maxs4life

iTrader: (1)

I have a 03 max and i am in the terrible location for driving out in NY.
When i got the car i quickly change my struts from factory to the tokico lllumia.
When i first put them on they felt cool but now they sound like crap. I think the front to r shot. MY question is if i want a better smotther ride should i get the tokico springs or should i mess with somthing else... The rear stunts are fine, its just the front that suck.. that engine weight isnt helping the smooth ride. Im not a speeder any more... i just want something that helps my car ride super smooth over theses stupid potholes.....
What are the best stut and spring match up for a smooth ride in NY

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

I live in NYC and while I wont tell you what to get, I will tell you my experience.

I had the car for two years and when I first got it I dropped the car on H&Rs with tokico blues. The ride sucked...horribly. So I figured I would get illuminas and have them on a softer setting. So I got illuminas...the ride still sucked. I felt the slightest crack in the road. I figured if its going to be this harsh let me atleast look good while doing it and so I got htech springs and put them on illuminas. I expected the ride to suck...and it did lol.

Then the option of coilovers came into my mind. So many people vouch for a comfortable ride with GOOD quality coilovers. I was a nonbeliever until I sat in a car with tein SS coilovers. The ride was amazing. It was better than stock (comfort wise) and the handling was amazing. I then sold my illuminas, blues, h&rs and htechs and pretty much got a new set of tein SS coilovers with that money. I have had these coilovers for a year and they are holding up just great. I am dropped pretty low (check sig) and still the comfort they offer is great. I wish I had gone this route before instead of trying to find the optimal spring/strut combo. I am extremely happy with these.

I recommend them to ANYONE who wants to drop their car. Just because you have coilovers does not mean you need to drop your car low. Drop it w/e amount you want. The comfort will be there though and yes I think tein SS are just fine for NYC roads

maxs4life

iTrader: (1)

Do u think i should just do the front end?

dineth00i30

go back to stock and keep the money or like the guy above said get coil overs. they pretty expensive tho.

sureal00

iTrader: (2)

I think i will start saving up to buy some teins and install them in about 2 months.Thanks for your input and experience on these....

SpooledVQ35

tein ss FTW...

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

no problem...I look at it this way: those who upgrade their suspension usually get illuminas/blues in addition to the lowering springs of their choice. Why not spend $300 more and get a top quality set of coilovers? The tein SS usually go for $1100 but the comfort/handling you get with them is amazing. My dad, a 60yr old guy who loves the luxury ride, said my car rides MUCH much smoother than previous suspension setups I had.

sureal00

iTrader: (2)

well me personally if i went with springs and struts i would like all new parts to have everything new.In addition just buying coilovers will be easier if i wanted to sell the car and swap in the orginal stuff.

hi-tek22

iTrader: (4)

i thought with those coilovers...there was some extra modification that needed to be done because they weren't bolt on.....i could be wrong and maybe confusing the tein coilovers with some other suspension setup

pbn85

iTrader: (8)

nope, tein SS fit just fine. Installation requires the use of some parts on your old suspension though but you'll have everything you need.

CMax03

iTrader: (3)

My "03" are fitted with Illuminas/Progress Sport Springs and it's smoother than the Stock SE struts/spring were. The ride is firm, Compliant and controlled 2F/4R. I'm also running 18" wheels (18 lbs ea) with 245/40/18 Nitto 555 Extremes set @ 34 psi. So I'm not sure what springs you're using now nor what size wheel/tires you're running nor what setting you're presently using. You may wanna take a peak at the condition of your front end along with your motor mounts, my car is solid as hell, and it hits the highway all the time between Texas and Louisiana (4 hrs ride) at once or twice a month.