TEIN Coilovers have gone through changes over the past few years, with TEIN redesigning their full line of coilovers to be more competitive in price and features yet retain the quality and performance that TEIN has been known for.
TEIN had three main coilover lines that they sold, each at a different price point and each with different features, specs and intended use. These were the TEIN Basic Coilovers, TEIN Street Advance Coilovers and TEIN Street Flex. In order to be competitive with competitors releasing coilovers that were at a lower price point, TEIN knew they had to move production from Japan to other countries such as China. TEIN not only moved production out of the country but they also redesigned the shock to be a sealed unit rather than a rebuildable unit. This made it so if the shock was worn, it would need to be replaced rather than repaired. For the most part, this isn’t a big concern, because for the cost to rebuild a shock, you could just replace it with a new one, and that’s the route TEIN took. Their newly revised pillar coilovers were slightly renamed to TEIN Basis Z Coilovers, TEIN Street Advance Z Coilovers, and the still built in Japan TEIN Street Flex Z Coilovers. Below, I’ll go into the differences between each one so you can decide which is right for you.
TEIN Basis Z Coilovers are TEIN’s entry level coilover. Coming at the lowest price point makes this the most popular coilover, but it’s also the one with the least amount of features. Designed to be used by those who are more after a suspension that has new shocks and adjustable height springs but don’t need camber adjustment or damper adjustment. These require that you reuse your OEM top hats. TEIN includes 4 pre-adjusted twin tube shocks that are designed to take the abuse of a lowered vehicle and offer enough shock travel to give you a good price and longer range of performance for the shock. This means that typically this setup would ride more comfortable than a car with OEM shocks and lowering springs. Given that (depending on the application) you can adjust the coilovers from about 0″ of drop to about 5″ max drop, you can really set the car to your liking.
TEIN Street Advance Z Coilovers
The TEIN Street Advance Z Coilovers one up the Basis Z by giving you 16 way adjustable shocks. Still not including top mounts, these coilovers allow you to fine tune the suspension from soft to firm and anywhere in between.
This line also allows the use of an EDFC system which gives you the ability to adjust the damping from the cockpit and not manually. The TEIN EDFC system really comes in handy to make on the fly adjustments and feel the changes real time to really dial in the suspension to your preference.
As their most popular top-of-the-line coilover, the TEIN Flex Z Coilovers are still made in Yokohama Japan and are a true JDM coilover system packed with all of TEIN’s technology. This system incorporates the 16 way adjustable twin tube shocks and includes TEIN top mounts. TEIN pre-assembles these (though check pre-load before installing), so these are easier to install since you don’t have to disassemble your factory shock and spring to remove the top mount. Many applications, depending on suspension design, also include front camber plates to give you a full race suspension with plenty of adjustability for anything from the occasional weekend track enthusiast to competition use.
So which TEIN Coilovers are right for you?
Once you decide which coilovers you prefer, check out the Redline360 Store for all of the available applications. Our site has the spring rate and height adjustment range for each part number to help you decide which is right for you. If you’re still not sure, you can ask for recommendations below in the comments. Be sure to state the year, make and model of your vehicle plus the kind of driving you do.
If we missed anything, please comment below!
hi, can you confirm me if the tein street flex are rebuildable
thanx
joni mez
Hey Joni!
The Tein “Z” line is all non rebuildable. The old non “Z” line used to be. However, the Flex Z is the only one that’s made in Japan out of the Basis Z and Street Advance Z.
Also, a replacement shock is around the same cost as rebuilding (maybe a bit more), so it made more sense to just have customers replace a worn shock instead of getting it rebuilt.
Unfamiliar with spring rates, which would be a better option for a daily driven car? Maybe the occasional track day and spirited driving down curvy roads. Car is a 2004 Honda Accord sedan.
If you are looking for something you can adjust the dampening on (firmness), you would need the TEIN Street Advance Z. If you’re not, the Basis would be about the same, just not adjustable dampening. The TEIN Flex Z coilovers would be for those who want performance over comfort. So for you I’d recommend the TEIN Street Advance Z as a good middle ground with adjustability.
Hey, I have a 2016 Honda Accord and I’m wondering whether I should get the Street Advance Z or the Flex Z. The car is my daily driver and will never be put on a track. My big question is whether or not I need all the bells and whistles that the Flex Z has to offer? I primarily want coilovers to lower my car but I do not want to sacrifice the ride quality.
It’s really personal preference. Also, the Flex Z has better build quality than the Street Advance Z since they are made in different places. Personally, for something you’d have for many years, I would invest the extra bit and have the Flex Z coilovers.
hi
i want to lower my miata na and still to drive in comfort
im a dayly driver
what tein shoud i buy ?
tnx
If you are looking for something simple to lower the car, replace the shocks and give you a more performance oriented ride, you can’t go wrong with the Basis Z. Here’s a link to the TEIN Basis Z for the Mazda Miata
I am currently driving a civic 1.5 turbo. I m not sure about the difference between flexZ adjustable coilovers and enduro pro plus absorbers, which one will provide a better comfort yet can be stiff when needed? Thank u
Is the Tein flex z mainly for cars that goes on track or can it be use on a daily driving car?
You can definitely use the TEIN Flex Z Coilovers on the street. They are a more track focused set up, but can still be used on a daily driver, and a lot of our customers (most of our customers actually), daily drive their cars and have these coilovers.
Hi,
I own a Forester XT 2006 and will change my dampins setup from oem to Tein EnduraPro Plus or to Rein Flex-Z.
Besides the fact Flex-Z are coil-overs is there any differnce from hydraulic point of view ?
Are both managing Low spped compressionn mid-speed compression and ligh speed compression with same internals ?
It is quite strange to me since EnduraPro Plus ssem even more complete since it includes HBS mechanism…
I am looking for the most refined suspension from both since it shouls allow to be firm and “confortable” and same time.
Hi, can i know the spring rates for both basic and advance flex? Thanks
We have them listed on our site for each application. Click above to see the listings.
I’m asking between the flex and the basis. The numbers listed here says that the basis goes lower than the flex, but why am I reading elsewhere online that flex offers a lower height?
It really all varies on the car they are designed for. Some suspension designs allow it to lower more than others. Check our listings to see, they have accurate ranges.
I have a toyota celica 1.8 vvti 03 module it has tein Street advanced coilover suspension and I have snapped a front spring could anyone advise me on what replacement spring I need to get there’s different types on ebay?
Thanks
Do NA miatas flex z coilovers come with adjustable camber plates?
What advantages does the Flex Z have over the Advance when using the EDFC system? I’m not planning to track my car but like the ability to push buttons to adjust on the fly.
Follow-up. I have a 08 civic si with k24a etc….
I currently own a 2006 scion xb and am needing a better quality ride than this offered after 200,000 miles. I do a lot of daily driving, as I’m in sales and marketing, and also am tuning this vehicle to become my toy. Which suspension offers not so much lowering, as I’m in search of comfort over ride height?
I have a 2011 acura tl… i couldn’t find a flex z for my car… do they make it. I want it lowered with a as close to stock ride and softness. What would work the best?
2017 Honda Accord 9th Gen daily driver looking for “highway & a little street racing performance” but don’t want to sacrifice on ride quality. Been trying to do research for months and it’s stressful as shit. Would you recommend Flex Z or Street Advanced Z?
I have a 2008 Honda Accord sedan 4 cylinder. I recently put rims on my accord and I’m looking to improve the aesthetic a little more by lowering the suspension and cutting down on that wheel gap. I still want a comfortable ride as well. I was looking at the street advance z, would that fit on my car and help get what I’m looking for?
Hi I have an acura tsx 2004, what would you suggest to get besides the basic
96 300zx , 5 speed manual, base t-top , I want to know what is the best Tein coilovers for me , 20×8.5 front, 20×10 rear 225 35 front 245 35 rear , I do plan on lowering the car after wheels are on , just looking for the best ride quality period , that’s for every day driving , up to 500miles traveling, street bumps , interstate etc , what tein would be best ?
want to have honda prelude lifted a bit more or stock hight what whould be the best