Whats the general consensus on these struts?

I'm looking for a decent replacement for the factory struts. Not looking to carve corners just a soft/controlled ride on these crappy NYC streets.

Also on another note, does anyone think storing used struts (10k miles) upright & fully extended would be a problem?
I have a lead on a set but have been sitting this way for almost 2+ years.....

 

They are good stock replacements, assuming you are not lowered or are not lowered very much. As for the condition of the used struts I am not sure.

 

how long do you think brand new one would last on s techs or ksports

 

under basic street driving 2-3 years i would imagine, they are stock replacements, not a performance strut

 

I have the GR2s on stock GLE springs - stiff on cold days, but otherwise I'm happy. Cold is relative - I'm in Chicago. I would opt for the Tokico HPs if you can spend the extra $$$.

 

are they alot better as in much smoother?

 

honestly they suck... they are very stiff and uncomfortable.... dont waste your money... get some tokico illuminas or blues

 

ok well thanks very much

 

ive got gr2's and so does my friend. he has sprint springs and i rides rough i have the teins s techs and im a lot more smooth, all in all for the money these are a great stock replacement.

 

Thanks all for the replies. Hopefully the used ones held up the way they were stored

 

Save some money and go for Illuminas. You won't be disappointed.

 

i like my gr-2's i had them for about a 1 yr + now....no problems the ride is almost like stock...btw i paried them up with eibach's....

 

so GR-2's and a minimal lowering, say with my H&R's are a no go??

I really dont want to spend all that money for Illuminas. They seem to be the best, but kinda expensive at the moment.

 

No, GR2's and H&R are fine, thats the combo I have right now

I dont know why you guys are saying they ride just like stock because its not even close. They are much stiffer than OEM and the ride gets firmer in the cold

If you want closest to stock, get blues

 

I have some forsale, check the 4th gen forsale forum.

 

I was wondering if you have to change all the shocks/struts. My fronts are really bad but the rears are ok for now. I acquired a pair of new Front Tokico HP's can i put them on and leave the rears stock? Or will ride quality suck?

 

ok, so is it kinda like this: GR-2 are to HPs as AGX are to Illuminas? both companies seem to have their intro-level and then sportier models? however, KYB seems to be always behind Tokico in terms of ride and quality.

 

you can do that. it's not recommended to mix and match shocks and struts, i'm sure, but since the HP's are close to stock, shouldn't make too much of a difference. as long as you're not doing a drop on stock and HP's you should be just fine.

 

I have had my gr2's on 2" lowered springs for about 3 years now and have had no problems, the ride is a bit stiffer than stock, but looks so much better with some 18" than the stock springs and struts

 

^thanks for this i need to hear that what kinda driving do you do?

 

My .02 take it or leave it. GR-2s are stock replacements, not designed to handle lowered hieght, higher rate springs, they handle it much better than OEM struts but keep in mind they are still designed to be a stock replacement. HPs are at least designed to be stiffer than stock and work with lowering spings.

The reason why the ride is stiffer than stock is the spring, not the strut.

 

yeah but tokicos dont last maybe if u live is flat lands im in philly our streets are old and beat up here i was i was recomended kyb's cause they wont blow as fast.

 

I have had them with lowering springs and love them. They handle and ride great.

 

No, thats backwards
Blues=stock replacement, cant take a big drop
GR2's= stiffer than stock, can handle a decent drop

I honestly have no idea how you guys think the GR2's ride like OEM
When was the last time you actually rode in a car with OEM struts? They arent even close

 

^ A local auto parts store sells gr-2s as stock replacements. Here is my question to everyone saying the gr-2s ride stiffer than stock. How many people have them installed with stock springs. If you do, i can garuntee if you notice a difference at all its not a big one. Granted they will hold up better than stock if paired with a mild drop lower spring rate spring, buit anything intense and they're toast. I would also like to add that my comments on the blues are just opinions, i havent had any personal experience.

As for stock struts, yup, i'm on them now, and i am coming from a 240 with s-techs and agxs.

 

Strait from the tokiko website:
"The blue units are TOKICO's HP series of premium non-adjustable performance shocks and struts. They are designed to offer superior performance and traction with ride quality that is equal to or superior to the original ride."

Strait from KYB website:
"GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts are specially designed to provide a smooth, secure ride with excellent control for drivers who are looking for ride comfort and improved handling. With its patented check valve, the GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts always maintain excellent performance under even the roughest conditions. It also provides comfort and control that is often better than original equipment. GR-2® Premium Shocks and Struts are available for virtually all vehicles on the road today."

Just in the marketing alone it appears that the GR-2s are designed as stock replacements, they are also KYBs lowest product line strut. That being said plenty of people have had great experiences with them. I just wouldnt use them as a performance strut.

 

If you're going to use the GR2s, dont get coilover springs, get lowering springs but anything more than 1.5" drop on GR2s is just pushing the limits. The GR2s are meant for direct stock replacement, not to lower the vehicle cuz the wear and tear will be worst.

They're a bit stiffer than stock, more sporty than stock... so the smoothness is gonna become stiffer. It'll feel a little better than stock for reaction when you turn the steering wheel.

 

Why waste your money on illuminas if you wont really use them? I've had the GR2's for about 2 years on maxspeed springs. Ride is smooth and comfortable and not all that bad in the winter even though they get a little stiffer. If you want to be a racer than spend your money on the illuminas. Just because they are the bottom line doesnt mean they are of low quality. I find them to function perfectly.