I have recently acquired a 1995 Maxima SE (5-speed, very clean & runs great) with 210K miles. The existing suspension appears to be fully functional but somewhat worn. I have made only one modification, I added a PROGRESS Rear Sway Bar. I am fairly certain that I need to replace various suspension components (bushings, bearings, strut mounts etc.) and the rear shocks. I plan to use this car in my daily commute and I have already upgraded all of the audio components and installed DYNAMAT sound control material to reduce road-noise and impove the audio experience. I was considering replacing my aging factory struts with TOKICO Illumina struts and PROGESS springs. But ... I was informed by a retailer that even on the softest setting that this strut_&_spring set might be too harsh for my purposes.

I need some more opinions or recommendations for my strut_&_spring dilemma. I plan on keeping the existing NISSAN 15" alloy wheels and mounting some new Michelin Pilot or Michelin HydroEdge tires.

It could be that after TOKICO Illumina struts have broken-in, they will be fine on the soft setting. On the other-hand, I regularly cruise “da hood” shoppin’ and runnin’ short errands on the weekend and would prefer a firm but not harsh ride. Please don’t advise me to get a BMW or Mercedes . . . that will never happen.

I look forward to receiving your suggestions.

Thanks in advance!

You can try out the H-Tech from Teins with the Illuminas. A lot of them said it comes close to stock ride. That's what I've heard. I have KYB GR-2s with Tein S-Tech. Decent ride not too harsh as other drops.