Raceland Questions..

[Frenchmanremy]

SO.

Lots of mixed feelings on these by many different forums, however.

Everythink I read on these coilovers that is of a positive nature seems to be from people that have had them for a month max.

I was wondering if people that have had them for a while were willing to offer up their reviews.

I don't feel like hearing about how raceland is for ricers or cheapos or other negative chatter.

Thanks in Advance!

[Left0verCurry]

My buddy drives a 00 with racelands and has had them for almost 8 months now. We both ride about the same height (~pinky gap between the fender & tire). I personally cant feel the difference between his setup and my megan ez streets. I would have gone with racelands too if i didnt get a good deal on a used set of megans.

[ChrisSWT]

if it is for DD go for it. i have them since 2011 and they have been great so far. Little soft but its my DD so im pretty happy with it.

[ctrench]

ive had mine for about 8-9 months now, and i love them! definetly worth the price, and they seem to be really good quality

[iKhanh]

i've had them on for a couple months. my miata is my weekend car. i feel like they're not much stiffer than the stock suspension, therefore it's not much better handling-wise, so all i can praise it for really is the ability to lower the car as much as i want.

[The Driver]

OP, For what is worth, so far all of the Megan owners posters in this thread, live in areas where the roads are generally glass smooth. I have heard horror stories of the roads in your neck of the woods. You may want to keep that in mind.

[gapmiatas]

I've had them for a little over a year and despise them. But... they're better than the stock 125k mile worn out suspension that was on the car and free coilovers is free coilovers. (came free with used rollbar, swaybars, endlinks and front sway brace)

[MiataMatt]

I've been in several other cars with racelands. Rides not terrible, but I will agree they are a little softer. I'm thinking about getting some this spring for street use in my miata. Anyone couple these with bigger swaybars to help with the roll from being softer?

[iKhanh]

sway bar upgrades definitely help. but they don't really make the suspension itself any stiffer; they just help keeping the car planted. i don't know, that's my two cents.

[MiataMatt]

That's what I'm talking about. Swaybars are used to keep the two sides of the suspension level when cornering. Softer springs ride better on rough roads but roll more in hard corners. A beefy sway bar would help in the corners without sacraficing ride quality. I know its not perfect, but its my street car. I'm just looking for anyone with experience with racelands and sway bars, not the best performing suspension combo I can buy

[Frenchmanremy]

Thanks for all the input guys! Has anyone had them over long distances? For autocross? For over a couple years? for more then 10'000 Miles?

Is it really as soft as stock suspension? I remember riding in them and feeling my backbone move up an inch every bump we hit. Sounds negative, but the seats were all fibreglass(no cushion), like mine.

What about changing the springs on them? Anyone Experimented?

This is for DD, some autocross, and other hoonniganisms.

My budget is overtightened, therefore no money to replace the clunking stock suspension.

Now I need to go reading on which one to get for my 1997.. NA or NB coils from Raceland. Seems to be different opinions on both. ie: Go lower(NA) or stiffer rates(NB).
But really, does 25lbs make that big of a difference?

The roads around here are harsh to say the least, and suspensions take a beating as a result. But all the more reasoning to spend 400$ on suspension rather then 1200$.

[morr]

I bought them when they first came out for the Miata for $258 shipped to my door. It was probably two years ago I think. My car is my DD and I completely regret my decision. If you honestly enjoy driving your car, I wouldn't get them. Find used billstiens or some basic shock/spring combo. I know everyone claims to have crappy roads, but ours are so bumpy and uneven from the changing weather. It really lets you realize how bouncy the Racelands are.

One of these days I'll borrow my buddy's gopro and film a short montage of me doing my daily drive to work so people can see how bouncy they really are.

edit: in regards to spending less because you have harsh roads... that's not a good argument imo. If you have a quality setup, it won't go to sh*t because of bad roads, but if they happen to, they'll probably have a better warranty.

[The Driver]

The roads around here are harsh to say the least, and suspensions take a beating as a result. But all the more reasoning to spend 400$ on suspension rather then 1200$.

Ever since I moved out of FL, I had to deal with shity roads. I paid more than $1, 200 for my coilovers, but they are worth their weight in gold, specially when I drive over craped out Denver roads. Good coilovers don't bunk out in shity roads, they shine on them!

[Blueiii]

My budget is overtightened, therefore no money to replace the clunking stock suspension.


I'll refrain from being a complete a$$hole in my response as much as possible.... Either you lack common sense or you're not being honest with us. If your purpose is to replace blown, clunking shocks, then replace them with decent shocks that are within your budget. If your purpose is to be one of the "cool kids" and "slam" your car, and you're using your blown shocks as an excuse, then just do it. Spend the $400 or whatever it is instead of buying halfway decent shocks, slam your car (despite that your roads suck and it will end up sending another miata to the great miata playground in the sky), but please don't ask for our opinion of "how do they ride," because at the end of the day, you really don't care. You get what you pay for.

If money is THAT much of an issue... OEM replacements:
http://www.1aauto.com/1A/shocks_struts/Mazda/Miata/MNSHA00017/597888?utm_campaign=gb_api_nobr&utm_medium=comparisonshopping&utm_source=google_base&utm_content=SHA&gclid=CNW9p5v4xLUCFeZFMgodHV4AKQ

[Frenchmanremy]

So those are the same price as racelands. 140$ for both, plus shipping to canada, plus taxes and duty. Plus the two rear and the springs.

I do want to lower my car, and the roads here are bad but not all. IE: I have 5 different ways I can get to work, 2 of those roads are patched to hell, 3 are wonderfully flat.
In order to keep from sending my miata to the graveyard, from which it's been saved before(front end collision prev. owner), I do also plan to save up for the frame rails and butterfly brace. I've also made an aluminum skid plate and have lifted my engine.

You're not sounding like an asshole, You're totally right, I AM biased.
I strongly believe that spending 400$ on cheap coilovers(with a 2yr warranty) is better 400$ on new replacement shocks without the ability to lower, but keeping all stock specs and suspension geometry for the car as it was meant by mazda.

Maybe some of my questions were either unclear or unfair.

What my Original questions were, Will it last more then two years without showing huge signs of wear and tear, and , Is the ride quality harsher then stock, would you say your car coners better now on a flat plane then before?

Better?

[Blueiii]

Fair enough.

My additional thoughts are as follows:
What is the turnaround on the 2 year warranty? What exactly does it cover? If you blow a shock or it breaks, but has to be replaced repeatedly, what's the benefit?

I would ask "Has anyone driven on rough roads with racelands and had them break? If so, what was your experience with the warranty?

Could you find a set of decent used springs for $100 and lower the car that way? Are you somehow avoiding taxes and duty on racelands that you can't by sourcing the OEM shocks locally? (I admittedly spent no more than 13.8 seconds searching for that.)

I'm just trying to give you other options. Slamming your car on racelands ultimately de-values the car, but that's my opinion (obviously.) When shopping for a miata, I'll walk away from a car on racelands because it causes me to question what other cheap shortcuts were taken.

[Frenchmanremy]

I agree with your last statement, partly.

I, unlike most, always have and always will return a vehicle for sale the way I've gotten it. IE: Stock.

To the detriment of my parents and my renters( my old house is rented but I kept storage space), I have kept all stock parts for the car, and will be getting what I need to put it back to stock if I ever sell it. I don't plan on ever selling it tbh. The car's been more then awesome to me.

You know when you've found THE car you can trust and it feels like you've been through a bunch together? That's that car for me.

[Frenchmanremy]

Finding used springs for cheap is not something I like to do.
Not that many miata guys over here, and the ones that are here rarely modify their cars, ie, they change stuff when it's dead, not when something better turned up.
AND I'd still have to replace the shocks.

The duty and shipping fees I can go around, since my father goes around Salt Lake, Utah for work every now and again and he'd be willing to bring them back. (Raceland is in Bluffdale Utah)

[EMMI]

IMHO, don't ask for reviews and not expect opinions from both sides of the spectrum. I've worked with several and have ridden on several and have never seen anything positive from them. It does however reflect the owner and how much he/she is willing to invest in the car in terms of maintenance and repairs... so they're usually all janky and f*cked up. before I go further... U get what you pay for.

[The Driver]

IMHO, don't ask for reviews and not expect opinions from both sides of the spectrum. I've worked with several and have ridden on several and have never seen anything positive from them. It does however reflect the owner and how much he/she is willing to invest in the car in terms of maintenance and repairs... so they're usually all janky and f*cked up. before I go further... U get what you pay for.

Hear, hear!

[Frenchmanremy]

listened listened...

So on a "I'm willing to try and save up a bit more topic",

What about EZ-Streets vs. Tein Basis.

I'd trust the Tein name over the EX streets, but they seem to be able to be had at similiar price points, ie: 600-700$

[Frenchmanremy]

I've also just found OEM bilstein and Apexi springs at my buddy's place. He's willing to part for 200$. Maybe 60k miles on them.

[The Driver]

listened listened...

So on a "I'm willing to try and save up a bit more topic",

What about EZ-Streets vs. Tein Basis.

I'd trust the Tein name over the EX streets, but they seem to be able to be had at similiar price points, ie: 600-700$


I've also just found OEM bilstein and Apexi springs at my buddy's place. He's willing to part for 200$. Maybe 60k miles on them.
What is an EZ Street and who makes Apexi springs? What are their rates? With all due respect, you are aiming at everything and hitting nothing.


May I suggest to take a break, figure what you are trying to accomplish, and how much money will it take to get there. Than find out what your budget and your needs allows.


Good luck!

[Frenchmanremy]

I want a lowered car with a suspension I needn't worry about for a while for a minimum amount of cash.
I want adjustability, and medium ride quality.

Just spent some time reading a long e-mail from a friend. He was saying the main reason behind the raceland issues with driveability and handling is that people always slam the suspension right away. He was telling me that on his car, having had them for a year on moderately low height the suspension does what it's supposed to do. ie, good bang for buck but don't expect miracles type of deal.

I need a break.

[EMMI]

if you can save up a tad bit more, Street Advance w/ it's new valving system is definitely worth it.

[Carrin1989]

I've had mine for over a year and have put over 10,000 miles on them, and I autocross with them. I can't complain, sure a $1000+ set are going to be better but for the price they are great. Ride quality definitely suffers as a DD, but when you sit 2 inches off the ground you can't expect it to be the most comfortable ride. If you can afford better coilovers, then don't get Racelands, but Im more than satisfied with mine.

[The Driver]

I just ran into this thread @ M.net, while searching for "Rokkor Coilovers". Please reas pages 8-9.

http://forum.miata.net/vb/showthread.php?t=348743&highlight=raceland&page=8

[Thumper13]

You don't want to hear any negative criticism about the quality or price so you automatically eliminate a vast majority of opinions. Check the out at the home of slammage,dropped or lowered Miatas.

They do have 2 redeeming factors,they allow for an OEM ( Showa )quality coilover than can be height adjusted and they are cheap. You get what you pay for,and for that price,they beat the snot out of GR 2's,Tokico Blues,and OEM equipment ( except for the Billie Hards )

I have installed several sets,and driven quite a few of them a year or two after install. Since you don't want any negativity I'll refrain from the commenting re: these dampers once they get some miles on them. There are some dyno plots and a post showing a dismantled damper over at CR.Net or M.Net,go do some serious research and look at the cartridge installed inside the aluminum housing to get a "truer" picture of these gems and why they are so cheap.

[Frenchmanremy]

You don't want to hear any negative criticism about the quality or price so you automatically eliminate a vast majority of opinions. Check the out at the home of slammage,dropped or lowered Miatas.

They do have 2 redeeming factors,they allow for an OEM ( Showa )quality coilover than can be height adjusted and they are cheap. You get what you pay for,and for that price,they beat the snot out of GR 2's,Tokico Blues,and OEM equipment ( except for the Billie Hards )

I have installed several sets,and driven quite a few of them a year or two after install. Since you don't want any negativity I'll refrain from the commenting re: these dampers once they get some miles on them. There are some dyno plots and a post showing a dismantled damper over at CR.Net or M.Net,go do some serious research and look at the cartridge installed inside the aluminum housing to get a "truer" picture of these gems and why they are so cheap.

Alright, great comment, Thanks for your input.

The driver, Thanks for that link. I shed a tear for those poor Miatae owners.

I will be ordering a set of Tein Street Basis for the car for springtime.
Seem to be rebuildable, of good quality and repute, and just above my budget. I'd like to get Tein Street advance because of EDFC and a higher quality damper but they are out of budget.

:) Thanks to everyone for their comments and insight!

I truly am grateful for such an understanding and professional community. For once on a forum, a dumb question and trolls kept at bay.

Awesome!

[The Driver]

^ Good choice, I think you'll be very happy that you went that route!

[tsingson]

^ Agreed ^

Spring is right around the corner.

[tsingson]

Thanks to everyone for their comments and insight!

I truly am grateful for such an understanding and professional community. For once on a forum, a dumb question and trolls kept at bay.

Awesome!

This is why I don't really frequent any of the other forums anymore.

[morr]

Bump! Did you order em yet? You definitely made a wise choice spending the extra bit for something nicer. The Basis should be perfect for your goals.

[Frenchmanremy]

Ended up getting tein super streets for 700 last spring. Was away from the forums for a while when my personal life took over. Car has changed much in recent months.

[The Driver]

^ And what are your impressions?

[Phatmiata]

excellent, let's see some pictures!

[tsingson]

^ And what are your impressions?


excellent, let's see some pictures!

Same here!

[Frenchmanremy]

They are great! They cannot be slammed but offer great control. Of you want to slam them you need to order longer springs from tein to retain preload. I am very happy with my purchase.

[tsingson]

Was being slammed your intention or a performance oriented suspension?

[Frenchmanremy]

https://picasaweb.google.com/102419218807347861493/MiataQuebec?authkey=Gv1sRgCOSDyIjI9c6xEA#594361612 7312998354

[Frenchmanremy]

A combination of function and form

[tsingson]

Ok. I think you went with a great setup.

[Ihatecars]

Your Roadster looks excellent! Tein over Racelands was a great choice.
I'm also digging your body kit. It's not over the top, but definitely enough to give the Miata an aggressive look.

[Frenchmanremy]

I want to sell the body kit or trade for 450 plus stock used bumpers. Actually really want to go a different way with it.