2024 Raceland Coilovers Review – Are They Actually Any Good?
Raceland is a company that gets a lot of controversy about their parts, particularly their coilovers. While some people swear by them, others say they are absolute trash. The main reason for this is the extremely low price, which far undercuts most other coilovers on the market. So, what really is the truth?
The truth is that Raceland coilovers make cheap coilovers designed for street use, and you have to be realistic with what to expect at their price level. With that said, the majority of people that have run them have been happy with them, reporting a relatively decent ride for the money and that they last a decent amount of time, some saying even up to 120,000 kms (80,000 miles).
Let’s take a closer look into the Raceland brand and see how they make these coilovers so cheap.
About Raceland (The Company)
Raceland’s whole idea is to cut out the middlemen and sell their coilovers direct to consumer. They believe that by doing it this way, they significantly reduce the price to the consumer, which is why their coilovers are so cheap.
Everything I’ve read about the company itself has been positive. They offer excellent service with very fast response times and will sort any issue you may have with your coilover kit.
They offer excellent customer service from quickly answering technical questions to dealing with any issues with their parts.
They offer a 30 day satisfaction guarantee so if you are not happy with the coilovers for any reason, you can send them back for a full refund.
They also offer a “Lifetime Warranty” on all their suspension, so if there are any manufacturer defects which cause something to break of fail, they will replace the parts or refund your money.
Scouring forums discussing Raceland, they definitely seem to honour their guarantees and prioritize good customer service, which is a great thing to see and establishes trust in the company itself. From this perspective, I can’t find any fault with them.
They also offer very fast shipping, shipping same day if ordered by 2pm, otherwise next day. Shipping is free to the lower 48 states of America.
Raceland Coilovers Review
The Raceland Coilovers attracted a lot of attention when they first came onto the market because they were being sold for as low as $260, which seems crazy. This had a lot of people naturally doubting how good these coilovers could be, despite the fact that Raceland say this is because they cut out middlemen – it still didn’t add up.
However, feedback from people that actually bought and ran the coilovers was all pretty positive. I did quite a bit of digging and struggled to find anyone who reported any actual issue with the coilovers. This is in contrast with some other budget brands that have numerous reports of their coilovers failing and causing serious damage and potentially life threatening situations.
Yes, they don’t ride as well as some of the best coilovers out there, which is to be expected. And yes, they probably won’t last as long either. But you have to remember that you are buying cheap coilovers here.
Raceland on their own website state that their coilovers are designed for street use and not made for the track, so you should know what to expect when buying these coilovers.
Be that as it may, it seems like they do a pretty decent job for what they are intended for – lowering your car for a cheap price if you are willing to sacrifice a bit of ride quality. I read a funny quote on one of the forums that I thought summed it up well – “They’re like the Ramen Noodles of coilovers; cheap and get the job done”.
Raceland coilovers actually come in 3 models, so I’ll cover them in detail now and what the differences are.
Raceland Classic Coilovers
Raceland Classics are the entry-level option which will allow you to drop your car up to 3 inches (75mm) and according to Raceland “are designed to be as close to a factory ride quality as we can while still giving vehicle owners the ability to achieve a modest drop.”
Now, while I’m sure that there’s some artistic license to the “factory ride quality” statement, these coilovers have been used now for over a decade and are still a popular choice for people looking for cheap coilovers, so they must be doing something right.
Raceland also state that these have the softest and most forgiving spring and shock rates of all their coilover options and are a good choice for those looking for a mild drop and want to retain a comfortable ride.
So if you just want to lower your car and all you care about is the price, these are probably for you.
Raceland Ultimo Coilovers
Raceland Ultimos are the mid-tier option and are designed to go lower than the classics, being able to lower your car by up to 4 inches (100mm). They also have shortened shocks and 15% stiffer and stronger springs.
They are primarily designed for people looking to really slam their car and go as low as possible, as well as those who want better performance with a stiffer spring and shock combo.
Keep in mind that due to the shorter shocks, you won’t be able to raise them to factory ride height, as they will drop your car by 2 inches (50mm) at their highest setting.
Raceland Primo Coilovers
Raceland Primos are the top of the line option and introduce adjustable dampening, which is done by twisting the knob at the top of the shocks.
They also feature increased thread size which makes adjusting your ride height a lot faster, and reduces the chances of the collars seizing in harsher weather or if the threads haven’t been protected.
The Raceland Primos give you the most adjustability and fine tuning, so if you want to be able to set your suspension up just how you want it, these are for you.
So, Should You Get Raceland Coilovers?
It depends on what you are looking for.
If you just want to lower the car you drive on the street, and you are on a budget, then Raceland coilovers will get the job done, according to the many people who have used them.
If you are looking for a good quality ride and want good suspension that you know will last, and you can be sure will be able to handle track days, I would probably look elsewhere.
There are a number of good coilovers kits for daily driving available under $1000 that I would personally sooner purchase than Racelands.
However, I also like to track my cars and seeing as though Raceland has specifically said that their coilovers are not designed for the track, they obviously wouldn’t suit my needs.
I do however like the fact that Raceland as a company are doing a great job of looking after their customers and are filling in a gap in the market where there is clearly a need – a lot of people want cheap coilovers. And they seem to be doing a good job of that.
Pros
- Unbelievably cheap
- Great customer service
- Lifetime warranty
- 30 day satisfaction guarantee
- Good feedback from the many people that have bought these coilovers
- Have been around for over 10 years
- Quick shipping (same or next day)
- Buy direct from Raceland – No middlemen.
Cons
- Not really suitable for track use (though some people have used them on the track and say they have been fine)
- Not the greatest ride
- Not dampening adjustable unless you get the Primos
- Classics reported to be on the softer side, especially for track use
What I Would Recommend Instead
If you are looking for coilovers in this price range, I would highly recommend checking out Riaction Coilovers.
Riaction coilovers are some of the best value for money coilovers you are going to get, especially at around $1000.
These coilovers are designed for both street and performance, and are highly customizable and even upgradeable.
To read about these coilovers in depth, check out my Riaction coilovers review here.
These are slightly more expensive than the Racelands but are miles apart in terms of quality and performance. I would not think twice about spending the extra cash to buy the Riactions instead.
Some FAQ Regarding Raceland Coilovers
Where Are Raceland Coilovers Made?
All Raceland coilovers are made in China including the Classic, Ultimo and Primo coilover kits.
Are Raceland coilovers legit?
Raceland coilovers are legit in the sense that they are made by the company Raceland. The coilovers themselves have good reviews from people who bought them, and do what they say they are going to do – lower your car for a low price. So yes, Raceland coilovers are legit.
Are Raceland Coilovers Bad?
According to most of the people who have bought them and left reviews online, no they are not bad. In fact, all of them have been happy with the coilovers and reported that they were great for the price.
Do Raceland Coilovers Improve Ride Quality?
Raceland coilovers don’t improve ride quality over factory suspension. They are reported to be a little bouncy and don’t absorb bumps the greatest. If you are looking for a high quality ride from your coilovers, you should consider a different coilover kit.
How Low Do Raceland Coilovers Go?
Raceland Classics will lower your car 1-3 inches (25-75mm), and the Ultimos and Primos will lower your car 2-4 inches (50-100mm).
How Long Do Raceland Coilovers Last?
This one is a bit of a roll of the dice, as people who ran Raceland coilovers reported that they lasted anywhere from less than a year to up to 80,000 miles (120,000 kms). As they are a cheaper coilover, don’t bet on them lasting too long, but if they do, count yourself lucky.
Where Is Raceland Located?
Raceland the company are located in Bluffdale, Utah. The coilovers themselves are made in China.
Are Raceland Classic Coilovers Fully Adjustable?
No, Raceland Classic coilovers only allow you to adjust the height, you cannot adjust the dampening settings on the Raceland Classic. The Raceland Primos are height and dampening adjustable.
Cars owned: Mk2 Golf with 1.8T swap, BMW E28 with M30B35 swap, BMW E36 328I Mtech, BMW 750IL, Nissan 300ZX, Honda Civic EF
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