Changing my Suspension

[ForceMajeure]

G'day, i have a 98 nb with 152k on the clock and my suspension is pretty bad IMO (original shocks).

I'm looking at getting the Koni sport kit and I'm wondering how difficult this is for a DIY job, me and a mate.

Any thoughts/tips on the Koni sport kit and/or links to info on DIY suspension would be much appreciated.

[Lokiel]

See this thread, it's pretty good: http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=12941

My BC Racing BR Series coilovers took me, on my own about 9 hours to install on an SE. I took my time and read everything thoroughly. My passenger side long bolt refused to slide out easily so I had to "persuade" it to slide out with a rubber hammer and steel rod. The rear shocks are MUCH easier but I foolishly persevered trying to remove them the "recommended way" for over an hour before coming to the realisation that it wasn't going to work and ended up removing the lower suspension bolt. The 9 hours includes the time it took to adjust the coilover height too (required dropping the car onto its own weight to see the "settled height" of the coilovers, jacking it back up again to adjust the coilovers, and repeating until happy with the height).

Flyin' Miata's Keith Tanner's books estimate it should take around 6 hours. Having done it once already, I reckon I could do it on my own again in about this time. With a mate, probably 4 hours.

[module22]

I had a go at changing my suspension. Replacing my stock ones with BCs.

Also took me around 9 hours and i used the following guide http://clubroadster.net/vb_forum/showthread.php?t=12941 Very helpful in that there's step by step instructions and even a 2 part video on page 3.

[ForceMajeure]

OK, thanks for the reply guys, that's a very good link BTW, not as easy as i had assumed.

I may have to think further on this and consider getting them professionally installed.

[sliq]

check the technical section on this forum:

viewforum.php?f=78

[ForceMajeure]

OK, ive lined someone up to do the work, now im looking at the shox price list, im thinking may as well go with some coilovers, and thoughts on the best combo/s from the list?

Keep in mind my car is a daily driver on the central coast, plenty of potholes, but i also enjoy a good fang on the many twisty (good surfaced) roads we are blessed with like putty road, old pacific highway and Kariong hill etc.

Money is no object for me (at the risk of sounding like a tosser!) and ive never modified my car in 5+ years, apart from a set of leads and plugs, so im not fazed by going the best option.

Name Years Product Details Price (US$)
002. Koni sports and Eibach Pro-kit spring package 1998 - 2005 Eibach lowers 1.3 in. 829.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
004. Koni sports and H&R race spring package 1998 - 2005 H&R lowers 1.5 in. 829.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
006. Koni sports and B&G springs package 1998 - 2005 B&G lowers 1.6 in. 809.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
010. Koni sport suspension 1998 - 2005 Set of four springs and sport springs, lowers 35mm 805.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
012. Koni sport shocks 1998 - 2005 Externally adjustable shocks, price is for a set of 4. Shipping is free. 672.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
015. Koni Street Shocks 2010 1998 - 2005 #8050-1043 fr 8050-1044 rear Free shipping 313.60 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
015. Bilstein HD Shocks 1998 - 2005 Price is for a set of 4 F&R. BE5-6558,BE5-6559 399.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
017. Bilstein Sport shocks 1998 - 2005 set of 4 F&R BE5-6550,BE5-6551 399.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
019. KYB AGX Shocks 1998 - 2005 Externally adjustable gas shocks, price is for a set of 4. 429.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
020. KYB GR2 Shocks 1999 - 2005 Set of Four (F & R) 341253, 341254 314.96 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
025. Tokico shocks 1999 - 2005 Set of 4 non adjustable shocks.y07 270.68 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
026. Tokico Illumina shocks 1999 - 2005 Set of 4, Adjustable y07 450.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
028. Eibach Pro-Kit Springs FREE SHIPPING 1998 - 2006 Free shipping U.S. 48 states. (Canada, PR, HI , AK please call for reduced rates).Lowers car 1.3 inches (5535.140, 5536.140) 210.56 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
030. B & G Springs 1998 - 2005 Lowers car 1.6 inches. 189.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
032. Koni Sport Springs 1999 - 2005 lowers 35 mm #1020-6072 182.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
033. H&R Race Springs 1998 - 2005 Lowers car 1.5 inches. 213.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
045. Tokico suspension kit 1999 - 2005 This kit lowers 1.25". Shocks and springs. 361.13 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
046 Tokico Illumina suspension kit 1999 - 2005 This kit lowers 1.25". Shocks and springs. 548.63 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
047 KW Variant 1 Coil Over 1999 - 2005 Part # 10275002 Lowers 1.2"-2.3" F&R Pre Set Damping 1271.81 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
048. B&G coil over 1999 - 2005 b&G coil over lowers 1.0"-3.0" 899.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
049. Koni coil over kit 1999 - 2005 Threaded body coil over kit.#1150-5062 1344.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
050. Bilstein PSS coil over 1998 - 2005 #SS0-8300 Kit comes with front and rear springs, and sport tuned shocks. #SS0-8300-M0. 1349.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
055. Bilstein PSS9 kit 1998 - 2005 Kit comes with shocks and springs, and allows ride height and 9 dampening adjustments. #GM5-8609-H1 1379.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
057. Eibach Pro-Street coil-overs 1999 - 2005 Lowers 1.2"-2.4" (5535.711) 1196.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart
060. H&R Street Performance Coil Over 1999 - 2005 Part # 52605 Lowers 1.25"-2.0" F / 1.25"-3.0" R 920.00 Add to Wish list
Add to Cart

I hate decisions like this!

[bear2230]

For what it’s worth here are my 2 cents.

I bought Eibach springs from shox and had them fitted here. Cost about $800.00 all up.
I wish I listened to other forum members and bought the PSS9 package for 1379.00.
Until the recent dollar fizzle this package was $4000.00 and you can now get the whole lot here and installed for just over $2000.00. Then adjust it to suit your own needs.

Don’t muck around, get the best and you won’t look back.

Richard.

[ForceMajeure]

Well i must admit i got a complete shock on postage, around either $450 or $550!

I'm having a rethink again, i might have to revisit the Koni deal on eBay or other offers again as I'm not prepared to pay that much in postage.

The question is Koni sport pack landed for $950 or the Bilstein PSS9 for twice that landed, that's my dilemma.

I see no point in buying anything but the best combo if I'm paying a large shipping cost.

[MINX]

Well i must admit i got a complete shock on postage, around either $450 or $550!

I'm having a rethink again, i might have to revisit the Koni deal on eBay or other offers again as I'm not prepared to pay that much in postage.

The question is Koni sport pack landed for $950 or the Bilstein PSS9 for twice that landed, that's my dilemma.

I see no point in buying anything but the best combo if I'm paying a large shipping cost.

You said price was no object earlier, now you are debating the choice because of price.
Surely you must be doing some research into the pros and cons of each package, leaving cost aside, to see what you will be happy with.
For my 2c, I am very happy with the BC Racing BR coilovers. As are few other forum members.
Fine for a DD and very sporty to boot. Better than stock SE Billies.
About $1299 incl postage
http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BC-Adjustable-Coilovers-suit-MAZDA-MX5-90-05-/200553287535?pt=AU_Car_Parts_Accessories&hash=item2eb1e84f6f

[ForceMajeure]

I'm pretty sure its against my religion to pay $450 or $550 in postage!

That's my only gripe, I'm more than happy to outlay the best money can buy, but my research points to around $250 postage is the norm, I'm not falling into the "we have the cheapest prices" but see the small print for the postage costs trap.

shox say to send them an email for a shipping quote, so maybe i need to do that for a better price rather than just follow the buy links.

The reason I'm considering the konis is that the UK seller doesn't charge the VAT fro AUS purchases which makes the postage somewhat negated IMO.

They make another brand called GAZ which also looks popular in the UK.

Thanks for the link, i will also look into those ones, i hadn't seen them yet on eBay. Cheers

[ForceMajeure]

OK, instead of changing my mind back and forth i made the decision to go with the Koni sports package for $920 delivered from the UK. At the end of the day my car has never seen a race track and Ive had stock suspension on the car since it was built in 98, so I'm sure it will be enough "stick" for me.

Thanks all for your input and help, i will stop boring you all now as I'm sure you all get sick of noobs posting about the dilemma of choosing the correct suspension set up! (though from memory i was a member here back in 2005 on my previous computer and i don't remember my user name or password so i guess I'm really a senior member, LOL).

Im guessing my friends from customs will have a tax for me as well.

[Steampunk]

Money is no object for me (..., so im not fazed by going the best option.

If you've already ordered the Koni package then ignore this link, if not, then have a look-see.

AFCO

Probably overkill due to the fact you are not planning any track work, but if you can afford it easy enough....