So my tC's hitting the 80k mark soon, and I'll be looking to replace my stock suspension. I want the most luxurious comfortable ride available for a 1.2-1.5" or so drop. I don't do any sort of shows, autox, or racing. Simply a daily driver that looks and feels good is my goal.

I have my mind pretty much set on the Vogtland springs from what I hear of them, but have yet to see them on a tC. Anyone got any more information on them? I've spent the better part of the last two hours searching throughout the forum and Google about them.

Also, thinking of getting the Tokico blue's getting mixed results about them. The cheapest I've found so far is the front and back for about $400. This seems fair?

 

Had them installed for ~4 mo. First drop and feel much stiffer than stock. Unsure if this is the setup that I want. Handling is unbelievable, but city driving is a bear.

 

Thanks for the feedback. So you're saying the Vogtlands were much stiffer than stock, as in the ride was a lot less bouncy, or it felt rough/uncomfortable?

 

Most, if not all, aftermarket springs are going to have a higher spring rate which is going to be less comfortable than stock.

I had H-Techs on the stock struts, and the ride was very comfortable since the H-Techs are designed more for comfort. It didn't handle very well though. Adding the Tokico HPs to the H-Techs made the ride stiffer. I think I paid around 400 for mine as well. If you want comfort, keep the stock shocks if they're not blown. I hear the TRD springs are decently comfortable as well. And the handling with the TRDs is great.

 

My stock struts are pushing 80k soon, so I'm really hesitant to through aftermarket springs on them. I figure nows a good time to replace them.

The problem with the stock set up is, although the ride isn't too stiff, it's bouncy as hell which is even worse. I know any setup away from stock is going to make the ride stiffer, which I don't mind, it's out of all those springs out there that I'm trying to figure out which is the least stiff.

I'll be throwing on a rear sway bar in the future too, so how well the springs handle or not shouldn't play a role in my decision.

 

https://www.scionlife.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=180300

 

I've actually read that before starting my own thread. Lots of great information there but the problem is, most people say they are "Fantastic/Great/etc" without actually describing what they mean.

Fantastic springs for someone looking for great handling/sporty ride, or fantastic in terms of comfort?

I'm pretty set on getting them either way, along with the Tokico blues. The bounciness of stock ride is just too ridiculous.

EDIT:

I just noticed Vogtland makes struts too. Might as well get them in a combo. Although it doesn't specify the difference between their $600 and $900 package.

http://www.vogtlandsuspension.com/p1...duct_info.html

 

Hard to say. I do not even recall what my stock ride was like b/c the OEM shocks blew around $100k, then I bought some FUBAR'd TRD springs/shocks from someone off these forums that I drove around a several weeks before giving in and accepting that they were already blown when I received them. Only after getting repeatedly nauseous from all the bouncing of those shocks did I switch over to the new Vog/Tokico combo I have now.

Overall, I still find the the back end a bit bouncy on really rough roads. If you look at the drop, the front is definitely lower than the rear and it puts the car in an aggressive, nose-down stance which (while it looks pretty nice), does result in different suspension behavior between front and rear. Frankly, I think I would prefer a more even, bit higher stance between front and rear, like the TRDs offer. I am going to test drive a TRD-based Scion this week at the local dealer and see how it feels. You really have to drive these things to find out what works best, since it is all highly subjective and based on local road conditions.

In short, on the highway/flat roads these things are unbelievable. Come into the city and hit a couple beat up roads and I am cursing the rear wheel hop and lack of comfort.

I am curious to hear about the H-Techs being more geared for comfort over performance. It seem that there must be a better compromise between the stock ride and drop springs. I really feel like I traded one for the other in going with Vog+Blues. Would love to know if other combinations (H-Techs, TRDs) would offer better control and comfort on rougher roads.

 

Speedracer, thank you for that in depth reply. That's exactly what I was looking for. The roads around here are pretty damn good for the most part. I came from a 1999 civic DX, so I'm used to the stiff rides. I actually preffered that over the bouncy tC. A little bounce is okay, it's hoping all over the place from simple things like aggressive lane changes, or even slight allevation changes or entering/exiting a highway is what bugs me.

I like the H-Tech drop and heard some mixed reviews. Some swear by the Tein springs, and some absolutely hate them.

 

Okay, just committed to it and bought KYB GR2 shock set, and the Vogtland springs. Total came up to about $375 for both, new.

The KYB GR2's are basically OEM shock replacement, with slightly better specs to better handle aftermarket springs, although Vogtlands are such a conservative drop, it shouldn't really matter. I figured I should stick closer to stock in order to sustain the best ride quality.

 

The drop is perfect for me. I do not rub whatsoever. I managed to rub it once, by hitting an exit ramp at 85 while cornering sharp just to test out the performance. The ride is definitely much more responsive and a lot less body roll.

Vogtland springs seem great so far. They are stiffer than stock, obviously, but have a much better ride quality overall. They are soft, what you would expect in a German car, but stiff enough for great handling and not too much bouncy.

With that said, I think a set of Tokico Blues would of been a better option than the KYB's. I didn't realize how soft Vogtlands are, and thought the ride quality would be way too stiff with Tokico's. The KYB's still make the ride a little bouncy, but nothing compared to stock springs/shocks. I am very happy with my set up.

The shop put on the springs/shocks in 1.5 hours, and only for $100 flat. I love it Had just enough time to read 2 chapters for my Macro Economics class and they were all done!

 

A sway in no way, shape or form makes up for bad springs.

Bouncy on the stock suspension simply meant your struts were dead.

 

Good to know. Luckily the Vogtlands are as great as I imagined, and the handling is wonderful for my Daily Driving

 

excellent choice man.