Used coilovers with low mileage.

Brand new "Hard S" valved NB Bilsteins are available for ~$125 each. They pair well with 450-550 fronts and 275-350 rears.

They aren't Xidas but they are a really good valving for the money. They are very controlled but not jittery. I wouldn't tolerate jittery. They have strong low speed dampening (which is great) and lighter high speed dampening, which is what keeps it from being jittery.

R-Package Bilstein and FM springs, I win. Harsh ------- ride, and mediocre handling characteristics. Then it's so low I rub fenders under moderately hard turns and bottom out over speed bumps (thanks FCM mounts). HATE this ------- suspension. Still have Tein mono flex in my future I think.

FM springs are too soft to go low. You will be on the bumpstops constantly. No wonder you hate it.

they are stiff enough for the drop they provide, unlike the RB or Tein springs that drop lower at significantly less rates.

Looks like the Bilstiens shocks are the best bang of the low buck. Still not sure on what springs of stiffness spring to use. But which would be best bilstien shock to use, i plan on lowering the car a bit for better control but im not going all hellaflush with it lol. Which would be best for a DD with autox handling.

Thus far bilstiens and eibach springs is that rite.

Altho V-maxxx coilovers for $8xx ish aint so wrong... any reviews on these?

Apples to apples price comparison
 

To clear up a few erroneous posts here:

$1727 FCM 3040 Elite
Non-adjustable damping
NB mounts included
Steel bodies
Ground Control sleeves to adapt for 2.5" ID springs
Single springs, private label

$1999 Xida Club Sport
Adjustable damping
NB mounts included
Aluminum bodies
Threaded bodies for 2.25" springs
Single springs, Hyperco or Eibach

My math makes that $272 to get damping adjustment as well as a few other features. As always, if getting your dampers custom valved is most important to you, then FCM's are the clear choice.

The seemingly common misconception that FCM's are better for autocross/backroad and Xidas are better for track is well, a misconception. The only instance where significant valving changes would be required would be for stock class where OEM spring rates and ride height must be used. For a CSP/STR/SSM car, you run about the same damping as a PT,IT or time attack car on 9" race tires.

Personally I would venture to guess that the FCM kits are very good track dampers. Just as I know that the Xidas outright excel at backroads and national level autocross competition.

Emilio I think the only reason that no one thinks of them as auto-x dampers is because it seems that national championships are won on fat cats, 2812's, motons, or penskies.

We as a company, no longer compete in national level autocross. I did 20 years ago and maybe a few of you remember that I built and drove the first CSP Miata that won anything of importance. We run our own autocross about 6 times a year. I design the course. We bring stuff out and test it. Our customers race on the stuff we develop. We know autocross, we just don't publicize it like we do our road racing activities. I figured it out, won a lot and moved on to something even more fun and challenging for me.

I'm not sure exactly how many national autocross championships have been won on FCM's. To the best of my knowledge it was E stock? So that's a custom valved shock designed to work with stock sized wheels with 225/50/14's shoehorned onto them and stock spring rates and stock ride height, with stock power. I'll freely admit that Xidas would not be optimal for that application nor be SCCA legal in stock class either.

Talk CSP, SSM or STR and I think we can match or better anything on the market, custom or otherwise. I think it's just a matter of time before one of top autocrossers breaks the mold by trying something outside of the normal circle and win nationals on Xidas. That it hasn't happened yet keeps everyone thinking we "make road racing shocks". So it must be true ;)

If you choose Bilsteins it will be good to look up the part number by a ~'00-01 Miata w/ Hard S suspension. 450/275 or 450/300 is a good match for these for street/autox.

Who said anything about eibach? Summit has the springs you need for less. 7 inch long x 2.5 should be right.
Ebay generic coilover adjusters are fine. And you'll want shorter bumpstops (preferred) or if you are a cheap bastard you can trim the stock ones a bit.

Thank you sixshooter for the advice, that will likely be the setup ill will go with.

On a sidenote, i was window shopping coilovers at a local rice meet at tacobell. When i ran into a guy that suggested a coilover set he bought for a site called Rokkor.com, he tells me for the price it was a steal and has been running the same set for a little over a year without any complains.

Now i wont run them since i live by the code "If it sounds to good to be true" but i was wondering what do you guys think.

Because random ricers off the street happen to know what works best on Miatas though they have never owned one? Sounds good to me, lol.

Rokkors are popular for the kids who like riding around bouncing on their bumpstops dragging the frames of their cars on the ground. They know a great deal about handling because they have studied handling their junk for years. Don't question their expertise or they'll get huffy with you.

Thats just ------- hysterical, but yeah he had them on his miata lmfao. After searching the interweb for rokkor reviews i found out they are actually raceland coilovers hmmm imagine that. But like i said i will likely NOT go with that setup.

megan coilovers slammed to the ground. all i got to say.

^ Um ok. Back on topic, anyone have a problem with H&R springs with Illuminas?
EDIT: For a dd that sees autox a few times a year.

I think Tokico is gunning for Teins in terms of "What's a rebound?"

Sorry. I'm not sure what you mean by that. Is comp good on those but rebound lacking?

I have a brand new set of Tein S-Tech in the classifieds just FYI;)

are you suggesting both Tokico and Tein shocks don't have rebound?

He's trolling you son!!!