Coilovers: Rebuild or replace?

[Quick6]

I have a GF8 Sti with a set of Tein coilovers in. They have had it, FR been very noisy for a while and now gone soft and RL now very noisy as well. The car is used for an open road commute through quiet country roads lot's of km of 'spirited' driving available. It has a fair chunk of the Whiteline catalog underneath and is set up 'hard and fast', plenty of noise and very firm but it really does handle well. It will be used as above plus a little club sport down the line (if I ever get out of working 6 days....)

I understand the Teins can be rebuilt but I don't really fancy the idea of having the car off the road for any more than a day or two so I am wondering about just buying replacements from BC or similar. Reports seem to be generally positive about them and they look to be easier/cheaper to service than the Teins when it comes time to do them again. Sadly budget is also a factor these days thanks to mortgage/kids etc and I really don't want to spend more than about $1500. The car is has a cert already so need to stick with coilovers. Does anyone have any thoughts on this? Any experience with the BC or similar priced coilovers vs Tein? Any experience with the cost of rebuilding very tired Teins? Thanks!

[Niran]

This info may or may not help: I had leaking front BC gold shock so had to get it fixed. Only option was to replace the whole insert. Part cost about $150 and labour for swapping it over was $150 with alignment.

[Quick6]

Yep definitely helpful thanks. I would be happy with that, out with the old in with the new and reasonably priced. How many km on yours before failure? How do you find them?

[boon]

I'd say chuck them and get some MCA's but that's just my 2c.

A lot of it depends on what model Teins they are. If you're spending $150 for an insert and $150 to install it then you're getting very close to what a brand new set of entry-level Teins would cost.

[Dairusire]

 boon said:

I'd say chuck them and get some MCA's but that's just my 2c.

A lot of it depends on what model Teins they are. If you're spending $150 for an insert and $150 to install it then you're getting very close to what a brand new set of entry-level Teins would cost.

mmmm This pretty much. Although an entry level set of teins are probably more like 800-1k

[Niran]

 Quick6 said:

Yep definitely helpful thanks. I would be happy with that, out with the old in with the new and reasonably priced. How many km on yours before failure? How do you find them?

Previous owner had the shocks already installed. I'd guess over 2 years old aye. Since i only had 1 shock insert to replace it wasn't too bad. You've got two to replace and the chances are the other two may not be too far away. Probably better off getting a new set all together aye. May be able to cash your old shocks in for some coin on trademe as well. Few people buy, re-condition and on sell.

[Scoobydoo]

Yeah I definitely wouldn't just rebuild two of them, you'd want them all the same. So either get them all re-built, or get a new set. The rebuild cost will probably be close to, if not the same as, a new set.

I've seen entry level Teins from 41 Automotive for around the $1800 mark, but that doesn't include shipping

[Quick6]

I am not sure which model they are yet I haven't even gotten so far as getting a wheel off and I am out of town for a fortnight as of tomorrow. They have pillow balls and camber adjustment on all four but only the spring platforms to adjust ride height, probably an older model I guess. If I have them rebuilt I would have all four done, just not sure if it is worth it vs new ones given the state of the FR (you can see oil everywhere and the spring is also rubbing on the lower tube, possibly collapsed somewhere to do that?). Can someone tell me what the MCA brand has to offer over the others given the budget will only cover the blue series? MCA would be an option as I currently have a means of getting them here without customs 'issues'. Thanks for the input so far guys, keep it coming!

[dmacnz]

I had the exact same problem. TEIN can be rebuilt.... Where??! Not a easy task, going to take a long time and prob the same price as some entry level replacements.

I replaced with some BC (ok at best in my opinion) Very hard ride. I now replaced them with some MCA reds and the difference is night a day. But.... all at a price.. BC hard to beat Value for money though if its not a dedicated track car.

[Guest]

Autolign rebuild them have done forever. Suspension tech do too iirc.