Depends on the lot. Very bumpy and the order would be xida>fcm>monoflex. Smooth as glass they would be exactly the same, with the same spring rates, ride heights, and everything else held constant between the shock changes.

Leafy,

What gives you that opinion than on bumpy autox Xidas would be faster than FCM's?

Better internal shock design(aka not something shaik can fix), and the touch less unsprung mass. We're talking only a master could show a difference.

Remember when GRM did the FCM vs Bilstein PSS9? The PSS9 has weird spring rates and and the average difference was 2/10ths between them.

Good stuff thus far but lets do it this way, for smeone like me (broke ass) from what ive read the msm and some decent springs would be the best bang for buck under a grand. Is that right or are there better choices.

FWIW I'm fairly satisfied with my Monoflex's..

They ride like ---- on the street, though. Not that I really care...

Your reading some bad advice then.
MSM shocks are over-damped in the low-speed range and under-damped in high-speed damping, and that's just with the weak MSM springs.
Pretty typical Mazda "sport" crap.
They ride terribly, don't exhibit much in the way of control or grip, overall garbage shocks even mated to lowly stock springs.
So adding something stiffer to these already junky shocks really isnt' a good idea. You basically end up with a slightly softer sprung Spec Miata setup. :facepalm:

And contrary to popular belief, they don't last very long when autocrossed or daily driven. Mine were noticeably weaker around 60K miles, at which point they weren't doing much in the way of controlling the MSM springs anymore (real fun in the rain let me tell ya.)
Bilstein HD's for an NB would be a smarter and better choice to use with a ground control kit.

Koni Sports and a 450/350 GC kit will also work, that's been the "broke ass upgrade" suspension mod for years in the Miata community, why change things now?

For $849 bucks and a slight wait, you could just get on the waiting list for the FM V-MAXX Stage 2 setup that Flyin'Miata is selling.

So you are assuming that the internal design differences will make a bigger difference in bumpy autox times than the damping curves, which FCM custom tunes differently, for track vs. smooth autox vs. bumpy autox / backroad.

I will accept that the Xidas are likely the cat's meow for track use, as they have been tested and tuned on the track. But for backroads or autox, it's possible FCM's valving is better.

Here I was, thinking that you had actually driven them back to back.

Never on FCM coils, just the FCM stupid shocks for stock class.

So you've driven on the Xidas then?

I own Xidas.

You are comparing stock springs on FCM's and race rubber, vs. Xidas with high spring rates?

This thread turned immediately into "lets talk ---- about other suspension setups we've never tried in our cars because we didn't buy it and know nothing about how it actually performs."

I own Xidas, but I've also had great experiences with Ohlins as well.

There are WAY too many variables and differences between the miata coilover selection, everyone is going to pick what they bought as "the best", so this thread is kind of flame bait imho.. I also like how nobody really answered the original thread starts question.

Back on track, I hope:

Eibach Springs 450 #/" fronts 275 #/" rears in 7" front length and 8" rear length
Ground Control Bump Stops
Ground Control Sleeves
SD Custom Valved Bilsteins
NB Top Hats
FCM Shock Mounts & Bushings
Ground Control Spring Locators/Isolators
Spec Miata Front and Rear ARBs
Adjustable End Links with Zero Preload (until I learn how to take advantage of wedge at autocross or track days)
Corner weighed to 50.1/49.9% at 1/8th tank of fuel and me in seat
1.5 deg negative camber all around
~13" hub center to fender ride height (zero rake)
0 degrees of toe up front and 1/32 per side toe-in at rear
HDHCDD bar
Car is about all stock with AC and PS (AC blows cold)
Car weight is 2473 with your truly in and 2278 WO (please, no fat jokes)

Car ride height was increased from before based on amount of bump-steering (I had 700/325 springs before so I could ride ~1/2" lower and the delta in bump-steer was about the same).

Need some mods to address the missing dampers (5-10) but that is another story.

15x7 Team Dynamics wheels shod with RE-11s complete the current package. I run 46psi at autocross and the car feels just great.

Daily Driver for months each year. Weekend touring car. 10-20 Autocross events per year. 2-5 Tracks days, HPDE format, per year.

All of that is "fine" but you'll need an act of congress to get the shocks you paid for. The good news is that Congress is no longer concerning itself with government and they will probably consider your plight.

I have had the shocks for a few months.
Don't get me started on acts of Congress or others.

There was actually a lot or mix reviews about the msm shocks, alot of them years ago so i just thought its best to ask. But im glad there is a standard "Broke Ass" setup thats under $1000 and is good for street daily use as well as autox events. My car will likely never see the track but self timed back road time attacks are always fun.

Thanks for the input guys but are there any other inexpensive suspension setups out there for the broke ass? This would be helpful for other noobs like myself on a buget to know.

The FM springs with Illuminas are a good budget setup IMO.

went from KYB AGX w/ flyin miata springs to XIDA CS's with NB mounts & no helpers.

I can not even describe in words how large of an upgrade this was. THE END.