Tokico Illumina vs KYB AGX vs FM Stage 1 kit

[Noddycar]

Hi all.

I am currently deciding between ordering Tokico Illumina adjustable shocks for the USA, or KYB AGX from the UK... I was looking at the Flyin Miata Stage 1 kit, but am concerned about the lowering effect on the car. Apparently it will bring the car down to about 300 mm, whereas I am 330 at the front and 355 at the rear currently on my NA. I don't really want to have problems scraping over uncut driveways and speed bumps . While a spin in Geoff's car nearly convinced me to go with Koni's/Kings, the height was a little low. I can barely get my car over the security gate bump in my driveway now .

The Tokicos will work out about the same price (including the FM "improved" bump stops) as the AGX (with standard bump stops), after I take shipping into account. I was going to purchase these in Australia, but after emailing the supplier for information and once again being ignored, I will send my money overseas. If I had not already purchased stuff from them and was kicking tyres, I would probably understand. Apparently, you should not ask for advice before giving them your credit card .

My only concern with the Tokico, which I believe is a very good shock, is that it seems more difficult to adjust than the AGX. Does anyone have any experience with this? I am going to stick with stock springs, to avoid the scrape. Also, from what I have read on this forum, it looks like going to to 300 mm will put my car lower than the Australian Standard for the NA. I plan to fit this stuff ASAP, so my teeth stop rattling when I hit a bump.

[Noddycar]

Yes, their packages are well respected... Having said that, I have seen mentioned these are quite difficult to adjust. Not a problem if you get the settings right first time . Hopefully someone can tell me how hard this is to adjust on an NA. Or perhaps recommend a setting to start with.... If they are difficult to set up, I would be more inclined to go with the AGX.

[manga_blue]

I've had the KYB AGXs. Performance and quality left a fair bit to be desired. I reckon the metal on the main shaft is very soft and is prone to stripping at the top nut. You can double up on the nuts to reduce the risk but I've still had failures using country roads, one in the MX5 and one in my Falcon ute.

Somewhere around 320-330 all round is a good conservative setting. I'm running Teins at 310/305 on mine without much problem.

[zossy1]

I ran KYB AGX in my NB for nearly 2 years and did big miles on a wide selection of roads during that time. I was running Tien S-Tech springs with an otherwise stock setup.

I have nothing but love for the AGX and would buy again in a heartbeat. Easy to adjust, and totally reliable for me (though the range of adjustment is limited). I have dríven cars with the Tokico setup and liked it, but can't comment on living with them day to day.

[Rob E]

I think that the Tokico Illuminas adjustment dial is on the shock body in the rear, no big deal to adjust. Certainly nothing like a Koni red!

Read the reviews on Miata.net Illumina vs. AGX. I think the consensus these days is the Tokico Illumina is the better product.

[Noddycar]

Thanks all. I will be ordering the Tokico's, but it looks like I would still have been happy with the AGX. I will look forward to getting under the car to fit them. Luckily, freight from the US is really fast!

[Noddycar]

My new Tokico shocks, dust boots and control arm bushes on on their way from Flyin Miata in the USA.... I don't think I saved a lot of money ordering from the USA, but they responded immediately and got the order shipped within 24 hours of my confirmation. I would prefer to spend my money here, but my tolerance for companies that won't respond when you ask them simple questions about their products (before handing over the credit card number) is limited. Hopefully they will be better next time.....

[philz]

You would be a fool not to buy from Flyin Miata or the US at this current exchange rate.
Good purchase. Let us know how you go.

[Lokiel]

You would be a fool not to buy from Flyin Miata or the US at this current exchange rate.
Good purchase. Let us know how you go.

Though the exchange rate is great at the moment, the S&H costs will probably cause a few heart palpitations and may change your mind competely.

eg. My Toyo R1R 225/45/15 tyres I ordered from the States cost more in S&H than the tyres themselves.
My 2.5" FM MSM exhaust system cost almost as much in S&H as the exhaust, which was US$100 cheaper than normal as part of a Group Buy (the exhaust was packaged fantastically, just wished FM had cheaper shipping options for large packages).

Also, if the goods themselves are over US$1,000, you'll have to pay Duty on them.

Other advice based on my bitter tyre import experience (see page 3 of my Garage Chat thread):

1. Make sure that the seller provides you with a Tracking Number, that way you can track it on their package handler's site (and "possibly" use this as a reference number to track it with Australia Post).
2. Make sure that the seller only quotes the cost of the goods WITHOUT the S&H costs in their shipping declaration, otherwise your package will incur Duty charges.

[Noddycar]

Hi Lokiel

FM seem to have this under control....

Tokico Illumina shocks - $519 USD
FM bum stops x 4 = $99 USD
Front control arm complete bush set - $99 USD
Shipping to Oz - $220 USD
Total after shipping $937 USD (before shipping $717 USD) - Flyin Miata only show the amount of the goods on the invoice. Shipping time - approx 4 working days (this is normally about 5-6 working days, based on experience with UPS).

I was not too concerned about the price, more the service. Given email was my only form of communication, I emailed them at night, got an answer by morning, replied to the email quickly and got a response within an hour (you have to be up early in the morning though!). They gave me a heap of advice on choosing the shocks, as we well as the impact of using different springs etc. In the end, I did not change the springs as their kits tend to lower the car too much. Given the fact that the shocks seem really cheap, I was quoted more for ONE bush (this is the whole set!), the bumpstops are a little cheaper and apparently give better travel AND I got good advice, these guys get my vote.

If the Aussie dealer had bothered to answer my questions (they are well known on this forum), they would have got my order. I prefer to buy locally, but if I don't get answers...... I think the unfortunate problem is that if you ask more than one question, it all gets too hard and people think you are kicking tyres. If I get the correct information, I nearly always buy. Sometimes, I won't buy because the product does not 100% suit my needs. That's part of the whole sales process - win some, lose some. If you don't respond, you win none. On the couple of occasions the Aussie dealer has responded, I have made some purchases. Not big ones, but enough that they know I am not just trying to waste their time. I will give them a try again when I am buying something for the MX-5 and if they don't respond again, will give them a miss in the future.

[Lokiel]

I totally agree with you about service, if I don't hear a response to an e-mail after 2 days then I figure that they're not interested and will choose another provider, even if they're more expensive.

As for FM, their service "sets the bar" as far as I'm concerned, they have always responded promptly to my queries, their packaging is always of high quality and very few people have complained about the quality of their products (unlike BEGI). I have had several e-mail "conversations" with them regarding product queries and they even asked for my input about how to make S&H cheaper for larger goods (I mentioned to them that S&H costs for the exhaust system would deter most Aussies from purchasing it) so they do actively seek customer feedback.

If your goods do total greater than A$1,000, consider splitting them into several buys that you split at least 2 days apart, that way they'll have separate invoices and will not be shipped together and attract undue attention. It's a bit more of a hassle and time consuming but less hassle and quicker than filling in the Duty forms (took me about 2 hours to find all the required info and fill them in, only to be told the whole thing was unnecessary), paying the duty, then waiting for them to clear customs.

[Noddycar]

Yes, there are a few hidden traps in shipping stuff from overseas..... We actually maintain a US shipping address. They are basically a freight forwarder, but we get a physical US shipping address in Colorado. We get most of our purchases sent there and they then consolidate the stuff into packages to keep the shipping as low as possible. We decide what/when they ship and it costs us only US$120 per year. I save more than that with one set of decent shoes..... My photography magazine subscriptions are a good example, where I can get a whole year for the cost of a single issue here. It then costs me about $2 to have them shipped to Oz....

Their shipping rates are very good (cheaper than sending direct in most cases). Also, a lot of suppliers in the US will ship free within the States, so it costs nothing (or little) to get it to our "street address". I didn't bother shipping the stuff from FM to there, as the freight seemed reasonable for the weight of the package and I wanted it ASAP.... Besides, when I get good advice and service, I don't haggle over price, unless there is a ridiculous difference.

[Noddycar]

Woo hoo - they arrived... Can't wait to get this fitted and see how it goes... Has anyone here fitted the Illuminas and have a recommended setting on the shocks? Should I run the back of the car softer than the front?

Thanks

[Charlie Brown]

They should come with a recommended starting point, if not start by setting on the mid number. ie If it’s a 16 point adjustable shock set it at 8 front and back.

Then go and try it out. If too firm back it down until you have the desired ride. After that you adjust the rears up or down a click at a time until you get neutral handling.

I’m running Tein Flex. The recommended starting point was 8 but on 8 it’s way over damped for our roads and the car will jump around on every bump. I’m currently running 2 off the softest setting on the front and 1 off the softest on the rear. On the track they get cranked up to around the mid point.

[Noddycar]

Thanks Charlie Brown....

I suspect I will end up softening my settings after some adjustment, thanks to our awful roads.... If I lived in Victoria, might be a different story!