For those of you wagon owners looking for a good suspension setup to lower your car while maintainng quality ride characteristics, I suggest Tein Wagon Coliovers. My friend and I installed them in 2.5 hours, adjusted the ride height, and man what a great ride. Almost like stock, but a little stiffer. The rear does not sag, the front, is lower and more agressive looking, Car is way lower but ride comfort is not sacrificed in any way. After mulling over springs only, I am really glad I chose this set-up. Gruppe-s has them for 900 dollars, and it is well worth it. If anyone has any questions about ride quality, adjustability, etc. post a reply and I will get back to you.

 

I am thinking about getting the Tien wagons... They are only height adjustable, correct? How low are they on their highest settings? You have to reuse your top hats also? How much better is the handling? Any regrets?

 

Absolutely no regrets, I love them. At the highest setting the car was taller then stock!. Right now I have the fronts with about 3/4 of an inch left to use on the threaded coil to drop, but it is already way low. I'll keep them there. It has about another 1.5 drop left in front. If I drop it down the car will be on the ground. The rears are lowered with about 1/2 inch of turn left on the collar. another inch drop, but The fender gap in the rear is only about 3/4 of an inch if that. The ride is not harsh in any way, a little stiffer than stock, but very smooth, and not bouncy or jarring, it soaks up bumps, potholes better than the stock suspension. It is well worth the money. Top hats are reused, it took 2.5 hours to install and we used only a hydralic jackstand, no spring compressor was needed. They are not adjustable for anything but ride height, but are reading the directions for the adjustables, I would be to scared to adjust them. Lots of disclaimers about ruining the internals by adjusting incorrectly or too much. I highly suggest this product!

 

I've had them for a about a month and I'm quite happy with them.
Handle well for how comfortable they are. I used STI tops and have not noticed any bounciness at all.

What size wheels are you guys on?
I'm still on stock 16", I'm hoping 17" will take away some
of the floatyness in certain situations.

Also- at what height have had your car alignment at?
I haven't had my alignment yet. I'm still figuring the height.

Chris

 

Just wondering, what is the best way to get the ride height set on my tein wagon coilovers. I can't seem to get the car even all the way around.

 

Measuring this way seems to be the easiest (below)

Set it the same all around, drive it. Then bump up or down in the front or rear to suit your taste. Don't try to measure from the center of your wheel to the fender edge. You'll drive your self nuts, especially if your driveway is uneven. To many varibles for it to be 100% the same on each side.

I'm at F 20mm / R 23mm for right now. (still adjusting)
I haven't gone below 20mm yet, but I had them at F 35mm / R 40mm for a day or so. Which looks pretty close to stock height, but felt a little firmer.

I'm not sure if the STI tops transmit more noise than the stocks, But i get some dull clunks on rough pavement under 25mph. Has any one else had this?

OwlBoogie - wagon looks good, I love the P7's, what size tires are you running? (215 or 225)

 

No clunks with STi tops and Tein Wagon kit and trust me, here in northern Canada, roads are really bad!

I got a little bit of waveness with road ondulations at the recommended height for the rear but after that the coil have settled, I raised the rear about third of an inch and it is better. It might be explained by the coil being more compressed I guess...

Great kit for everyday driving and the occasionnal trackday! Very good compromise. My girlfriend did not notice the difference after the swap!