I have a set of tein s-tech springs on my car currently on stock shocks. Im usually not real picky with ride quality but lately Ive been really wanting something a little smoother. Kinda want my car to be an awesome daily. Bilstein seems to be the popular brand, how do they compare with other setups?

 

Might I suggest putting your stock springs back on? The car will feel so much better than with those garbage springs.

If you really want to keep the springs and are set on upgrading the struts then I would go with a set of bilsteins. They really smooth out the ride. I recommend finding a local with an mr and going out for a ride to feel for yourself.

 

The stock Bilsteins and springs from an MR will give the most plush ride of any shocks out there.

 

Well i love the stance of the Teins and I picked em up for $150 so kinda hard to beat, even if they arent the softest ride out there. Ive had several friends run teins and ive always liked em. Ive actually never been in an MR.. Kinda sad considering ive had like 10 friends with evos locally. Theyve all been GSRs or Evo9s/SE.

 

I find it kind of surprising that the best shocks are the factory MR shocks considering the amount of money that people waste on coilovers. lol.

 

People don't buy coil overs for luxury, they buy them for their performance aspects. I had a set of Bilsteins and the Swift springs that worked well, the ride was decent too. Those S-Techs are going to kill your Bilstein shocks, just so you know, they might be alright now, but sure enough they will destroy them from bottoming out, etc. Just wait. I would go back to stock, or go with the swift springs. Ask GTWorx, they specialize in stock setup suspensions and coils, I have heard good reviews.

At this point, anything is an upgrade over those Teins. Seriously.

 

Teins are some the softest... and the suckiest. Whatever feels "not soft" about them is probably the shocks bottoming out. If not yet, once the Teins blow them they will be all the time.

Bilstein and the right spring rates = what you want. When it comes to springs, $150 should be less important vs. whatever price for what works, especially since they are what's keeping your car on the road.

GT Worx and Swift are safe bets.

 

Man I must be getting older cause the MR Bilsteins with Swift springs on my car is kind of harsh. I think accompanied along with the stiff leather seats...I've had a few complaints from people riding in my car. Stock suspension is definitely the softest Evo I've ever ridden in.

 

Lol well if stock is really the best then perhaps Ill just stick with what Ive got. No one has ever complained about ride quality in my car, in fact most enjoy the ride. My girlfriend is able sleep like a baby in it most the time even with my loud exhaust and cam lope.. That actually probably helps and makes it more soothing lol.

Maybe Ill swap in like a lexus suspension lol. Ive driven my brothers evo9 quite a few times and hes on swift springs and they dont feel any different than my teins imo.. Id say the only thing more comfortable about his car are the evo9 suede seats.. Theyre a little better than my leather seats.

But I definitely wont go back to stock suspension.. Its effin ugly. The raised front actually irritated me to look at. Springs were one of the first things I did. Probably had my teins for about 10,000miles now.

 

This.

And there is most certainly a difference between the Swifts and Teins. The Swift/GTWorx springs are 100x better in every aspect. There is a big difference. Friend in NH went from S-Tech to Swift Sport. First off, the S-Techs were in 2 pieces (car was riding on the bump stops). Secondly - the handling was sharper and more precise.

But if you don't want our advice, so be it.

I would recommend the Swift Sports and Bilsteins.

 

Short of something like an Ohlins coilover tuned for comfort, the softest ride is probably the stock MR spring with MR Bilsteins.

If you want to keep that dropped look, then Swift Sport with MR Bilsteins is probably the next best option. Start saving your pennies, as you're going to need new struts soon. Tein S-tech springs are notorious for blowing Evo struts.

l8r)

 

If you're looking for ride quality, I'd consider tires that contribute to the effect.

 

Yep many variables contribute to ride quality. The one mod that would make the most difference is addition of coilovers. The MR Bilstein coilovers do soften the ride while being stiffer.

They did a road test comparing all three RS, VIII/ssl, and MR. Stock MR ride quality was the best.

 

The spring rates in the GSR, RS, MR are all the same.

 

Just a thought (as I am considering the same for winter time driving)... From what I\'ve read, all the oem evo springs are a linear rate spring, I believe H&R seems to be one of the very few for the evo that are a progressive rate spring, which should lead to a smoother ride as well. Let SMike, GTWORX, etc correct me on that one...