COILOVERS. what brand is the best bang for the buck?

[joshbrown20]

Hey all,

I have decided to buy coilovers as I can no longer live with having wheel gap.

My preferences:
* the must be able to withstand Canadian winters. I.E. sand, salt, rust, and it would be great if they would not sieze
* they should accommodate my 18" rims with flush offset (no fender rolling)
* The must be under $1100 USD as this is going to cost a lot of $.
* The must be adjustable but at the same time have a good balance between soft/stiff as they will be going on my daily driver.

So, what is the best bang for the buck?

Thanks for your help,

[thestone11]

For canadian winter, I won't even look at coilovers~! Get some lowering springs for now, then replace the stock struts with performance ones after they are worn. And since, it is Alberta winter, I will go for TRD lowering springs only, otherwise the city of calgary will thanks you for shoveling the snow on the road.

[StevenTranSSK]

Theres no way you can go any coilover drop with a flush offset without fender rolling.... I believe megans have the least drop and i still have to fendor roll in order to use spacers on my 18inch rims. But if you want the best drop go for bc racing

[creslayer]

i heard ksports offer the lowest drop

[joshbrown20]

OK so it seems like there is a lot of people that don't see the value in coilovers. Spending over $1k+labor on a $12,000 car doesn't really make a lot of sense.

So, can someone recommend me the best spring/strut setup? The idea here is that I don't want to blow my original struts, so might as well just get it all taken care of at the start.

I looked on ebay and there isn't a lot of choice. Thanks!!!

PS - i took a look at my car. my rims are not flush, and there is at least 4 inches of wheel gap LOL

[StevenTranSSK]

Originally Posted by joshbrown20

OK so it seems like there is a lot of people that don't see the value in coilovers. Spending over $1k+labor on a $12,000 car doesn't really make a lot of sense.

So, can someone recommend me the best spring/strut setup? The idea here is that I don't want to blow my original struts, so might as well just get it all taken care of at the start.

I looked on ebay and there isn't a lot of choice. Thanks!!!

PS - i took a look at my car. my rims are not flush, and there is at least 4 inches of wheel gap LOL

LOL i know what you mean with that 4inch gap. i hated it LOL. before i used coils i ran tein s-techs and it dropped like 2.5 inches. Haha

[xd_kidd]

when it comes down to it... its what u want . having parts that others dont isnt a bad thing . as for springs ... if tanabe had df210's for ur car then ii recommend those!

[joshbrown20]

Originally Posted by StevenTranSSK

LOL i know what you mean with that 4inch gap. i hated it LOL. before i used coils i ran tein s-techs and it dropped like 2.5 inches. Haha

omg this comment made me laugh. it also made me go and measure the wheelgap...

*breaking News*

3 1/2 inches in front!!!
4 inches in back!!! (althought it looks like 5 inches from a distance)

people are recommending springs, but i don't really see what a 1.6 in drop will do when i have 4 inches of wheel gap LOLOLOL
Help!!!

[Jackss731]

Originally Posted by joshbrown20

OK so it seems like there is a lot of people that don't see the value in coilovers. Spending over $1k+labor on a $12,000 car doesn't really make a lot of sense...

there are a lot of people that do see the value like myself and others ...just not where you live haha

obviously your winters are pretty harsh so you dont wanna be dropped that low so TRD is the way to go but they dont do too much for your spring/summer setup. although the addition of 18s and spacers might make it look better. if you wanna sacrifice the adjustability of the coilovers then yeah definitely go for a whole aftermarket spring/shock setup. definitely a bit cheaper than coilovers but you'll have the performance than just purchasing springs.

either way...drop that baby

[thestone11]

Originally Posted by joshbrown20

OK so it seems like there is a lot of people that don't see the value in coilovers. Spending over $1k+labor on a $12,000 car doesn't really make a lot of sense.

So, can someone recommend me the best spring/strut setup? The idea here is that I don't want to blow my original struts, so might as well just get it all taken care of at the start.

I looked on ebay and there isn't a lot of choice. Thanks!!!

PS - i took a look at my car. my rims are not flush, and there is at least 4 inches of wheel gap LOL

I am 100% on coilovers if I lived on the hot part of the world, keep in mind you are in Calgary, not California. Running coilovers is just a stupid call if you are gonna use your rolla as a winter car too. Best person to ask is JEFF, he is in Calgary too.

When tons of cars with stock ride height are being stuck in the winter....I don't see any value for you to run coilovers with an aggressive drop. TRD lowering springs height is good enough for me, too bad there aren't any performance strut. I want the KYB AGX adjustable~!

[creslayer]

need to watch market forums on 9thgencorolla, theres often alot of older 03+ corolla owners who had coilovers on their cars, selling them for alot cheaper than full price and they fit 10thgen corollas saves you money iv seen them go from 400 - 700$

http://www.myhotcorolla.com/Ksport/C...System/809238/

[joshbrown20]

i see what you guys are saying, but i already have 18's with low pro tires and there is still 3.5 in of wheel gap in the front and 4 in in the back. So what good is a spring drop of 1.6 in?

i think coilovers sound like the fit the bill. the only thing is that i need a branch which will withstand harsh canadian winters.

[creslayer]

my stechs are very bouncy and gotten worst after 15,000 miles on them so im going to eventually move to coilovers iv even have a 1inch wheel gap and when even i go over a bump it touchs the fender and thats just with me alone in the car with nothing in the trunk.

[joshbrown20]

here is the way that i see it... the only thing that is good about springs is that you defer the consequential costs associated with lowering your vehicle:
i.e. blown struts, bearings, etc.

so here is my take on what springs would cost:
springs - $300
installation - $300
inevitable blowing of struts - $1000?
total cost: $1600

vs

coilover setup
coilovers - $1200
installation - $400

plus coilovers are a very adjustable. especially for my setup where i have so much wheel gap.
total cost: $1600

[creslayer]

if you got friends installation is free make friends with mechanics!! i got my springs installed free