So I startest searching some of the Japanese suspension manufacturers websites last night (Tein, Tanabe, Greddy, etc) and guess what I found? Tein makes coilovers for the Leaf! I have reached out to Tein USA to check availability. If not I have lined up a few places in Japan that will ship to the US. The Street Basis product line retails for about $700-950 normally and to buy from japan would be about 1200 shipped. I bet we could get a group buy going to show Tein that there is interest in bringing the product stateside. The Street Basis coilovers should be perfect for most. It's a non-adjustable damper with a threaded body to allow ride height adjustability.
Tein Street Basis
Leaf ZE0 chassis
GSK32-11AS2
Here are few links to keep you occupied until I hear back from Tein
Good find! Thanks! The wheels on the test vehicle, are they 17" ? The wheel offset doesn't look great tho... they look too far in. I suppose the techs don't want any risk of rubbing when lowered.
I hope see some test reviews on this soon.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:06 am
by nader
I was trying to look for a tire size couldn't see anything in the video. I think they are 18". I agree that offset is totally wrong. I would almost venture to say that this car needs 19's. At least in the back. You need something to balance out those big hips. However, proper offset wheels can do a lot to the stance of the vehicle. I am trying to get a set of these on my car as soon as possible so I can start playing with wheel and tire combinations.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 1:35 am
by mxp
nader wrote:I was trying to look for a tire size couldn't see anything in the video. I think they are 18". I agree that offset is totally wrong. I would almost venture to say that this car needs 19's. At least in the back. You need something to balance out those big hips. However, proper offset wheels can do a lot to the stance of the vehicle. I am trying to get a set of these on my car as soon as possible so I can start playing with wheel and tire combinations.
So far, I still like the Pikes Peak Leaf wheel/tire stance. Anyways, I found a write-up about this product. I don't understand much of it, but I figure you would:
Good stuff! I like that wheel choice but the offset is, well... off. Can't wait to hear more about the setup.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 6:45 am
by Drivesolo
VERY NICE FIND! This just made my day. Thanks.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 5:40 pm
by DaveEV
I'm definitely interested in the Street Basis coilovers.
FWIW - I sent an email to TireRack the other day asking about wheel fitment for the LEAF. Said they need to measure a car - not sure where the car needs to be to have measurements taken, but they are in Indiana.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:16 pm
by nader
Heard back from Tein this afternoon. They have one set of coilovers for test fitment and no car. Of course I offered to loan them my car. I'll keep you posted. Not knowing a firm sales price but k owing that it should be under $1,000, I'd like to gauge interest to show them that they need to bring these to market sooner than later.
Nader
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 7:28 pm
by DaveEV
nader wrote:Heard back from Tein this afternoon. They have one set of coilovers for test fitment and no car. Of course I offered to loan them my car.
They're in Downey, right? Do they have any other offices? Should be plenty of people in the LA area who can stop by. 85 miles to their Downey office from here - would have to keep speeds below 60 mph to make it there. Fres-yes(sic) is quite a bit further away. If they'd send me some I'd be happy to test fit them in my garage.
Re: Tein "Street Basis" coilovers
Posted: Fri Aug 19, 2011 10:44 pm
by TomT
I could stop by if they need a car to work with...
drees wrote:
nader wrote:Heard back from Tein this afternoon. They have one set of coilovers for test fitment and no car. Of course I offered to loan them my car.
They're in Downey, right? Do they have any other offices? Should be plenty of people in the LA area who can stop by. 85 miles to their Downey office from here - would have to keep speeds below 60 mph to make it there. Fres-yes(sic) is quite a bit further away. If they'd send me some I'd be happy to test fit them in my garage.