I know the benefits of having a Coilover set-up... But this is your opinion in one aspect. Ride quality. Now, no two coilover set up is the same. And same goes for spring and shock set-up (I wont even begin to mention a spring and stock shock combo). So this is again speaking in general terms. In your experienced opinion, which has a more agreeable ride quality. A quality coilover or a quality spring and shock setup...

I'm just interested to the point of view on this subject. I know that the overwhelming opinion for set up is coilover. But when it comes strictly to an agreeable ride I want to know what people are thinking.

 

I'd say a combo is going to win in ride quality every time, but a coilover is going to perform better on a smooth road.

Spring/Shock combo: progressive rate spring

Coilover: linear or 2-step linear spring

But that's not to say a combo can't ride rougher than a coilover. Take Tein Basic coilovers vs. H&R Race/Koni combo for example, I'd bet money the H&R have a rougher ride than the Tein's.

Ride quality is going to be the same throughout the height adjustability of a coilover, but as you get bigger drops on a spring/shock combo, the ride is going to get stiffer and stiffer to where they're almost comparable.

http://www.tuninglinx.com/html/lowering-springs.html

http://www.tuninglinx.com/html/suspension-springs.html

 

Nice links I would have to agree with you on that. I'm still not to happy how Tein has taken over the market share for coilovers. I think that make a decent product. But, there are some products that don't get the recognition that could be a lot better. Like I said though, not saying they make an awful product, just seems like it has flooded the market.

 

Yeah... Tein is definitely the catch phrase of the suspension market... I'm sick of hearing about it. I've heard tons of good things about K-sport, D2, Function and Form, Omni, AMR, and a few others...

 

Agreed, I really think K-sport after looking at the design has a quality product. As well as many others, after spending a day or two on the track you quickly see, the cost it takes to make a Tein suspension work half as good as its competition makes it pointless. I mean the only difference between the Basic and the SS is dampening adjustment. Besides the fact you can't adjust rebound separately ! For the price I think K-sport makes a really quality entry level product for the accord. Although I've heard that ride comfort is less than desirable.

 

I have a buddy with a Civic with an Eibach/Bilstein combo ..... that combo is the ish!!!! It fees a lot softer than I expected and he's outhandled a 911 TT on an exit ramp spraying a 90 shot!!!! ..... disclaimer: he's a master machinist, the work done to that car cannot be duplicated easily.

 

Also note that street and track are two very different setups. You want ride comfort? Stay away from track setups. You want performance? Be prepared to give up a little comfort. That said, I've hit 0.95 g's with a 6th gen sedan rocking the Tein SS setup on street tires. And yes, Tein is a street setup, not track unless you get into their custom springrates and custom valving ....... which they do offer, just not as a prefab kit.

 

Every suspension system..be it Springs or be it coil-overs has its own advocates.
The only way one can say whats right for you is impossiable..only you can feel the difference by doing both systems on that car that you own...


WheelBrokerAng

 

I personally think to many people who only intend to drive it on the street end up getting coilovers, when it's un-warranted. Personally for myself, I know that I'll spend 90% of my time on street, and maybe 10% on autoX... So the comfort far out weighs the benefits of reduced body roll and faster corners. Besides, the difference from my experience is marginal unless pushed hard.

I just wanted to know what the opinion on the site was. Also I think there should be more of an un-biased buying guide somewhere. It seems that like you said, its either one way or the other in opinion.

 

As for un-biased, I like the Suspension FAQ 2.0... you can find it on google.