Huh, didn't know this thread existed.
short story:
majority of issues resolved, go talk to Feezam if you've having them. They are more than willing to help.
Long story:
I looked for RCS/RDS because with my previous car, I tried several big name "brands" and was never happy. The car never felt grippy. Sure it felt firm, stable, but when you push the limits, they come really quick and mercilessly. I crashed that car eventually. I didn't even see it coming, it just snapped loose during normal driving and I thought I was a goner when I went into the opposite lane. I survived (obviously), but the car was in a bad way.
I knew something wasn't right. I knew that stiff suspension wasn't the answer. I returned the car to stock when I had it repaired and immediately it had more grip, and more roll. But it always seemed to have an odd feeling, didn't seem to want to follow my steering properly. I suspect some serious damage was done that wasn't fixed. I decided to get rid of the car and started a new journey.
After I got my MX-5, I started looking for suspension options. I sat and drove quite a number of MX-5s with again, "big brand" suspension names. And I felt the same same snappy response with lack of grip when pushed to the limits (please do it in a safe environment and not on public roads). I was really frustrated because the stock suspension makes the car look like a 4WD (google stock MX-5 NC ride height and you'll see what I mean).
So, enter RCS. blahblahblahsetupblahblahblahinstallblahblahfinetuneblahblah.
And now I've been using my RCS one-way adjustables on my 2012 MX-5 NC for about two years+
I track the car, autox, gymkhana, on all types of surfaces (some of our roads can be called rally tracks...). I rebuild the dampers about once/twice a year (depends on my usage). The oil does pick up carbon from seals and whatnot and eventually the viscosity changes (the new seals seem to mitigate this a lot though). The oil is a CRITICAL component and I consider it wear and tear with a limited lifespan.
You must understand that this is a true performance product. This is not your typical "give you a stiffer ride feeling with low body roll" suspension. The tolerances are REALLY tight. If you've watched them build a set you know what I mean. Now compare to what you see being built from other brands, I won't need to mention names, see for yourself. Ask them how much it costs to rebuild as well.
There are no cheapo supplies being used. I saw cheap oil being mentioned, uh... nope. Unless you call Fuchs Silkolene cheap. I work with them closely on my requirements and I've personally handled all their components. They are anything but cheap.
I don't pretend to understand everything about suspension but let me tell you, once you drive RDS, other suspension just seems unsuitable and lack of grip. Nowadays when I hitch a ride in a random car at RDS, I can tell immediately, within the first five-seconds, sometimes even while the car is just reversing out of car park, that it's using RDS suspension. It just has that feel that the tyre is permanently and evenly stuck to the ground.
Take a ride in one of their cars. I promise you'll be amazed.
