Why are people scared of buying the SE Bilsteins???

Postby **Boyracer** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 12:39 pm

They are a fantastic supension package for a NB and for $400 they are a bargain...so why doesn't anyone want to buy them???

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:05 pm

Boyracer wrote:They are a fantastic supension package for a NB and for $400 they are a bargain...so why doesn't anyone want to buy them???

They aren't height adjustable and a few SE owners remove them in place of Teins. IMO people are put off because others discard them.

I looked at this set very seriously and if I had $400 lying around I'd have bought them. :frown:

Can I lay-by? Do you take AMEX? :mrgreen:

Matty · Postby **Matty** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 1:25 pm

For me the main downsides are that they are longer bodied than the standard NB shocks (not good for lowering) and I believe they are not revalveable (but I'm happy to be corrected).

I guess in general (ie with the SE springs combo) they are probably not low and stiff enough for the desires of many.

sliq · Postby **sliq** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 4:24 pm

not sure boyracer

silvermiata whacked them on his nb8a and he tells me they were worth every cent. well worth the upgrade.

but as others stated, its more likely because they're non adjustable.

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:14 pm

Lou,

What is the max camber you can get with them? I'm maxing out stock suspension at the moment and still chewing the outside of tyres... (damn QR)

I'll find some money if you tell me they'll go out to 2.5 deg front and rear.

Postby **Boyracer** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:31 pm

I compared the Bilsteins to the standard shocks...the fronts have a longer body...the rears are exactly the same...The SE sits quite low at the front so I don't think you would want to lower the front any more...lowering the rear a bit would be no problem...

Geoff...I'm not sure how much neg. you can get with the SE front ride height.

Here are before and after shots of Blacksters SE after fitting Tein Flex.

Before

After..

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:32 pm

Boyracer wrote:They are a fantastic supension package for a NB and for $400 they are a bargain...so why doesn't anyone want to buy them???

Maybe you're scaring them off! :shock:

Postby **Boyracer** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 5:43 pm

Buy them now or else!!!!!!!!!!!! :twisted:

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 7:32 pm

tbro · Postby **tbro** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 8:26 pm

Boy Racer wrote:They are a fantastic suspension package for a NB and for $400 they are a bargain...so why doesn't anyone want to buy them???

I think that the brilliant marketing of Tein's by Fulcrum has put paid basically any other brand of shocks for our MX5's.

The Bilstein fiasco with the clubman soured a few who shouted loudly enough that everyone thinks that Bills are not suited to MX5

Strange thing is though that in the states Bilsteins,Koni's and a few others are considered top shelf products for the MX, and the Teins are ok!!! They also consider the price we pay for them here is bit over the top!!!

Probably helps too that Bilsteins are std fare on Miata racing and there are Bilstein specialist to modify and offer sensible mods for the Billy's
re: FMC.

My 2c worth.

Terry

Hammer · Postby **Hammer** » Thu Nov 06, 2008 11:44 pm

Boyracer wrote:Buy them now or else!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much does it typically cost to get them fitted?

SPy vs. SPy · Postby **SPy vs. SPy** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 1:24 am

Hammer wrote:
Boyracer wrote:Buy them now or else!!!!!!!!!!!!

How much does it typically cost to get them fitted?

A few six packs and several kilos of wingszzz

should take 30 mins per side rear and an hour each for the fronts.

miata.net has a few methods, the long bolt method for the front is your friend.

make sure you undo both end of the sway bar before you get too carried away too.

ampz · Postby **ampz** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:24 am

I'll second Spy's time estimates 3 hours max, 4 if you're pedantic and 6 if you've never done it before.

Postby **Okibi** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 8:30 am

At $400 they're a bargain and seem to be a nice improvement over stock NB suspension, I thought the NA MX-5 owners would be fighting over these.

Ted · Postby **Ted** » Fri Nov 07, 2008 9:47 am

Lou - because for some reason everyone thinks that they need threaded height adjustable collars. On every car of mine with that, I have not had to touch it after setting up.

But for $400, I think they are a good bargain. For the budget dude, buy them, stick them in and just drive on them (oh, get new bumpstops too). When you get sick of them, buy new springs (optional) and revalve them with bucketloads more rebound and you'll feel like you have got ride quality back. They can even be modified to add a single adjustment screw. At least with the Billie you get a larger shaft monotube. But, there is a degree of trial and error in there to get the valving to match your springs/car, so unless you know the settings the Teins are a simple package to get right. But for someone who is happy to stay with the stock ride height and not rely on bumpstops only, this is a really cheap way to get some handling back into those older cars.