Coilover Decision!

Jat_172cup · Dec 21, 2009

Right, the situation is that I had my suspension changed earlier this year by a guy who I was told was a reliable person and a friends family friend for years. When I visited Fred at BTM a few weeks back he noticed that the wrong set-up had been put on my car, which would explain the harshness of normal road driving in my car. It Literally feels like i'm driving on my break discs. So, I need this changing as soon as possible, the funds are available, but i'm only looking to spend circa £400 fitted which I know isn't much but I'm saving for a house.

Now I only know of 2 options I have, Ktech's and VMaxx. Both I believe I can get fitted for under £400 but I've heard different things about them. Im currently running 17" Oz Super's ( Wish they were 16's) and I don't want the ride to be too soft that obviously I get wheel arch scrape, which is what I have heard of Ktech's to be? But, Ktech will deliver to my door, and I can get Fred to fit these as he is quite near to me, where as JMS will fit for £399 but they are in Uxbridge, London which is a 200 mile round trip for me.

So is there much comparison between the 2, and is it worth the trip to London to get them done or do I get Ktech's?

Forgot to mention they will be for fast road use, as I havent been on any track days as of yet, and the car is used as a daily commuter.

Comment's are appreciated!

Vish · Dec 22, 2009

V-Maxx are very good for fast-road. I've got them, fitted by JMS too (great lads), and they're great. A lot of good reviews on here.

For a non-adjustable damping kit, they've got a great balance between comfort and handling. There's a lot of opinions about them in the group buy threads, overall view was praise though.

I don't know anything about the KTEC ones.

TimR26 · Dec 22, 2009

I agree with what Vish has said.

Plummer · Dec 22, 2009

The Vmaxx are just as soft.

K-Tec Racing · Dec 23, 2009

Well since we have been doing our own kit and following rave reviews in Cliosport we are now selling around 20 KTR kits for every 1 V-Maxx kit.

I hope this helps.

David.

Pete. · Dec 23, 2009

I've got the K-Tec one fitted and have had no problems with scrapeage even with four up. The ride is softer than the Cup suspension but I use mine for Fast Road and as a daily driver. The only time I find it uncomfortable is on all of the crap roads in Southampton with patches and pot holes. The look is perfect as well.

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

I'd wait for a set of H&R 2nd hand. I've been in a few clio's on coilovers, and without fail you get what you pay for. The smaller companies can't match the r&d that zee Germans put in.

Better to save and wait, than buy cheap now and end up spending again. I have some standard 172 shocks/springs that you could have foc if you want to get the bits you have now off.

Fletcher · Dec 23, 2009

Brown Bear said:
I'd wait for a set of H&R 2nd hand. I've been in a few clio's on coilovers, and without fail you get what you pay for. The smaller companies can't match the r&d that zee Germans put in.

Better to save and wait, than buy cheap now and end up spending again. I have some standard 172 shocks/springs that you could have foc if you want to get the bits you have now off.

What he said TBQH.

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

Oh, and with 17's, the ride will always be a bit choppy, even on standard suspension. Your wheels would fetch good money, I'd inclined to sell and get the 16inch version.

Plummer · Dec 23, 2009

K-Tec Racing said:
Well since we have been doing our own kit and following rave reviews in Cliosport we are now selling around 20 KTR kits for every 1 V-Maxx kit.

I hope this helps.

David.

From my buy, you can get Vmaxx cheaper elsewhere.

Gaz_ · Dec 23, 2009

Brown Bear said:
I'd wait for a set of H&R 2nd hand. I've been in a few clio's on coilovers, and without fail you get what you pay for. The smaller companies can't match the r&d that zee Germans put in.

Better to save and wait, than buy cheap now and end up spending again. I have some standard 172 shocks/springs that you could have foc if you want to get the bits you have now off.

This! Get what you pay for imo, why ruin one thing the cars good at?

I've had H&R's, very very good for day to day, now running some Bilstein B14, little firmer, but very good!

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

I don't think 2 people have ever agreed with me on here. I feel dirty.

Fred@BTM · Dec 23, 2009

i have however dictated to you and you followed!

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

Fred said:
i have however dictated to you and you followed!

You nearly got a phone call 5mins ago. "erm Fred, I've crashed in the snow. Fix me please??".
Missed a big one by inches.

DrR · Dec 23, 2009

I think my V-Maxx are way to hard. How anyone can say there to soft.

Gaz_ · Dec 23, 2009

Thought this would be the case, never had you down as a Coilover man. Not sure what V-maxx are like, compared to say the H&R's. The H&R's, are more supple than the billies for sure. On broken surfaces the billies seem more crashy, but took it for a squirt up to Bala the other day and they were brilliant! Have you ever noticed how Welsh roads are better than round here, as in the surface finish? Bloody awesome and smooth

DrR · Dec 23, 2009

The Steering is epic, sharpess really is, would be good on track, but the way i drive there to harsh. Was very bumpy/bouncy on the evo triangle.

I've never driven anything other than a standard car though, my 172 had some cheap PI springs on but they soon came off.

Gaz_ · Dec 23, 2009

Tried raising them? More travel might help it?

DrR · Dec 23, 2009

More you raise them the more the springs compress? So surely less travel, I've raised them since the pictures i put up anyway.

Gaz_ · Dec 23, 2009

nooooooooo, raise it more, more damper travel

DrR · Dec 23, 2009

I've raised it twice and it's been to tweeks twice, i can't be arsed its going back to standard.

JCC · Dec 23, 2009

V-Maxx are only good if you want to go lowwww in which case you won't be to bothered about handling. They were fine on my 1.2, but no way I'd ever put them on a 172, especially after experiencing the Bilsteins on mine.

Jat_172cup · Dec 23, 2009

JCC said:
V-Maxx are only good if you want to go lowwww in which case you won't be to bothered about handling. They were fine on my 1.2, but no way I'd ever put them on a 172, especially after experiencing the Bilsteins on mine.

No not at all looking to go low, just to bridge the arch gap, however handling is the most important part.

Having to wait for H&R's to come round will take forever

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

I'll take you out on my kw's. Convince you too wait

Jat_172cup · Dec 23, 2009

Brown Bear said:
I'll take you out on my kw's. Convince you too wait

Deal fella

By the way, did I see you on hagley road about 2 weeks ago? about 8 in the morning..you were heading towards quinton, I was heading towards town?

Slammed172 · Dec 23, 2009

JCC said:
V-Maxx are only good if you want to go lowwww in which case you won't be to bothered about handling. They were fine on my 1.2, but no way I'd ever put them on a 172, especially after experiencing the Bilsteins on mine.

Two different worlds mate.

They are perfectly fine on a 172. Had mine on for 10 k and many a months and they are fine, much much better than FK.

F'LOL at K-tec comment, K-tec is a much bigger company than V-maxx. And are primarily clio, so course they are gonna sell more. Such a childish comment tbh.

Rage won number 1 top spot cause they sold more than Joe, are they better ?

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

Jat_172cup said:
Deal fella

By the way, did I see you on hagley road about 2 weeks ago? about 8 in the morning..you were heading towards quinton, I was heading towards town?

Yeah. Think I've seen you a few times, I'm usually heading to the m5.

ForceIndia · Dec 23, 2009

Slammed172 said:
Rage won number 1 top spot cause they sold more than Joe, are they better ?

Yes. By a country f**king mile.

Agreed re ktec though. The sell more of their own product, which they no doubt make a greater profit on, than a competitors. Big surprise lol.

Dinnek · Dec 23, 2009

If you have money; Bilsteins or KW ( I have driven 182 with bilstein b14, I think, and its perfekt.... ) Kw v3 on 197 and its even more better.

If you are limited, then the best thing would be to try vmax and ktec ones...

Ask someone to take you for a ride.

this is something what I want

http://www.firebladeautomotive.com/.../product/f703122f97355d9f5813bb0af58b42ca.jpg

Slammed172 · Dec 23, 2009

Ok i wasn't being serious about Joe and Rage, both s**t if you ask me, just an example. Another example. I bet K-tec sell loads loads more stealth's than Yozza, and i bet Yozza are a thousand times better than K-tec's pathetic attempt.

Brian172 · Dec 24, 2009

I have been in a car with K-tec's coilovers fitted, felt nice and firm to me.
To be honest i can only compare it to standard as i havent been in a car with H&R or Bilstein etc.

And whats wrong with Ktec's stealth Slammed172? i quite like mine :rasp:

Aluco · Dec 24, 2009

I have Ktec and Tom has Vmax. He says the ride in his is a bit firmer than mine. Mines bumpy enough as it is for me anyway, right pisses me off ! Wish I'd stayed standard now lol.

Fred@BTM · Dec 24, 2009

i quite like the vmax, especially for the money!

scottiebhoy · Dec 24, 2009

Ive just had my ktec ones fitted, mines really low, prob need to raise them up a little but am happy with them for now, might invest in bilsteins later, Only really use mine on the road so just wanted coilies to lower the car and improve the handling slightly, so im happy with them.

In the end everyones opinions will be different, its what you prefer!

Nick_P · Dec 24, 2009

I have H&R's and I like them.

K-Tec Racing · Dec 24, 2009

Slammed172 said:
F'LOL at K-tec comment, K-tec is a much bigger company than V-maxx. And are primarily clio, so course they are gonna sell more. Such a childish comment tbh.

Rage won number 1 top spot cause they sold more than Joe, are they better ?

Hardly a childish comment, V-Maxx sell a lot more suspension than we do as they are a suspension company. The fact is we used to sell ALOT of the V-Maxx kits until we introduced our own entry level kit. And the reason ours kits have sold well has mostly been down to the positive feedback we have had on this forum.

And comparing 2 songs to 2 different suspension kits for the same car is hardly worthwhile comparison

David.

Da · Dec 24, 2009

Personally, having owned both the kits from K-Tec and V-Maxx, I have an objective opinion that the K-tec is pound for pound a MUCH better kit.

K-Tec Racing · Dec 24, 2009

Slammed172 said:
Ok i wasn't being serious about Joe and Rage, both s**t if you ask me, just an example. Another example. I bet K-tec sell loads loads more stealth's than Yozza, and i bet Yozza are a thousand times better than K-tec's pathetic attempt.

With forums being such an easy way of informing people of good and bad experiences/products we would hardly sell a lot of our exhausts if they were no good.

The only "pathetic" area of this thread are your posts so why not run along and get to bed early otherwise Santa won't leave you any presents.

David.

DrR · Dec 24, 2009

I did think that post was a little harsh, nothing wrong with the k-tec stealth from what i've heard

Da · Dec 24, 2009

Can we all calm down please and keep this a discussion, not an argument.

Coilover Decision!

South Central- West Berks

Similar threads