Which coilover is the most comfortable? - Zilvia.net Forums | Nissan 240SX (Silvia) and Z (Fairlady) Car Forum

stillen · 09-20-2007, 03:07 PM

Hi everyone, I just would like to know from all of your experiences with coilovers for an S14. I will be using my car mostly on the street. I don't want to get shocks and springs. I want to get coilovers and I want your opinions regarding comfort. I am considering the following BC-racing vs Kbee vs Apex ExV if anybody has any experience with those. If there are any other coilovers that you think are very comfortable then please let me know. Thanks I would really appreciate your help.

DOOK · 09-20-2007, 03:10 PM

coilovers are a performance mod, not something you get for ride comfort.

iHeartTheTouge · 09-20-2007, 03:15 PM

comfort and performance dont go together, you will have to sacrifice one or the other

stillen · 09-20-2007, 03:17 PM

I understand all of that but I want to know which are least stiffest? and any opinions regarding the BC racing or Kbee with ride stiffness?

MrChow · 09-20-2007, 03:17 PM

Search up tanabe they have some nice looking coils for DD.

lflkajfj12123 · 09-20-2007, 03:32 PM

if the coilovers aren't as stiff then whats the point, go with coils and springs its just as good if you want a not so stiff ride and offers performance

plus its alot cheaper

otherwise man up and enjoy the ride with coils

DOOK · 09-20-2007, 03:36 PM

check for yourself on the websites you are browing for coilovers.... obviously a setup with 8/6 kg/mm or whatever will be softer than a 10/8 setup

S14SwimShark105 · 09-20-2007, 03:37 PM

look for the one with the softest spring rate, none of the coilovers you mentioned are soft.

Quigs · 09-20-2007, 03:39 PM

I thought the reason for getting coilovers was for a stiff suspension??

If you want something for just looks (ride height adjustment) then just get some lowering springs/shocks. Coilovers, like everyone else so far has stated, are for performance and are built to be stiff. Good luck with whatever you decide to go with.

P.S. - Coilovers aren't as uncomfortable as you are probably thinking. After two or three days of normal driving, you will probably get used to it. Your passengers (if any) wont like it, but oh well, sucks for them right? You drive a sports car...it's not like you're running a limousine service. As long as you are comfortable with how your car performs, that's all that's important. Feeling the road is half the fun of driving our cars

[end rambling on, and on, and on...]

Nikeboy355 · 09-20-2007, 03:42 PM

Tein Basic might be what you are looking for...

PRADOgy · 09-20-2007, 03:46 PM

If your not drifting or road racing.. i really dont see the need for coilovers, if you want a nice sporty setup with out the stiffness and can perform id rock some performance shocks and springs

DP_Michelle G · 09-20-2007, 04:19 PM

I

my BC's there not to stiff on the right settings but even when there set to full stiff I could daily them. Not to many people on here have them or if they do they have the older one's the VH'S which are the same as the megan/greddy and apexi coilovers.

+1 for BC RACING

SimpleSexy180 · 09-20-2007, 04:25 PM

tein basics for you buddy.

kdashy · 09-20-2007, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikeboy355

Tein Basic might be what you are looking for...

X2.

Or get lowering springs like everyone else is saying.

TheSquidd · 09-20-2007, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Quigs

I thought the reason for getting coilovers was for a stiff suspension??

LOL what is all this misinformation being spread here?

Are you the guys that buy your KSports and just turn the dampening knob to 32?

"It's stiff and hurts my livers! I'M A HANDLING GOD!"

No. You do know there's a balance to be had right? And in fact for grip a softer suspension can be key because your tires aren't bouncing and skipping everywhere because of your 10414kg Megan Racing Track springs and your 64 way adjustable Tiens are set to 64.

I'm not going to go into crazy detail cause I'm a noob in suspension land, but I'm sure someone that has half a brain here can chime in.

Smooth coilovers I have ridden in

s13 coupe (mine) - Silkroad / Section RM/A8 - Very nice, I daily it all the time, the shocks are getting a little worn now, but really very smooth when I got them. I run about 3 clicks in back and 4 up front (out of 8). Very little compression and body roll even at that setting, yet it absorbs bumps with ease. At the track it's awesome. I could use some front sway bars but I have no complaints about the shocks themselves.

S14 - K*Bee - Rode in my friends, slammed and dialed pretty soft, very smooth. Not a lot of movement either. Dampened the bumps very well.

Worst I've ridden in:

Tein HE s14 - Do not buy these.
Megan Racing S14 - Do not buy these.

ayuaddict · 09-20-2007, 05:34 PM

my KTS are pretty damn comfortable at half-stiff.

oh the spring rates are 8kg/6kg btw.

im pretty sure no coilover for the S chassis comes with spring rates lower than 8kg/6kg but if you are dead set on making your car ride like...a stock 240 but lower and must use coilovers...get some springs made in like 1kg?

MavericStephenc · 09-20-2007, 05:55 PM

we already have a thread for this topic

MrChow · 09-20-2007, 06:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheSquidd

Are you the guys that buy your KSports and just turn the dampening knob to 32?

"It's stiff and hurts my livers! I'M A HANDLING GOD!"

No. You do know there's a balance to be had right? And in fact for grip a softer suspension can be key because your tires aren't bouncing and skipping everywhere because of your 10414kg Megan Racing Track springs and your 64 way adjustable Tiens are set to 64.

I'm not going to go into crazy detail cause I'm a noob in suspension land, but I'm sure someone that has half a brain here can chime in.

LOL Love they first quote I'm soo using that!

Anyways what he said. I'm getting coil and I'm going to be DD a lot more then I track/racing. The reason why? I'm getting coil is for the adjustability.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ayuaddict

im pretty sure no coilover for the S chassis comes with spring rates lower than 8kg/6kg but if you are dead set on making your car ride like...a stock 240 but lower and must use coilovers...get some springs made in like 1kg?

SUSTEC PRO S-0C are 6k/4k and they look really nice like I said before.

In the tech sector of these forums there a FAQ for suspension. Go read it.

Wiisass · 09-20-2007, 09:29 PM

Whoever thinks ride comfort and handling don't go together is an idiot. I've said stuff about this a lot and for some reason people still don't understand it. It's all about the damper. And too stiff a damper, no matter how cool you think the car feels, is bad for handling. As far as ride comfort, if these forces are getting transmitted into the car and you're feeling them, think about what the tire must be going through. It's not good for grip.

DOOK · 09-20-2007, 09:58 PM

notice in my previous posts I never said a quality coilover can't have a good street feel, but it was a performance mod, not something you get for ride comfort. No matter what coilover, I've never been in a car that was as comfortable on coils as it was on stock suspension, but I've been in some that were close. You get what you pay for in coilovers, as was stated before, if you pay for Ksport or Megan Racing, that is exactly what you're gonna get. If you pay for moton dampers, you get moton dampers.

Aoshi112 · 09-21-2007, 02:18 AM

KW V3 have a softer spring rate, forget how much they are off hand.

drifting_changed_mylife · 09-21-2007, 05:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nikeboy355

Tein Basic might be what you are looking for...

yeah my buddy picked some of them up last weeked and the ride is barable. its not TO stiff. plus it dropped his s14 about 2 inces

trsilvias13 · 09-21-2007, 10:47 AM

Get stance or kts and purchase the optional 3k springs set .

Too rough? get 60 profile tires.

If you get 10k spring with stretch tires like 215 on a 10in wheel, it will be stiff, but if you get 10k spring and get 60+ profiles tires, it will be two different ride.

KTS works for me.

ZenkitonS14 · 09-21-2007, 12:01 PM

K-Bees are like a cloud in between your car and wheels. Well, not really, but theyre pretty damn NICE. I think that in the long run, you wont be happy with the basics. They have no body adjustment, correct? The only way to lower them is by spring with preload or droop right?

EDacIouSX · 09-21-2007, 12:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by trsilvias13

Get stance or kts and purchase the optional 3k springs set .

Too rough? get 60 profile tires.

If you get 10k spring with stretch tires like 215 on a 10in wheel, it will be stiff, but if you get 10k spring and get 60+ profiles tires, it will be two different ride.

KTS works for me.

you forget 275 with a 60 profile on a 10 inch wheel will be comfortable.. lol, 60 profile in 275.... SUPA COMFY TALL N WIDE TIRESSSSS!!! heh

(width of a tire also helps with comfort, smaller tires tend to fall into those street pot holes easier)

TheSquidd · 09-21-2007, 12:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ZenkitonS14

K-Bees are like a cloud in between your car and wheels. Well, not really, but theyre pretty damn NICE. I think that in the long run, you wont be happy with the basics. They have no body adjustment, correct? The only way to lower them is by spring with preload or droop right?

Remember also though you have huge boat tires that are absorbing a lot of the vibration from the road.

articdragon192 · 09-21-2007, 01:16 PM

Want comfort? Easy... Tein Flexes. 6/4 rates and the valving is spot on for those rates. Very very smooth ride. I had them on my S13 and had people fall asleep in my car. The way they ride is very different from other more aggressive coilovers, and it's very apparent when seen from outside.

614duece40 · 09-21-2007, 01:22 PM

get the apex's, can't go wrong with a name brand. and as far as comfort, coilovers are not comfortable, unless you have a vip car.

*AceInHole* · 09-21-2007, 01:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 614duece40

get the apex's, can't go wrong with a name brand.

Unless that name is from Japan.... I still haven't seen a JDM performance damper I'd upgrade to.

As for comfort, I'm pretty happy with my mild 11kg springs on Konis. It still pales in comparison to heavier sprung Ohlins.

aznpoopy · 09-21-2007, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by articdragon192

Want comfort? Easy... Tein Flexes. 6/4 rates and the valving is spot on for those rates. Very very smooth ride. I had them on my S13 and had people fall asleep in my car. The way they ride is very different from other more aggressive coilovers, and it's very apparent when seen from outside.

+1

flex's have had their valving butt and shock dyno proven

09-20-2007, 03:07 PM	#1
stillen Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 60 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Which coilover is the most comfortable? Hi everyone, I just would like to know from all of your experiences with coilovers for an S14. I will be using my car mostly on the street. I don't want to get shocks and springs. I want to get coilovers and I want your opinions regarding comfort. I am considering the following BC-racing vs Kbee vs Apex ExV if anybody has any experience with those. If there are any other coilovers that you think are very comfortable then please let me know. Thanks I would really appreciate your help.

09-20-2007, 03:10 PM	#2
DOOK Post Whore! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Land of Milk and Cookies Age: 38 Posts: 7,552 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	coilovers are a performance mod, not something you get for ride comfort. __________________ <------ Grumpy Old Asshole MY REVIEW THREAD: Ltdnismoracer4=DOOK http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...ltdnismoracer4

09-20-2007, 03:15 PM	#3
iHeartTheTouge Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Glen Allen, VA Age: 32 Posts: 602 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	comfort and performance dont go together, you will have to sacrifice one or the other __________________ Slide 'n Hide -'72 240z LS1 project

09-20-2007, 03:36 PM	#7
DOOK Post Whore! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Land of Milk and Cookies Age: 38 Posts: 7,552 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	check for yourself on the websites you are browing for coilovers.... obviously a setup with 8/6 kg/mm or whatever will be softer than a 10/8 setup __________________ <------ Grumpy Old Asshole MY REVIEW THREAD: Ltdnismoracer4=DOOK http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...ltdnismoracer4

09-20-2007, 03:37 PM	#8
S14SwimShark105 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: socal Age: 37 Posts: 493 Trader Rating: (6) Feedback Score: 6 reviews	look for the one with the softest spring rate, none of the coilovers you mentioned are soft. __________________ http://www.amazon.com/gp/prod Amazon book!

09-20-2007, 03:17 PM	#4
stillen Leaky Injector Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: USA Posts: 60 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I understand all of that but I want to know which are least stiffest? and any opinions regarding the BC racing or Kbee with ride stiffness?

09-20-2007, 03:32 PM	#6
lflkajfj12123 Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: 　　　　　　　　 Posts: 8,480 Trader Rating: (20) Feedback Score: 20 reviews	if the coilovers aren't as stiff then whats the point, go with coils and springs its just as good if you want a not so stiff ride and offers performance plus its alot cheaper otherwise man up and enjoy the ride with coils

09-20-2007, 03:39 PM	#9
Quigs Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Richmond, Virginia Age: 33 Posts: 477 Trader Rating: (11) Feedback Score: 11 reviews	I thought the reason for getting coilovers was for a stiff suspension?? If you want something for just looks (ride height adjustment) then just get some lowering springs/shocks. Coilovers, like everyone else so far has stated, are for performance and are built to be stiff. Good luck with whatever you decide to go with. P.S. - Coilovers aren't as uncomfortable as you are probably thinking. After two or three days of normal driving, you will probably get used to it. Your passengers (if any) wont like it, but oh well, sucks for them right? You drive a sports car...it's not like you're running a limousine service. As long as you are comfortable with how your car performs, that's all that's important. Feeling the road is half the fun of driving our cars [end rambling on, and on, and on...]

09-20-2007, 03:42 PM	#10
Nikeboy355 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Los Angeles, CA Age: 41 Posts: 734 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Tein Basic might be what you are looking for... __________________ http://respectvolkracing.blogspot.com/

09-20-2007, 03:46 PM	#11
PRADOgy Zilvia FREAK! Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Japan Age: 35 Posts: 1,161 Trader Rating: (0) Rides Gallery: PRADOgy Feedback Score: 0 reviews	If your not drifting or road racing.. i really dont see the need for coilovers, if you want a nice sporty setup with out the stiffness and can perform id rock some performance shocks and springs __________________ しょうがない

09-20-2007, 04:19 PM	#12
DP_Michelle G Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Anaheim/OC Age: 38 Posts: 666 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	I my BC's there not to stiff on the right settings but even when there set to full stiff I could daily them. Not to many people on here have them or if they do they have the older one's the VH'S which are the same as the megan/greddy and apexi coilovers. +1 for BC RACING __________________ BC RACING COILOVER REVIEW

09-20-2007, 04:25 PM	#13
SimpleSexy180 Post Whore! Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Cal Posts: 4,750 Trader Rating: (8) Rides Gallery: SimpleSexy180 Feedback Score: 8 reviews	tein basics for you buddy.

09-20-2007, 05:34 PM	#16
ayuaddict Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Socal Age: 32 Posts: 4,017 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	my KTS are pretty damn comfortable at half-stiff. oh the spring rates are 8kg/6kg btw. im pretty sure no coilover for the S chassis comes with spring rates lower than 8kg/6kg but if you are dead set on making your car ride like...a stock 240 but lower and must use coilovers...get some springs made in like 1kg?

09-20-2007, 05:55 PM	#17
MavericStephenc Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: salem mass. Age: 33 Posts: 830 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	we already have a thread for this topic __________________ That kind of attitude is SHIT. People with that kind of complacent outlook on law and government are the bane of this country's existence. -Thesquidd Boycott Berkeley and code pink

09-20-2007, 09:29 PM	#19
Wiisass Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: Philly Posts: 486 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	Whoever thinks ride comfort and handling don't go together is an idiot. I've said stuff about this a lot and for some reason people still don't understand it. It's all about the damper. And too stiff a damper, no matter how cool you think the car feels, is bad for handling. As far as ride comfort, if these forces are getting transmitted into the car and you're feeling them, think about what the tire must be going through. It's not good for grip. __________________ TIP Engineering R/T Tuning Drift and RWD Sport DriftAssNation

09-20-2007, 09:58 PM	#20
DOOK Post Whore! Join Date: May 2007 Location: Land of Milk and Cookies Age: 38 Posts: 7,552 Trader Rating: (3) Feedback Score: 3 reviews	notice in my previous posts I never said a quality coilover can't have a good street feel, but it was a performance mod, not something you get for ride comfort. No matter what coilover, I've never been in a car that was as comfortable on coils as it was on stock suspension, but I've been in some that were close. You get what you pay for in coilovers, as was stated before, if you pay for Ksport or Megan Racing, that is exactly what you're gonna get. If you pay for moton dampers, you get moton dampers. __________________ <------ Grumpy Old Asshole MY REVIEW THREAD: Ltdnismoracer4=DOOK http://www.zilvia.net/f/showthread.p...ltdnismoracer4

09-21-2007, 02:18 AM	#21
Aoshi112 Zilvia Addict Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Cali Posts: 620 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	KW V3 have a softer spring rate, forget how much they are off hand.

09-21-2007, 10:47 AM	#23
trsilvias13 Nissanaholic! Join Date: Nov 2001 Posts: 1,984 Trader Rating: (5) Feedback Score: 5 reviews	Get stance or kts and purchase the optional 3k springs set . Too rough? get 60 profile tires. If you get 10k spring with stretch tires like 215 on a 10in wheel, it will be stiff, but if you get 10k spring and get 60+ profiles tires, it will be two different ride. KTS works for me.

09-21-2007, 12:01 PM	#24
ZenkitonS14 Zilvia Junkie Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Southern Cali Posts: 471 Trader Rating: (4) Feedback Score: 4 reviews	K-Bees are like a cloud in between your car and wheels. Well, not really, but theyre pretty damn NICE. I think that in the long run, you wont be happy with the basics. They have no body adjustment, correct? The only way to lower them is by spring with preload or droop right? __________________ Email Jake@optionimports.com [email protected] Tel: 626-581-7200 Fax: 626-330-3155 275 S 3rd Ave. #2 La Puente, CA 91746

09-21-2007, 01:16 PM	#27
articdragon192 Post Whore! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: West covina/ Irvine Age: 35 Posts: 6,789 Trader Rating: (9) Feedback Score: 9 reviews	Want comfort? Easy... Tein Flexes. 6/4 rates and the valving is spot on for those rates. Very very smooth ride. I had them on my S13 and had people fall asleep in my car. The way they ride is very different from other more aggressive coilovers, and it's very apparent when seen from outside. __________________ Need help? Click here Still stumped? Try this Can't find what you're looking for? Here you go.

09-21-2007, 01:22 PM	#28
614duece40 Zilvia Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: columbus, ohio Posts: 201 Trader Rating: (0) Feedback Score: 0 reviews	get the apex's, can't go wrong with a name brand. and as far as comfort, coilovers are not comfortable, unless you have a vip car.

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