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Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 17:57
by stevie_a
Ok got a dilemma, S&S now have KYB front shocks

I have been waiting 6 months for, now there here but at an increase price of £252 per pair inc vat and delivery

At that price I can get Spax KSX Top Adjustable for only £15 more from Rimmer bro.

car will have everything new on the front including up rated springs

Question :

What would you go for and why ?


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Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 19:54
by REPLIC8
I had KYB's on my TR8, I've also got them on LOG 7 X. I've been very pleased with them, they do exactly what it says on the tin. I've also got a full set waiting to go on Project Banana. Never seen the point of adjustable shocks unless your going to do track days.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 20:40
by stevie_a
Total understand that.

But at a price of £252 per pair of KYB and only £15 more for the spax

I just don't know if i can accept the KYB price, They should be cheap shocks compared to spax

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 20:40
by saabfast
Ouch!! I put KYB gas shocks on the front of mine about 2-3 years ago, only about £90 a pair then on ebay.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 20:41
by stevie_a
Yeah that's my point.

Unfortunately they have been out of stock everywhere for 8 months

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 21:48
by Steve @ SandS
stevie_a wrote:Total understand that.

But at a price of £252 per pair of KYB and only £15 more for the spax

I just don't know if i can accept the KYB price, They should be cheap shocks compared to spax


Sorry Steve, totally disagree with that. Why should the KYB's be cheaper, they are better than Spax and certainly more reliable. If you want cheap buy a set of std's at about 60 quid.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 22:10
by trsforever
Hi, I got the GAZ adjustable direct from GAZ in Kent, much cheaper than any other option even with the postage to New Zealand. I know you have to pay 20% vat above what the export price is but your postage cost is less. They were a lot cheaper than Spax or buying from Rimmer's.
Only thing is that they make them to order so might take a few weeks, mine were sent in 3 weeks after order. Look a nice unit ,well made, they have not been fitted yet but 2 people I know that have them think they are great and been adjustable helps on our more uneven roads.

Regards Scott.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 18 Jan 2017 22:24
by stevie_a
Steve @ SandS wrote:
stevie_a wrote:Total understand that.

But at a price of £252 per pair of KYB and only £15 more for the spax

I just don't know if i can accept the KYB price, They should be cheap shocks compared to spax


Sorry Steve, totally disagree with that. Why should the KYB's be cheaper, they are better than Spax and certainly more reliable. If you want cheap buy a set of std's at about 60 quid.


Ok i do understand what you say, I take back the "cheap" comment possibly unjust.

But to many they are seen as the cheaper alternative to Spax , Gaz etc.

and as people have said they only payed just over £100 a pair.

Don't get me wrong, i have heard good things about KYB, the reason i have pursued them but now they are priced up in the higher price range shocks , i just need to think and justify the price for a car that does 2000 miles a year max.

At the end of the day, i need shocks,but it is not that they are now selling for the higher price but if i am personally prepared to pay the higher price.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 00:06
by whitenviro
I had KYB Gas-Adjusts all around and found them to be harsh and jumpy. (And not adjustable) I found a pair of barely used Koni rear shocks and installed them. The difference was dramatic. Much more solid and stable at mid-adjustment range. I know Konis aren't available any more, so I'm not trying to recommend them. More saying that I didn't like the feel of the KYBs. Now I would like to find something to replace them with on the front.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 15:04
by FI Spyder
I've got KYB gas shocks on mine with standard new springs and hard black poly bushings (10 years ago now). Car handled great. I think I paid $100 US for the pair back then on sale plus shipping. In Canada we can order from UK, USA or locally (in province from Moss dealers) with shipping using courier or postal services so I check out all shipping options and choose best price/place to order from. Couriers used to be out to lunch when it came to shipping cross border (eg. $35 to Blaine, US but to get it that extra 40 miles...$167) but they have smartened up and are more competitive now. Check shipping and ancilliary costs from where ever.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 16:52
by Steve @ SandS
stevie_a wrote:
Steve @ SandS wrote:
stevie_a wrote:Total understand that.

But at a price of £252 per pair of KYB and only £15 more for the spax

I just don't know if i can accept the KYB price, They should be cheap shocks compared to spax


Sorry Steve, totally disagree with that. Why should the KYB's be cheaper, they are better than Spax and certainly more reliable. If you want cheap buy a set of std's at about 60 quid.


Ok i do understand what you say, I take back the "cheap" comment possibly unjust.

But to many they are seen as the cheaper alternative to Spax , Gaz etc.

and as people have said they only payed just over £100 a pair.

Don't get me wrong, i have heard good things about KYB, the reason i have pursued them but now they are priced up in the higher price range shocks , i just need to think and justify the price for a car that does 2000 miles a year max.

At the end of the day, i need shocks,but it is not that they are now selling for the higher price but if i am personally prepared to pay the higher price.


I understand where you are coming from mate, but please don't follow that misconception that KYB's are a cheaper alternative to Spax and others. IMO, KYB's are the better alternative and give the owner a more reliable and better performance than any of the others for the cost. Don't get me wrong Spax are a good shock but they would always be second choice for me and don't expect them to last as long and you couldn't give me a set of GAZ shocks.

Some may have paid only a £100 pair, but how long ago ? and how much were alternatives at that time. You are better buying whatever you are comfortable with cost wise.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 19:29
by stevie_a
Thanks for understanding Steve, My head is buzzing at work this week,at the weekend i will be making a decision.

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 19:34
by sonscar
My car rides on the cheapest standard front and rear dampers available over the counter from a well known supplier near Lincoln,it performs fine.or am I an easily satisfied cheapskate?PS don't answer that.Steve..

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 21:54
by busheytrader
Following the recent posts on moulded rubber items that don't last a summer, i reckon a pukka set of front shock gaiters and TCA ball joint covers is a must when replacing the shocks. Replacing them alone is 75% of the original job......

Re: Ok got a dilemma

Posted: 19 Jan 2017 22:13
by Rich K
Hi, my experience with Spax dampers has been failure of the uprated units on the front after approximately 8000 miles and rear adjustables that are very harsh on the rebound. The Spax "factory" featured on a recent episode of Car SOS and looked more like a grubby backstreet shop staffed by a few blokes cutting and welding everything by hand. Not what I would have expected. I might be doing them a disservice but that is my impression and experience. Incidently I now have KYB gas on the front end and have been very pleased with the way they perform.
Rich.