BC Racing Coilovers

[Diesel Meister]

What spring rates might work on a 2GR Mk1? I'm assuming the car won;t be massively heavier than a 4AGZE powered Mk1, allowing for the SW20T box / diff / shafts etc. I would hope under 1200kgs, although the distribution is likely to be a bit different!

250/300? Lower? Not after a rock hard ride - pref the car to be compliant if possible as a calm ride = better drivability and thus potential speed on our crap surfaces imo.

This would be a while down the road for me though as I'm thinking about (a) the cost of the conversion work and (b) how long in view of (a) it would take to save up for some really special suspension... asssuming the stuff already on there (no idea what but clearly a bit stiff than factory) will do at all!

[shinny]

I've just stuck a set of normal BCs on my tubby - got the car back from the garage this evening. First impressions are good, although I'm comparing to the absolutely shot set of KSports that came off the car before hand. However for £545 + p&p I'm rather happy...

[Koji]

I ran these for over a year on my WRX but changed them out for a more gravel oriented suspension. They were a great handling improvement over just springs/struts. I'd run four different spring/strut combo's before trying these out so I'd consider my reference point fairly informed. If I wanted a street only car I would have kept them on but as it stands I want to be able to go up into the mountains and the dampers/springs just weren't meant for that sort of road.

They've got a good reputation in the Subaru community excepting a few batches of dampers blowing out three years ago. Later versions haven't had this happen so much as far as I'm aware. They're honestly a good value product.

I know a WRX isn't the best reference point for comparison but it's the only car I've used them on. They were good enough that I'm considering putting another set on my MKII.

[Koji]

I don't know if you guys have something similar across the pond but there's one seller of these in Florida that does a heavy volume and consequently doesn't have an issue swapping out springs of different rates for nominal (if any) cost. I've already had a couple conversations about this but I decided to hold off till I've finished a swap. I'd post a link but I'm not sure the etiquette of such a thing here (sorry, I'm new).

[Jim-SR]

theres a few stories floating around the various UK owners clubs about failed units now. ive not seen anything for myself, so i wont go too far with the criticisms as its just other peoples experiences. but it certainly looks like my initial fears are going to be confirmed over the next year. but you really do have to ask yourself how good the quality of an £800 set of adjustable coilovers can be. and monotubes at that!! (much more complex than old twin tube designs).

theres a reason why Koni inserts only are £500, without coilover casings, or springs, or top mounts.

but as of right now its probably a few dozen cases ive heard of out of a few hundred sets of dampers. time will tell if there are more problems. im not going to hold my breath, i think there are plenty more issues to follow yet, the same has happened with every other set of Taiwanese coilovers prior to these and that trend isnt likely to end anytime soon.

[Koji]

I completely agree. Koni inserts + springs + adjustable top-hats is the favorite setup I've ever owned on any of my cars. I was just trying to point out that if someone needs/wants cheap coilovers, I'd personally go BC before K-Sports or Megans as I have first hand experience that they're better performing and built than those two options.

[Jim-SR]

the damper valving also looks a lot better in the BC Racing coilovers than it does in the KSport/Megan/D2/G4/F2/etc options. by most accounts the performance of the BC Racing setup isnt too bad when they are brand new. still a little on the harsh side, but an improvement over the earlier Taiwanese manufactured product.

i still think that people put far too much stock in coilovers for road cars though. its totally unneccesary. you can get a "good" suspension drop (not good for performance, but for those who care about looks) from coilover sleeves (e.g. ground control), run spring rates more suited for the road, and run high quality insert dampers (e.g. Koni). coilovers only even come into play for track use, and still then most people running Koni + GC will outperform people running cheap coilovers. corner weighting isnt as important as some people will have you believe, especially not for a road car (damping is 10 times more important). most drivers would be hard pressed to notice the difference on a car with rubber bushes and soft'ish springs.

just as a comparison to illustrate my point about cheap coilovers - BC Racing coilovers for an Evo X are £650 for the normal struts, and £725 for inverted struts. Ohlins released their new Road and Track range at the end of last year, which offers basically the exact same basic features as the BC Racing kit (single adjustable, independant ride height and preload adjustment, camber adjustable top mounts, inverted macpherson strut, etc). the Ohlins setup costs over £2500!!

that isnt just because Ohlins slapped a premium on it for the name, and it isnt because they are produced in small numbers (they are very much still mass produced). its just because quality materials, accurate manufacture, and impeccable quality control costs that much money. hence my doubts about an £800 monotube setup. a KW twin tube setup still costs 60% more than that!

[Torero]

you can get a "good" suspension drop (not good for performance, but for those who care about looks) from coilover sleeves (e.g. ground control), run spring rates more suited for the road, and run high quality insert dampers (e.g. Koni). coilovers only even come into play for track use, and still then most people running Koni + GC will outperform people running cheap coilovers.

Jim, I was interested in the BCs as well but reading this I am reconsidering. I have a rev5 Mk2 with stock suspension and my intention is to go V6 at some point but I am no boy racer and it will not be used for track days either, what I want is strong responsive handling on the road and moreover, good damping when I change to 17" or 18" wheels.

Will the Koni damper inserts and lowering springs do the job for me??? There is a Koni "Sports Kit" advertised that does this for around £500. I'd appreciate your opinion.

[Koji]

Trying not to thread jack but this is a good discussion - does Ground Control even make sleeves for the MKII? I've been searching and it doesn't appear they do. If I could get height adjustable sleeves over some Koni inserts I'd be a happy guy.

Are there versions made for other models that are known to fit? I've come up with nothing thus far.

[Jim-SR]

Jim, I was interested in the BCs as well but reading this I am reconsidering. I have a rev5 Mk2 with stock suspension and my intention is to go V6 at some point but I am no boy racer and it will not be used for track days either, what I want is strong responsive handling on the road and moreover, good damping when I change to 17" or 18" wheels.

Will the Koni damper inserts and lowering springs do the job for me??? There is a Koni "Sports Kit" advertised that does this for around £500. I'd appreciate your opinion.

on the mk1 the Konis are probably the best sensibly priced option available at present. the mk2 however does have some additional options. youve got all sorts of kit available, with Koni and Bilstein both offering inserts, Ohlins, Bilstein, KW, Tein, etc all offering coilovers. £-for-£ the Koni's are probably still the best option. aside from the Ohlins, the other coilovers are no better in performance than Konis, they are just coilovers as well (KW's are 2-way adjustable, but the adjustment isnt amazing and its not really beneficial over single adjustable for most people). Ohlins have offered complete struts in both fixed platform and coilover versions, but they are tricky to get hold of nowadays and are mostly only available used. they are excellent dampers though if you can get a set in good condition.

for road use a set of Koni inserts and Eibach springs will probably give you what you are looking for for about £800. if you use the car on track then youll probably want to look at coilover sleeves, or possibly complete coilovers, but then youre looking at £1300+. generally look to avoid Asian brands though, European manufacturers tend to offer a much better product.

Trying not to thread jack but this is a good discussion - does Ground Control even make sleeves for the MKII? I've been searching and it doesn't appear they do. If I could get height adjustable sleeves over some Koni inserts I'd be a happy guy.

Are there versions made for other models that are known to fit? I've come up with nothing thus far.

i have no idea if anything else fits, but id bet if you get in touch with Ground Control theyd be able to tell you straight off. i cant imagine theyve never sold a set for a mk2, im quite surprised they dont offer anything off the shelf to be honest. i wouldnt be at all surprised if mk1 sleeves fit straight on, the struts are extremely similar in many ways, its just a question of body diameter really.