Gaz coilovers

[Temujin]

I know I know, should probably just go with meister’s but gaz are a British company afaik and I’d like to support local if possible.

Anyone got any experience? A cursory search just brought up people called gaz on the forum haha.

 

[SullyKP]

What about HSDs?

 

[Myocardial Infarction]

I know I know, should probably just go with meister’s but gaz are a British company afaik and I’d like to support local if possible.

Anyone got any experience? A cursory search just brought up people called gaz on the forum haha.

Meister R Ltd is a British company as much as Gazzmatic International Ltd is. Owners of both are UK based AFAIK.

Last I understood Meister built their units in the UK, but like many, manufacturing of components is done worldwide. Doubt Gaz are any different having read their website, but not really heard much about them. Their Gaz coilover price is a little lower than the ZetaCRD's, which would indicate that they likely use a similar model to Meister.

 

[Temujin]

What about HSDs?

Nah, heard plenty of complaints about them. I likely would go with meister, but GAZ have a good rep in the mini world so wondered whether anyone had tried them on the 7.
But like all things like this there will be lots of praise singing and lots of poop slinging when asking about user experience.

 

[Temujin]

Meister R Ltd is a British company as much as Gazzmatic International Ltd is. Owners of both are UK based AFAIK.

Last I understood Meister built their units in the UK, but like many, manufacturing of components is done worldwide. Doubt Gaz are any different having read their website, but not really heard much about them. Their Gaz coilover price is a little lower than the ZetaCRD's, which would indicate that they likely use a similar model to Meister.

Oh okay, you went deeper than i did on the research front haha.

 

[JonFD]

Yeh Meister are a UK brand, I've run them on previous (non Rx7) cars. That was when they were a new brand and Jerrick was pretty much always available for a phone call.

They used to source the shock tubes from taiwan, like BC and alot of the others, but Jerrick was going on about how they get the 'straightest' tubing.

As far as I know they don't match shocks, or dyno test, and no idea where the sprigs are sourced.

They were ok, pretty soft for the spring rate, and the damper adjustments needed a good 10 clicks to do anything at all, 32 way adjustment may as well have been 3 etc..


I've always put them in the same bag as BC racing, HSD etc.

From what i've seen of GAZ, they usually make stuff for old uk cars, or what look like really old stuff on classic cars at goodwood - Just what I've noticed and associated them with lol.


I got Fortune auto 500's with swift springs on that car after the Meisters, was an unbelievable upgrade. I'd rate fortune as good as the Ohlins I have now, both digressive flow blah blah. The swift springs on the fortunes were a better ride than what these olins come with too.

 

[JonFD]

Also fortune auto used to have an order form that you gave them a few car specs and they'd come back to you with recommend spring rates too.

 

[Temujin]

Yeh Meister are a UK brand, I've run them on previous (non Rx7) cars. That was when they were a new brand and Jerrick was pretty much always available for a phone call.

They used to source the shock tubes from taiwan, like BC and alot of the others, but Jerrick was going on about how they get the 'straightest' tubing.

As far as I know they don't match shocks, or dyno test, and no idea where the sprigs are sourced.

They were ok, pretty soft for the spring rate, and the damper adjustments needed a good 10 clicks to do anything at all, 32 way adjustment may as well have been 3 etc..


I've always put them in the same bag as BC racing, HSD etc.

From what i've seen of GAZ, they usually make stuff for old uk cars, or what look like really old stuff on classic cars at goodwood - Just what I've noticed and associated them with lol.


I got Fortune auto 500's with swift springs on that car after the Meisters, was an unbelievable upgrade. I'd rate fortune as good as the Ohlins I have now, both digressive flow blah blah. The swift springs on the fortunes were a better ride than what these olins come with too.

Great response, hadn't really heard of/considered them actually! Will have a look

 

[JonFD]

Nah, heard plenty of complaints about them. I likely would go with meister, but GAZ have a good rep in the mini world so wondered whether anyone had tried them on the 7.
But like all things like this there will be lots of praise singing and lots of poop slinging when asking about user experience.

Also, classic minis are crazy lol, my brother has a 1275 GT thing, and I don't care what you put on it, they just feel sketchy AF all day lol. All of it is worlds from an fd, or even and FB underneath.

Plus there really aren't many options for them either.

 

[Temujin]

Also, classic minis are crazy lol, my brother has a 1275 GT thing, and I don't care what you put on it, they just feel sketchy AF all day lol. All of it is worlds from an fd, or even and FB underneath.

Plus there really aren't many options for them either.

Yeah, love em! or at least I did 20 years ago, now I'd probably be a bit more apprehensive

 

[SullyKP]

Nah, heard plenty of complaints about them. I likely would go with meister, but GAZ have a good rep in the mini world so wondered whether anyone had tried them on the 7.
But like all things like this there will be lots of praise singing and lots of poop slinging when asking about user experience.

Be interested to hear negatives around HSDs.

Ive used them on several different track orientated cars and never had a problem.

Suppose it depends how hard you want the ride to be if driving on the road.

Whats yours mostly used for?

 

[Temujin]

Be interested to hear negatives around HSDs.

Ive used them on several different track orientated cars and never had a problem.

Suppose it depends how hard you want the ride to be if driving on the road.

Whats yours mostly used for?

Just heard that HSD are unnecessarily crashy, not that I have ever tried them I think.
Car will generally only be used for road driving and I have old man back so don't really want to be shaken to pieces.
I suppose compliancy is my requirement but an improvement in handling is also important.

 

[Francob]

Just heard that HSD are unnecessarily crashy, not that I have ever tried them I think.
Car will generally only be used for road driving and I have old man back so don't really want to be shaken to pieces.
I suppose compliancy is my requirement but an improvement in handling is also important.

My car came with HSDs and were a bit crashy but to be fair they were like 9+ years old. I’ve moved to Ohlins now and as you would expect night and day difference.

It is a considerable price hike between the two though.

 

[SullyKP]

Can someone describe what is meant by "crashy" please? lol

My HSDs are old but not stupid hard on the road. I'll be seeing how they work on track next month but they are definitely on the list to replace or upgrade at some point.

Dont know if my pockets are deep enough for Ohlins with everything else that "needs" doing. And Fortune units are just as expensive!!!

 

[JonFD]

Can someone describe what is meant by "crashy" please? lol

My HSDs are old but not stupid hard on the road. I'll be seeing how they work on track next month but they are definitely on the list to replace or upgrade at some point.

Dont know if my pockets are deep enough for Ohlins with everything else that "needs" doing. And Fortune units are just as expensive!!!

Like feeling like an actual go kart lol.

I didn't find the meisters 'crashy' as they had a fairly low spring rate, but I bet if they were upped a bit the dampers wouldn't be able to keep up the way ohlins do. Then you get a bounce, and a delayed damping, so feels unnecessarily harsh.

There's a few good damper dyno tests on youtube, Pretty scary how bad/ literally do nothing in the damping department some cheapo brand are.


TBH for a mid price point between Meister r etc and ohlins, and actually getting a decent product, a set of good shocks and springs seem like the only other option ( no idea what's available Rx7 wise, but in BMW land there's loads before you hit Ohlins/KW money)