Well I just got back from dinner, well back to the suspension thing. I decided to upgrade to the OEM 9 MR suspension cuz I wanted to stay with "stock upgraded parts"..... I knew that the MR suspension will help the car handle better, absorb bumps better etc. I'm so glad I made the upgrade. in addition, living in NYC also influenced my decision, as I am NOT WILLING to lower my EVO at all... I like my stock ground clearance for those nasty bumps that I may come across from time to time, and not to mention if I ever go out in the snow, I dont want my car to be so low that it'll be a snow plow.

I bought my MR susp from a local Club member for $500 picked up. It had about 3000 miles on it and came of a 9 MR. I figured what the heck and jumped on the opportunity. I definately think its worth the money I paid.

Before I installed the suspension, I took some heavy duty simple green degreaser and sprayed the shocks down to get the grease etc off and make them look brand spanking new and yellow

Installation was a breeze as well as I did it with my brothers help. If you have any questions PM me.

 

I'm not sure how to evaluate the responses so far:

2 people clearly prefer the MR's ride over the stock suspension's ride.

2 people don't really give a clear answer except that they like their MRs

and

2 people are trying to get me to buy their MR suspensions (I almost want to count those as against because if the MR suspension is better, why the hell are they getting rid of it after spending more for it when they bought the cars?)

Anyone else with experience on both the stock and MR suspensions want to take a shot at clearing this up?

 

Well the people who ditched their OEM MR suspensions probably are track guys upgrading to coilovers

 

One more opinion...I've had both on one vehicle.

I installed the MR stuff on my 8 and ran with it for a few weeks. I didn't feel a major difference. There was a subtle difference...it was not a night and day thing. In the end, I pulled it off and sold it. It wasn't a big enough difference for the $$$.

In the end, I wondered if part of the MR formula is the lighter MR wheels. It seems like less unsprung weight could be a factor in the MR ride and handling.

 

I test drove a IX GSR and didn't like the suspension nearly as much as the MR I ended up with. FWIW, the MR is still PLENTY stiff; it's as much as I'd want for a daily driver, for sure. I think if you get a good deal on an MR setup, you won't regret getting it done. Go with lighter wheels too.

 

some BMI driver evaluated both and said that the addition of the lighter wheels made the car feel much better, i would look into changing the wheels first as it would lighten the steering and reduce the weight aswell

just my .02

 

poor neglected baby. open her up man. she wasn't made so that she could be a show queen.

i love how our cars look but most say she has a face only a mother could love. what the heck did you even buy a performance race car if you weren't going to race it?

 

I just put Bilsteins on my 05 SSL. The car is used as a daily driver and driven in the snow. Bilsteins purchased from another member of evom. Driving impressions - Steering feels a little looser but not by much. Bumps are more isolated but the car seems to be just as sharp in the corners when pushed. I had driven an MR and basically expected what I found. However, I was suprised to see that the car feels more stable now at freeway speeds - 75 to 80. Overall, well worth the $650 paid.

 

I was interested in doing this. I would rather have the smoother ride as I have driven both cars back to back and appreciate the MR's ride. I don't track my car either and like the idea of having a more comfortable commute.

However I would like to lower my car a little - as in a inch to an 1.25 inch max. The problem is MRs have less choices in lower springs and I think I have heard that they are less tolerant to being lowered then regular GSR struts. More then likely the softer ride will go out the window once the car is lowered, but I am wondering if I would have a car with struts less likely to be blown with lowered GSR struts vs maybe a slightly softer ride but more likely to be damaged MR struts - even with just a conservative drop.

 

They do handle better but on the street I doubt you will ever be able to take full use of the difference...

 

I put the Bilstein's on my 2005 EVO VIII, and I couldn't reccommend them more highly!! The ride is so much smoother, and it handles the bumps and road imperfections perfectly.

Go for it!!