Anyone have the Tanabe S-0C, Greddy Type-S, or Apexi N1 ExV? im looking for some opinions on them. i'm looking into getting a set of coilovers that aren't too harsh and no more than $1200 or so. im leaning towards the greddy and apexi cause of adjustable height at the base... does this really matter? will it make the shocks last longer? thanks for any input

 

I have Tanabe Sustec Pro S-OC Type I (w/helper springs), dropped about
1.5". They've been on about 15k miles, and are adjustable for ride height @ the base of both front and rears. Rear adjustability is easy. Front requires a liitle more effort. The shocks are NOT adjustable, but the valving is quite stiff and has presented zero problems. I like them just fine on my daily driver ZR. Ride quality is acceptable, not overly harsh, and the handling is very very good. I should add, though, that I have Stillen sways front and rear, Prothane bushings everywhere I could put them, and GT-Spec front and rear frame braces. Also WIDE wheels and rubber (BFG 255/40 front and 285/40 rear on Enkei RPO3's. Overall, it's a very nice package and the car feels on rails. Bumps and rough pavement I avoid like the plague. Speed bumps are completely out of the question. Alignment is a problem only because I'm dropped-many places won't even try to put it on the ramps. Hope this helps.

 

thanks... i thought the tanabe's weren't adjustable at the base w/ adjustable shocks... helps alot

 

+1000! I had the same set of coilovers on my Z. They were excellent. They gave a good ride and inspired confidence. I only switched because I upgraded to Tanabe's TEAS system. Hope this helps.
BTW the TEAS system runs for under 2G's with the black box. I know they are more expsnsive but you might want to consider them. The black box will work with Sustec 5 and 7 coilovers and are set-up to accept future models. Just my 2c

 

i have the Apexi coilover, i think they're pretty good, you really can slam them too. they handle pretty good, but the dampers have to be turned up a bit. if your budget's 1200, i'd look into Stance, there around there.

 

^ thanks, aren't the Apexi's around 1200? i don't know about Stance.... never heard of them before

 

the Greddy will cost more than $1200 - nice enough units for the price though
In all honesty, the Tanabe are a nice setup as well, or, for even less, the Tein Basic will do what you want, have a short stroke shoclk so they can handle decent lowering without upsetting the ride, and leaves you extra money for the install, rear SPC kit (mandatory IMHO) and the alignment

 

thanks for the input Adam, but what is this that i keep hearing about the Tien basics being harsh? i'm really more interested in having adjustable shocks than adjustable height, as i won't be dropping my car that low, i just want sportier handling with adjustability for track days

 

First and foremost, the ride quality of your car has as much to do with your tire as anything else. If you run a tire with a softer sidewall, then the ride, even with more aggressive valving and stiffer spring rates, can still be good.

Conversely, even mild springs/valving with very stiff walled tires will have a very firm ride. The tire is afterall, part of the suspension.

That being said, the Basic's are certainly stiffer than stock but by no means punishing.

If you want a nice, sporty ride, with the ability to adjust height, with nicer overall valving than the Basic's, the standard Bilstein PSS (the non dampening adjustable coilover) would be absolutely perfect. A very Euro feel overall, so good in fact, that in other parts of the world, they were a factory option.

Dampening adjustability with enough of a span to make it worthwhile does not come cheap, at least not in the $1200 price point.

Also, you have to define (and I think this goes for everyone) what you mean by "track days". During your typical club type event, especially if you are a novice, passing is not even allowed, and most people run their everyday street tires. These are great days, tons of fun and really gives you a chance to play with the car in an environment you don't normally get, but don't start assembling your list of parts as if you're going "racing", because it really is a far cry. If you are doing more advanced run groups, etc., then your budget by nature with this car would be significantly higher, and you're now talking about dedicated r compounds, fully adjustable coilovers, etc etc.

Define what your needs truly are - is it 90% street and maybe 3-6 track days a year? Is it a track day once every 2 weeks and 50% street? Is it no street use at all? There is no sense setting the car up to be a time attack killer only to have you hate the car when you go take a drive to the office.

Good handling and a good ride do not need to be mutually exclusive, and they can peacefully co-exist.

 

ill probably just spend a week max per year on the track. i want to start attending some track events. i am a novice/rookie but i don't want to fork out some more cash in a couple of years when i get more into racing... will the coilovers even last that long to take this into consideration?

I'd love to get high-end coilovers, but its just not a good time as saving for a ring and my rear shocks are leaking. so what would you consider the best for bang for my buck? i like the price of the tiens but would really want dampening adjustment

 

well the SOC are not dampening adjustable, the Apexi I've never used, Greddy I have some experience with.

The Greddy adjustment span is very broad - for the price they are a nice unit. If you were able to bump your budget up a bit, you would be in a far better overall class of unit, but not sure if that is feasible for you. Something like the Cusco Zero2 would really be "perfect" for what you need.

As far as longevity, there is no reason they should not last that long without incident. It really comes down to the type of road conditions they are subject to.

 

The TEAS unit is pretty nice. Allows you to automatically make dampening adjustments depending on vehicle speed. I would suggest the ProFIVEs so that you can upgrade to the TEAS later when you have more cash.

As far as Apexi, Ive heard that they are made in Taiwan, same as other coilover systems like Megan.

 

just installed tein comfort sport and edfc, very smooth ride. i'm still messing with the settings a bit

 

hi , i am looking for a set of coilover that is better than stock in handling, see track max 2days a year hence, street driving is my main concern, like to drive like a mad cow,cheers. Let me know is type s, tein basic or etc will do the job, i am not very demanding as long as it is better than stock,cheers

 

not for nothing but you should spend maybe an hour reading the reviews of whatever fits your budget on this site - there have been numerous reviews, varying in technical content, on each of these setups