Next Upgrade: To Lower or Not...To Bodykit or Not?
10-17-10, 03:56 PM
#1
Next Upgrade: To Lower or Not...To Bodykit or Not?
Fellow CL members: I need your help!
I've been reading and studying all the different types of coils and coilovers for Ebony my 05 Pebble Beach and I think I'm ready.
I called two local dealers and they both want approximately the same...about $750 to install coils which includes an alignment and loaner car.
Coilovers would be approximately the same cost to install, according to one of them, but obviously the cost of the parts are much more.
Tanabe and Tein are the leaders in my coil search.
I like the price of the newer Megan coilovers for $839 and would be open to improving my ride as well, obviously.
Question is: Do coilovers really improve the ride that much on these cars? Do coils do anything but just lower the car?
I'm thinking a 1" drop is all I need to look respectable. I don't know??? I have to go over two sets of fairly rough railroad tracks daily, so I can't go crazy, plus I have a CPO and don't want to void anything.
What are your thoughts?
Another option is to get the Wald kit and see how that looks first then lower.
I really love the Wald Executive kit and think this would be a tasteful mod for my Ebony.
Thoughts? Here she is as a 4x4. Many of you have commented how I need a drop badly. I honestly don't think it looks bad, but until I see some of your cars looking so much better with a drop, then I'm sold!!!
I've been reading and studying all the different types of coils and coilovers for Ebony my 05 Pebble Beach and I think I'm ready.
I called two local dealers and they both want approximately the same...about $750 to install coils which includes an alignment and loaner car.
Coilovers would be approximately the same cost to install, according to one of them, but obviously the cost of the parts are much more.
Tanabe and Tein are the leaders in my coil search.
I like the price of the newer Megan coilovers for $839 and would be open to improving my ride as well, obviously.
Question is: Do coilovers really improve the ride that much on these cars? Do coils do anything but just lower the car?
I'm thinking a 1" drop is all I need to look respectable. I don't know??? I have to go over two sets of fairly rough railroad tracks daily, so I can't go crazy, plus I have a CPO and don't want to void anything.
What are your thoughts?
Another option is to get the Wald kit and see how that looks first then lower.
I really love the Wald Executive kit and think this would be a tasteful mod for my Ebony.
Thoughts? Here she is as a 4x4. Many of you have commented how I need a drop badly. I honestly don't think it looks bad, but until I see some of your cars looking so much better with a drop, then I'm sold!!!
10-17-10, 04:22 PM
#2
You'll feel a lot less body sway going through turns with coilovers. My first impression was that the handling was night and day better. It'll look better lowered. For whatever reason, the rear is way too high with the stock suspension. I'd lower it about an inch and a half. That'll put your car back close to stock height. $750 is very high. I paid $200 from a highly recommended shop. I'd ask around in your regional forum. It's not a very difficult installation. One person can do it in under 2 hours.
10-17-10, 11:11 PM
#4
Holy crap, $750 for coilover install? Local shops should charge around $200 or less.
About the ride quality, I think you'll lose some comfort with coilovers. It really does improve your handling, but it as for comfort, it won't compare to your stock suspension. You almost always lose some smooth/comfy when going with coilovers.
You might want to consider springs if you want to preserve comfort and still get lowering.
About the ride quality, I think you'll lose some comfort with coilovers. It really does improve your handling, but it as for comfort, it won't compare to your stock suspension. You almost always lose some smooth/comfy when going with coilovers.
You might want to consider springs if you want to preserve comfort and still get lowering.
10-18-10, 05:37 AM
#5
Holy crap, $750 for coilover install? Local shops should charge around $200 or less.
About the ride quality, I think you'll lose some comfort with coilovers. It really does improve your handling, but it as for comfort, it won't compare to your stock suspension. You almost always lose some smooth/comfy when going with coilovers.
You might want to consider springs if you want to preserve comfort and still get lowering.
About the ride quality, I think you'll lose some comfort with coilovers. It really does improve your handling, but it as for comfort, it won't compare to your stock suspension. You almost always lose some smooth/comfy when going with coilovers.
You might want to consider springs if you want to preserve comfort and still get lowering.
I know they're crazy-expensive but, do the Tien's with the EDFC truly give you the best of both worlds? - the ability to adjust for comfort OR for performance at the push of a button?
These have always been on my "Gee, that would really cool to have" list.
Last edited by Habious; 10-18-10 at 05:37 AM. Reason: spelt a werd rong
10-18-10, 06:58 AM
#6
10-18-10, 09:57 AM
#7
EDFC - Electronic Damping Force Controller
http://www.tein.com/products/edfc.html
It's a box and a set of 4 stepper-motors that work with EDFC-compatible coilovers.
The stepper-motors install on the top of the coilover and "turn" the damper adjusters.
The box gives you the ability to adjust the ride quality - from soft-n-comfy to stiff-n-sporty - from inside the car...and the adjustments are nearly instant. It's not like airbags, where it's a 90-second process. Just press the button and zzzzzzttt, done, even on-the-fly while driving.
You can adjust each corner independently...just the fronts...just the rears...etc. It also has presets so, one button gives you highway cruising soft ride, another button sharpens everything up to it's tightest setting...or whatever you want.
Looks like the full kit (controller box + motor kit) is $418.00 List.
http://www.tein.com/products/edfc.html
It's a box and a set of 4 stepper-motors that work with EDFC-compatible coilovers.
The stepper-motors install on the top of the coilover and "turn" the damper adjusters.
The box gives you the ability to adjust the ride quality - from soft-n-comfy to stiff-n-sporty - from inside the car...and the adjustments are nearly instant. It's not like airbags, where it's a 90-second process. Just press the button and zzzzzzttt, done, even on-the-fly while driving.
You can adjust each corner independently...just the fronts...just the rears...etc. It also has presets so, one button gives you highway cruising soft ride, another button sharpens everything up to it's tightest setting...or whatever you want.
Looks like the full kit (controller box + motor kit) is $418.00 List.
Trending Topics
10-21-10, 07:50 AM
#13
Instructor
iTrader: (1)
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Formerly Easton, Pa. Bradenton FL, now Osprey Fl.
Posts: 877
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes
on
6 Posts
CircuitMS, also sent you a PM. Plus what's up with the site address?
Clicked on it and got the message that the account has been suspended. Do you have a new one?
Clicked on it and got the message that the account has been suspended. Do you have a new one?
10-21-10, 05:59 PM
#14
Driver School Candidate
10-21-10, 06:42 PM
#15
Rookie
Join Date: Jan 2007
Location: wa
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts