GAZ, ST or Bilstein for Maxi Kombi?

hungry monkey · Post by **hungry monkey** » Mon Oct 08, 2018 4:24 pm

Looking to drop my Maxi Kombi, but unsure how 'cheap' I should go...

Cheapest I'd go is probably GAZ from Vanstyle at £500 https://www.vanstyle.co.uk/van/caddy-he ... -6695.html

Next up is the ST kit from Darkside at £525 https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ ... g-kit.html

Then the 'Gucci' option is the Bilsten kit from Darkside for £900 https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ ... g-kit.html

Does spending almost double on Bilstein get me a) double the performance and/or b) double the reliability?

I know they all say not for Maxi's, but from what I understand that's because of max load ratings? Mine is generally run without rear seats, and only ever really carries mountain bikes - 60kg load at most... That's ok, right? When i spoke to Darkside last year about it, they seemed to think so.

I'll need new top mounts also i guess...

How easy a job is it to DIY, without my own ramps or owt?

Bennyboi3 · Post by **Bennyboi3** » Mon Oct 08, 2018 11:08 pm

Dont forget darkside is plus vat!

hungry monkey · Post by **hungry monkey** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 12:33 pm

uuuuuugh... might avoid the Bilsteins in that case!

Joeski · Post by **Joeski** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 3:13 pm

yep don't forget the Vat!!

I went with KW for my caddy, was amazed (as was the mechanic) with the quality of the items and plushness of the ride for the price paid. For the next week I kept forgetting it had been lowered because the ride was so smooth, really surprised.

Can't speak for lasting quality, but these have been on for over 12 months and covered around 15k and look/feel as good as the day i had them fitted...and I live in a city FULL of speed bumps and potholes. German made, from the same factory that produce real high-end kit so I have no reason to believe they'll fail any time soon.

So yeah....you probably guessed they get my vote

Mikehodge11 · Post by **Mikehodge11** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 5:23 pm

Really interested in this feed, I have exactly the same predicament right now. Swaying towards the st kit even with the vat!

torque777 · Post by **torque777** » Tue Oct 09, 2018 9:24 pm

I fitted vmaxx to my maxi life and regretted it, was way too soft I now run spax rsx front coilovers and gaz rear dampers with darkside rear lowering kit, I like the fact you can adjust the firmness to suit your driving.. Gaz have been on three years but needed servicing after two, but that's the best thing as they are not a throw away item.. Spax are brilliant and still feel as good today as they did 30k ago when new, still look good too and the adjustment knob is on bottom so really easy to adjust

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Ricksy1121 · Post by **Ricksy1121** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:25 am

The st kit is a sub brand of kw and this shows in quality, Iv had mine on coming up a year and still feel spot on.

Ricksy1121 · Post by **Ricksy1121** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:28 am

Ricksy1121 wrote: ↑Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:25 am The st kit is a sub brand of kw and this shows in quality, Iv had mine on coming up a year and still feel spot on.

Not had any of the others to compare them to but I’m happy with st.

JD2k · Post by **JD2k** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 12:07 pm

I've just bought the ST kit after looking through reviews on here, should be around £250 to fit and then new top mounts needed as well.

hungry monkey · Post by **hungry monkey** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 1:53 pm

Thanks all

anyone got a link to the relevant KW kit? If ST is basically KW, i guess that might not be a bad shout...

fair to assume then that self-fitting isn't super easy? i've a couple of mates who can wield a spanner!

JD2k · Post by **JD2k** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:45 pm

https://www.awesomegti.com/shop-by-car/ ... lover+Kits

https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ ... on=product

JD2k · Post by **JD2k** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 2:47 pm

I had quotes both from Darkside and Awesome Gti, both said the van will be in for the whole day to have the kit fitted so I reckon a good 4-5 hour job

hungry monkey · Post by **hungry monkey** » Wed Oct 10, 2018 6:38 pm

JD2k wrote:I had quotes both from Darkside and Awesome Gti, both said the van will be in for the whole day to have the kit fitted so I reckon a good 4-5 hour job

Cool - guess I'll try to find the one closest to Bristol!

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Joeski · Post by **Joeski** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 11:03 am

https://www.darksidedevelopments.co.uk/ ... g-kit.html

This is the one you want and you might as well go for new top mounts whilst you're at it.

The only difference with the ST compared to KW's higher spec kits is the type of steel they've used I believe. Structurally exactly the same but more prone to rust when exposed to the elements, so keep them clean and in theory they'll last

Hudson97 · Post by **Hudson97** » Tue Oct 16, 2018 1:14 pm

I took mine to Darkside and got the ST X kit fitted, dropped it off at 8am and it was done by half 11. Feels spot on. It still could go lower, they said they just set it to what they normally put it at on caddy’s, so not sure how much lower it is. Would definitely recommend

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GAZ, ST or Bilstein for Maxi Kombi?

GAZ, ST or Bilstein for Maxi Kombi?

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