I read your response to my post last time, but how the heck does that change your review of the Megans or the praise and positive feedback from your instructors? Unfortunately, you have no way of changing your review of the Megan's so that is in the history books.

I think it is great that the Swift/GTWorx + Bilstein are better in every way, but it does not negate that you posted favorable reviews of the Megan and it does not make the Megan's "CRAP." It only makes the Swift/GTWorx + Bilstein better according to your experience. With that said, your baseline experience remains...
So when people consider choosing Megan it is not that it is better than Swift/Bilstein, it is the fact that vs. stock it is not that bad. You went from praising the Megan setup to saying...
I don't have an issue that you think the Swift/Bilstein is better and it probably is, it is your inconsistency in providing unbiased reviews at the expense of non paying vendors. It seems that every time I see someone wanting to buy coilovers they are chastised and belittled due to a lack of track experience and told to buy a non coilover combo from your sponsor.

You have the option to order different rates with this setup so what do you recommend? If I look at the F/B ratio of the GTWorx springs I can match with my street versions by ordering 8K Front / 9K Rear. The advice I was given was to start with equal spring rates 8K/8K and adjust from there, but I decided to run 8K/6K as a starting point since I went with the larger H&R bars that have adjustability.

I guess for people looking to purchase Megan's choose a balanced spring rate or choose the GTWorx F/R ratio of 0.878, which is 8K/9K (0.88) for the streets and 12K/13.5K (0.89) for the tracks. What would be your advice SmikeEVO?

So because you can't get the plotting this makes them CRAP? Just trying to understand you point in the context of my DD. So if you could get this plot what would you do with it?

You can get the Bilsteins from and MR and they do well or you can send them back to Bilstein and have them revalved per GTWorx specifications. So does this make the stock Bilsteins CRAP and not worth using? My point is there is always something better, but that doesn't mean the starting point is bad.

Does that still hold true today? Is the valving difference between an EVO and STI that critical for a DD? Do you honestly believe that outside of Fortune Auto and perhaps a few others that any of these companies do an exhaustive R&D effort to determine proper valving for each car and car application? Can they not sample stock valving or perhaps copy valving from others in the industry as an offering? Copying is the nature of competition.

Instead of bashing non paying vendors and calling their product crap when you once praised it, why not provide advice that doesn't always include buying stuff from your sponsor.

 

I think what Smike was saying is that when he wrote the review he was just like you - an inexperienced track driver that his instructors thought had talent - which he later on proved - on bilsteins and springs.

My view on the situation is - he was probably feeling the same as everyone who swaps out for a "racing suspension". The car was stiff and it felt faster because of it. In reality - it wasn't.

And a note - I don't think Bilstein is a sponsor here and everyone is recommending to buy a set of check this out"used MR Bilsteins" and a set of good springs. Where do the vendors make the money on a private mr bilstein sale?

 

To add to the post above, we don't have much to choose from. Who makes replacement struts for our cars? Bilstein and Ohlins. That's it. Which manufacturer offers high-performance springs for the Evo that try to preserve its suspension geometry and offer some degree of usable bump travel? GTWorx. Again, that's it. Folks recommend Bilsteins, because the Ohlins cost more than twice as much, and folks recommend GTWorx springs, because no other spring on the market that covers a similar set of constraints. There's no conspiracy to promote a vendor. There just isn't anything else available.

When I was looking at cheap coilovers, before deciding to stay with the factory Bilstein setup, I came across quite a few tests. One, IIRC from a Mazda forum, dissected most major Chinese-made brands and found them all to be essentially identical, albeit equipped with a variety of mismatched components. This is no secret. The only folks who seem to buy these things are those who don't know better, or the folks solely interested in cosmetic enhancements. Anyone with a brain in his head would question an el-cheapo coilover's ability to surpass a (factory) suspension designed by a team of dedicated engineers refining the result over the span of many years.

We've yet to even get into setup...

 

So these instructors who where Porsche GT3 drivers where having an off day as well?

 

It's as if every avenue must be pursued in hopes of justifying your person decision to buy the Megans.

 

Instructor or not... A GT3 driver will probably have the "godallmighty" syndrome induced by the Porsche badge on his car. When he sees a car that's similar in performance for a tenth of the price, he tends to comment on it and smike is a good driver either way.

 

240 - you continue to fail at getting the point. Enjoy your setup. I am done wasting time here. But do not come here and say just because its a DD they are OK. That is very bad information to give to others. In the end, you are just trying to justify your purchase. Do that one your own. Do not try to use others by twisting and arguing.

Yeah, they are GT3 cup drivers. They thought I was doing well, car aside. I doubt they have been in dozens of Evos, like I have at this point.

Edit to answer one thing. Again, Megan is represented here. It is there business whether they come to a forum and stand by their product. They do that through a few vendors here. And where do I hold a gun to someones head saying you must by products from my sponsors. You really have tunnel vision on that point. Read my posts, I recommend. If you want to read and learn suspensions, as I have spent a lot of time and testing on, then good. If you want to walk through this world with blinders on - good, thats your choice too.

 

This will be my last post on this thread because it is clear to me that you and others cannot so much as provide anectodal proof as to why the Megan's and other sub $1100 coilovers are bad. The only logical thing I have heard and agree with is regarding spring rates, which can be changed upon order.

You have to keep in mind this whole thread started because a member wanted a coilover setup for under $1100 FOR HIS DD, which is when the Megan bashing began. So you see I am not trying to justify my decision, but challenge those that bash to provide some facts. I think that people get upset because outside of spring rates there is nothing of substance that can be said.

What is the point? Does it boil your blood that you gave the Megan's a good review. You don't see me bashing or belittling the GTWorx/Bilstein combo to prove any point or "justify" my purchase.

I am starting to feel dizzy...

Because this is my last post on this thread I have decided that I won the debate, but do appreciate the spirited discussion.

Until next time

 

Ironic, since you bought your Megans solely on the basis of anecdotal evidence. Speaking for myself, I don't save and/or bookmark every suspension test I review. If you were truly interested, you would have done your own legwork like the rest of us and I don't mean reading anecdotal forum postings. Clearly, that did not happen, as you chose the wrong spring rates from the start. As such, your argument is completely disingenuous.

 

finally...

 

Thank you everyone on all the great info.
Still I am having a hard decision on what to get. Reading all the different reviews and opinions is getting confusing.

If I just wanted to lower my ride by a bit like an inch and I don't track it. The car is a DD. I live in Canada so it snows like a bi#$% in the winter what is the better option?
HKS coilovers
or springs with bilstein combo
or just a set of springs?

The reason I am putting in HKS coilovers is because of price. Let's say I can get the coilovers installed for $900
If I buy springs and bilstein with install, it would be close to $900 as well
or I can just buy springs and it'll cost like $500

what would be my best option?
Thanks so much!

 

What about the cost of setup for the coilovers? Do you have access to such a service? If all you care about is lowering, it doesn't really matter what you choose. OTOH, if you bought this car for its performance envelope....

 

If you just want a lower ride, there is no need to buy bilsteins. Also if you buy a used spring/strut combo they often come pre-assembled, so you can do the install yourself.

I'd say $600 for shocks/spring + alignment. Then you can sell your stock suspension, or keep it if you want a higher ride height in the winter.

 

I've been doing my best not to post in here but decided I wanted to post some thoughts....

What people are trying to say is that coilovers are not automatically better just because they're coilovers. A height adjustable coilover is just a shock with the spring on a threaded perch so you can ajdust ride height. The important things about any suspension system still hold true....you need adequate travel, you need good damping, and you need spring rates that work for your uses. Coilovers are not necessarily better at these things. They can be really really good if they are designed correctly. This is not often the case in my experience....but that's with many coilovers AND struts + lowering springs so maybe that's a different thread.

In this case (cheaper coilovers vs. Bilstein HD with a good spring) I think you have to compare height adjustment and stiff springs vs. a better shock and make your decision based on what's more important to you. If it's height adjustment and stiff springs, that's totally cool. You can make either one handle pretty well with some smart set-up IMO and honestly some will prefer the stiffer feel of the cheaper coilovers because that's just what they expect or even WANT from an aftermarket suspension for an EVO (not that stiffer is always better but many believe or want this anyway). If you do care about handling, then you really should get any coilover with the right spring rates and set-up.

I'll just say that a properly designed Bilstein set-up with good (cough GTWORX cough) springs is a fast, comfortable, easy to live with package and there's a reason people keep coming out and recommending it (many of whom have had other set-ups). It's just really FUN. I know that sounds silly but in the real world that's what it comes down to for me on the street. And it's not embarassing/rough/bouncy with other people in the car riding with you. To me that makes it one of the best street set-ups at ANY price for me and I've been on a lot of stuff out there.

Good luck with your suspension.

- Andrew

 

The cost of setting up/install would be included in the coil over price. The shop will do it all for me.
I didn't buy the car to track it. I just wanted a ride that was different from everyone else's. Maybe I should say I don't know how to track the car..well at least not yet..I'll eventually learn to in time but it's not on my priority list.

I was thinking about just buying springs to lower them and get an alignment done which would be about $500, but I keep thinking I'll blow out my suspension if I run into pot holes...etc..

Thanks for everyone's input.