New suspension for mk1/NA, road use
Discussion
Hi!
My NA/mk1 needs new suspension, the old one is worn out. Perhaps I need to change my springs as well. I know that they have been there for at least six years, and that they lowers the car. No idea about brand.
I use my car on regular roads, no track use. So I'm leaning a bit more towards comfort than stiffness. It would be nice if the car gets somewhat lowered to stock, but nothing extreme.
I've been looking at different sets from mx5parts, il motorsport and FM. I'm from Sweden, so it's a must that the store can ship the parts to me.
Here are some of the reasonable looking alternatives I found:
KYB ABX + Trim springs (~1.5cm/0.6" lowering) £450
Koni Str. T + Trim springs £460
Bilstein + Trim springs £500
Koni sport + trim springs £545
Gaz Gold Pro Coilover £580 (how low will these make my ride? Can't find any info)
The problem is that I can't find any information or comparisons. To me this is just different names with different prices. Perhaps I should go for something totally different?
My NA/mk1 needs new suspension, the old one is worn out. Perhaps I need to change my springs as well. I know that they have been there for at least six years, and that they lowers the car. No idea about brand.
I use my car on regular roads, no track use. So I'm leaning a bit more towards comfort than stiffness. It would be nice if the car gets somewhat lowered to stock, but nothing extreme.
I've been looking at different sets from mx5parts, il motorsport and FM. I'm from Sweden, so it's a must that the store can ship the parts to me.
Here are some of the reasonable looking alternatives I found:
KYB ABX + Trim springs (~1.5cm/0.6" lowering) £450
Koni Str. T + Trim springs £460
Bilstein + Trim springs £500
Koni sport + trim springs £545
Gaz Gold Pro Coilover £580 (how low will these make my ride? Can't find any info)
The problem is that I can't find any information or comparisons. To me this is just different names with different prices. Perhaps I should go for something totally different?
After a lot of research, I opted for Meister R on mine. As they use the later top mount design you get more travel at the rear. They have a dual perch arrangement so your spring preload is not affected by how high or low you set it.
I found the ride to much more compliant, the spring rates are nice, not jarring. With the dampers adjusted about 20 - 30%, it feels good on the road. I wound them up to about 50% for a track day.
They are expensive, but in my opinion, worth the extra.
I found the ride to much more compliant, the spring rates are nice, not jarring. With the dampers adjusted about 20 - 30%, it feels good on the road. I wound them up to about 50% for a track day.
They are expensive, but in my opinion, worth the extra.
Little Bob said:
I would check out Meister R before you make a decision...
Plenty of information on Nutz, I love mine, transformed my S Special, and beautiful finish and quality.
They look great, but £699 is above my budget. I would really like to stay below £600. Thanks for the suggestion though.Plenty of information on Nutz, I love mine, transformed my S Special, and beautiful finish and quality.
snigel said:
hey look great, but £699 is above my budget. I would really like to stay below £600. Thanks for the suggestion though.
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=109924£100 off Meister-Rs at the moment, which makes them £599.
They don't just look great - they ARE great!
Evangelion said:
Sounds as if it's already as low as you'd ever want to go! How on earth do you get it over speed bumps?
Maybe I'm measuring it wrong?Maybe I did it wrong. I tried to measure from the center of the wheel to the lip of the fender. Like in this picture:
http://www.w124performance.com/images/W124_suspens...
Maybe I'm off a little bit, but that would be less than half of an inch. Perhaps it's 12.2 and 11.75.
But I can see the whole wheel from the side of the car.
I think the rear looks something like on this car (this should be 12" in the rear)
http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t52/eq1_photos/... (not my car)
Just to say that my Dad went from KYB AGX to Gaz Gold and it made a massive difference. In saying that, I went from knackered Bilsteins to AGX's and it also made a massive difference...
If you can stretch to Gaz, I would go for them, but AGX are still a good compromise.
Meister Rs trump both of them for me as they are top adjustable. Means you don't have to keep climbing under the car to adjust the shockers each time you go hooning/to the track/the missus goes to the shops.
Re: Lowness. My Dad doesn't have his Gaz at the lowest setting and they're the same height as the car was before on circa 30mm lowering springs.
If you can stretch to Gaz, I would go for them, but AGX are still a good compromise.
Meister Rs trump both of them for me as they are top adjustable. Means you don't have to keep climbing under the car to adjust the shockers each time you go hooning/to the track/the missus goes to the shops.
Re: Lowness. My Dad doesn't have his Gaz at the lowest setting and they're the same height as the car was before on circa 30mm lowering springs.
Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 27th November 11:08
bicycleshorts said:
Just to say that my Dad went from KYB AGX to Gaz Gold and it made a massive difference. In saying that, I went from knackered Bilsteins to AGX's and it also made a massive difference...
If you can stretch to Gaz, I would go for them, but AGX are still a good compromise.
Meister Rs trump both of them for me as they are top adjustable. Means you don't have to keep climbing under the car to adjust the shockers each time you go hooning/to the track/the missus goes to the shops.
Re: Lowness. My Dad doesn't have his Gaz at the lowest setting and they're the same height as the car was before on circa 30mm lowering springs.
Gaz gold are at almost the same price as Meister R.If you can stretch to Gaz, I would go for them, but AGX are still a good compromise.
Meister Rs trump both of them for me as they are top adjustable. Means you don't have to keep climbing under the car to adjust the shockers each time you go hooning/to the track/the missus goes to the shops.
Re: Lowness. My Dad doesn't have his Gaz at the lowest setting and they're the same height as the car was before on circa 30mm lowering springs.
Edited by bicycleshorts on Tuesday 27th November 11:08
Meister R currently has £100 off making them £599. Gaz Gold is £580 at mx5parts.co.uk.
I'm currently thinking about going for Vmaxx XXtreme (running them at maximum -35mm) they're at £412, or Gaz fixed coilover at £405 (-30mm).
I really don't need adjustable, I'm more interesting in getting something that offers decent comfort and quality at a good price.
Both Gaz fixed and Vmaxx would increase the height of my car from 29/30 to something like 33/34, if I have measured correctly.
snigel said:
az gold are at almost the same price as Meister R.
Meister R currently has £100 off making them £599. Gaz Gold is £580 at mx5parts.co.uk.
I'm currently thinking about going for Vmaxx XXtreme (running them at maximum -35mm) they're at £412, or Gaz fixed coilover at £405 (-30mm).
I really don't need adjustable, I'm more interesting in getting something that offers decent comfort and quality at a good price.
Both Gaz fixed and Vmaxx would increase the height of my car from 29/30 to something like 33/34, if I have measured correctly.
Have a look on nutz for reviews. Here are some opinions (note: the word opinions! Meister R currently has £100 off making them £599. Gaz Gold is £580 at mx5parts.co.uk.
I'm currently thinking about going for Vmaxx XXtreme (running them at maximum -35mm) they're at £412, or Gaz fixed coilover at £405 (-30mm).
I really don't need adjustable, I'm more interesting in getting something that offers decent comfort and quality at a good price.
Both Gaz fixed and Vmaxx would increase the height of my car from 29/30 to something like 33/34, if I have measured correctly.
) comparing Gaz to Konis: http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=7...It might also be worth getting in touch with Rodders?
http://www.mx5nutz.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=1...
MX-5 Lazza said:
Have you considered Performance 5 SportDrive?
Is there anyway on the site to buy it? Or see price?snigel said:
MX-5 Lazza said:
Have you considered Performance 5 SportDrive?
Is there anyway on the site to buy it? Or see price?as400 said:
If your not going to track the car and in fact just poodle about between pubs and country lanes what's the cheapest most comfortable shocks/springs that don't cost the earth?
A secondhand set of mk2 dampers / springs / top mounts should be well under £200, although you'd need to change he springs because they give it an off-road ride height on the mk1, lol.Or just get a secondhand set of mk1 kit.
Consider doing the bushes while you've got everything apart!
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