[chrisz5z]

Looking into getting these as I've seen they are highly regarded on this forum & the ft86club forums, but I have yet to see any one explain what exactly makes them so much better than a cheaper set like a Tein Flex Z.

I know a big plus is they are rebuildable, but what else makes them great?...Quality? Durability? Ride? The way they are valved?

Basically why should I buy these over a different/cheaper set?

Use: daily driver, weekend autocross

 

[Bergman]

Looking into getting these as I've seen they are highly regarded on this forum & the ft86club forums, but I have yet to see any one explain what exactly makes them so much better than a cheaper set like a Tein Flex Z.

I know a big plus is they are rebuildable, but what else makes them great?...Quality? Durability? Ride? The way they are valved?

Basically why should I buy these over a different/cheaper set?

Use: daily driver, weekend autocross

The points you stated above. But also, they are made by KW, so you are getting a premium product at a really good price, they are stainless steel so they wont rust like most other coilovers, they are TUV compliant (german highway regulation for modifications) so they are made to a gov standard to comply with.

There product support is fantastic, I ordered a set of the Tarmac 2's and when I went to install I was missing a set screw on one of the collars, they had me a new collar out within 3 days with the new screw. The collar original collar was actually stripped and the new one happened to be different (didn't matter as I only needed the screw then) I reached out again and asked for the part number as it was my fault I stripped the screw, they sent me out another collar no questions asked, even though I clearly stated I made the error.

I was also bouncing questions off Myles at their product support center the whole time prepping for install, he even gave me his cell number in case I ran into issues installing over the weekend.

The service alone is enough for me to go back and buy from them in the future, also they are KW based coils so they ride amazing and perform just as well.

 

[BlyatRZ]

I was having the same debate, but I will be getting the RCE SS1 when the time comes to buy. They may be more expensive than the Teins & BC, but they come highly recommended from every forum member / poll I can find.

 

[MaoshuX]

is there any review for the ride comfort on the street?

 

[Bergman]

is there any review for the ride comfort on the street?

Look up reviews for KW V2 or V3 it will be the same as that just with RCE's slightly more dialed spring rates. I have the Tarmac 2's and mine ride firm, but not stiff or bouncy like some cheaper options.

 

[simon_the_pieman]

hey @Bergman what front camber plates are you running if any? anything in the rear?

 

[Bergman]

hey @Bergman what front camber plates are you running if any? anything in the rear?

Verus front camber plates and just natural camber in the rear. Plan to also run adjustable endlinks mine started hitting the lower control arms in the front. I didn't install them at first and my car has now been parked for two weeks while I wait for them to arrive.

 

[Stephenm]

Ok. I’m thinking of getting the RCE SS-1s as well. There is an option to get OEM Rear Shock Mounts as well. I asked them if those were necessary. He said No not necessary but makes it easier to swap without disassembling your oem rear mounts. I’m not going to be installing them myself. Thoughts?

 

[Bergman]

Ok. I’m thinking of getting the RCE SS-1s as well. There is an option to get OEM Rear Shock Mounts as well. I asked them if those were necessary. He said No not necessary but makes it easier to swap without disassembling your oem rear mounts. I’m not going to be installing them myself. Thoughts?

I got the oem rear top hats, makes it a super simple swap this way and you don't need to get a spring compressor and mess with that. Also my rational is when I get rid of this car I have another easy swap and a full set of assembled coilovers to sell.

 

[chrisz5z]

Ok. I’m thinking of getting the RCE SS-1s as well. There is an option to get OEM Rear Shock Mounts as well. I asked them if those were necessary. He said No not necessary but makes it easier to swap without disassembling your oem rear mounts. I’m not going to be installing them myself. Thoughts?

When I installed the RCE SS-1s I reused the rear OEM top hats. I literally just used a ratchet & a torx bit to remove them, super easy. The rear springs aren't under enough pressure to need a spring compressor.

 

[Stephenm]

I just got a quote from a local shop for installation of coilovers with a 4 wheel laser alignment for $700. Is that reasonable? I am not in any way able to do this myself

 

[chrisz5z]

I just got a quote from a local shop for installation of coilovers with a 4 wheel laser alignment for $700. Is that reasonable? I am not in any way able to do this myself

Seems a bit excessive to me.

Took me and a friend 2 hours to install with jacks & jack stands. Should take a shop with a lift 1-2 hours at the most. So your paying for 2 hours of labor + an alignment...so $300-$400?

 

[Bergman]

Seems a bit excessive to me.

Took me and a friend 2 hours to install with jacks & jack stands. Should take a shop with a lift 1-2 hours at the most. So your paying for 2 hours of labor + an alignment...so $300-$400?

I would agree that does seem a little excessive, I did them by myself in about 3 hours with 2-3 beer breaks and rumidging around to find the tools I needed. I recall being quoted probably 6 years ago now about $450-500 CDN to do a lowering spring install with an alignment and that was on my rusty Honda and they would have to swap the springs on that as well.

 

[Stephenm]

Thanks for the input. I’ll shop around for some other quotes.

 

[chrisz5z]

Today's Top Tip:

Don't be an idiot like me & install the coilovers with the camber plates facing the wrong way...facepalm

Had to go back & fix them 😅

 

[Stephenm]

🤣 And that’s why I’ll be paying a pro to do mine

 

[mcbat68]

I had mine installed a week after I got my car. Car is less floaty over big bumps and rides now comfortable using their recommended setting. Also tries it on track and it is very capable when paired with Kumho V730 tires! Everyone who drove it commented on how controlled and planted it is. Their customer service is top notch, answered all the questions I had within a day. Highly recommended.

 

[BlyatRZ]

I got mine on yesterday, I've driven around a bit and I really like them so far. I also love the fact that its so easy to adjust the height. All of the coils I've had in the past had the double locking collars, these are just so much simpler to use. They feel super solid and the quality is great. I adjusted my dampening / rebound / whatever in the middle of their suggestions for track / auto x and daily use. I'm letting them settle some more and I'll be getting an alignment on thursday.

The only thing I don't get is why are the top holes slotted on these? the OEM bolt is not an eccentric so you kind of have to guess about your camber when installing.

 

[Bergman]

I got mine on yesterday, I've driven around a bit and I really like them so far. I also love the fact that its so easy to adjust the height. All of the coils I've had in the past had the double locking collars, these are just so much simpler to use. They feel super solid and the quality is great. I adjusted my dampening / rebound / whatever in the middle of their suggestions for track / auto x and daily use. I'm letting them settle some more and I'll be getting an alignment on thursday.

The only thing I don't get is why are the top holes slotted on these? the OEM bolt is not an eccentric so you kind of have to guess about your camber when installing.

Damping* dampening would be to make it moist lol.

I'm not sure the reason behind that, but I was told KW has been doing it that way since like 2005, but it does allow you to gain extra camber. I would push it in as far as you can and then you can dile in the camber at the top with the camber plates to exactly where you want.

 

[BlyatRZ]

Damping* dampening would be to make it moist lol.

I'm not sure the reason behind that, but I was told KW has been doing it that way since like 2005, but it does allow you to gain extra camber. I would push it in as far as you can and then you can dile in the camber at the top with the camber plates to exactly where you want.

Of all the car related terms, the spelling on this one got away from me lol.

I did install it that way, I'll figure out the actual camber values this week.