Flyin' Miata Koni Stage 1 suspension package (NB chassis)

Installed these in August and had some issues with low ride height in the front, but I realized it was probably because I have full coverage sound deadening with a foam layer and the added weight caused it to be lower. Added their spacers and it sits perfectly now! If you're on the fence between stage 1 and stage 2; go with the stage 2. I added the FM sway bars a few months later and even with worn stock end links it was a massive upgrade over the stage 1 kit!

This combination of spring rates with Koni Yellows are perfect for my street-driven NB. I did not want adjustable right height, just an install-it-and-forget-it quality replacement for my worn out Bilstein PSS9 coilovers. The ride over broken pavement is great. Set to the FM recommended 3/4 turn from full soft, the shocks are firm but not jarring. I already have FM anti-sway bars, so the car is flat in the corners with the springs and shocks controlling body movement very well. The instructions are top-notch. Clear and concise. Read them, they make the installation a breeze.

So I complained a bit about the shoddy instructions. But I didn't get to comment on the product. They are awesome. Install twenty well. Be careful not to bind up any bolts when removing. Some times you have to take the weight off to get a bolt out or either add more weight to get a bolt out. That was my only issue that could have been a larger issue.

Awesome product. Instructions provided are just junk garbage. Would it be so hard to make some proper instructions? Step by step?

Note from FM: We're sorry you feel that way, M. Our intention is for the instructions to be a supplement to the factory shop manual, as the process is 98% identical, but you're right that more comprehensive directions would be better. We'll get that on the list, thanks for your feedback.

I will start by saying this is a daily driver for me, lots of autocross, no track. I was looking for something comfortable and compliant on bumps (living in the city, potholes suck!) that would also give a sportier ride and look (my NB2 on 15's looked like a miniature monster truck). This was the first and only mod I had done on the car (aside from some 15x8 lightweight wheels), so I can say I can give an accurate review on just the suspension kit itself.

Looks - 10/10
Let's start with the aesthetics, because let's be honest I really just wanted to lower my car :) It looks fantastic! I park next to my buddy's stock NB, and the height difference is pretty noticeable. Especially with my +25mm offset wheels and 205 tires, with FM's recommended alignment, the fitment is dare I say perfect. Not slammed, but totally reasonable and just looks gorgeous. The rear sits a tiny bit higher (1/4"-1/2" maybe), and I could honestly go for a slight lowering in the rear, but that's hardly a complaint. It looks natural, plus the extra rear suspension travel is a plus. Looks are subjective, but I give them a perfect score for what they are.

Ride quality - 9/10
Let's just say my dad was barely able to discern before vs after. That is a good thing, he is an old man and does not like harsh rides :) Given the 1" drop, the ride handles superb, and soaks up bumps very well. It is hard to compare against stock, because the stock suspension soaks up bumps like a cloud. With this suspension setup you will definitely feel an increase in ride harshness, but it is still very soft and the Koni Sports do an amazing job making the ride smooth. A bonus is the adjustable dampening, or compression, I forget which. I set it to stiff for autocross and soft on the streets, and there is a noticeable difference. If stock ride quality is 10/10, these are an 9/10, if only because there is a noticeable increase in stiffness compared to stock, but it is dang near as soft and smooth. If you want a lowered Miata, but don't want to spend big boy coilover money, get these - I almost guarantee they handle better than any cheap coilover.

Handling Performance - 8/10
People race their Miata's with stock suspension all the time. This is definitely an upgrade from that. If a stock Miata is a 5/10, this is a solid 8. It is not a perfect score because this is the category where the baller suspension setups outcompete this suspension kit. I will be honest, I did not notice that much of a difference in handling performance until I added a front sway bar. That was the cherry on top, and now I feel like I have a perfectly balanced, sporty, lowered Miata, that not only handles amazingly well, on rails, and direct.

Quality / Craftsmanship - 10/10
Sorry FM, I did not buy this from you directly, I got it used from someone. But the kit is so good I thought I would leave a review :) It has held up amazingly well, and throughout the 20k+ miles I've put on it, they still perform and look brand new. The adjustment knobs for the shocks still turn easily, and have had no issues stripping or damaging any part of the shock or adjustment assembly (and I adjust them frequently). Looking to get many more years out of this setup, and I expect it will last as long, Koni is an amazing company and even offers a lifetime warranty, that just speaks for the quality. Everything was included in the kit to get you lowered and on the road, no stops to the hardware store or anything like that!

Overall - 10/10 or 5 stars
I just love this suspension kit. Highly recommend pairing it with their sway bars if you are on the fence about it, because that reallly complements the springs & shocks. One big thing for me is the idea of "set it and forget it". I am a total mechanical noob, and although I installed the suspension with the help of the buddy, did not want to have to adjust anything - I like just knowing its there doing it's job, and I don't have to ever mess with it again. If you are a street car, weekend car, even occasional autocrosser, 100% get these. If you track your car more than you street it, probably want something a little more track-oriented - not to say these can't handle track days, but you'll want coilovers so you can corner weight the car, have adjustable lowering, run stiffer springs, etc etc.