does anybody have the tanabe suspension. i am looking at those ($900) and the tein flex ($1,600) and want to know if the tein's are worth the extra $700. i'm not a hardcore racer but would like better handling. any thoughts?

 

r26

Tanabe currently offers two coilover setups
OC and OC type II
The difference is the presence or absence of a helper spring
The damper is NON ADJUSTABLE
Rates 10kg front 8kg rear

The current tanabe offerings are not comparable to tein's flex as the flex has adjustable damping thus the price difference. If you want to compare apples to apples compare it to the tein basic.

Tanabe was slated to come out with their SS and SS type II coilover with adjustable damping, but has been delayed, and may be replaced with a new offering called the sustec seven that has an option for an EDFC type controller called TEAS. Don't know the rates for the seven yet.

Tein flex
Adjustable damping
Rates 672 lb/in front and rear (from Gsedan35); converted 12kg front rear

hope that helps

 

thanks for the info. As for a daily driver, would the extra offerings from a tein flex setup be beneficial. I heard some people saying that it would be a waste unless you track it.

 

Your question surrounds whether adjustable damping would be useful to you.
In your last post you seem to imply that you would not track your car regularly. If your car is to be a street daily driver then I will hazard a guess that if you bought an adjustable damper, you would set it and forget it and likely rarely, if ever, adjust it afterwards. The benefit of adjustability depends entirely if you are going to USE that adjustability.

I would first focus on the spring rates offered, and decide what you want in that regard first. Your two choices have quite different spring rates and will affect the way your car behaves much more than any adjustability will.

pp

 

I just installed the Tanabe S-0C type II coil overs. Nice set-up for street use, firm but not brutal.

 

how would the tanabes compare to the tein basics.

 

r26

As above, the tanabe's and tein basic both have nonadjustable twin-tube dampers
the spring rates are
tanabe 10kg/mm front 8kg/mm rear
tein basic 504 lb/in front and rear (from Gsedan35); converted = 9kg/mm front and rear

So depending on how you want to change the behavior of your suspension will determine what rates you may want

As far as quality, I have no personal experience, but members seem to like their tein basics. There aren't many reviews of the tanabe's on this site, maybe rocketdog could give a more detailed review for us

As for price, I would think the two would be similiar in price. A search of forum sponsors or your local vendor would answer that one.

pp

 

If you're considering the Tein Flex (+EDFC), you may want to also consider the upcoming Tanabe Sustec Pro Seven + TEAS (http://www.tanabe-usa.com/seventeas.asp)

 

The Tanabes are good quality and I don't hear any added noises. The KYB shocks work well. My only complaints were the directions which stated "tighten the adjustment clockwise to raise the vehicle". The front is opposite to this which wasted some time and labor. I installed the rears myself with no problems and found a shop to install the fronts for $70.00 a side. I lowered about an inch and to allow proper camber and toe/caster, I had to order a Cusco front camber arm (back ordered) and JIC camber adjustment links and traction rods to the tune of $1,200.00. The Tanabes were $970.00. Once I get my ride height totally dialed in and the alignment done I think I will be happy with the set up.

 

KYB shocks?? I'm confused, does the Tanabe OC come with KYB shocks?

 

Yes they do! They are partners

 

wow didn't know that.. thanks rocket!!