I'm considering upgrading my suspension this spring. Trying to figure out what I should keep an eye out for in the used coilover market.

Car: EVO IX, just a few bolt ons with just a flash, no major weight savings.
Current Setup that I outgrew: stock shocks with swift spec-R springs, roll center kit, front camber plates, extra eccentric bolts to get -3 camber up front, rear Works adjustable sway bar.
Goal/Purpose: DE car, don't care about any classes. Want to concentrate on road circuit performance over comfort but don't want a full out race suspension as I have to drive on roads and they are not FL or CA smooth around here. I don't auto-x, time trail or race. From some research, I think I want to be in the 9K F/11K R for spring range. I don't think I want to go into 14K rates as I still have to drive on street. I would want camber plates to be included but I assume most decent kits would have that.
Budget: Would like to keep it under 1K on the used market.
Driver: over 12 years of DE/10 years auto-x. Instructor for BMW CCA.
Unknowns: Do I need compression & rebound adjustability - don't know?

What to avoid?
I'm guessing anything advertising with the word "street" and lower spring rates. What brands should I stay away from? Which ones are known to have issues?

What to look for?
What brands & models should I keep an eye out for? What has a good reputation, reliability, life span and service?

Trying to figure out what the best bang for the buck would for me on the used market.

Any other advice in trying to narrow down my options? Thanks!

 

PM'd

 

MR Bilsteins instead of cheap coilovers.

 

MR Bilsteins can't support the higher spring rates I'm looking for.

 

It may be difficult to find Coilovers that support that springrate and your experience level for under 1000 dollars used. The first ones that come to mind are Robi's KW V3's Streets or Clubsports as they are prefect for dual purpose cars. Even those use only 7k/8k and 8k/9k rates. The other reason is the KW v3 springs keep the same rate/height even after 2 years of dual purpose road/time trials so they have a great chance of being the same performance used. I've not tested the 1000 other coilovers out there with the exception of the Megan's and a pair of KSports which both rode like sh*t and broke on the track.

 

Agreed I think using the OEM suspension for a few track events then upgrading to coilovers help make you faster

 

You can't buy what you're looking for with the amount of money you're willing to spend.

Ohlins DFV's would be my suggestion. Those are 3k. AMAZING shocks. You won't get that kind of ride comfort without a monotube high quality shock.

hit up Myles and Andrew at GTWorx... they'll work with you to find what fits in your budget and meets your needs.

 

I agree with Balrok, and just got some KWs on the used market. I too have been hot lapping for many years and outgrew the stock suspension as I have gone with r-comps and agressive race pads. I paid $2k for my setup used, they were off the shelf V3s that had been sent in to Robispec and revalved for 8k/9k springs. They also included camber plates. For your level of experience, I would not go with anything less than Variant 3s, and the clubsports seem like a better fit for your needs.

 

I have to agree with the others. What you want isn't available for under $1k, even used. $1,500 you can probably find some good KW V3s or PSS9s. I am aware of the group think phenomenon that permeates internet forums, but there really are only a handful of decent suspension options for the Evo that will be recommended over and over (hint: they've pretty much all been mentioned in this thread already).

 

Andy, a local has a set of KW V3's for sale. Maybe you two can work something out...

https://www.evolutionm.net/forums/sa...riant-3-a.html

 

no wonder you were so fast

thats a good deal right there.

 

Thanks for all the input fellas! Given my low budget, looks like I will be going with some no-frills JIC FLA2's custom valved to match spring rates. We'll see how that works out for me.