Tein Flex on ebay

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:21 am

Tempting:

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/320981837625 ... 1423.l2649

bigmaxy · Postby **bigmaxy** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:06 pm

Not trying to be a s%^t stirrer, but why would I choose these over a brand new set of YS coilovers? Genuinely interested.

zephyrus17 · Postby **zephyrus17** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:23 pm

I just think buying used coilovers/suspension stuff is very risky...

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 12:34 pm

zephyrus17 wrote:I just think buying used coilovers/suspension stuff is very risky...

Yeah, pretty much how I felt. Paying for something thats possibly going to cost more to fix.

My preference would be to stick with my present setup for now and spend the extra on new BC BR's down the track sometime. Read good things about them from other users on the Forum.

Just thought I'd justify my own doubts by seeing what other people's comments/reactions were .....

PaulF · Postby **PaulF** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 3:33 pm

I don't think there's a huge issue with buying used coilovers as a general idea. I wouldn't buy these though. The buyer doesn't seem to know much about them and doesn't state how old they are or how much distance they've covered. I do think that a set of quality coilovers with a bit of use are going to be a better buy than a brand new set of Yellowspeeds though. The Bilstein PSS9's for sale on here at the moment, for instance. Yellowspeeds have quite mixed reviews and I've always felt that a high-quality used product is better than a low-quality new one.

zephyrus17 · Postby **zephyrus17** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 9:44 pm

I agree with Paul. Buying used is fine, but the ad doesn't list usage. If it was used but only 100kms, then they've broken it in for you! But these could be (maybe?) 100k kms

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sat Nov 24, 2012 10:08 pm

Thanks for all the advice ....

I think I had pretty much decided before posting that they wouldn't be a good buy, but wanted to see what others thought. I was doubtful as there wasn't much info about them and they also haven't got the Tein top mounts fitted, they have standard NA top mounts instead for some reason.

I would really like the Bilsteins for sale on the Forum, but in all seriousness I have spent enough on this car recently and think I should just enjoy it as it is for a while, especially as I actually like how it rides and handles anyway

Will be interesting to see if another forum member picks these Teins up ......

Cheers all :beer:

project.r.racing · Postby **project.r.racing** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 9:09 am

$750ish+++ inc shipping is way too high for second hand coilovers when there are $1100ish options around with warrenties and Australian repairers.

These if they have to be repaired will cost you $275ish each to fix.

Buy new, then relax.

KevGoat · Postby **KevGoat** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:12 am

project.r.racing wrote:$750ish+++ inc shipping is way too high for second hand coilovers when there are $1100ish options around with warrenties and Australian repairers.

These if they have to be repaired will cost you $275ish each to fix.

Buy new, then relax.

Wow!! Thanks for that!! Never realised these things cost so much to recondition!! That's pretty much the cost of a brand new set of BC's just for a repair!!! WOH!! :shock:

Looking around online I've now noticed that for a basic coilover, the Tein Street Advance (Street Basis has no damper adjustment but is even cheaper!) now starts at US$800 + shipping (so AU$ even cheaper!!) and even though they only have spring height adjustment and not body adjustment, they'd be a much safer buy than used/abused Flex!!! Couldn't find an Aus seller, but there must be one.

For the BC BR's - that sound like the ones that would suit the type of suspension that I like - JustJap has them for $1299 free shipping Aus wide.

Like I said previously, I need to forget coilovers for a while and just enjoy what I have, these shocks/springs are pretty new, its just that I got a bee in my bonnet about dropping it slightly :lol:

When I do decide to change the suspension, I should use some common sense and try to get some rides in a couple of NA's and feel the different coilovers. Would be really stupid to spend many $$$ on coilovers, even the well known ones, then find I hate them. I'm a pretty fussy 'ol fella these days on suspension having a reasonable comfort level along with the handling. I don't ask for much lol.

Another quick question after looking around online, has Tein recently reduced the pricing on some of their shocks? I can't remember them being as cheap as they are now. For the price of their new Street Basis and Street Advance, one can now buy the quality of Tein for the price of the cheap ebay coilovers!! Good to see

bigmaxy · Postby **bigmaxy** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 11:33 am

On a semi related note. The ebay listing talks about these being OEM and rare. I was not aware of Tein being available OEM.
Does anyone know the history. Was it only JDM that you could option adjustable coilovers that were not bilstein?

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:40 pm

why would you buy Rotas when you can get Works?

why do people ask stupid questions?

bigmaxy · Postby **bigmaxy** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 12:57 pm

Because it is possible that technology and manufacturing methods have moved on from what are described as OEM NA6. > 20 year old coilovers.
In the same way that a new set of YS/BC coilovers are going to perform better than a set of 20 year old OEM Bilsteins and come with warranty to boot.
I don't see why you think it is appropriate to waltz in making those sort of comments.
btw. Rims are a very different thing to a set of coilovers,

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 1:59 pm

Because it is possible that technology and manufacturing methods have moved on from what are described as OEM NA6. > 20 year old coilovers.
In the same way that a new set of YS/BC coilovers are going to perform better than a set of 20 year old OEM Bilsteins and come with warranty to boot.
I don't see why you think it is appropriate to waltz in making those sort of comments.
btw. Rims are a very different thing to a set of coilovers,

I don't know where to begin answering this, without sounding harsh and pushing a particular product but i'll try.

Often aftermarket coilovers ARE harsher than the factory suspension, this is because of the functional aspect. They are designed to have different perches heights spring rates, dampener settings.

I have various friends with mx5s, each individual owner has individual tastes. Many have yellowspeeds, the basics or premium comps, many have Tein streets or flex and others have Bilstein pss9s or Ohlins.

There is a DEFINATE difference in quality between each product, this is due to the countless hours of R & D the premium manufacturers put into there product. Each is different in every application.

The argument about Rota > Works wasn't because of real or fake, it's the value for the product. I am fully aware the differences between wheels and suspension.

There is a reason many people on this forum and others similar often trade used Yellowspeeds, outside of the cost. It's because they are designed to be an entry level coilover and many people have higher expectations based on reviews.

You don't often see used Ohlins or Teins being traded because there owners are generally happier and have no need to remove them. I have a good friend who runs the Yellowspeed Premium comps, he cannot lower the rear to a height he would like (it's maxed out) and when he sits in my car he noticed the difference between my suspension and his own, enough to mention it each time. It's my softer springs that I think make the difference.

In the same way that a new set of YS/BC coilovers are going to perform better than a set of 20 year old OEM Bilsteins and come with warranty to boot.

There is no guarantee your new coilovers will perform better than the OEM equipment. It would depend on there purpose. To lower the car they would be much better, but on a rough road they could be harsher as the spring rates from factory where softer and the dampeners where not set as hard.

It's appropriate to mention the above because many people such as yourself lack the foundation knowledge and spread so much bullsh!t with no proof and I would hate Kev to buy an inferior product due to lack of information.

On the topic now, I think they are a steal @ that price.

bigmaxy · Postby **bigmaxy** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 2:17 pm

The first part of your post should be how you go about answering a valid question. With reasonable information that shares your knowledge without being rude or patronising.

In general I would tend to agree that a quality well known brand is a better long term purchase than a cheaper chinese product. However age obviously needs to be a factor and with it the likely need for a rebuild. (which has the added benefit of allowing customised damping)

You don't know me, nor do you know my foundation knowledge. I don't come on here and profess to know something that I don't and I very much doubt whether anything I said would have made Kev make a purchase one way or another. I simply tried to ask an honest question as I've heard good things about some of the chinese coilovers and to provide an alternate thought to the discussion which is what I thought forums were partially about.
I know you also know what else forums are for and you are demonstrating that at the moment. So enjoy. :lol:

Hjt · Postby **Hjt** » Sun Nov 25, 2012 2:37 pm

Yellowspeeds are made in Taiwan, they are a great coilover for entry level racing as you can lower the vehicle to run more negative camber and still maintain a stiff spring rate.

I actually recommended via pm a spring and shock combo for Kev.

I didn't say what you said was inaccurate in any way, its just a common occurance around here.