for a road car. I really didn't want to make my every day car too harsh to drive.
I looked at BC's who also do a FSTI kit, but having heard many many stories of issues with their longevidy and failing shocks along with comments on the stiffness of the ride I didn't feel like I wanted to go down this route also.
Some time ago I was looking at the MeisterR Zeta-S coilovers for my 2006 Hawk Impreza as they had good reviews. Meister do not do a Forester specific kit, so after more talks with Edwin at MeisterR we went over strut lengths and spring rates (same as the BCs at 6kg front & 5kg rear) and he was able to confirm that their units should adjust up high enough to enable an Impreza to be set at factory ride height settings. If fitted to the Forester it would mean lowered over standard, but not excessively to the point of compromising the car.
So I eventually ended up buying a new set of MeisterR ZetaCRD+ coilovers suitable for the GD Impreza with 100x5 stud pattern. The 2004 FSTI thankfully shares a lot of components with the 2004 Blobeye Imprezs STI including the hubs etc. Most of the parts are either the same or very similar.
I finally got a chance to fit these to the car at the very beginning of June this year (2 months ago now) and I have attached a few pictures below taken during the fitting process. I checked the spring pre-tension on all struts and they were all supplied correct straight from the factory thankfully. I started by setting the coilovers on their maximum height setting, which is 80mm of strut thread inserted into the strut carrier housing. Both fronts & rears were set like this and installed on the car like this to test. I'm pleased to say that the height was WAY above standard when installed and test driven. The pics below are after a drive to settle everything down. I can report no knocks or bangs at all at this (ridiculous) height.
I then lowered the car all round to where it is now. I calculated that this is approximately 3.3" of drop from the standard FSTI ride height. Quite a lot to be honest, but once again at this position there are still absolutely no knocks or bangs from the suspension in any areas and the ride is no more harsh than it was at full height. Final ride heights shown in pics below are: 320mm rear from hub centre to wheel arch & 330mm front from hub centre to wheel arch. Measurements taken in this way to remove tyre profile variables between 45 and 40 profiles. True heights are 630mm arch to ground at rear and 630mm arch to ground at front.
I have the front set on 10 clicks from soft and the rears set on 8 clicks from soft and the ride is great. I would say that the car is every so slightly softer than if it were on STI suspension, but if pushed it REALLY holds the road. Turn in is fantastic and grip levels are massively improved over the last setup. The car has had full geometry setup too after I did this and camber is -1.6deg both sides at the rear (using Whiteline camber bolts) and -1.3deg negative camber at the front (using camber bolts and adjustable top mounts). It feels really planted on the road and really poised. Steering is fantastic now and it inspires so much confidence to push the car further than I felt possible before.
I was really worried I'd spoil my every day car with coilovers as this car is used daily to drop my kids to nursery and me to work. I'm so pleased that it hasn't. Even the wife thinks the suspension feels better than before and my 75 year old Dad was very impressed! lol. I've used the car to do collections of heavy plant equipment & dump runs to the local tip and still had no scraping or suspension issues so far. I'm delighted I took the plunge for these MeisterR coilovers, it really has improved my car.
I should add that you may notice in my pics below that the coilovers look white on the threads, this is because I purchased some marine grade white PTFE grease to spray liberally over the threads to try and stop them seizing. Just a preventative measure. The pics below also show the uncompressed length difference between the MeisterR coilovers and the Pedders struts. The MeisterR coilover was 23mm shorter at the rear when at full height, the front was 60mm shorted at full height compared to the Pedders unit. Both bolt up with no issues at all.
I should add that the only trivial fitting issue I had was the front brake and speed sensor threaded holes were full of powder coat and I had to run an M8 tap through these. Trivial but annoying. MUCH easier to do this before the shocks are fitted to the car.
These get a big thumbs up from me! Any questions, please ask.
Now I'll just ***** a few more pics of my car for everyone!
Thanks. BPR.
I have a JDM 2004 Forester STI that I've owned since February (Some of you probably know my thread on the car). The car already had up-rated suspension fitted that was only a couple of thousand miles old when I purchased the car. She was fitted with Pedders Ezifit lowering kit (new struts and springs) to suit the FSTI. Whilst the ride was great on the car and very forgiving it still suffered from understeer at the front when pushed and didn't handle as well as my 2006 Impreza. Also, once I'd fitted my XXR wheels the ride height looked excessive due to the drop in tyre profiles from 45 to 40s. I ended up upgrading the rear ARB to a 22mm adjustable Whiteline version, along with front & rear bushed, uprated body mounts, uprated steering rack bushes, up-rated drop links front & rear which all helped the handling.
I wanted to change the suspension too as the last point of call to mainly address the ride height and spent a LONG time discussing options with various suppliers to suit the FSTI. Pedders do a coilover kit, but the spring rates are 8kg at the front & 6kg at the rear. Even by their own admission, this is really too stiff for a road car. I really didn't want to make my every day car too harsh to drive.
I looked at BC's who also do a FSTI kit, but having heard many many stories of issues with their longevidy and failing shocks along with comments on the stiffness of the ride I didn't feel like I wanted to go down this route also.
Some time ago I was looking at the MeisterR Zeta-S coilovers for my 2006 Hawk Impreza as they had good reviews. Meister do not do a Forester specific kit, so after more talks with Edwin at MeisterR we went over strut lengths and spring rates (same as the BCs at 6kg front & 5kg rear) and he was able to confirm that their units should adjust up high enough to enable an Impreza to be set at factory ride height settings. If fitted to the Forester it would mean lowered over standard, but not excessively to the point of compromising the car.
So I eventually ended up buying a new set of MeisterR ZetaCRD+ coilovers suitable for the GD Impreza with 100x5 stud pattern. The 2004 FSTI thankfully shares a lot of components with the 2004 Blobeye Imprezs STI including the hubs etc. Most of the parts are either the same or very similar.
I finally got a chance to fit these to the car at the very beginning of June this year (2 months ago now) and I have attached a few pictures below taken during the fitting process. I checked the spring pre-tension on all struts and they were all supplied correct straight from the factory thankfully. I started by setting the coilovers on their maximum height setting, which is 80mm of strut thread inserted into the strut carrier housing. Both fronts & rears were set like this and installed on the car like this to test. I'm pleased to say that the height was WAY above standard when installed and test driven. The pics below are after a drive to settle everything down. I can report no knocks or bangs at all at this (ridiculous) height.
I then lowered the car all round to where it is now. I calculated that this is approximately 3.3" of drop from the standard FSTI ride height. Quite a lot to be honest, but once again at this position there are still absolutely no knocks or bangs from the suspension in any areas and the ride is no more harsh than it was at full height. Final ride heights shown in pics below are: 320mm rear from hub centre to wheel arch & 330mm front from hub centre to wheel arch. Measurements taken in this way to remove tyre profile variables between 45 and 40 profiles. True heights are 630mm arch to ground at rear and 630mm arch to ground at front.
I have the front set on 10 clicks from soft and the rears set on 8 clicks from soft and the ride is great. I would say that the car is every so slightly softer than if it were on STI suspension, but if pushed it REALLY holds the road. Turn in is fantastic and grip levels are massively improved over the last setup. The car has had full geometry setup too after I did this and camber is -1.6deg both sides at the rear (using Whiteline camber bolts) and -1.3deg negative camber at the front (using camber bolts and adjustable top mounts). It feels really planted on the road and really poised. Steering is fantastic now and it inspires so much confidence to push the car further than I felt possible before.
I was really worried I'd spoil my every day car with coilovers as this car is used daily to drop my kids to nursery and me to work. I'm so pleased that it hasn't. Even the wife thinks the suspension feels better than before and my 75 year old Dad was very impressed! lol. I've used the car to do collections of heavy plant equipment & dump runs to the local tip and still had no scraping or suspension issues so far. I'm delighted I took the plunge for these MeisterR coilovers, it really has improved my car.
I should add that you may notice in my pics below that the coilovers look white on the threads, this is because I purchased some marine grade white PTFE grease to spray liberally over the threads to try and stop them seizing. Just a preventative measure. The pics below also show the uncompressed length difference between the MeisterR coilovers and the Pedders struts. The MeisterR coilover was 23mm shorter at the rear when at full height, the front was 60mm shorted at full height compared to the Pedders unit. Both bolt up with no issues at all.
I should add that the only trivial fitting issue I had was the front brake and speed sensor threaded holes were full of powder coat and I had to run an M8 tap through these. Trivial but annoying. MUCH easier to do this before the shocks are fitted to the car.
These get a big thumbs up from me! Any questions, please ask.
Now I'll just ***** a few more pics of my car for everyone!
Thanks. BPR.
Last edited by BrownPantsRacing; 09 August 2016 at 02:53 PM.
09 August 2016, 02:48 PM
#5
Set at max height adjust front & rear. Front was 370mm hub centre to wheel arch and rear was 410mm hub centre to wheel arch.
Another at max height adjust after a drive to settle.
Now adjusted down by 100mm at rear and 50mm at front. I ended up going up by 10mm again at teh rear to it's current height shown in post 1.
Adjustable top mount
Rear adjustment, I trimmed the standard trim and you do not need extenders.
Another of the rear re-assembled
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09 August 2016, 03:46 PM
#8
Thank you. Took a while to write. 
While the Impreza is certainly raked down slightly at the nose I read somewhere that the Forester is more level at "Stock ride height (stock tires and suspension) is about 736.60 (29") front and rear to the wheel well arch".
Current height is causing no scrapes at all in any conditions which amazes me. But I may well raise it another 10mm at the rear in the end.
While the Impreza is certainly raked down slightly at the nose I read somewhere that the Forester is more level at "Stock ride height (stock tires and suspension) is about 736.60 (29") front and rear to the wheel well arch".
Current height is causing no scrapes at all in any conditions which amazes me. But I may well raise it another 10mm at the rear in the end.
09 August 2016, 03:53 PM
#10
Scooby Regular
looks minted!
its between these and bc for me owned both for my glanza before and where not far from each other tbh..
what price did these set you back? can not see the option for "forester"
its between these and bc for me owned both for my glanza before and where not far from each other tbh..
what price did these set you back? can not see the option for "forester"
09 August 2016, 03:57 PM
#11
They come in at just under £800 supplied.
09 August 2016, 04:01 PM
#12
Lol, I really want to change the Suspension on my SF5. I run Ohlins on my S202 but they are way too expensive and hard for my daily. I have BCs on my trackcar and tbf I like them. I am torn between the Meisters and the BC's as I have to be honest in this price bracket they don't look that different. Do the Meisters have a supplied OEM strut top, the BC's have the solid top if they're like the impreza ones.
I know the more expensive Meisters have been fettled I think in conjuction with an ex Leda technician but I assume these are off the shelf like the rest.
Not a criticism just trying to understand more
I know the more expensive Meisters have been fettled I think in conjuction with an ex Leda technician but I assume these are off the shelf like the rest.
Not a criticism just trying to understand more
They are very similar to the BC price wise now and with all the stories of failing BC's I just didn't want to go down that route. Edwin from MeisterR has been great to talk to through my decision process and I know if I get any issues later down the road then the UK support will be invaluable. That swung my decision. That and the other good reviews these have been having! lol
09 August 2016, 04:42 PM
#15
I have no idea if it would, but I can adjust all 4 corners of my car by hand in less than a minute, so don't see the benefit of another gadget that could go wrong. You'll need the rear extenders for the Impreza to make things easier.
09 August 2016, 06:06 PM
#18
Exellent read BPR
My hub to arch measurements are 34cm on each corner, the impreza does look lower at the front. This is the same ride height I had with the BC's and it's about where I like it. I have Eibach camberbolts, rear top cleavis and lower fronts, set to max neg and the front tops pushed over to the middle point on negative setting. Camber adjustment on the wagon is limited so I've tried for as much negative camber as possible.
The car is booked in for geo on Tuesday, so it'll be interesting to see what the garage think of it.
Trev
My hub to arch measurements are 34cm on each corner, the impreza does look lower at the front. This is the same ride height I had with the BC's and it's about where I like it. I have Eibach camberbolts, rear top cleavis and lower fronts, set to max neg and the front tops pushed over to the middle point on negative setting. Camber adjustment on the wagon is limited so I've tried for as much negative camber as possible.
The car is booked in for geo on Tuesday, so it'll be interesting to see what the garage think of it.
Trev
28 November 2016, 03:24 PM
#24
So I've had the Meister R suspension fitted for over 5 months now on my car, which is used as my daily.
The suspension is still performing faultlessly and I'm really enjoying how the car drives every day I use it. I really love it. The car gets used for the nursery run, dump runs, drives too and from work, collecting all sorts of rubbish my wife has agreed to buy from various facebook groups etc. This included collecting 600 driveway blocks. I managed 200 in the back of the Foz on the new suspension and the drive home was still fine.
Can't rate this suspension high enough.
Didn't get a chance to raise the rear by 10mm yet from where I'd left it, but isn't scraping at all or bothering me how it is now, so I'm happy!
The suspension is still performing faultlessly and I'm really enjoying how the car drives every day I use it. I really love it. The car gets used for the nursery run, dump runs, drives too and from work, collecting all sorts of rubbish my wife has agreed to buy from various facebook groups etc. This included collecting 600 driveway blocks. I managed 200 in the back of the Foz on the new suspension and the drive home was still fine.
Can't rate this suspension high enough.
Didn't get a chance to raise the rear by 10mm yet from where I'd left it, but isn't scraping at all or bothering me how it is now, so I'm happy!
29 November 2016, 01:43 PM
#25
I'm very pleased with my MeisterRs too, on my blob Impreza wagon. I don't cart as much stuff about as you by the sounds of it, but changing the overly-hard HSD Monopros to the MeisterRs has made the wagon a place the wife will tolerate again! I probably need to get some camber bolts so that I can add some negative camber to the rear end, it's neutral at the moment. Oh and there's no need for the adjustment extenders in an Impreza wagon either, you can just pop off the trim and get straight to the adjuster. I think they're only needed for a saloon.
Hoping to get it on a track day sometime soon to try out the handling a bit more than I can on the road. Mine is set to 10 clicks from soft all round.
Hoping to get it on a track day sometime soon to try out the handling a bit more than I can on the road. Mine is set to 10 clicks from soft all round.
01 December 2016, 03:12 AM
#27
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I'm very pleased with my MeisterRs too, on my blob Impreza wagon. I don't cart as much stuff about as you by the sounds of it, but changing the overly-hard HSD Monopros to the MeisterRs has made the wagon a place the wife will tolerate again! I probably need to get some camber bolts so that I can add some negative camber to the rear end, it's neutral at the moment. Oh and there's no need for the adjustment extenders in an Impreza wagon either, you can just pop off the trim and get straight to the adjuster. I think they're only needed for a saloon.
Hoping to get it on a track day sometime soon to try out the handling a bit more than I can on the road. Mine is set to 10 clicks from soft all round.
Hoping to get it on a track day sometime soon to try out the handling a bit more than I can on the road. Mine is set to 10 clicks from soft all round.
How different was the ride comfort between the HSD MonoPro and the MeisterR ZetaCRD?
It is always nice to hear that the car is a place that the other half will tolerate again.
We get that alot with customers, had another customer that replaced a set of Tein MonoFlex with a set of MeisterR GT1 on his girlfriends EVO and gave the exact same response...
Except it was his girlfriend that was commenting how good the GT1 were.
Jerrick
01 December 2016, 03:14 AM
#28
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So I've had the Meister R suspension fitted for over 5 months now on my car, which is used as my daily.
The suspension is still performing faultlessly and I'm really enjoying how the car drives every day I use it. I really love it. The car gets used for the nursery run, dump runs, drives too and from work, collecting all sorts of rubbish my wife has agreed to buy from various facebook groups etc. This included collecting 600 driveway blocks. I managed 200 in the back of the Foz on the new suspension and the drive home was still fine.
Can't rate this suspension high enough.
Didn't get a chance to raise the rear by 10mm yet from where I'd left it, but isn't scraping at all or bothering me how it is now, so I'm happy!
The suspension is still performing faultlessly and I'm really enjoying how the car drives every day I use it. I really love it. The car gets used for the nursery run, dump runs, drives too and from work, collecting all sorts of rubbish my wife has agreed to buy from various facebook groups etc. This included collecting 600 driveway blocks. I managed 200 in the back of the Foz on the new suspension and the drive home was still fine.
Can't rate this suspension high enough.
Didn't get a chance to raise the rear by 10mm yet from where I'd left it, but isn't scraping at all or bothering me how it is now, so I'm happy!
That must be some weight on top of the rear strut.
Jerrick