NB Coilovers/Suspension Upgrade

[Garett]

I want to refresh the shocks and springs on my '99 1.8i S (actually a 10th anniversary). The standard Bilsteins are getting a bit tired and it feels like it has too much body roll when pushed.

I'm not too concerned about it being much lower, I live in the Pennines so its stomping ground is usually a bumpy moorland road, so the suspension still needs to retain some compliance.

Meisters seem to be the current flavour of the month, and GAZ seem popular as ever. I have spotted the Bilstein B14 kit for a touch under £1k, which I could stretch too.
AN alternative would be Bilstein B8 shocks (basically a shortened version of OE) with -25mm Eibach springs.

What are peoples experiences with upgrading the shocks and springs?

[fat80b]

I upgraded my tired Bilsteins to Gaz Gold Pros on my last MX5.

They allowed me to stiffen it up quite a lot and it was bit lower (too low I thought as I use the car for Targa Rally as well).

I don't think it drove much better than on the standard shocks and springs tbh and I was never happy with the setup after changing the shocks (Granted not a problem of the shocks themselves).

I have since got a new MX5 and the Gaz suspension is sat in my garage. I haven't got round to fitting them onto the new car yet. I am more likely going to sell them than fit them and I haven't got round to that either yet!


Bob

[pewe]

MeisterR GT1's on my Mk1 are pretty good all round.
Impressive levels of grip/control and adjustable from under the bonnet and inside the boot i.e no scrabbling around underneath. In fact on yours you'll be able to adjust the rears remotely if you buy their cable extensions.
It's used for touring, fast road, Autosolos and track-days and even the suspension guru who developed them reckons it's "the best handling car" he's driven (in fairness it does have a few other mods like engine bay strut, chassis braces and rails plus Michelin Pilot Sport 3's).
Normally Meister group buys/discounts over on Nutz so worth a visit over there.
HTH.
Cheers, Pewe.

[Petrolhead]

Pop over to the MX5Nutz forum, there is a special offer on the Meisters

[Garett]

Thanks for the input people, still none the wiser, I think I might need to ride shotgun in a car or two before I make a decision.

Pewe how do the Meisters ride on uneven surfaces?

The Meister Zeta R seen to have much firmer front spring rates when compared with the Zeta S .

[AmiableChimp]

Garett said:

Thanks for the input people, still none the wiser, I think I might need to ride shotgun in a car or two before I make a decision.

Pewe how do the Meisters ride on uneven surfaces?

The Meister Zeta R seen to have much firmer front spring rates when compared with the Zeta S .

Zeta-R for Race, Zeta-S for Street.

I am running Zeta S on my mk1 Eunos and they ride very very well on Edinburgh's cr@p roads.

[MegaMinion]

I have Meisterr zeta s on my MK2.5. They are fantastic! I frequently drive across the moors and they are very compliant over the uneven roads, and doesn't hop or bounce around. For a road car with some track use I think they are the perfect coilover and have got such a good reputation for a reason. They are still much firmer than the standard shocks and springs but not in an uncomfortable way, and I've fitted Lotus Elise seats in my that have next to no padding or give and it's still very comfortable. That said I do now feel every little bump in the road, but that would be much less with standard seats.