That's very true, well put my friend.

Comfort is relative. Xidas are more comfortable than any Tein product, for instance, despite having higher spring rates. Just because it doesn't ride like a Cadillac doesn't make it uncomfortable.

I've never riden on Teins. How would they compare to the Vmaxx extremes?

Teins ride pretty well. After trying 7,000 combination with my Koni Sport shocks and springs I threw Teins on and was pretty happy. Even with spring rates not quite great for a miata, and with a damping curve that had plenty of room for improvement, they were a godsend over Konis. When you hit things like speed bump you could feel the shock absorb the impact, stay off the bumps, and then handle the rebound very well.

Xida is the standard everything else is measure down to. They are one of the only shocks that were developed with a miata actually in mind.

Of course it is, relative and subjective. That's why I speak up when I see it made out to be objective, no matter how much certain people may get mad about it.
There's a difference between telling people "it's comfortable for what it is, a race coilover" and "it's comfortable".
Have you driven on the new street basis? (or whatever it's called nowadays). It's not bad at all.

If this is what you're seeking then you should be very happy.

Xidas are basically always "composed". with sticky tires, it takes serious effort to get the car to break loose. It just wants to grip.

Not for the weekend dorifto warriors :)

What are you ladies going on about?

XIDAs on 800/500 on RComps is plenty "comfy" on the street. It never bothered me and I'm being a baby about my BRZ being on 255/35/18s and Ground Controls.

I daily drive a Formula 1 car, anything else is just too soft.
Quit being vaginas guythz

If you don't feel like you're getting molested by a buffalo, sweaty, armpit stains, half a 40 in the passenger seat, lit cigarette in the overfilled ashtray, hard rock blaring through the 1 working speaker that's zip tied to a full roll cage, aluminum seats with no padding, 90 point harnesses, and gutted doors with half-gutted dashboard on your morning commute


.......you are a VAGINA

Yeah that's what made me so interested in the Xidas but that's good to hear. I had a dream last night where I got an e-mail confirmation saying it shipped out but then I woke up and realized it was just a dream...
Awesome, that's great to hear.
I'm running 200TW star specs but it SHOULD be plenty of grip for the time being.
LOL I wish this quote was shorter so I could put it in my sig.

Accurate description of the Koni experience.

Welp, I'm glad I didn't go with konis.

FWIW - my progression through suspension setups over the years;

• First was the stock 10AE (Bilstein HD's, I think) - barely adequate, but better'n the Ford Tempo that was my previous car.
• Swapped the stock setup for AGX adjustables - what a freaking mistake that was! Nothing would make those things work!!
• Put the Billie's back in w/ GC's around '04-'05 - better than the AGX's (but just barely). Thought that higher spring rates would "make everything better". Finally landed on a 700/400 combo - lost many fillings in the process. I thought that riding like an unsprung shopping cart was the path to handling nirvana (boy, was I wrong).
• I knew there was better, just couldn't afford it. Settled for Tein SA's 'cause I just couldn't do any better ($$$-wise). Rode like a truck, but at least the adjustments could get rid of some of the ride harshness (not much, just some - enough to fool me at least).
• Lusted for years for "something better". Ohlins's were beyond my pocketbook. FCM's seemed a bit...limited (I just felt that the absence of adjustment was a limit, no matter what everyone that had them said). So I landed on Xida's...save up my coins and get Xida's.
• When the time came to buy, I had three choices; Xida's, Feals, or Fox's...
• I bought the Xida's and am thoroughly satisfied. Set on slightly soft for DD'ing and they are (my idea of) plush and supple. Bumps that would have rattled my teeth with the Tein's almost disappear with the Xida's. It's not '60s Cadillac cushy, but I don't grimace anymore when I drive down the street. So far, with 2 AX events in the bag, I haven't yet felt the need to go any firmer than midway in the settings and the car is perfectly settled, doesn't wallow and more controlled than anything else I've been on...ever! I can't imagine a better suspension setup - there probably is, but I can't imagine it.

Just my $0.02

That's awesome to hear, I love reading these good reviews about Xidas. It just makes me more and more excited to receive mine!

I think I am going to go with the fox from FM. I saved my little pennies for the Xidas but the extra travel in the rear makes me wanna go to the fox. Xidas were my original suspension choice over the ohlins and a few other 2k set ups.
Dont ask me why anymore my mind has turned to jello after 3 months of hard research, reviews, pro/semi pro drivers and manufacturers opinions for coilovers. I threw in the towel and it landed on the fox.
I am sure ill be bashed for not going with our dear leaders suspension which is probably just as good. The moral of my post, spend 2k and you wont be dissapointed no matter which direction you go.

as long as you're happy with your really dumb decisions, good luck

haha.
Classic

18psi, knowing that you spent some time on FM/Illumina, IIRC, how would you compare Teins and Xidas in comfort to them? I've been pretty happy with mine - in fact I was surprised by their composure over these moon-man roads today after spending 5 months in a land-yacht Concorde on Monroes - but I haven't experienced a Miata on anything but Illumina and stock.

Is there comfort Nirvana to be found on Xidas (maybe on 500ish spring rates) or Teins?

rly vlad?

Xidas have extra travel in the rear too...

I love it when you talk to me and I have no idea what you're talking about
Comfort level, I think fm/tokico is high on the list of those. I'd rate them: 1) fm/tokico 2) tein basis 3)xidas (700/400). I haven't tried super low sprung xidas, not even sure that exists.

Of course when it comes to performance, it's:
1) xida
..
..
5) fm/tokico
..
8) tein basis

But for the 1000th time, I'm not a track racer so my experience can only be applied to street cars and never track cars.

Lol get rekt m8
Ehhh one would think but I dunno if that's necessarily true.
This.

Most people seem to revel at Xidas and based on peoples success in competitive events I can see why. From its birth from what 949 talks about it is a track set up with different spring rates available for different set ups ie tire and mainly what type of racing you do.

To me the FM Fox was set up and designed from birth to be the balance between street and track. Since I am going to drive it mainly on the street I want a set up that is geared more towards that. I feel as though the xida is a little more track dedicated yet tamable on the street.

*****My opinion based on my research not fact nor do I present it as such.******

Cause everyone wi th xidas complain about lack of rear travel so they can put the tire in the fender.

My point was the valving allows them to be comfy on the street with super high rates.

I was just saying that it seems like quite a leap to conclude that buying Fox shocks instead of Xidas is a "really dumb decision."

It's important (for some applications) to note that the Fox setup uses 2.5" springs whereas the Xidas use 2.25" springs. I understand that the smaller spring allows for more clearance, such as if one would like to run 10" wheels, correct?

The Fox does seem like a really nice setup, and I'm sure you'll love them.

Now that he's clarified that its mostly a street car, maybe it's not as dumb of a decision.
But man, since the price is the same, I really can't imagine seeing them on the same level as xida. If they were much cheaper, then we'd have a case. I guess that's why I concluded "dumb decision".

If the fm/tokico combo was say, 1600-1800 dollhairs, I'd never recommend it to anyone. Even on a street car lol

You should know how to set up your suspension with 60000 posts in miata forum so that a custom suspension for a miata doesn't allow the tire to contact the fender

You can get the Xidas with a much lower rate spring if you like, and the dampening can work with it. On full soft (with 700/400 rates) the car rides pretty good but is slightly underdamped.

The Fox shocks claim 5" of stroke (doesn't specify if that's front or rear), to the Xida's rear travel of 4.13" (and 4.8" front travel). That's probably a slight benefit on the Fox, maybe? Dunno.

Anyway, truth is, we'll never actually know which one of these setups is BEST. Xidas, MCS, Fox, Ohlins... There likely won't ever be an objective, independent, apples-to-apples test. So pick the one you like best, and the company you most prefer to deal with.

I am talking to bill of fm at the moment to set up a test between xidas fox and ohlins same driver same car, same tires.
My friend is an instructor at summit I asked him if he was willing to drive them he said yes.

So if I can get goodwin , and 949 to be on board they can use my car . I am willing for them to put a hold on my car for the suspension and who's avg the best times with the same spring rates I'll buy. I will also have video and full write ups.
I also want to test the ride quality with my accelerometer.

Good luck with getting everyone to agree that the test is impartial.

I am sure I can get everyone to agree on terms prior to test otherwise I wouldn't do it.

Highly doubt you'd get 949 on board.

Just sayin'.

Would love to see a comparison done properly though.

Funny you say that since everyone "knows" the Xida's can't be touched. But you are probably right because if all 3 don't agree then no test can be done :(

Are there any advantages to the Fox suspension for a street car over Xidas at all? Say, with relatively soft (550/375) springs and a taller than stock ride height? I'm in a similar boat as OP and was pretty much set to on the the Fox because it sounded it would be more suitable given that the Xida was designed for track use with low ride heights and stiffer springs in mind.

I've heard very similar answers to this.
I just don't see why you'd spend 1800 bucks for a street suspension on the miata....seems a bit overkill to me.
This.

Yeah, basically what Z31Maniac said. High-quality dampers will work well in all situations, and as long as damping range will handle the spring rates, you're good to go. From the Xida product page:

So, yes, if you put softer springs, the Xidas will make phenomenal street suspension. However, i ask the same question as apexaddict. I truly can't comprehend spending that kind of money on street suspension. I'd go for something that's decent quality but not race quality like Tein Flex Z or the like.

If I can get the same corner speed as the Xida's with a softer spring for the same dollar why wouldn't I use it for a street car that hits the track 5 times a year?

...You ever wonder why Emilio hadn't already thought of something like that?
I can't think of a single person here that would choose stiffer suspension over softer if both performed identically.

100% this. The only reason people go with stiff is for the performance benefits, not for comfort...