What are Coilovers? | Revv.ly Car Culture Glossary

What are Coilovers?

The first time you drive a car on properly set-up coilovers, something clicks. The steering responds with newfound precision. The chassis feels connected to the road surface in a way the factory suspension never managed. Corners that once required hope and momentum now flow with confidence. This is what adjustability and quality engineering feel like.
Coilovers--coil springs over shock absorbers in a single integrated unit--represent the most popular suspension upgrade in enthusiast circles, and for good reason. They offer what stock suspension cannot: fine-tuned control over both ride height and damping characteristics, tailored to your specific car, driving style, and use case.

The Anatomy

A quality coilover consists of several integrated components:
The Damper -- The shock absorber itself, containing oil and valving that controls suspension movement. Better units offer adjustable damping--sometimes for both compression and rebound, sometimes combined. This is where money separates bargain coilovers from serious equipment.
The Spring -- Wrapped around the damper body, the spring rate determines initial stiffness. Rates are measured in kg/mm or lbs/inch. Higher rates mean firmer suspension but also harsher ride quality over imperfect surfaces. The trick is finding the balance point for your application.
Adjustable Perches -- Threaded collars that allow height adjustment. Unlike cutting springs (never do this), coilover perches maintain proper spring preload while changing ride height. This is the "ride height adjustability" that makes coilovers so appealing.
Top Mounts -- The upper attachment point. Some coilovers use factory mounts; better ones include purpose-built options. Adjustable camber plates integrated into top mounts allow alignment changes beyond factory specifications.

The Tiers

Not all coilovers are created equal. The market spans from barely acceptable to unobtainium:
Budget ($400-800) -- Racelands, Godspeed, some Tein Street series. Functional for basic lowering and show stance. Limited adjustability, questionable longevity, non-rebuildable. Fine for what they are, but understand what they are.
Mid-Range ($1,000-2,000) -- BC Racing, Fortune Auto 500, KW V2, Bilstein B16. Genuine performance improvements over stock. Adjustable damping. Reasonable build quality. The sweet spot for most enthusiasts.
High-End ($2,500-5,000) -- Ohlins DFV, KW V3, HKS Hipermax, JRZ. Sophisticated valving. Remote reservoirs available. Rebuildable. Noticeable improvements in control and feel over mid-range options. Track-day confidence.
Pro-Level ($5,000+) -- Moton, Penske, MCS, Ohlins TTX. Race-proven designs. Fully customizable valving. Multi-way adjustability. Built for competition use where suspension performance is worth more than the car beneath it.

Setting Up Properly

Coilovers without proper setup are wasted potential. The process matters:
Corner Balancing -- Adjusting ride height at each corner to equalize diagonal weight distribution. Essential for track use, beneficial for any performance driving.
Alignment -- Lowered suspension changes geometry. Proper alignment after installation is mandatory, not optional. This is where camber and toe specifications get dialed in.
Damping Adjustment -- Start at manufacturer recommendations, then adjust based on feel. Softer settings improve comfort; stiffer improves body control but reduces compliance over bumps. The ideal setting depends on road surface and driving style.
Spring Rate Selection -- Many coilovers allow spring changes. If your roads are rough and your driving spirited rather than competitive, slightly softer rates than "full track" specifications often work better.

The Real-World Feel

Properly set-up coilovers transform driving experience. Turn-in becomes sharper. Body roll reduces. The connection between steering input and vehicle response tightens. On track, confidence increases as the car behaves predictably through corner sequences.
But there's a trade-off. Stiffer suspension transmits more road imperfection. What feels brilliant on smooth pavement can feel punishing on broken surfaces. The best setups acknowledge this reality rather than pretending you can have track performance and luxury ride quality simultaneously.
The Revvly community is full of suspension enthusiasts comparing setups, sharing settings, and helping newcomers navigate the coilover marketplace.
Related: Static, Air Ride, Camber Plates, Struts
Popular Platforms for Coilovers: Mazda MX-5, Nissan 350Z, BMW E36 M3