Mazdaspeeder

I'm sure we have the same shocks, maybe our butts feel differently. Yes, they are firmer than stock, but they do remind me of my friend's 335i in how they handle bumps, you can tell you've hit it, but its a firm bump, not a jarring one. Maybe the 335i is not a "luxury" BMW, but it's still a very comfy car to ride in.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Aidan, I feel like it's not really relevant to mention softer springs if I'm writing a review -- I have only driven on the stiff springs.

Mazdaspeeder, essentially it seems you're saying "they feel like high-quality shocks." That's not a surprise -- they are high-quality shocks.

I dunno. This suspension isn't comfortable on an ultimate scale. It's definitely comfortable compared to other race suspension. which is sortof the point. I'm very happy with them, but I really wasn't super happy with them until I got on the track and realized HOLY **** the ride is decent and they perform like this on the track? Yes, much win.

I have no problem with saying they've got great ride quality as long as the qualifier "for race shocks on stiff springs" is included. and through your clarification, I understand what you're saying. But most people would read your initial post and say "Wow, BMW comfort, racecar handling! Magic!" and that's simply not the case.

They are FANTASTIC shocks. I love them, and absolutely would buy them again.... with tempered expectations in terms of ride comfort.

Ziggo

I had experience with a cheap set of dampers on comparable spring rates before the xidas, and that is where the ride comfort comment from folks come from. After putting these on the miata I will never cheap out on suspension again. So absolutely the ride comfort comment should include "for a race suspension" but its still impressive. On the street with the dampers set full soft the car feels solid but never harsh, and I don't have a cushion in my race seat. I prefer the feel of a stiff suspension anyway, I cant stand vehicles that wallow around the road.

wannafbody

iTrader: (1)

Drop to 450/300 and I'm sure the ride would be more BMW like. Anyway you slice it, 700/400 is race spring rates. Then again, anything less that 550 is too soft for most tracks.

Mazdaspeeder

I was debating going between the 800/500 and the 700/400, but emilio said that if I went on bumpy tracks (or in this case country roads) to stick with the 700/400. Now that I've experienced it, I think the 800/500 would have been able to soak up the bumps as well, and still been way more comfortable than my last coils.

We installed my old Teins on a buddy's car yesterday, an 02 SE. The 7/6 spring rates were much better in his car, we softened the dampers and they work rather well with his 205/50/15 Rival 200tw.

psyber_0ptix

iTrader: (4)

If I ever make it up to Philly, could I get a ride?

Mazdaspeeder

Absolutely. Maduh from Chicago, IL has had a ride, you're way closer. Do it up!

hector

Way late on this but 450/300 springs may not be more comfortable with ride heights at 4.25". Being on the bump stops all the time is not what I call comfortable. Maybe at stock ride heights.

Just saying, you wanna be that low, you gotta have the spring. And when you have that much spring you'd better have a damper that can control the spring.

Mazdaspeeder

Correct, they actually say to run 5" or more at the front pinch weld with those rates.

thumpetto007

iTrader: (15)

I chose 750/450 rates on my car, and mostly drive imperfect surface twisty mountain roads.

At full soft, with soft sidewall 185 snow tires, the ride is honestly comfier than oem.

At full soft, with 205 RE71R on 8 inch rims, the ride is significantly more harsh, but doesn't rattle my spine or head over rough pavement. (talking like two inch or more bumps/hard undulations)

The highest setting I've driven on is 16 clicks front and rear. I don't dare go any higher on the street. IT WAS HELL. It was so harsh and bumpy, I was getting woosy. I could only bare it for a couple miles, and the road was actually pretty smooth.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Ha. Yeah. I run 10 clicks in on the track and it feels great. Always full soft on the street.

When I was at Miatas at MRLS I asked Andrew at TSE how I know what stiffness to run. He said it's fastest to run the softest setting that still prevents wallowing, so that's what I went for.

Chiburbian

iTrader: (1)

I am running XIDAs at 800/500 with helper springs on 15x9" 6UL, 225/45-15 Hankook RS3. I have the full "big grip" package with sways etc.

At full soft, it is very firm compared to stock (duh) but perfectly fine on the street as long as the roads weren't too bad. I drove from Chicago to near Atlanta Georgia on them and my girlfriend never complained after 400 miles of driving when I got down there.

In retrospect I wish I would have bought the 700/450 (or 400?) setup instead as my car is mostly a daily driver. I would be happy to trade a little bleeding edge performance for a bit nicer ride.

I talked to Emelio about my car before buying but I might not have been clear enough about how much I drive the car on the street. My desire to take the car to the track relies on me putting a bar, seat, and belts in and that's not happening for some time.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

That's interesting. When I emailed him, I told him it would be primarily a track and autox car, but needs to still be streetable for weekend use, and would be running 225 RS3 (or equivalent) tires, and he recommended 700/400 for a full interior NB.

Very happy with that choice. Would not want stiffer.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

I doubt you speak the hole truth.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Ed likes it soft.

turbofan

iTrader: (1)

Must have soft. Can't take it hard.

Spent about 2 hours in the car today. I dooooo loves me this suspension. Yes it's firm but it does ride very very nicely. Stock S2k still rides considerably more comfortably but less control too.

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

If you get steady-state chattering in a corner, you need to up the damping. You may not run into this on street tires.

stormin'norman

iTrader: (2)

What's the cause of that chattering symptom? I noticed it on gen1 & 2.

aidandj

iTrader: (5)

Not enough dampening...

Mobius

iTrader: (2)

Yeah I thought that the explanation was obvious.

You experienced it on Gen 1 & 2 because the owners of those shocks (myself included) didn't understand what was happening in the corner. For me, switching from RS3's to Toyo RR's is when I noticed the chattering. Specifically in T12 at PIR. I mentioned it to Eddie, who enlightened me as to what was happening. Upping the stiffness two clicks took care of it.

Edit: to be completely, absolutely clear, this is a brand-independent phenomenon. It has nothing to do with it being Xida's or Afco's or Fatcats or MCS. It has everything to do with the damping being set too low for the grip the tires are producing. The oscillation occurs because the damping isn't high enough. Adjusting the dampers to be stiffer fixes it. New dampers are not required unless you raceland bro.