So if you had only $600 to pop on a suspension upgrade, and you had two choices, what would you chose?

Option A:
Tokico HP Suspension kit with springs and HP Blues and a RSB

Option B:
Tokico Illumina Suspension kit with springs and Illumina struts and no RSB

I have researched the threads here about both suspension kits, and I have seen some negative feedback on the HP struts and basically just good stuff said about the Illuminas. However, I'd really like to have a RSB (I had one on my Solara, it made a big improvement) and I have heard some positive comments about the HPs. I have not driven or ridden in any Maxima with either setup, so I don't have any idea how either setup rides.

"NOT your basic brake pads and "best drop" Information."

wow, thanks dude.

BTW, I am not talking about a drop. Don't care about drop or pads. I am asking what would be better performing. Not how do I do it or how low is it. Which one of the two perform better.

illuminas> blues

id say get the illuminas, wait and save for the RSB. u can get an RSB off ebay for like $160

Illuminas hands down. Get the RSB later.

you have to ask if illuminas are better than hps? didn't think so...

not advanced. no matter how you slice it.

What does it matter? Why do you keep making an issue of it?

Let me re-state my question to clarify it:

If you had ONLY $600 budget and you wanted the best handling bang for the buck, would you choose option A or B? I already know Illuminas are better than HP's. I stated that before. But are Illuminas alone better than HP's with a RSB? This surely qualifies as above a basic drop question.

I'm going to move this to the 4th gen forum, where it will get more responses.....doubtful most of the people who hang in this section are using HPs anyhow

Not much love around here for HP's

Plenty of people use the HPs ("blues"). But most of the people in the "advanced suspension" forum are using...well....more "advanced" suspension setups

i would say the B

get 4 Illuminas from performancepeddler.com discount code maxima for 400 shipped and cattman(progessive springs) for 160, used cheaper. For 600 you can get a nice set up and drop.

Unless your daily driver is a also a track car, adjustability doesn't mean much. I have the KYB GR-2 and they are on the harsh side.

Many of my other cars have Bilsteins and I like them better but they are not available on Max/I30.

Bear in mind that the 4Gs are 10 years old already. The rubber bushings are already very hard. Unless they are worn, you don't need to replace them to get a harder ride. I was thinking I need new rubber bushings to get the ride back when I changed the shocks last.

GR-2 are known to be harsh, gotta get illuminas on maxima. i run S tech with illuminas, only bad when I hit bump stops.

i would go with the illuminas over the blues and u can save up for the sway bar later... but if u relly want the sway bar sooner than later and dont care about the drop as much as handling then go wit the blues...

I can't change the shocks now.

What made it worst was I changed from 15 to 16 inch wheels and tires at the same time. It seems the Michelin Primacy MXVs are harsher than the Energy MXV+ on the car before, the side wall plies are different. I still have the old wheels and tires. May be I will put them back on for a comparison.

as opposed to changing to 16 inch wheels but using 15 inch tires?

Seems like it doesn't it. Bright and sunny in Santa Barbara?

Go with shortened Koni fronts. Trust me.

If you're getting Illuminas, order them from PerformancePeddler.com and use MAXIMA for the dicount code...I just ordered them today for $408 shipped.

-Drew

I have a feeling if he is asking should he get Illuminas or HPs, he probably hasnt even seen your thread.

You do know option B will be over $600. That package is about $589 alone (unless you know somewhere cheaper), plus mounts/boots if you need them, and an alignment. So if you ONLY have $600 to spare, I think option A is your only choice.

Good point, I have already set aside a few hundred extra for the OEM parts and alignment needed. $600 was the "discretionary" part of my budget. Total budget is closer to $900.