Suspension knacked. Options?

[shnazzle]

As topic suggests, my top mount has gone on the front left, and the entire stock coilover setup is worse for wear.
Can't do one side, so two sides need doing.

What are people's experiences with replacing with KYB + shocks and new top mounts?
The MeisterR adjustable coilies are a tempting option, but only if it's not far off the price of other options.

Thoughts?

[Wabbitkilla]

Just get a set of MeisterR's and new rear droplinks.
Job done, end of story

[shnazzle]

Just get a set of MeisterR's and new rear droplinks.
Job done, end of story

Those are not options! That is optioN!
... So that solution is 700 quid all in?

[Anonymous]

If your changing a shock as it gone the rest will not be far off the same so way up the cost of new top mounts all round, and new shocks all round

[shnazzle]

But the car's only done 55k. I'd like to think the knacked top mount is just that one corner.

[Anonymous]

That not many miles, but one would normally expect the rest to follow. Its probably worth having them checked

[wotugonado]

Meister r are £615 all in at the moment absolute billy bargain imo.
They offer everything stock set up offers then the option to go low   s8) s8)

[shnazzle]

Is the 615 still on? I thought that had gone.

[cptspaulding]

my 2p worth. I don't like the sound of coilovers for every day use. Thinking of just replacing all mine with stock KBA & standard springs.

Camskill has a deal on all 4 corners KBA (ex springs)  @ £285. Spoke to my mechanic aboutn it & he checked his own suppliers. He's very suspicious of this deal - according to him, his suppliers can't buy them from KBA at that price.   s:? :? s:?

[wotugonado]

Is the 615 still on? I thought that had gone.

Was still on when i put my deposit down in last couple of weeks. I think its on till this current shipment arrives, I paid my £100.00 deposit on the website, balance when theyre ready to dispatch em.

[Tomo70]

Front end cost me around £265 including shocks, springs, top cup, insulating bush, the protective boot and anti roll bar links. Was a weekend job reasonably easy to do.
The car has only done 70k and I could not believe the condition of the top cups. The rust had de laminated the metal. I would recommend this as an important job on a to do list. Much like the rear cross member.
The top bearing however was still in good order so just needed cleaning up.

I realise money is an issue, especially when you have a young family, but if you want to keep car standard I would just go for KYB springs and shocks. Or if you are tempted by lowering get the tien springs. I am happy running standard I enjoy having a little bit of roll, and being able to get out the car and walk after 2 hours at the wheel   s:D s:D

[shnazzle]

Thanks Tomo. I do worry about the harshness of the MeisterRs. But the ride height can remain stock(ish). Whereas Teins are too low for me.

How'd you get all of that for 265? That's ridiculous

[shnazzle]

my 2p worth. I don't like the sound of coilovers for every day use. Thinking of just replacing all mine with stock KBA & standard springs.

Camskill has a deal on all 4 corners KBA (ex springs)  @ £285. Spoke to my mechanic aboutn it & he checked his own suppliers. He's very suspicious of this deal - according to him, his suppliers can't buy them from KBA at that price.   s:? :? s:?

I saw the deal. Unfortunately it doesn't seem to include the top mounts.
And then I'd need two new springs as well.
Wish I could get a ride in a car with the MeisterRs

[Wabbitkilla]

£265 .... were the topmounts in that?

Last time someone checked it was actually cheaper to buy the coilovers because you get the topmounts included

[shnazzle]

£265 .... were the topmounts in that?

Last time someone checked it was actually cheaper to buy the coilovers because you get the topmounts included

I think that someone was me haha

[tricky1138]

Wish I could get a ride in a car with the MeisterRs

Scotte will be up in a couple of weeks on the Whitby run.

If you can wait that long then that's the way to go.

See what opinion others have that have fitted them.

[shnazzle]

Wish I could get a ride in a car with the MeisterRs

Scotte will be up in a couple of weeks on the Whitby run.

If you can wait that long then that's the way to go.

See what opinion others have that have fitted them.

Scotte mentioned 2x as harsh as stock. That's harsh.

[Wabbitkilla]

Oh FFS shnazzle jfdi .... you might be surprised how good they are!

[1979scotte]

Wish I could get a ride in a car with the MeisterRs

Scotte will be up in a couple of weeks on the Whitby run.

If you can wait that long then that's the way to go.

See what opinion others have that have fitted them.

Scotte mentioned 2x as harsh as stock. That's harsh.

Spring rates are 5/7 front and rear. At no point did i say they were harsh.
They're bloody brilliant to me.
I'm up to Whitby on the 12th so hold your horses for a week and you can see what you think.

I'm sure someone found some cheap topmounts from the USA on ebay maybe.

IMHO and I'm hoping others will agree people don't change their suspension soon enough.
It's only done 60k they say. There aren't any leaks. Must be ok. Bollocks!!!.
Ask Jason how much better his car feels with new kyb and tein.
If money is tight fair enough but if one corner needs doing all should be changed.

I know it's not easy you being northern and dutch makes you tighter than a jock.

[cptspaulding]

I think, in our pursuit of bigger/better (engine, suspension, brakes) we begin to forget what an agile, nippy, cheap, little soft top runabout we have.
All things sorted & stock it's a cracking drive! Why chase rainbows? (Oh, dear... Time for bed, said Zebedee)

[shnazzle]

I think, in our pursuit of bigger/better (engine, suspension, brakes) we begin to forget what an agile, nippy, cheap, little soft top runabout we have.
All things sorted & stock it's a cracking drive! Why chase rainbows? (Oh, dear... Time for bed, said Zebedee)

Absolutely haven't forgotten. But in this particular case it's a value for money thing. If coilovers, which improve the handling quite a bit, are marginally pricier than the stock or near-stock setup... Why not just do that?

Unless someone can tell me that I can get 4 KYB struts and springs and at least 1 front top mount for a hell of a lot less than 615

[mrzwei]

I think, in our pursuit of bigger/better (engine, suspension, brakes) we begin to forget what an agile, nippy, cheap, little soft top runabout we have.
All things sorted & stock it's a cracking drive! Why chase rainbows? (Oh, dear... Time for bed, said Zebedee)

According to Toyota, that was exactly the point of the design and the same idea was marketed for the GT86, the spiritual successor.
I managed to ruin an old mk1 Sprite by upgrading the 948cc A series to a 1500 MGA engine. I turned a nippy little sports car into a dragster despite uprating the front suspension.  I would have done it differently now though and just have tuned the 948 because big gains were possible. It's easy to destroy the concept.

[shnazzle]

After a few discussions with dj2k21 it seems I might be happier with BC BH-RA coilovers. They're 684 from Larkspeed and offer 4/6 rates with rubber top mounts. So that might ease concerns about ride quality. A fair bit softer than 5/7 from MeisterR and trusted/known quality.

So now it's between refreshing stock with KYB or BC coilies

[Ardent]

my 2p worth. I don't like the sound of coilovers for every day use. Thinking of just replacing all mine with stock KBA & standard springs.

Camskill has a deal on all 4 corners KBA (ex springs)  @ £285. Spoke to my mechanic aboutn it & he checked his own suppliers. He's very suspicious of this deal - according to him, his suppliers can't buy them from KBA at that price.   s:? :? s:?

Printed off the camskill screen of above shocks. Went to local parts suppliers. Parkers. They matched the price.
have heard no bad reports about camskill so i say safe to order.

As scotte alluded, i am very happy with them.
coilys may well be better overall. But refreshing suspension to stock level has shown me how good these things are.
have realised even in stock form. The 2 has more capability than i have talent or commitment
As a twisty b road machine, really takes some beating.

[shnazzle]

Would I put in more understeer of I upgrade the fronts and not the rears (yet)?