As per the title really. Trying to figure out which coilovers to get for my Hawk WRX. We've just recently had a baby, and my whole ethos with this car is to keep it comfy, reliable, semi-sensible for daily and baby transporting duties.

So what coilovers are people using, and can provide some feedback on? I've had various sets before on different cars and each have their pro's and cons. I found Teins to be generally too hard - although this was some years ago I last had a set. I found the BC quality to be a bit poor, although you can't argue with the fact that 90% of people run them and I suppose there are plentiful spares! And I found the HSD's to be a bit stiff as well - but granted they were Dualtech's (the cheaper variant), not the MonoPro's.
Has anyone used the Meister R's and can comment on their compliance/comfort? Of course spring rates are dependant... and what people class as "comfy" can vary massively! It would just be nice to have something that has adjustability / reliability but retain a bit of comfort. I do of course expect any option to be harder/stiffer than OEM stuff.

Thanks

 

Forget about coilovers and fit a good set of fixed perched struts (KYB/Bilstein etc.)

 

That would be my preference really mate...but not sure I can achieve the ride height I'd like with fixed perch. I don't want silly low.... but probably lower than a set of appropriate springs could achieve....

I'd like to be proven wrong though, if anyone can show me a good ride height whilst on fixed perch struts/lowering springs - please do! Would be interested to know the part combo.

 

Bilstein shocks with H&R springs might put you in the right place for height and comfort?

KYB do a 4 way adjustable shock though that may suit you better for some comfort adjustments?

 

Is ur hawkeye widetrack? if so there is no direct replacement for the front struts.

You can get koni insets but requires a lot of modding on the housing, something a lot of mechanics wont be bothered doing or will charge you an arm and leg. This would be my preferred option hence y im now waiting on stock of the meistrr coming back into stock. They have previous run group buys and no1 has comeback to say they are rubbish.

 

Worth a look, cheers. I'll do some searching.

It's a none-widetrack 5x100 WRX. I'd prefer a direct bolt on solution. And yeah I've been scanning the Meister feedback as well - all seems good.....

 

You can choose spring rates on HSD and BCRacing coilovers.

 

Quote from 2POT, so replacements are available from KYB for front and rear then a set of his springs and you will be will set. If adding the whiteline top mounts and replacing rears your probably looking around the £100 mark on parts

The knocking is normally the rear inverted struts. The arc that the rear inverted Impreza strut travels through wears out the 3 internal bearings (the rear strut is set at an angle). If you are only doing low mileage, you can use the inverted KYB ultra sr rear strut kyb 321004 & 321005. Most change to KYB ultra sr non-inverted strut 324030 & 324031. This style of damper rod is bathed in oil.
This might help explain:

Springs are £290 delivered inc the bump stops.

[QUOTE=hackisfun]Can the springs only be bought from yourself? The eibach lookup only lists pro springs(black) the wa/a2 being red look more like sport line.

If so what's the price.

My rear suspension is knocking unsure if this is being caused by the poor spring rate or maybe the strut itself.

If the struts were to be replaced what would you recommend to best suit the wa/a2 springs

Cheers

[QUOTE=2pot]Eibach make this spring for me - WA/A2 comes with matching bump stops.
WA/A2 04-07 GD GG STI Springs - ScoobyNet.com - Subaru Enthusiast Forum
I'd use the whiteline kca335 front top mounts - for extra caster and camber
Subaru Impreza (GC, GF) - Whiteline Front Strut mount (offset bearing) - Inc. WRX, STi (MY94-00) - Suspension - Subaru Impreza - Subaru - Shop By Car

 

I believe a forum member might have the shocks for sale

give him a message

 

I have cusco zero sport 2 coilovers on an 18" 225/45/18 with full geo set up and lots of whiteline goodies and honestly couldn't ask for a better drive.

Albeit the car is track focused It was my daily driver for nearly 6 months. Correct set up/spring rates/camber/caster I wouldn't change them for anything

 

I wouldn't be putting coilovers on something that he wants comfort for, not unless they come with rubber top mounts. But most coilovers have solid top mounts which lead to a big change in how the chassis gets dealt the bumps IMO.

 

Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting sofa comfort....but just dont want it to be a bone shaker. Fully agree with your comments about the top mounts. Most coilover kits I've seen have pillowball front, and rubber rear.

 

No coilover will have the comfort a fixed perch setup for the road can achieve, in general.
I wouldn't recommend lowering the car more than 2.5 cm at a push either.
Get a set of Prodrive springs if you can.

 

Ignoring bump travel for the moment, what wheel centre to arch measurements would you like?

 

Coilovers was the worst mod I done on my daily, removed after 6 months for pedders kit and couldn't be happier.

 

Iv been looking at the pedders as its great value for money, just worried they might be soft when pressing on a bit?

 

Not a clue mate. I'm not that specific. Usually set the height by eye, and see how it feels for me. I wouldn't be fitting and setting up, I'd have a specialist do it.

What do you think of the Pedders then mate? Did spot those....

Are they great value though? They're priced fairly similarly to most middle of the road coilover kits. The bonus is that they're a direct fit and pre set up.

 

I find the pedders perfect, there still quite firm but comfortable had them about 2 years and there perfect for a daily.

 

any pics to show the ride height?

 

peddlers for widetrack 5*114.4 have endless issue. so avoid

 

non-widetrack 5 x 100 here mate

 

I've decided im going to order the eibach pro street s, (previously was considering the meistrr) can get them on autodco for just over £900 and will replace front and rear top mounts. Had eiback springs etc on my last 5 car all without issue. So going to sped a little more than planned as rubber monts will be better than pollowball mounts

 

Keep us posted mate. Be keen to hear your thoughts and feedback on it....

 

 

I have MeisterR CRD Zetas on my blob wagon (5x100 PCD). They replaced some HSDs which were way too hard, and those replaced the original shocks which were knocking.

If you're never going to change ride height or hardness (for track days etc) then I wouldn't bother with coilovers - but if you are going to, then I'm happy to recommend the MeisterRs.

 

 

They were night and day for me (and the family) between the HSDs and the MeisterRs. You can make them soft enough for long journeys (ours is used for family holidays etc), but if you want to have some fun in the twisties (or on track), it only takes seconds to adjust.

 

[QUOTE=hackisfun;12031702]Quote from 2POT, so replacements are available from KYB for front and rear then a set of his springs and you will be will set. If adding the whiteline top mounts and replacing rears your probably looking around the £100 mark on parts

The knocking is normally the rear inverted struts. The arc that the rear inverted Impreza strut travels through wears out the 3 internal bearings (the rear strut is set at an angle). If you are only doing low mileage, you can use the inverted KYB ultra sr rear strut kyb 321004 & 321005. Most change to KYB ultra sr non-inverted strut 324030 & 324031. This style of damper rod is bathed in oil.
This might help explain:
Shock Absorber-secrets - YouTube

Springs are £290 delivered inc the bump stops.

[QUOTE=hackisfun]Can the springs only be bought from yourself? The eibach lookup only lists pro springs(black) the wa/a2 being red look more like sport line.

If so what's the price.

My rear suspension is knocking unsure if this is being caused by the poor spring rate or maybe the strut itself.

If the struts were to be replaced what would you recommend to best suit the wa/a2 springs

Cheers

I'm working on some 30mm inverted inserts, to fit the oem Subaru/aftermarket KYB 39mm inverted damper housings.

 

I'd echo those who say coilovers do not do the comfort bit. On rough roads they don't even do the control bit very well either. Fitting BC's to mine was fine for motorways or smooth A roads but get onto rougher and twistier stuff and they just didn't have the wheel travel or control. I've gone back to struts with Prodrive springs and Koni inserts and they're superb. Low speed they're still not stock WRX plush but above 30mph they're night and day (and this was with the softer 5/4 rather than stock 6/5 BC springs). If you've got inverted Hawk struts then it is possible to pull the bushings out and use the Koni's but I'd actually suggest getting a set of bodies from an older bug/blob that has the normal bodies and use these. This would have the advantage of allowing you to build up a full set of struts ready to swap out in a couple of 2-3 hours. Also, go for Whiteline KCA335's as suggested above. Coilovers lose that do anything at anytime vibe that the WRX is so good for.

 

I'm taking a punt on the Ohlins via the SumoPower special offer...

Not arrived yet I'll let you know how they go - currently on BC Racing BRs on my Leggy...