Do evos just ride rough?
Do evos just ride rough?
I picked up an 8 RS couple days ago, and I finally had more time to drive the car than the initial test drive, but boy does the car ride rough. By rough I mean its one bouncy ride. The car has stock suspension too.
I was wondering what I should do to make the car a little better in driving. I've read up on the bilsteins, but other people say for couple hundred more you can get coilovers. I can careless about the whole stance and dumped look, I just want the car to be comfortable driving.
I was wondering what I should do to make the car a little better in driving. I've read up on the bilsteins, but other people say for couple hundred more you can get coilovers. I can careless about the whole stance and dumped look, I just want the car to be comfortable driving.
if its bouncy then your struts are shot and you should get something else but your not going to get a ride like a bmw or luxury car unless you spend the money for bags. most the suspension you get for our cars is stiffer than the norm to begin with
So what was changed since a few days ago? Did you lose/gain weight/water? Did the seller slip you a roofie while you were on the test drive? 
Sounds like you need to return it for a Cadillac. Haha. Seriously, the Evo could be a bit harsh, but should never be "bouncy".

Sounds like you need to return it for a Cadillac. Haha. Seriously, the Evo could be a bit harsh, but should never be "bouncy".
Evo just rides like **** compared to normal cars in terms of comfort. It's my biggest gripe (that and no Cruise Control) about the car since I daily it. I'm on Bilsteins and Spec R's
The OE KYB struts are now probably 9 years now old to start. It is a relatively heavy car and needs tires with pretty stiff sidewalls to handle like you would expect an Evo to handle. The bounce should diminish with new stock dampers or aftermarket but it will always be pretty stiff. Soft sidewalls, springs and dampers without a lot of resistance would be terrifying at speed. Fancy 2 and 3 way dampers with separate rebound and compression valving allegedly provide the best of both worlds but are $$ and need some know how to set up properly. If the previous owner put some kind of ****ty springs on it it would do this as well. Does it look low?
I rode in a new 8 a long time ago with stock KYB's with stock springs - harsh over rough pavement but not bouncy. My 9 with stock Bilsteins and stock springs was a big improvement but still in the harsh category.
Robispec springs with stock Bilsteins were an improvement over stock springs as far as ride comfort was concerned and rough roads feel definitely smoother and can be tackled at more speed without unsettling the car. I guess a bit of a progressively wound spring makes the difference despite higher spring rates.
Robispec springs with stock Bilsteins were an improvement over stock springs as far as ride comfort was concerned and rough roads feel definitely smoother and can be tackled at more speed without unsettling the car. I guess a bit of a progressively wound spring makes the difference despite higher spring rates.
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I rode in a new 8 a long time ago with stock KYB's with stock springs - harsh over rough pavement but not bouncy. My 9 with stock Bilsteins and stock springs was a big improvement but still in the harsh category.
Robispec springs with stock Bilsteins were an improvement over stock springs as far as ride comfort was concerned and rough roads feel definitely smoother and can be tackled at more speed without unsettling the car. I guess a bit of a progressively wound spring makes the difference despite higher spring rates.
Robispec springs with stock Bilsteins were an improvement over stock springs as far as ride comfort was concerned and rough roads feel definitely smoother and can be tackled at more speed without unsettling the car. I guess a bit of a progressively wound spring makes the difference despite higher spring rates.
The OE KYB struts are now probably 9 years now old to start. It is a relatively heavy car and needs tires with pretty stiff sidewalls to handle like you would expect an Evo to handle. The bounce should diminish with new stock dampers or aftermarket but it will always be pretty stiff. Soft sidewalls, springs and dampers without a lot of resistance would be terrifying at speed. Fancy 2 and 3 way dampers with separate rebound and compression valving allegedly provide the best of both worlds but are $$ and need some know how to set up properly. If the previous owner put some kind of ****ty springs on it it would do this as well. Does it look low?
I've only driven an 03 Evo that was dumped on coils, it actually drove pretty nice
I've never driven on the bilsteins. I read up all the time of people who got bilsteins and then regreted that they should of got coils. I daily the car so I'm just looking for something more comfortable. I know all evos drive this way. The suspension sometimes makes a creeking sound when going over big speed bumps is that a sign of the shocks going out? The car has pretty low miles, how long does the suspension usually last for? Another thing I should mention is its on some knock off wheels ( I'll be replacing eventually) and some hankook tires.
Where are you guys getting your bilsteins? Just used off the classifieds? I'm trying to price them out.
9 year old OEM shocks are probably well on their way out.
The Bilstein dampers are much better than what you find on low end coilovers near the same price. Coilovers are not always better.
We sell Bilstein HDs...great match to stock springs, Swifts, or our GTWORX springs. A big drop isn't great for ride quality, so I recommend stock or our GTWORX springs. We have packages available if you're interested.
- Andy
The Bilstein dampers are much better than what you find on low end coilovers near the same price. Coilovers are not always better.
We sell Bilstein HDs...great match to stock springs, Swifts, or our GTWORX springs. A big drop isn't great for ride quality, so I recommend stock or our GTWORX springs. We have packages available if you're interested.
- Andy







