Suspension recommendation for AE111?

[Veloc]

Dear AE111 sifus,

I want to ask around for recommendation for a good brand/model of suspension for AE111. Budget around 1.8k so I'll be looking at GAB, Tein, recon TRD or recon cusco. Buddy Club those type is out of budget.

Any good recommendation and what are the difference between those brands? Reliability, comfort, performance, service and replacement availability?
I'm looking for adjustable & serviceable shocks by the way. Not single use ones.

Thank you a lot!

 

[ahaw]

cheapest servicing by d manufacturer is hwl. gab malaysia n japan diff price altogether but not much. (all depend on condition)

 

[bera]

if you are looking for adjustable for 1.8k budget...most probably you will get either soft/hard or high/low only...with the current pricing...save up a few hundred buck more...and you'll get both high/low soft/hard...it also boils down to brand , adjust ability and availability...

 

[Veloc]

cheapest servicing by d manufacturer is hwl. gab malaysia n japan diff price altogether but not much. (all depend on condition)

GAB got from japan meh? I thought it is malaysian brand.

if you are looking for adjustable for 1.8k budget...most probably you will get either soft/hard or high/low only...with the current pricing...save up a few hundred buck more...and you'll get both high/low soft/hard...it also boils down to brand , adjust ability and availability...

Okay thanks for the info. Since like that, maybe I will listen to your advice first. Maybe I use backOEM first. Save it up, then one shot get good one. I got a question though. Are all these aftermarket adjustable absorber serviceable and reusable? Because I want to get reusable ones also.

 

[mADmAN]

GAB japan closed shop loooooooooooooooooooooooonnnggg time already...

the licensing and branding has been taken over by RS One.

 

[Veloc]

I see... Anyways, I've checked out the local brand, HWL website. Their pricing seems quite good. How is the quality?

SO for around 2k, any good recommendation? REliable, comfortable and good performance.
HWL, GAB, Tein? Any opinion on Tanabe Sustec?

 

[tonyops]

Looking from ur first posting, i don't think Tein is cheaper than buddyclub. Correct me if i'm wrong

 

[bera]

from what i heard regarding serviceable/reuseable dampers...some brand will cost a little bit higher than the other...i'm running on cusco...but on the dampers "KYB" is stamp on...so part maybe can interchange with KYB abs...tein of course la everybody knew can service overhauls and rebuilt...and then there is the one that for me fall in "grey area" category...for example buddy club (quite famous brand but hardly came across one)...on the spec sheet these suspension is on par or even better from the commonly available suspension...but when you doing maintenance job on this...it might be costly...since parts is hard to get...

on the other note...HWL seems good all rounder...never heard anything bad about them...and since its local...parts and maintenance job should not be an issue...but never experience one before though...

 

[pangyau]

Veloc,

I used HWL on my waja (hi/low only)...
For me its considered OK in terms of reliability & performance (I feel little bit hard)
You have to choose the spring rates when you bought them.
They will asked you the purpose of the suspension (track, daily etc then choose)
The price are reasonable for me.

Servicing suspension center/shop in KK? You have to think twice.
When you buy TEIN, HKS, Tanabe etc... where to service? only in Peninsular.
Cost of shipping + servicing might end up close to new unit.
Buying 2nd hand unit always depends how lucky you are...

Local brand maybe good + the servicing parts not so high like the brand above.
Some in KK they just buy new unit when the existing kaput.
For low budget person like me always think many time...

Choosing suspension are the hardest decision for me.
Had a bad choice before & now still figuring what to suit on my other ride.

 

[Veloc]

Veloc,

I used HWL on my waja (hi/low only)...
For me its considered OK in terms of reliability & performance (I feel little bit hard)
You have to choose the spring rates when you bought them.
They will asked you the purpose of the suspension (track, daily etc then choose)
The price are reasonable for me.

Servicing suspension center/shop in KK? You have to think twice.
When you buy TEIN, HKS, Tanabe etc... where to service? only in Peninsular.
Cost of shipping + servicing might end up close to new unit.
Buying 2nd hand unit always depends how lucky you are...

Local brand maybe good + the servicing parts not so high like the brand above.
Some in KK they just buy new unit when the existing kaput.
For low budget person like me always think many time...

Choosing suspension are the hardest decision for me.
Had a bad choice before & now still figuring what to suit on my other ride.

Oh I'm looking for Hi-Lo and Soft-Hard. Thanks for your testimony on the HWL man... You got waja meh? Never see...

You low budget person ?

 

[pangyau]

Veloc,

The waja in KL...
Waaa...don't say like that...
Low & reasonable budget is my thing.
That's the reason my ride still stock...
Upgrading = More expenses...

I drove using HWL from KL - Kuala Terengganu - KL.
With family & babies...
they said ok & sleep well, even little bit hard I assume.
Almost 2 years I assume... no problem still.

For me try & error (in suspension)are for people who having high budget.
The adjustable coilover (any brands) also good but you need to setup accordingly.
Setting-up adjustable sometime taking time to suit you requirement.
How low to adjust, How soft/hard should be the good setting...
For me as a non-racer type for time being... this thing too much to be consider.
Even though still looking what suspension to buy...

Decision... Decision... Decision... :hmmmm:

The surface in our place have to take into consideration.
Too hard will end up bouncing (Sakit badan) & make your accessories rattle in long run.
Unless for racing/competition then different story...

Have to be patient & time to "look & see" for us if budget to put in account.

 

[Veloc]

That's true man... That's why... Still considering... And the roads in our area is shit really. I am looking more on the performance street settings. Stiffer than stock and lower but not racing hard. That's not practical also. And I don't want my car to kaput because of the hard setting. Not just accessories. I think some bushes will wear off faster.

 

[autocrosser]

I used to have GAB hi-low. Bought brand spanking new several years ago. I only used it in city area. Sure, roads here ain't that good but city roads ain't that bad. Guess what? Not more than 30k kms later, it bottomed out like crazy. It still feels stiff and stable on good roads. I changed to stock struts and problem solved. It was more than $2K back then. The stockist's attitude also suck. Overall, i am disappointed with the whole deal as the reason i wanted to go that route was to have struts that was durable.
I think in Pensinsula, things would be better as RS One is there to help.
Just thought i would put this out there.

 

[IketaniX]

just sharing,
i‘m using RSR spring + GAB sport absorber for my 111,
feels ok n nt too low,
but it feels bumpy once hitting 100km/h on uneven road (Jalan Kempas@JB)...
in my case i busted mine before the warranty ends (6 months),
so i'm nw using the 2nd sets...
when i wan claim new sets due to leaking,
no rubbish at all n they jus change for me within 1 week (n post back to JB),
which is quite good for tis...
quality i cant judge as there are ppl using without issues,
some say is my bad luck...

 

[ahaw]

GAB got from japan meh? I thought it is malaysian brand.

@ veloc : of course new all licensed by rs one. OLD gab only from japan

hwl servicing for example (kelisa - front/ rear rm480 last 2 weeks jan 2012, oem factory in sg buloh),
gab servicing quotation by rs one - gab japan (half cut, no more new stuff) rm 25+.++ per damper means times 4, depend on cndtn.
but in hwl factory upon consult with office girl they give cheaper price for gab m'sia. and a bit pricey rm285.++ per damper for gab japan depend on cndtn.

for other brand no experience.

 

[lkeong88]

I have something to say, I went from adjustable to stock suspensions. If you are not going to track, stock suspension is more than enough. I still manage to go Karak highway at up to 160kmh, and JB to Terengganu road, I can drive at 180kmh with the car feeling stable. If you don't strengthen your chassis, all suspensions also won't give you good feeling

 

[g4i8y0t]

There's a few things that many people tend to forget when upgrading their suspension. Having stiff suspension that makes the car take sharp corners like a sports car but rides terribly on bumpy roads is not really worth it. Most of the time we drive on straight roads, highways, trunk roads etc. The time we spend taking sharp corners may only be like 3-4% of our total driving time. The rest 97% is spend on straight road, right?

Also, a super stiff suspension doesn't always guarantee the car will handle superbly, especially on bumpy roads as traction will be lost when the tyre is not in contact with the road.

Just my 2 cents.

 

[meg_omen]

TITAN...
can tune them until satisfied...
i believe its cheapest when you want to service them...

 

[pangyau]

TITAN...
can tune them until satisfied...
i believe its cheapest when you want to service them...

Custom suspension are good if you able to visit them for adjusting base on you requirement.
For people in Borneo... kinda headache to ship the item back if not satisfied.
Cost matter are so no practical... for low budget people like me.

Normally, in custom format... it would be better to bring the car to the center.
They will do any necessary or measuring the car...
For car in Borneo....? :hmmmm:

Borneo kinda limited choice...
if you have big budget no problem..
Everyday can try & error for any suspension.

 

[Veloc]

Custom suspension are good if you able to visit them for adjusting base on you requirement.
For people in Borneo... kinda headache to ship the item back if not satisfied.
Cost matter are so no practical... for low budget people like me.

Normally, in custom format... it would be better to bring the car to the center.
They will do any necessary or measuring the car...
For car in Borneo....? :hmmmm:

Borneo kinda limited choice...
if you have big budget no problem..
Everyday can try & error for any suspension.

That's true... Even for me, what I plan is that when the time for servicing comes, I just order the servicing kit and send them to the local 4x4 suspension shop here and ask them to service. Not sure can or not. But there are a few 4x4 shops here that service 4x4 suspension. They are similar I guess. Just not as perfect as those purely for normal cars...