It comes down to either K-Sports or D2's

The price difference isn't the issue. it's reliability and comfort.

Other issue's-

warranty
customer service
product quality

I'm in ny, so it has to be able to handle the cold weather.

and last, is ease of adjustability and performance.

Thanks

 

Reliability, no one knows. Ksport just switched oil seal manufacturers so all the old data is useless, and there is extremely little reliability data on D2s because their ownership base is apparently much smaller and MUCH less vocal.

Comfort is the same between the two.

For warranty and customer service, Ksport has to get the nod. Autoline Industries in AZ (Ksport's USA presence) is easy to work with and puts things through very quickly once you get through to them.

Product quality seems to be very similar between the two.

If you're okay with the possibility (not probability) of replacing dampers at the rate of one every year to year and a half or so, then either kit should be fine year-round in NY. If not, you need something very different and either a lot more expensive or much lower-performance and less adjustable. It's a zero-sum game.

Ease of adjustability... I'm inclined to give that to Ksport because they use locking collars instead of Allen bolts to secure the lower mount (you need HUGE torque either way, and Allen bolts can break or strip). D2s do have that nice Teflon coating on the damper body's threads, though, which prevents rust and makes the collars/perches/mounts easier to turn.

Performance is the same between the two.

 

D2s are just as good, although I do like the collars better that d00df00d is talking about. I know the primary distributor for D2s here at Urban Import in Raleigh/Durham NC and their products are good quality and customer service is great (through Urban Import at least). D2s are meant to last at minimum 3 and up to 5 years before having to be serviced (depending on how hard you drive). A serious track car will wear them down in about a year or so. D2 has also recently released upgraded spring isolators.

 

That's interesting. I've never heard a lifetime estimate for any coilovers besides JICs. Is that the official word from D2?

Also, did they specify in what kind of climate and on what kind of roads?

 

Not sure if its 'officially' from D2 but Mike (the distributor) deals with them ALOT and has some on his MR2. He said those were the life expectancies on average of a well taken care of set. (Greasing ball joint, cleaning assembly from time to time, etc.) He didnt mention climates.

 

I wouldn't mind having to change it every 4-5 years, but every 2-3 years is ridiculous. now i'm paranoid.

I want to help out a fellow orger, such as mike, by purchasing them from him, but the question is. is it worth the money.

 

Mike, who you would purchase them through, is good friends with Mike, who owns Urban Import and I garuntee you it would be a good experience. For the type of daily driving I do with an occasional road course event (Deals Gap) I really dont think you go wrong. Well taken care of and with that kind of driving he said theres no reason they shouldnt last 5 years if not more.

 

Yeah, but you're in NC. That's hardly NY, man. Cold weather and rough roads will rip any dampers to shreds with springs as stiff as these coilovers have. Those conditions are MUCH worse than track use.

 

I know, Im just tellin you what I was told. You can therefore make your own decisions based on where you are from.