Ohlins DFV Coilovers discontinued

[-=HaZ=-]

Guys,

As the topic says, I have just received word from Ohlins Sweden that they are no longer making their kit for the Liberty. After making me wait for over 4 months and paying in advance, I received an email from the supplier to say they have decided to discontinue the kit due to poor sales.

I am extremely disappointed and very annoyed at Ohlins, who assured me that they would do a low volume run if I was prepared to pay and wait for 4 months. To be told a week before they were due to be delivered that they have now decided not to manufacture these anymore is despicable.

I do not blame the supplier they too like me were acting on good faith.

I am now having to decide what to do; do I try and source another brand of coilovers knowing full well they won't be as good and if I do decide what to choose? There are so many no-name brands and poor quality kits, I feel any other option now would seem like a poor second. Ride quality is of paramount importance.....

If you have EXPERIENCE with other kits and can recommend them, then list them here. I will not consider a budget brand, as I was willing to drop over 4K on Ohlins.

Cheers,

HaZ

[KiDo_Tuning]

Guys,

As the topic says, I have just received word from Ohlins Sweden that they are no longer making their kit for the Liberty. After making me wait for over 4 months and paying in advance, I received an email from the supplier to say they have decided to discontinue the kit due to poor sales.

I am extremely disappointed and very annoyed at Ohlins, who assured me that they would do a low volume run if I was prepared to pay and wait for 4 months. To be told a week before they were due to be delivered that they have now decided not to manufacture these anymore is despicable.

I do not blame the supplier they too like me were acting on good faith.

I am now having to decide what to do; do I try and source another brand of coilovers knowing full well they won't be as good and if I do decide what to choose? There are so many no-name brands and poor quality kits, I feel any other option now would seem like a poor second. Ride quality is of paramount importance.....

If you have EXPERIENCE with other kits and can recommend them, then list them here. I will not consider a budget brand, as I was willing to drop over 4K on Ohlins.

Cheers,

HaZ

Drummond Motorsports Australia

http://www.dmshocks.com/home_8.htm

[-=HaZ=-]

I spoke to Kim Drummond, they don't actually make a kit for the BL5/BP5. Kim used to own a BL5 MY06 STi, he hated the Bilsteins on them, he said that after 100K the shocks start bottoming out(which is whats happening to my car).

He said they can make a kit for that model car, but i would have to send the rear shock to him for measuring. Apparently the multi-link rear on that car is a unique setup, the fronts are apparently just like the WRX, so they don't require any special setup. I would have to be prepared to wait a few days, for them to measure up and of course freight it up and down to NSW, which will take a week or so. Of course this would mean no car.

For $4500, I would get some DMS Super Giant 50 mm coilovers, camber tops are NOT included in that price!

I did some research they only seem to have very limited adjustability, like a 3 way coilover...I think? Their website has very limited information about their coilovers.

I know these are suppose to be very good, I guess I will have to phone again and find out more before I spend the money. Would be good to get a second or third opinion.

[dr20t]

KW V3 with vorschlag camber tops will come in around $3200 if you know where to look. Rebound, damper and compression adjustable plus usual height adjustability of coilover.

Or you could go with Race Comp Engineering's version of the kw V2, which have had good reviews in the states and from memory Bruce (bass Straitener) on here was running them for a while.

Or Murray Coote revalved bilsteins with a proper set of springs to your desired ride height

I have the kw v2's and love them. Running the whiteline com c fixed camber top mount, as did not see the need for adjustable ones (had BC's before that). Spring perch with the fixed top mount is a little noisy on first drive off until the spring seats properly, which I haven't got around to fixing but shouldn't be too hard

Mick

[KiDo_Tuning]

I spoke to Kim Drummond, they don't actually make a kit for the BL5/BP5. Kim used to own a BL5 MY06 STi, he hated the Bilsteins on them, he said that after 100K the shocks start bottoming out(which is whats happening to my car).

He said they can make a kit for that model car, but i would have to send the rear shock to him for measuring. Apparently the multi-link rear on that car is a unique setup, the fronts are apparently just like the WRX, so they don't require any special setup. I would have to be prepared to wait a few days, for them to measure up and of course freight it up and down to NSW, which will take a week or so. Of course this would mean no car.

For $4500, I would get some DMS Super Giant 50 mm coilovers, camber tops are NOT included in that price!

I did some research they only seem to have very limited adjustability, like a 3 way coilover...I think? Their website has very limited information about their coilovers.

I know these are suppose to be very good, I guess I will have to phone again and find out more before I spend the money. Would be good to get a second or third opinion.

I had their 40mm in my Pulsar and my GTR and are by far the best suspension I have ever had(also had their camber tops)

[GTbee]

This is an interesting development, and I can understand your disappointment.

I've been at a crossroads regarding and have been agonising for quite a while whether to keep my car and get the Ohlins or something of similar quality make it drive the way I wanted, or trade up to another car. I noticed that Prospeed had recently dropped the price by $500.00 too, and was I close to making a decision. However this development may have made up my mind for me....

Have you considered the Bilstein PSS coilovers? These seems to have been next to no discussion on these on this forum. I wonder if they are rebuildable?


http://www.japanparts.com/db/parts_detail.php?submit.x=28&submit.y=10&NUMBER=00030113&VOLUME=387-002-001&DEALER=1&CAR=6&MIDDLE=3&SMALL=9&MAKER=227&VOLKEY=&SEARCH_DEALER=1&SEARCH_CAR=6&SEARCH_MIDDLE=3&SEARCH_SMALL=9&SEARCH_MAKER=&SEARCH_VOLKEY=&SEARCH_page=
Detailed Review Here >> http://legacygt.com/forums/showpost.php?p=3943924&postcount=134 I think he or some else on this forums said they felt these were better than the Racecomps.

I was considering getting these as they seem to provide very good results, although they don't have as much adjustability as the Ohlins and are a bit cheaper. If I keep the car I think this is the way I will go.
I wonder if they are rebuildable? And unfortunately I doubt that Bilstein Australia who do not sell there here for the Liberty (as far as I know) would provide any warranty.
http://www.carandimage.com/forums/showthread.php?16866-Anyone-here-have-any-experience-with-Bilstein-PSS9-coilovers&highlight=heasmans

The Racecomps would have worked out almost as expensive as the discounted price of the Ohlins once you factor the camber plates and custom duties etc.

From what others have said, you should be looking at getting 7kg front springs and 9kg rear for best results, whether for the Ohlins (a moot point now) or the Racecomps.

Prospeed still have the Racecomps listed http://www.prospeedracing.com.au/products/Racecomp-Engineering-Tarmac-1-05%252b-Liberty-.html, despite having advising me some time ago they are no longer importing them.

They need to update their website in relation to bother Ohlins and the Racecomps.

KW V3 with vorschlag camber tops will come in around $3200 if you know where to look. Rebound, damper and compression adjustable plus usual height adjustability of coilover.

Mick

I though KW's only came out with V2 for the Liberty.

This guy reported very good results from STI Pinks, revalved Bilseins and a good wheel alighment....
http://www.carandimage.com/forums/showt ... t=heasmans

I was thinking of going this route for cost reasons but there is no guarantee due to variances in the way the revalving and alignment is done, that I would have obtained consistent results that I would be happy with.

After perusing this thread http://legacygt.com/forums/showthread.p ... 11909.html it seems the STI pinks (with Bilstiens in good condition) are probably still the best or one of the best for overall handling/ride compromise/not too lowered if one sticks to conventional setups.

[Adrian2627]

Try MCA. Murray does a lot of Subaru stuff and if you are prepared to spend money their Blue or Red series gear might be just what you need.

[bigBADbenny]

I wouldn't be surprised if you found a set of Ohlins in the USA, or even in Japan (same cores different mounting hardware)

Gino had his billies revalved - his advice: don't go the sport damper valving its too hard for the street.

Shockworks may be offering BP BL coilovers in the future, development has not yet begun alas.

[Sean82]

I've recently bought Cusco Zero-A coils from Japan. 6 kg F &R (R option-able in 7 or 8 kg also without re-valving); 40 setting damper adjustment (I'm guessing the rebound is directly linked); full length height adjustable and spring preload also; spherical bearing tops with camber adjustment on the fronts.

At under $2000 new they look the goods IMO...

[kiks]

Cusco are not comparable to ohlins
Tein are not comparable to ohlins.
KW bolt in options are not comparable to ohlins.
Infact nothing is comparable that isnt several times more expensive.

If it isnt a proflex, bilstein, sachs, penske, or something like MCA or DMS.

My advice would be to either find some 2nd hand ohlins DFV's and have them rebuilt. (theyre worth it, as above).

Failing that, speak to Murry Coote and see if they'd be interested in making a set of shocks. I'm sure you could set up a group buy here. There's nothing too overly difficult about it considering they'll be so similar to GR and BRZ items. It isn't like super voodoo.

[bigBADbenny]

Refurbing my DFV was affordable.
I bought them OS for a reasonable price, cruisn straightened up the bearing carrier and camber plate on one corner (perfectly). They are Japanese Ohlins: meaning Swedish damper cores in Japanese mounting hardware.
New bumpstops all round, polishing on one shaft, and regassed rears all done by Race Technology Engineering in Melbourne.
I'm waiting on some bits and boots then it's ON
Shock dynos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbadben ... 335203784/

Here's the front damper force adjustment sheet:

I'd guess the Dual Flow Valve action can be seen in the steeper initial part of the graph.
More responsive to smaller forces, steady response to big.

This wasn't the instant gratification route - I took it due to budgetary constraints and because I like fixing stuff or getting stuff fixed.
Having experienced the fine Racecomp KW's in Bruce's car, I chose Ohlins due to Coyotes advice and Kiks example.

I'm on the lookout for Vorschlag or CS Marche camber plates or I'll get some made up with a little added caster.

[kiks]

Baller.

And yeah I had to remake my strut tops too on the fronts.

Only because I was about 1ft clear off the ground at about 220 in outback qld over a bit of a jumpup and had a bit of a lopsided landing.

[GTbee]

Can anyone refurbish Ohlins in Sydney?

Aside from the Japanese mounting hardware Japanese Ohlins, are the Japanese Ohlins a direct fit?

Cusco are not comparable to ohlins

KW bolt in options are not comparable to ohlins.

Not even Racecomps?

[bigBADbenny]

Go direct to suspension services with their own shock dyno.
There will be several in Sydney inc. Heasmans.

Yes as sold on the Ohlins.czj.jp , Prova.co.jp & etc. sites. It's big business over there

Well you probably need to be reaching for solutions that have two or four way adjustability to exceed the damper technology of Ohlins DFV. Eg MCA, Shockworks.

But any car deserves to have its suspension professionally set up or the potential will never be realised.
E.g. My BC's are so well setup I'm very keen for the next level

[jslayz]

Refurbing my DFV was affordable.
I bought them OS for a reasonable price, cruisn straightened up the bearing carrier and camber plate on one corner (perfectly). They are Japanese Ohlins: meaning Swedish damper cores in Japanese mounting hardware.
New bumpstops all round, polishing on one shaft, and regassed rears all done by Race Technology Engineering in Melbourne.
I'm waiting on some bits and boots then it's ON
Shock dynos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/bigbadben ... 335203784/

Here's the front damper force adjustment sheet:

I'd guess the Dual Flow Valve action can be seen in the steeper initial part of the graph.
More responsive to smaller forces, steady response to big.

This wasn't the instant gratification route - I took it due to budgetary constraints and because I like fixing stuff or getting stuff fixed.
Having experienced the fine Racecomp KW's in Bruce's car, I chose Ohlins due to Coyotes advice and Kiks example.

I'm on the lookout for Vorschlag or CS Marche camber plates or I'll get some made up with a little added caster.

NIIIICE!
Keen to hear your thoughts Benny

J