BC BH-RA 6 years on

[shnazzle]

Just about 6 years ago, at only just about 50k miles on the clock I found a leaking rear shock. So went down the usual road of finding out how much it would be to replace it. You then find out you have to replace both.
Fast-forward a couple weeks and I received my BC Racing BH-RA (BH Series with rear rubber mounts instead of solid rose joint) with 4kg front and 6kg rear springs (vs standard 5/7kg).

Initial thoughts on install were; have I made a mistake? They were not far off coming off. But I went for a firmer setting and counterintuitively, the ride became better.

Soon the springs loosened up a bit and I got in tune with the new firmer and must more responsive ride (responsive, not compliant). Warmer months and really started to enjoy them.
Yes they're harsh but being able to power through a long corner is just bliss.

So, 6 years on then...
The car has been my daily. It has done almost 70k miles since I bought it and 60k of those have been on the BCs.

I paid 642GBP for them, straight from BC. Absolute bargain. And they were/are worth every penny.
On a warm, dry, summer's day on AD08 tyres with the BCs turned up to near full tightness on the rebound the amount of mechanical grip on some naughty drives is mind blowing. Even after 60k.

They're definitely aged and nowhere near as compliant and effective anymore. Hell, the quality of the roads has gone down drastically the last 5 years and it has now made the BCs borderline dangerous sometimes. The valves are probably shot or gunked up, the springs tired and the fluid old. The seals tiring. You can feel that the shocks are no longer as effective anymore.
They go from rock solid to floppy oddly on bumpy drives. They're a bit unpredictable. That's a slight over-exaggeration, making them sound horrible, which they're not. But, 60k has clearly taken its toll on them.
But... They are 642GBP struts+springs from Taiwan (I think). They're budget coilovers. Not quite bottom-rung, but definitely not KW or Eibach.
I reckon, depending on their use, they're possibly one of the best bang for buck stiffer coilover suspension you can buy. And the parts can all be replaced. I could refresh them entirely. But...would I?
No.

It's stiff. Very stiff. It's not compliant for whta UK roads are anymore. Now I just bounce around b-roads and I can't commit anywhere like I used to be able to anymore. They're done.
Now they're just harsh, badly performing budget shocks.
They feel like what 200gbp coilovers feel like. Crashy. Unpredictable. Not progressive or linear in weight transfer. More erratic.

I don't regret my purchase at all. Not a bit. They've given me so much fun and value. I'd recommend them to many, depending on the roads near them. But, I'm pushing 40 and I haven't got much left in the way of discs in my spine. I can't drive through old towns, the rattles shake the interior to death. I can't do runs through Yorkshire dales anymore. Just too bouncy and harsh.
All these are good for now is what used to be a spirited drive to work on flat smooth roads. With my new job, I work from home permanently... So... Last of their use has disappeared.

Get them. Expect 40k of great miles from them. They'll be great on track. Not on a race car. But on a trsck day they'll give you a few seconds. Get them to get familiar with adjustments, corner weighting, adjusting height for rake, front camber, etc. But start saving for a set of top-of-the-line KWs or just KYB struts and H&R springs. You'll want to after 40k.

[puma2]

  that is a good write up and well put experience you have had

[1979scotte]

that is a good write up and well put experience you have had

As if his head isn't big enough you go and pay him a compliment.

[shnazzle]

that is a good write up and well put experience you have had

As if his head isn't big enough you go and pay him a compliment.

Have you seen the size of my head?... Even Helen calls me "pin heed"

[Iain]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

[shnazzle]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

Haha.

Just to make the review extra awkward; my experience in the MeisterRs is limited, but if I were to have to get budget coilies again I think I'd go MeisterR CRD+ over BC BH-RA 4/6.

The ER series for BC get great track reviews though. But, I guess they're the budget version of a 2.5k setup where the BH series is the budget version of the 1.2k setups.

[1979scotte]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

Haha.

Just to make the review extra awkward; my experience in the MeisterRs is limited, but if I were to have to get budget coilies again I think I'd go MeisterR CRD+ over BC BH-RA 4/6.

The ER series for BC get great track reviews though. But, I guess they're the budget version of a 2.5k setup where the BH series is the budget version of the 1.2k setups.

And don't forget koni inserts.
Try all the options you can.

[Hammond]

Just about 6 years ago, at only just about 50k miles on the clock I found a leaking rear shock. So went down the usual road of finding out how much it would be to replace it. You then find out you have to replace both.
Fast-forward a couple weeks and I received my BC Racing BH-RA (BH Series with rear rubber mounts instead of solid rose joint) with 4kg front and 6kg rear springs (vs standard 5/7kg).

Initial thoughts on install were; have I made a mistake? They were not far off coming off. But I went for a firmer setting and counterintuitively, the ride became better.

Soon the springs loosened up a bit and I got in tune with the new firmer and must more responsive ride (responsive, not compliant). Warmer months and really started to enjoy them.
Yes they're harsh but being able to power through a long corner is just bliss.

So, 6 years on then...
The car has been my daily. It has done almost 70k miles since I bought it and 60k of those have been on the BCs.

I paid 642GBP for them, straight from BC. Absolute bargain. And they were/are worth every penny.
On a warm, dry, summer's day on AD08 tyres with the BCs turned up to near full tightness on the rebound the amount of mechanical grip on some naughty drives is mind blowing. Even after 60k.

They're definitely aged and nowhere near as compliant and effective anymore. Hell, the quality of the roads has gone down drastically the last 5 years and it has now made the BCs borderline dangerous sometimes. The valves are probably shot or gunked up, the springs tired and the fluid old. The seals tiring. You can feel that the shocks are no longer as effective anymore.
They go from rock solid to floppy oddly on bumpy drives. They're a bit unpredictable. That's a slight over-exaggeration, making them sound horrible, which they're not. But, 60k has clearly taken its toll on them.
But... They are 642GBP struts+springs from Taiwan (I think). They're budget coilovers. Not quite bottom-rung, but definitely not KW or Eibach.
I reckon, depending on their use, they're possibly one of the best bang for buck stiffer coilover suspension you can buy. And the parts can all be replaced. I could refresh them entirely. But...would I?
No.

It's stiff. Very stiff. It's not compliant for whta UK roads are anymore. Now I just bounce around b-roads and I can't commit anywhere like I used to be able to anymore. They're done.
Now they're just harsh, badly performing budget shocks.
They feel like what 200gbp coilovers feel like. Crashy. Unpredictable. Not progressive or linear in weight transfer. More erratic.

I don't regret my purchase at all. Not a bit. They've given me so much fun and value. I'd recommend them to many, depending on the roads near them. But, I'm pushing 40 and I haven't got much left in the way of discs in my spine. I can't drive through old towns, the rattles shake the interior to death. I can't do runs through Yorkshire dales anymore. Just too bouncy and harsh.
All these are good for now is what used to be a spirited drive to work on flat smooth roads. With my new job, I work from home permanently... So... Last of their use has disappeared.

Get them. Expect 40k of great miles from them. They'll be great on track. Not on a race car. But on a trsck day they'll give you a few seconds. Get them to get familiar with adjustments, corner weighting, adjusting height for rake, front camber, etc. But start saving for a set of top-of-the-line KWs or just KYB struts and H&R springs. You'll want to after 40k.

A great and honest write up! Really appreciate it pal, cheers

[Hammond]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

Haha.

Just to make the review extra awkward; my experience in the MeisterRs is limited, but if I were to have to get budget coilies again I think I'd go MeisterR CRD+ over BC BH-RA 4/6.

The ER series for BC get great track reviews though. But, I guess they're the budget version of a 2.5k setup where the BH series is the budget version of the 1.2k setups.

Why would you opt for the Meisters over the BC's again then?

[shnazzle]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

Haha.

Just to make the review extra awkward; my experience in the MeisterRs is limited, but if I were to have to get budget coilies again I think I'd go MeisterR CRD+ over BC BH-RA 4/6.

The ER series for BC get great track reviews though. But, I guess they're the budget version of a 2.5k setup where the BH series is the budget version of the 1.2k setups.

Why would you opt for the Meisters over the BC's again then?

It's not 100% based on thr little miles I've done on the MeisterRs in other people's cars, but they felt much more like they absorbed bumps and uneven surfaces. Instead of bouncing off them. They felt a good bit less bone-rattling as well

[Hammond]

Nice proper review of some coilovers. Keep toying between some BCs or fresh kyb shocks an tein springs. You've just pushed me more towards the coilovers...

Can you lend me the difference 

Haha.

Just to make the review extra awkward; my experience in the MeisterRs is limited, but if I were to have to get budget coilies again I think I'd go MeisterR CRD+ over BC BH-RA 4/6.

The ER series for BC get great track reviews though. But, I guess they're the budget version of a 2.5k setup where the BH series is the budget version of the 1.2k setups.

Why would you opt for the Meisters over the BC's again then?

It's not 100% based on thr little miles I've done on the MeisterRs in other people's cars, but they felt much more like they absorbed bumps and uneven surfaces. Instead of bouncing off them. They felt a good bit less bone-rattling as well

Good to know! Cheers pal

[SuperArt]

Enlightening review. Not very often people write about long term ownership of suspension parts.

[Hammond]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

[SuperArt]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

I've had mine in a box in the shed since I bought them on the group buy here. Fantastic bit of kit, stows away well and study enough you can put deck chairs on top of them or spare wheels etc. You'd never know it was there 10 out of 10.

[1979scotte]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

For a standard power 2 koni inserts and lowering springs is probably best.
Closely followed by a bone stock refresh.
Meister R are better then the BC imho even though they have higher spring rates but over a bumpy road you'd still have more fun stock.
What does @jvanzyl think of his Tein? You've had them on a while now John.

[Hammond]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

For a standard power 2 koni inserts and lowering springs is probably best.
Closely followed by a bone stock refresh.
Meister R are better then the BC imho even though they have higher spring rates but over a bumpy road you'd still have more fun stock.
What does @jvanzyl think of his Tein? You've had them on a while now John.

Thanks for that appreciate it all the same but a long term review of the Meister r's was what I'm after

[1979scotte]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

For a standard power 2 koni inserts and lowering springs is probably best.
Closely followed by a bone stock refresh.
Meister R are better then the BC imho even though they have higher spring rates but over a bumpy road you'd still have more fun stock.
What does @jvanzyl think of his Tein? You've had them on a while now John.

Thanks for that appreciate it all the same but a long term review of the Meister r's was what I'm after

Don't know what to say other than I've had 3 roadsters all with MeisterR. I need them on my V6 because of the extra weight but on a standard car I think you are better off with standard suspension.
On the Turbo I had they were an improvement on the 50k milers they replaced but on bumpy surfaces you really have to slow down.
All the cheaper options are better on track than road I reckon.

[Hammond]

Would anyone be keen to write up a review of the MeisterR ZetaCRD's?

For a standard power 2 koni inserts and lowering springs is probably best.
Closely followed by a bone stock refresh.
Meister R are better then the BC imho even though they have higher spring rates but over a bumpy road you'd still have more fun stock.
What does @jvanzyl think of his Tein? You've had them on a while now John.

Thanks for that appreciate it all the same but a long term review of the Meister r's was what I'm after

Don't know what to say other than I've had 3 roadsters all with MeisterR. I need them on my V6 because of the extra weight but on a standard car I think you are better off with standard suspension.
On the Turbo I had they were an improvement on the 50k milers they replaced but on bumpy surfaces you really have to slow down.
All the cheaper options are better on track than road I reckon.

Really appreciate that thank you pal!

[jvanzyl]

Looks like my long term review isn't needed 😜 the only thing I'll say is that the ability to adjust the dampening electronically is brilliant... I'm guessing a lot of people constantly have to settle for whatever they've left the settings at when the conditions change and so can't get the most out of it..
when I change tyres to some of those gredge things in the summer I'll post a good long term review..

[1979scotte]

Looks like my long term review isn't needed 😜 the only thing I'll say is that the ability to adjust the dampening electronically is brilliant... I'm guessing a lot of people constantly have to settle for whatever they've left the settings at when the conditions change and so can't get the most out of it..
when I change tyres to some of those gredge things in the summer I'll post a good long term review..

I can honestly say that once I find the sweet spot I don't change the damping.
Although they have lots of adjustment I think they only work correctly over a short range.
Obviously I've not tried your tein

[shnazzle]

Looks like my long term review isn't needed 😜 the only thing I'll say is that the ability to adjust the dampening electronically is brilliant... I'm guessing a lot of people constantly have to settle for whatever they've left the settings at when the conditions change and so can't get the most out of it..
when I change tyres to some of those gredge things in the summer I'll post a good long term review..

I can honestly say that once I find the sweet spot I don't change the damping.
Although they have lots of adjustment I think they only work correctly over a short range.
Obviously I've not tried your tein

I did change settings between seasons. In the summer the springs would be a lot softer so I'd run much firmer. About 12-15 clicks from soft. In the winter, 3-4 clicks

[jvanzyl]

I have 3 presets loaded which you just hit the button and they're done in just over a second:
#1 9-11 "Motorway cruising" (softest)
#2 6-9 "yay!! roundabouts!"(firm)
#3 1-3 "oh so you wanna race??" (Chiropractor level).
First number is front, second number is rear.

[1979scotte]

Looks like my long term review isn't needed 😜 the only thing I'll say is that the ability to adjust the dampening electronically is brilliant... I'm guessing a lot of people constantly have to settle for whatever they've left the settings at when the conditions change and so can't get the most out of it..
when I change tyres to some of those gredge things in the summer I'll post a good long term review..

I can honestly say that once I find the sweet spot I don't change the damping.
Although they have lots of adjustment I think they only work correctly over a short range.
Obviously I've not tried your tein

I did change settings between seasons. In the summer the springs would be a lot softer so I'd run much firmer. About 12-15 clicks from soft. In the winter, 3-4 clicks

With the MeisterR always felt too soft was like a boat too hard was like you had no damping.

[Roj]

Good write up, as others say not often you get long term reviews of this sort of kit.

The current version appears to the BC-BR-RA which is ~£900 for the 4/6kg springs or ~£800 for the 5/7kgs. Still decent value compared to a new KYB/Eibach kit + OE top mounts.

[Two's Company]

I think for a daily driver, the stock suspension is perfect. Lowering springs make it look better but slightly harsher ride.

Modified coil overs ok on smooth roads or a weekend car. The average B road today is a crater filled moonscape does it's hard to get the best out of stiffer suspension.

I KW now do a kit. That would be interesting. Pricey I imagine.