Newbie needs new shocks. What and where?

solo22 · Postby **solo22** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:09 am

Alrighty, I've been reading up about all the kinds of stuff you guys are installing, but many of you seem fairly serious in the race/track scene.

My 99 NB needs new shocks/maybe springs(dealer said about 6months ago I needed new shocks but could'nt afford it then and it is pretty rough) and I would like something better than stock (adjustable?) but I'm not sure if these expensive koni's or agb ones would be overkill - I like sportyness but I'm not going to a track. I'd like adjustables for a low ride when I can and when I go bush where it gets really rough on dirt roads.

I was just going to go to my local Pedders(moorabbin) and see what they said...would it be worth going to fulcrum or a pro shop, or would this just result in overkill and too much $$?

I'd like a balance between comfort (rough roads in melbourne) but a little grip would be nice. I really have no idea about cars but love my MX5, and am totally confused.

I have around 1000$ to spend. How much are stock replacements? Please would someone tell me what to do, as I don't trust myself to just rock up to some joint and get ripped off :lol:

A specific brand/model, and ballpark cost+install to expect would be really helpful...

thanks and sorry for the long post.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:16 am

Either Koni/AGX work very nicely on the stock springs, if your going to lower it however or change the springs then save up the extra dollars and get the Teins as a complete kit.

Oh...and do a Dodgy Day and fit them yourself with mates...lots more fun, great bonding experience and it saves you $$$

Craig

solo22 · Postby **solo22** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 12:32 am

so its either stock replacement, or go the Koni/AGX? nothing in between?

maybe have to get the old man to help us, my mates are tech heads but not rev heads unfortunately

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 9:59 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-AGX-SHOCKS-MAZDA-MIATA-99-04_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ006QQitemZ160094712258QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

EBay is your friend.

meanmx · Postby **meanmx** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:32 am

The adjustable ride height part of your requirements will be a problem for your budget. Unless you brought them second hand and fitted them yourself I can't see you getting them for under $1000. The KYB/Koni will give you a more comfortable ride than stock and better handling in the corners as well as being adjustable for damping but you should still team up in a dodgy day to fit them yourself and save money. Then it's a matter of either stock ride height or lowered unless you want to fork out the extra for a set of tein adjustable coilovers for about $1800 off the top of my head.

Ben

mr_rotary · Postby **mr_rotary** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:33 pm

Boags'MX5 wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-AGX-SHOCKS-MAZDA-MIATA-99-04_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ006QQitemZ160094712258QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

EBay is your friend.

This fellow is trustworthy with quick delivery

Boags · Postby **Boags** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 1:34 pm

mr_rotary wrote:
Boags'MX5 wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/KYB-AGX-SHOCKS-MAZDA-MIATA-99-04_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQcategoryZ33590QQihZ006QQitemZ160094712258QQrdZ1QQsspagenameZWD2V

EBay is your friend.

This fellow is trustworthy with quick delivery

X2 That is where I got mine from.

Craig · Postby **Craig** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 4:39 pm

Wouldn't those Ebay ones from the USA be valved differently etc from what we get here? :?:

You know...different specs and all that!

solo22 · Postby **solo22** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 10:41 pm

Hey, thanks for you help!

I think yeah, I'll get them off Ebay and get my old man to help me put 'em on, he should know how.

oooh I can't wait

edit: holy crap thats a cheap price!!

solo22 · Postby **solo22** » Tue Mar 13, 2007 11:42 pm

anybody got a ebay link for a good seller of the tein springs? with $500 for the shocks maybe I can get good springs too? (i know theres different types of Tein, sorry for my newbie language, but yeah, anything tein which would fit my budget? I guess I got about 500-600 for springs)

oh and er, these are legal in AU right? :lol:

manga_blue · Postby **manga_blue** » Wed Mar 14, 2007 3:34 pm

Springs on ebay now, I don't know who these people are or what they're like ...
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/TEIN-High-Performance-Springs-MX5-NA_W0QQitemZ320089143826QQcategoryZ50138QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

... although I'd buy the Teins as a coilover unit (matched springs and shocks together in one adjustable unit) rather than separately. Makes it dearer but much simpler and the best bet for satisfaction in the long-term.

CT · Postby CT » Wed Mar 14, 2007 7:58 pm

S-Tech springs are not for Tein coilovers - they are for stocky mazda style shocks.

anko7990 · Postby **anko7990** » Thu Mar 15, 2007 9:40 pm

hey solo, I was in the EXACT same situation as you and thought if i'm gonna replace my old stock shocks then maybe should get something a little better.

Well I bought the KYBs off ebay and its sitting under my desk as I type. Delivery took approx 2 weeks and packaged very well ( in the original KYB box from Japan).

After sitting on these for a few weeks I am finally gonna install these this saturday. My mate is a failed apprentice service mechanic :shock:

haha i hope it will be fine, he reckons it will be. Like you I'm after comfort as I have to drive it as a daily driver. So I plan to test the shocks at the softest setting and see what the \"comfort\" vs \"flow it at a roundabout like snot to a toilet door\" payoff is. I want comfort without compromising handling too much..... if thats possible. I will let you posted on how it goes.

Veloce · Postby **Veloce** » Mon Mar 19, 2007 9:02 pm

Hi anko7990.
Let me know how you go (the settings particularly) as mines a daily driver and when mine are due i think i will go the same way.
Thanks

zoomzoom · Postby **zoomzoom** » Tue Mar 20, 2007 1:34 am

I like many of our forumities now, am running the ebay kyb shocks. I havn't even bothered to firm them up at all even on the track, I figure I will learn to drive the car before I change it to suit my driving. Even on full soft they are great, although I do have heavier swaybars.

When budgeting remember to price in some new bumpstops/boots if yours are shagged.