Disadvantages of Coilovers?

[Silver]

I planning 2 get coilover nxt year...are there any downsides?

[peppernick]

1)Set up.

Takes time and garages will charge you for it (best to DIY). Initially, it took 4 hours to set mine up as the wheels have to go on to check drop and off again to adjust the spring tension until it's correct. So imagine doing that a few times each corner. Then the damping, you need to drive the car and feel what it suitable then adjust accordingly. Then once the springs have settled, you will need to readjust the ride height again; then again one week later when the springs have settled fully.

2)Ride quality

They are STIFF! But offers the best resistance to lateral force. Even at softest setting, they are 3-4X stiffer than factory sport suspension. If you can take the ride quality on a Mitsu Evo and wants to go harder, coilovers is the way to go. Sometimes too stiff a suspension set-up will slow you down over bumpy roads, with a softer suspension you can go over uneven surfaces carrying more speed. Cup kits is a good alternative.

3)Not fit and forget

You need to look after them. Not condusive for winter use on UK roads. The salt will corrode the treads on the shock body and the collars will sieze. You must be prepared to take them off over winter or at least clean them thoroughly with brake cleaner once a year.

[Silver]

cheers 4 tat. man talk bout hassle...in da winter...how long did u have them???.

[westside]

taking the wheel of to clean the threads is not a problem for me.

I had my xmas party last night and was drivng back with the mrs at around 1am so i thought as it was quite i'd give it a bit of stick round corners WOW trust me on this one I never thought they would be that different you just poit the car to where u want it to go and it goes. Also this morning 3 cars were gonna rather slow i over took them on the outside of the roundabout and cut in front totally under control and it was like it was on rails i'm getting the 4wa done this afternnon b4 i go to mad but i luv it.

Also the xmas do was in syon lane the road is a bit bumpy which made the car skip a little but who cares wvery where i go ppl now say how the hell do u drive it so low

the coilovers will be coming off when i sell the car to fit to my next e46 when i get it :-) one of the best mods that I have done

[James325]

Mine are full stainless steel... hence they is no corrosion ;)

[peppernick]

Mine are full stainless steel... hence they is no corrosion ;)

Westside's FKs (my ex) are stainless steel too, but inevitably there will be a layer of substance embedded into the treads. It can be cleaned off with brake cleaner but if you leave them on for long, the collars will seize (collars are aluminium and they can virtually bond onto the shock body). So still not mantainence free.

[peppernick]

Coilovers DIY instructions ;)

http://www.jimchambers.com/diy/pss9.aspx

[James325]

My KWs are totaly different to Kavs mate :p I have to reset the drop tomorrow so ile post ye some pics