Coilovers vs Koni Yelllow + TeinS springs

[SiLENTSNiPE]

Hi there,

I don't know too much about suspensions. So I'm looking for more insight on which setup is better. I haven't started looking into which brand coilovers yet but for sure I want one with that can adjust the dampening (stiffness?). Which set up is most comfortable and cost effective. Thanks guys!

[condor888000]

Coilovers are more expensive but allow much more adjustment. With yellow's you can only adjust dampening, not ride height.

[SiLENTSNiPE]

I see... I liked the drop when I had my TeinS springs on but the ride was wayyy too stiff. Thats why I was thinking about getting koni yellows to help the comfort level for my ride. What are the prices like for coilovers anyways? Konis are about 800-900? How much are coilovers?

[Fuman]

search using the keywords
koni
coilovers
do both searches on the suspension section only. There is good information around.

In short, if you don't plan on adjusting the height.
Just get Tein S-tech w/ Konis. FYI there are Koni springs at 1.7'' drop.
Koni shocks & koni springs & eibach camber kit & shipping ran me around 950-1000 cnd.
coilovers you are looking at over $1400 for a decent set.

[Nextmod]

I carry Koni Yellow if you are interested

[kaval]

What kind of application are you going to be using this suspension for? Tracking? Daily Driving? Just being slammed?

When you say your ride was too stiff on Tein S-Techs...were you on stock shocks? Tein S-Techs have one of the softest spring rates for lowering springs. Adding Koni-Yellows will only make the ride stiffer because of its bound and rebound characteristics.

It all depends on how the suspension is tuned after it's installed as well. A 12K front spring on coilovers can feel as soft as Koni Yellows on a lowering spring like the tein s-tech, because its properly dampened.

[SiLENTSNiPE]

It will be mostly for daily driving... and yes I was using stock shocks..

so you're saying if i added koni yellows to the setup, it will only be stiffer? Even on the softest setting?

[kaval]

You have to understand that nothing will be more comfortable that your stock suspension in this case. Tein S-Techs are more of a dress-up style of spring, hence the "Dress-Up" signage on the boxes of their springs. They maintain a rather soft spring rate so you don't get all that harshness from performance based lowering springs (like H&R Race springs). Because they maintain a softer spring rate, they are not as harsh on your stock shocks. You will however lose more shock travel because the spring makes the car sit lower.

So basically your ideal setup for comfort would have been stock shocks on the Tein S-Techs. Look around for other springs that can go with the Mazda3 and compare the spring rates. If you find any that have a lower rate, go with them for comfort. You may not get the same drop though.

As for coilovers...I don't think you'll like them if you feel the S-Techs on stock shocks are too uncomfortable.

By the way, what is your tire and rim setup? This can also have an effect on the comfort level.

Also...what exactly are you feeling when you describe the car being too 'stiff'?

[Donutz]

You have to understand that nothing will be more comfortable that your stock suspension in this case.

This is absolutely true.

Op, you'll have to ask yourself why exactly you want to be lower; looks or performance? The answer will definitely help you choose a suspension setup. But none the less, you'll definitely sacrifice some level of comfort when lowering your car.

I'm rolling on mazdaspeed accessory struts and prokit springs. I've found this set up is a good comprimise between comfort and performance. The struts I have do not perform as good as Koni yellows (although to be honest, my exposure to koni's has not been in an mz3).

If you want to see what the ride quality is like, I'll take you for a rip in my car. Or you could go to a meet one day; I'm sure there are members who'd take you for a spin so you could compare different setups.

[Fuman]

yellows on full-soft is similar to stock shocks.

[kaval]

yellows on full-soft is similar to stock shocks.

With that springs?

[Kevin@nextmod]

Just run winter tires, stock shocks, s-techs then it'll be as soft as it can get.

[Fuman]

With that springs?
koni springs 1.77 drop.

Keep in mind because the shock travel is less, it'll feel more bumpy.

[1flycdnM3]

i would ave to say the eibach sportlines are the closest to "stock feel" i have tried in the Mazda3, but it comes with a price... VERY LOW! have to get shocks and recommend camber kit as well. Koni makes the best/most comfortable shocks in my opinion.

as said already, any aftermarket suspension setup will be hard-pressed not to be more "stiff" than stock but honestly I dont even notice it anymore like i used to. Felt like a go-kart when i first had my koni FSD/eibach setup... now i dont notice at all :)

[06Touring3]

I'm going to suggest a spring that isn't that common on this board but is pretty popular on the american board. Progress springs. I have a set (just installed yesterday) and so far the ride is pretty soft. Here are the specs:

Drop: 1.3" front 1.3" rear
Spring Rate: (F) 190 (R) 170
Spring Type: Progressive
Part #40.1125

Since I have only had them only for not even 24 hours take what i say with a grain of salt as i'm not sure how the ride will feel once the springs ahve settled completely....

But I wanted a spring that offered improved performance but had daily drivign in mind and so far i would say the Progress springs are very nice. I had the chance to drive in a 3 with Koni Yellows and Koni springs and it's much stiffer than my progress with stock struts (Yellows were set to softest dampen)

just my $0.02

[Fuman]

I'm going to suggest a spring that isn't that common on this board but is pretty popular on the american board. Progress springs. I have a set (just installed yesterday) and so far the ride is pretty soft. Here are the specs:

Drop: 1.3" front 1.3" rear
Spring Rate: (F) 190 (R) 170
Spring Type: Progressive
Part #40.1125

Since I have only had them only for not even 24 hours take what i say with a grain of salt as i'm not sure how the ride will feel once the springs ahve settled completely....

But I wanted a spring that offered improved performance but had daily drivign in mind and so far i would say the Progress springs are very nice. I had the chance to drive in a 3 with Koni Yellows and Koni springs and it's much stiffer than my progress with stock struts (Yellows were set to softest dampen)

just my $0.02
you sure the Koni combo was stiff? I find it abit softer than stock but it hits the bump stops easy if you are on full soft; make it the ride bumpy.
I'm actually looking to get RB springs cause the Koni springs are too soft for my use

[06Touring3]

definetly sure it was stiff....but stiff in comparison to my springs that i installed....so like i said take what i say with a grain of salt

[Fuman]

definetly sure it was stiff....but stiff in comparison to my springs that i installed....so like i said take what i say with a grain of salt
I can't even test it on full soft since I work downtown. If I remember, i'll test it this weekend.

[06Touring3]

remember grain of salt when you remember my words lol

unless you know someone else in a sedan with stock struts and progress springs

[Fuman]

remember grain of salt when you remember my words lol
i barely remembered my gf's bday... remind me after I post (IF I remember to test)...
lol