It seems I may have spent foolishly. I usually go way over board researching for days on end which mods to make on my vehicles, as I did with the Tein S. I even PM'd some members here about their experience with shocks (mostly Tokico blue) that appeared to be the clear upgrade path. However, this week trying to purchase said shocks I’ve come to find out that they are not available anymore. I started searching for the D Spec adjustables, discontinued. Even called various websites stating to sell them just to find out they’re gone.

At this point it appears there’s no middle ground, it’s either stock, or full on $950 Bilstein B8. (B6 will not keep the small bit of lowering it has) I called Tein to see if they offered a matching damper (nope), and realized I had somehow overlooked their "economical" coil set-up’s, and see that they are within the same price range as the B8. I’m not looking to start a thread of shocks versus coils, but since I’ve already installed the Tein S, I was wondering what you thought of just biting the bullet and getting Bilsteins B8, or if it would be advantageous to sell the Tein S and switch to Tein coils with the same expenditure?

My stock shocks are very low miles, just looking to finish up the suspension mods, no track days, no daily driver, just occasional spirited driving. I’m not particularly looking for adjustable damping, not knocking it either. Can’t go too low where I live, plus I prefer to really "drive".
The car also has the Whiteline front sway.

Any opinions?

 

 

Well you probably are the voice of reason, and I like the way you put it! And I am probably over thinking and assuming coilovers are better. I’m sure they are for certain circumstances, but don’t want to get into that debate. I know last year I had decided if I was going to get close to $1500 static I may as well had bought coils.
I would love the similar spec B6, but everyone here has pretty much stated that they actually raise the car back up, which I know doesn’t make any sense for shocks.
I guess I really just need to digest the double cost expenditure over the Tokicos. And I’m sure the Bilstein are great. I just ordered some for my Xterra. Lifting that, lowering this, someday I’ll just buy a car and drive it the way it was designed.

 

I would install Bilstein B8 shocks with your already installed Tein S-Tech's. This setup provides a conservative (about 0.5") drop and reliably-handling-lowering that almost matches Nissan's S-Tune suspension for the 350z (which I believe was a JDM setup).

The S-Tech springs are on the softer side, but they keep your tires pressed firmly on the roadway when teamed with the Bilstein shocks.

 

Yes I fully agree. I’m pretty excited now, but it took a good week or two to soak in and accept the 2.25x price hike after discovering Plan A failed. Originally I thought I was getting a pretty good shock set-up at $400. Seems “cheap” I know, but heck, I’ve got 4 pretty top of the line specially valved Bilsteins on their way for my Xterra (from PRG) that were less than that. Oh well.
It’s funny, I did just read your suspension upgrade thread Spike, and MicVelo's posts there too. It’s comforting to know it’s a tried and true combo. I’ll have to look into the rear sway. Originally I think I had read it’s advantageous or common to leave it stock.

I love the way some of the Z look even lower, but it’s such a pain in the butt to constantly worry about scraping, just easier to live with. I think the Tein lowering is definitely noticeable and appealing.

 

I understand and did share your concerns about even a modest drop. Mercifully I am experiencing no problem with the 0.5" drop on the Tein-S springs and Bilstein B8 shocks.