Dear All,

I've spent hours going through the threads and found them extremely useful. Many thanks to the bros here. However, the number of choices and opinions available are mind boggling esp to a noob like me. Worse thing, they all make sense for different users/requirements. I'm really lost frankly.

I noted 3 names come up consistently on these threads for coilovers - Tein, HKS, KW, Zeal, PSS9.

Last weekend, I pop into my local tuning garage, one of the most reputable ones in Singapore. I spoke to 2 guys there with my requirements and the 2 of them came up with different suggestions each (a) Tein MonoFlex (b) HKS Hipermax. Later on, I had the opportunity to sit in a Z with the HKS setup on 19" tires and was impressed with the ride handling and was surprised that I didn't find the ride harsh, in fact, I felt it was better than my stock on 17"! (note my Z is an 03 model completely stock). Don't think will have an opportunity to check out a Z with Tein as the Z community in Singapore is tiny with no car club etc. As for KW and PSS9, doubt I will meet any Z owners with those but they seem to be popular with the bimmer boys here.

My requirements:
objective: balance between performance + comfort. can tolerate some lowering but not much coz Singapore is full of speed bumps. if can retain stock height, all the better.
usage: daily commute, city driving, occasional spirited driving + long distance freeway cruising. NO tracking/motorcross etc.
budget: max USD2.2k = SGD3.4k (c.price I was quoted for those systems + installation). Would like to save $$$ if I can and use it for other mods.
Car: 03 Z touring completely stock. 17". Looking to upgrade to 18" soon + sway bars.

My question is: was I taken for a ride by those 'experts'? I don't know if I'm getting good advice for my needs or was it product pushing?

Given my requirements above, what would be a good solution? All help is deeply appreciated.

Many thanks to all in advance and keep this forum going!

Cheers,
Z Lover from Singapore

 

1. you don't need the Zeal, they are well over your budget as well
2. the HKS Hipermax RS are great
3. the Bilstein would also be great (and probably what I would recommend given your roads there)
4. the mono flex are brand new, so no real feedback out there for them yet. The normal flex are so-so on these cars (overy stiff and not meaningful dampening adjustments compared to other coilovers)

 

Hi Z1,

Many thanks for your quick feedback. Appreciate it.

Could you pls elaborate a little on your points on HKS RS and Bilstein? Would you recommend one over the other?

Cheers,
B

 

either will work fine, but the Bilstein are going to be better suited for the roads there IMHO (more of a street oriented setup). But you cannot go wrong with either (I have the RS in my own car and love them)

 

Great! Many thanks again Z1. Looks like you're online too. Must be am over there no? pm here in this part of the world.