Applicable to: '99-'05 1.8 liter
Bilstein Sport Shocks, part number 24-065504
Bought these in Canada from Gordon at Essex distributors.
Had these shocks professionally installed on a 2002 SE Miata with very low kilometers. Also put in Eibach Pro Kit springs, part number #5535.140 and Flying Miata sway bars. At first I was a little reluctant, as the combination of Bilstein and Eibach is not common with the Miata tuning community. Now I am glad I did it. I never drove my car hard, but now with the new suspension setup I am a little more enthusiastic in the corners. The ride is definitely stiffer, more like a true sports car, but not annoying. The precise steering and cornering is worth it. The car is lowered about 1.3 inches; not low enough to scrape the lip while backing out of the garage, but significantly improving the appearance and performance benefits.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99-'05 1.8 liter
These are very good quality items, nice clean finish and feels lighter that stock. They lower by around 1"- 1 1/2", so if you want to slam your ride buy something else.
They cost me around $1500 in canada (got it form a wv and audi tuning shop). They fit perfectly like they where oem (no cuting, no drilling). I have these shock for about 4 months now. I run them with 12 1/4 in the front and 12 1/2 in the rear, on full stiff. They make the car corner like its on rails. Its a totaly diffrent beast, make the car very easy to control and less body roll to fight with. Over bumpy roads they handle the small vibrations well, but turn small dips and bumps in to canyons and mountian ranges. If you drop the setting from 1 (stiffest) to 5 or 6 it will fell more like stock, but less vibrations.
Over all they area good street shock that can be stiffen for track use and still drive home in. I would buy again, and i recomend it you everyone that likes the tune car fell and great handling.
Under 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Bilstein NA HD shocks revalved to Bilstein NB HD specifications
Since I was installing FCM mounts and 54mm bump stops I had Bilstein move the perch ring up one half inch to compensate for the FCM mounts lowering the car one half inch at the same time Bilstein was re-valving the NAs to NB specs. Stock springs. The perch ring re-cut is $10 each, the re-valves, $65 each. If you are not using stock springs make sure you note the new spring rates on the Bilstein order.
Wonderful ride, it floats over rail road tracks. The ride is supple and plush. I definitely recommend this route be taken versus installing NB HDs in an NA since there will be little chance that the car will be raised due to the increased rod length of the NB HDs.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Monotube shock absorbers and Fat Cat progressive bump stops.
I have bought my 93' Miata about a year ago. Always had a rough ride I guess it might have to do with the suspension aging. Finally decided to replace all shocks after reading about Miata shocks tend to fail after 60K. Ordered 4 shocks from an online store. Thought since replacing shocks might as well replace the bump stops (my new ones are from Fat Cat as I've been hearing good things about them in the forum). The biggest problem I had before replacing shocks was that my whole car jumps around even when hitting a small pot hole while I'm cornering. With the new shocks installed, when I hit a pot hole while cornering I only feel that one side of the car shakes and settles. I haven't experienced the original, non-wore out, OEM shocks' ride quality. But overall the Bilsteins are very comfortable on highway rides (again, I'm on stock springs!). Very smooth and I can finally feel that the car has "Individual Suspension"! You will feel that these shocks are stiffer wh! en going over uneven pavements. I'm not sure on the effects that my new bump stops have on my ride, however.
I'm an average driver who would only like to go faster on corners at times. In case if you guys wonder how these shocks will live up to the expectation of a driver like myself, I'm the type of NA driver who usually shifts at 3000-3200 rpm, and I'm very satisfied.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Bilstein HD shock absorbers, installation by RSpeed of Marietta, GA
Absolutely incredible upgrade. These are also famous for their longevity plus
they are rebuildable. Well worth the price. Also, the installation by RSpeed
was excellent. RSpeed sells and installs those shocks and I definitely recommend
them for their expertise, professionalism and good business ethics.
My '92 Silverstone with 142K miles developed a brake noise. I took the car to
RSpeed to replace the rear brakes and found (as I already suspected) that the
shocks were the original ones and undoubtedly were totally worn out. I decided
to change the shocks and Joe at RSpeed ordered those for me for a very competitive
price. They arrived the next day and Hector installed them with the original
springs. I wanted to keep the springs as I did not want the ride to suffer or
the cat to drop. Hector also made/installed the dust covers. When I got the
car back, I simply could not believe the difference! It was incredibly better
riding, smoother, firmer yet much more comfortable. The car even became quieter
and rattles went away. Frankly, it rode like a new car. I expected good results
but I was pleased beyond all expectations from this upgrade. The installtion
cost can be a bit steep since it's a somewhat difficult and time consuming job.
I could have done it myself but frankly, Hector can do it faster and better
and with no mistakes (after all, they are the most experienced people with Miatas).
Anyway, I can recommend these Bilstein HD shock absorbers without reservation.
They are an excellent product and dont need any adjustments. They are made and
tuned for the Miata and work flawlessly with the stock springs. Oh yeah, I'd
also recommend RSpeed foe their excellent pricing, prompt delivery and installetion.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.8 liter
Bilstein R-Package shocks/struts (whatever?) and springs
I bought a complete set of Miata R-Package Bilstein shocks and R-Package springs and have a car that takes any turn at high speed. The car just sticks to the road. On the down side, the roads in New England are terrible and the R-Package Bilsteins are very stiff! If you are looking for a cushy ride, do not install these shocks and springs! The springs for an R-Package I beleive are the same in the front but lower the rear about 1/4 inch or so and the rate is slightly different. I like the look of the rear now that it is slighly lower.
These shocks and springs add a lot of handling capability and from what I've read, the struts can be rebuilt and last well over 100K miles. I bought this package used on E-Bay for $300 and it was worth every penny. I bought them because I thought I'd never take the time to adjust Konis or KYB's and for the most part, I enjoy the ride and handling.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97
Bilstein Shocks
Just installed -- 2-3 hours driving.
Amazing difference in my car and my driving experience. I can't believe how much better! I do need to note that I changed wheels, tires and shocks at the same time. I switched from stamped steel wheels to aluminium (I think these are pretty much the standard miata ones; got them used), worn-out generic tires to Falken Ziex 512s and OEM socks (with 101K miles) to Bilsteins. So I can't really say which improvements are due only to the shocks -- but I think it's most of it. Dramatically better, smoother, tighter ride. Fewer body rattles. Way better cornering. You know how a miata can feel really heavy/sluggish at low speeds in a parking lot? that's GONE ! steering is as light as if I had power steering (excuse the language :-) And this is just driving to work. Can't wait for the week-end!
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 +
Adjustable Shocks (w/ 9 Indexed Settings) & Matching Coil Over Springs (Height Adjustable)
The PSS 9 kit has been installed on the Miata for a number of months now. The $400 up-charge to gain the adjustability over the PSS kit is well worth it. The adjustability allows a smoother setting around town and a stiffer setting elsewhere for vigorous driving. Ride quality is excellent with the adjustability of the shocks. Surprisingly, even on the stiffest setting the Miata is much more sorted over bumps compared with the stock suspension. Steering response is sharper and there is better control in the corners. One nice feature of the kit are the machined metal adjustment knobs firmly attached at the top of each shock. Simply pop the hood and twist the knobs to change shock settings. It's literally that easy. Once I found the lowest setting where I wasn’t scrapping on everything I have left the ride height alone. In about 45 minutes at home I was able jack the car up, remove the wheels and adjust the spring perches with ease.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Bilstein Sport Shocks
Fantastic! This was an upgrade from my stock (base) suspension. I've had them on for about a month now - wanted to let 'em break in - and I love it. Much firmer than the worn-out base ones, but not teeth-rattling. I had Konis and Eibachs on my Neon, and it was 'way too much, especially with the crappy roads in Detroit. I stuck with my stock springs, 'cause I put the Nopro dumpers on, to lower it a little. Besides, I figured that they were close enough to the R-package spring rates that it'd be a needless expense to go hunt down the R springs. I am very satisfied with the way they eat the bumps, but let me know where I am, and I find that they complement the balance of the car very well, and convey the road-surface to me. It took me maybe an 30 minutes a corner to install, not including the stripped nut my overzealous buddy created in the first five minutes!
Yet Again! Props to the people down at RSpeed. They're amazing, and I continue to be pleased every time I do business with them - stuff's always there early! Even after shipping, they were much cheaper than Autozone, and still cheaper than any other online retailer.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 '99 + 1.6 liter 1.8 liter
Bilstein HD shocks
One week's worth on miata. Still on original Bilsteins on 1978 Porsche 930.
Went with these because of simplicity of installation (compared with Konis), reliability vs. KYBs (a few negative reviews out there), no desire to lower car, or spend lotsa bucks on coil-overs. Ordered on-line (shop around), installed by Brainstorm. Very happy so far. OEM's with 40,000 miles didn't really seem to bad until the Bilsteins went on. Entire chassis seems tighter. Bumps are definitely bumpier than stock, but cornering is flatter with significantly less body roll, little dive with braking. Ride great on smooth surfaces (on 50 series SO3s), perfectly acceptable on worn pavement, rough on big whoops. Not for autocross, but a great strreet performance compromise.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '90 - '97 1.6 liter
Bilstein Shocks
I have the somewhat enviable luxury of having access to TWO MX-5's both 1.6 Mk1 Eunos Roadsters- mine, which is a Black 1993 MK LE, which comes equipped with Bilsteins that are included with the LE package and my partners which is a Red 1990 model with the standard OEM shocks. The Bilsteins are definitely firmer than the stock shocks, and the shock itself offers far less travel than the standard set-up as well as lowering the car by a couple of inches. This means that on a smooth road, with tight curves, the Bilsteins give the superior ride allowing you to corner at higher speeds than the standard with less dive under braking. However, the firmness of the Bilsteins can potentially be a draw-back. On less than perfect roads, the limited travel can give you a jarring ride - bouncing off the larger bumps in the road, rather than absorbing them.
Overall, I really like the Bilsteins and am willing to forgive their occasional harshness for that extra level of fun on the curves. I would suggest that any prospective buyer considers the general quality of road surfaces in their area and chooses accordingly.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 + 1.8 liter
Bilstein HD shocks
The best suspension mod I`ve done!
After installing my 16x7 SSR Integrals with 225/40/16 Kuhmo 712`s and BSP sways my stock shocks just weren`t up to the task of handling the bumps,the wheels felt like basketballs and the car would skitter in corners when I hit bumps.After installing the HD Bilsteins the car handles like a dream.The tires feel planted and controlled.It is a firm ride but far from bone jarring.The highway ride is like a Cadilac ,no kidding.I totally recommend this setup for someone who wants a high performance suspension up-grade but does not want to fiddle with knobs or screws on the adjustable shocks.No modifications were required to the car and install was pretty easy if you follow the steps in the garage section.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
Applicable to: '99 +
Aluminum body threaded shocks and springs w/bump stops and boots.
I had them installed in San Diego. So, far have about 600mi on them. I've been hesitant to mess with the Miata's already good suspension. I've driven a couple of Miata's with "performance" enhancements to their suspension that really made a mess of the car. But after a couple years of hard driving I decided it was getting a bit difficult to manage the car balance at high speed transitions and breaking. So, it seemed time to upgrade. I sort of bought the Bilstein PSS setup on a whim. It just seemed like a good idea to get a set of true coilovers that were custom valved to the springs and the car itself. And, the price was right. Getting them and having them installed is a whole other story which I'll write in another thread.
The shock bodies are all aluminum, threaded, and shiny! About a half inch, by eyeball shorter than the stock shock bodies. They seemed very light! They come with there own bumpstops-no guessing about how much you should cut! They also come with blue boots. They have two rings. One for ride height, the other a locker. The springs are red. Total transformation of the vehicle! It's gone from handling like a great little sports car to handling like a super car! Brake dive and squat is virtually gone. The damn thing corners like it's on rails! Extremely confidence inspiring. As it should be because it is so far superior to the stock set up. It is incredibly well behaved even in bumpy corners which there were a lot of on this stretch of roads. Much reduced shimmying and shake. Ridiculously fast transitional response (even with factory sways). The ride, as far as harshness, is about the same as OEM with tires at 35psi. Except over bumps it is much more well beh! aved and less harsh than OEM.
Not an installed item
High pressure gas charged shock absorbers.
The car handles as well as the replaced Koni Shocks on soft setting. Rides extreamly smooth on the highway. Very good control on the ruff stuff. My miata is a daily driver and I wanted low maintenance but high performance. These shocks are a direct replacement part,no modification to shock assembly components required (Which I liked very much, easy to install). I am very pleased with their performance.I also did not mind having the original ride height since my spine can no longer tolerate all the bottoming out of the car. There is also damage to the undercarriage from the car being too low and scraping everything on the road.
This product was installed to replace Koni Adjustable shocks which required drilling out the shock towers and shock boots (Which I did Not like to have done). The adjustment feature is good for racers but I always ended back at the soft setting because of the ride. It was also a pain to get to the adjustments since you had to remove the front shock tower brace (If you have one). In the rear you had to remove the spare tire and a metal shield on the left side. The Belsteins gave me 99% of the handling of the Koni's. Also the new replacement shock mounts from Mazda have taller mounting studs now. This allowed the Shock Tower Brace to be more easily and securely mounted. You might want to replace these if you are replacing the shocks and you have a brace in the front.
Over 30 minutes to remove completely
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