GR86 Adjustable coilovers

Conscript said:
Just butting in here, as I've recently switched from the OEM PS4 to Goodyear F1s and have found them to be an improvement.

Although with the caveat that I also changed my tyre size from the stock 215/40 to 225/40.
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I would be doing the same. My OZ Leggera "summer tire rims" are 8 inch wide, which means that the OEM PS4's are slightly stretched, and I wouldn't actually mind the slightly larger diameter of the 225/40 either, to fill out the arches a tiny bit better.
And thank you! Just read your post - I'll note down the tire as a likely candidate once the PS4's eventually wear out!
 
Mr_Hansen said:
Haha, love the scientific measurement of NVH by whether the wife falls asleep in the car or not :LOL:
My girlfriend actually fell asleep several times this summer on our roadtrip through Europe, on the stock PS4, but both she and I do find them noisy!
Guess you chose the EA6's based on low noise levels - how do you find the grip/response compared to the PS4?

Regarding coilovers - how did you settle on the V1 vs. V3 for example - was it primarily because you didn't need the adjustable damper settings? Did you consider other coilover options as well?
From what I can see, there is no specific version of the V1 for the GR86 vs GT86 - as they both seem to have the same 10258004 product number. Do you know if it's TÜV approved for the GR86 as well?

Reason I'm asking is that I'm on the lookout for a set of coilovers, partly for the look of a 20 - 25 mm drop, but I do a lot of spirited driving and maybe a trackday once per year, so it is important for me that I don't compromise performance over stock, and I would ideally want the car a little more 'hunkered down' when you load it up through an off-camber bend for example.
Like @Irek however, I wouldn't mind if the actual damping was a little bit more refined than stock, and at least not noticeably worse (which is why I'll probably avoid lowering springs)!
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My main reason to switch was because reviews tended towards saying that the Goodyear had a wider "on the limit" window. Or a more playful tyre if not the outright fastest in class, I haven't properly thrown the car around yet as a broke my back shortly after fitting them, but I certainly like what I have experienced so far.

The noise wasn't the main reason, although I suspected they would be an improvement. I've previously switched from other OEM tyres to Michelin (U)UHP tyres and they have always been significantly noisier. With the 86 being a bit noisy anyway it seems to amplify the tyre roar.

I went with the KWs because they are stainless steel and reviews tended to say they were one of the more compliant coilovers. Also they have a great reputation.

The reason for going for V1 over V3 was cost and simplicity. I had adjustable damping on my 350Z and I was constantly changing it. If I was planning on doing regular track days I probably would have chosen something different.

For me, they're perfect. The best thing is that they remove the slightly aloof-wallowyness during direction changes that I found to be quite unsettling on the standard springs.

As I said before, they improve pretty much everything but they're a slightly 'busier' on a cruise. I don't notice this when I'm driving on my own but when I have to pretend that I'm a sensible driver, I notice it.
 
GRistopher said:
My main reason to switch was because reviews tended towards saying that the Goodyear had a wider "on the limit" window. Or a more playful tyre if not the outright fastest in class, I haven't properly thrown the car around yet as a broke my back shortly after fitting them, but I certainly like what I have experienced so far.

The noise wasn't the main reason, although I suspected they would be an improvement. I've previously switched from other OEM tyres to Michelin (U)UHP tyres and they have always been significantly noisier. With the 86 being a bit noisy anyway it seems to amplify the tyre roar.

I went with the KWs because they are stainless steel and reviews tended to say they were one of the more compliant coilovers. Also they have a great reputation.

The reason for going for V1 over V3 was cost and simplicity. I had adjustable damping on my 350Z and I was constantly changing it. If I was planning on doing regular track days I probably would have chosen something different.

For me, they're perfect. The best thing is that they remove the slightly aloof-wallowyness during direction changes that I found to be quite unsettling on the standard springs.

As I said before, they improve pretty much everything but they're a slightly 'busier' on a cruise. I don't notice this when I'm driving on my own but when I have to pretend that I'm a sensible driver, I notice it.
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Thank you!
I also appreciate the stainless steel as the car is also used during the winter, and change to the what the car handles sounds perfect.

Final question!
Do you know if there is anything to take into consideration regarding clearing issues?
My guess would be that they probably take up less space than the OEM shocks and springs.

I'm running a 18x8 +45 wheel at the moment, and would probably add a 10 mm spacer (together with extended studs) when installing the coilovers, so I would think there should be plenty of space, but just to be sure - what wheel size are you running, and have you had any clearance issues or other kinds of rubbing, and at what ride height?
 
Thanks once again for all feedback. I believe that all proposal can somehow improve ride quality, but I have doubts if it's remediate all my issues after I read all above.
The problem is that changing suspension, wheels and seats in fully legal way in CH is extremely costly (comparing to other car friendly countries)... at end of the day it's decreasing value of the car and making it even harder to sell (people here looking for stock car mostly). So sadly I put my GR86 on the market for reasonable price and waiting for outcome. Let's see, If I won't sell it, then I will come back to some tuning options for next season.
 
Been thinking about coilovers for mine and looking ahead I want something servicable and can get parts for in the future. My brother went Bilstein B14's on his GT86 and 5 years on he's snapped a spring so is an MOT fail. I can't seem to find replacement springs doing a quick Google and it's put me off going with them as he's now looking at having to change it all for probably a grand plus fitting and another alignment. Someone mentioned if I went for something imported like the HKS Hipermax I could be in this boat but so far, the Bilstein have the same issue unless I'm just missing where to go for them.
 
KobayashiMaru86 said:
Been thinking about coilovers for mine and looking ahead I want something servicable and can get parts for in the future. My brother went Bilstein B14's on his GT86 and 5 years on he's snapped a spring so is an MOT fail. I can't seem to find replacement springs doing a quick Google and it's put me off going with them as he's now looking at having to change it all for probably a grand plus fitting and another alignment. Someone mentioned if I went for something imported like the HKS Hipermax I could be in this boat but so far, the Bilstein have the same issue unless I'm just missing where to go for them.
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What about KWs, ASTs or Ohlins? I'm really surprised he couldn't source a spring, even if it was from another manufacturer.

HKS make wonderful coilovers but when I looked when I had my GT86 there was nowhere in Europe who could service them, would have to go back to Japan.
 
ZN8 said:
What about KWs, ASTs or Ohlins? I'm really surprised he couldn't source a spring, even if it was from another manufacturer.

HKS make wonderful coilovers but when I looked when I had my GT86 there was nowhere in Europe who could service them, would have to go back to Japan.
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I'm hoping the garage can as they normally source Bilstein but for German cars. Someone mentioned a while ago Bilstein quality had dropped and going by how many posts about snapped springs I'm seeing I'd agree. Even my B12's on my Skoda were leaking after 4yrs but was 4yrs of abuse so I could accept it then.

May look at Ohlins or even BC as the MX5 lot rate those. There's Nitron but I'm not rich enough for those and imo would be overkill on what is predominately a road car.
 
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