Spoon Sports is a well-respected name in the automotive world, particularly among Honda enthusiasts. Renowned for their performance-oriented car parts, Spoon has cultivated an image of quality and exclusivity. But does this reputation always justify the price tag? This article delves into the cost-effectiveness of Spoon Car Parts, focusing on a personal experience with Spoon lowering springs for a Honda CR-Z and a surprising discovery about their true value.
The Initial Upgrade to Spoon Springs
Seeking to enhance the handling of my Honda CR-Z, I decided to upgrade the suspension. Wanting stiffer springs to improve cornering, especially rear springs to aid in rotation, I turned to Spoon Sports. They were one of the few brands listing spring rates for OE-style dampers for my car, and their specifications seemed to align perfectly with my needs. I installed the Spoon springs, and initially, they felt like a decent improvement.
The Discovery – RS-R Springs Similarity
The story takes an interesting turn when a conversation with a friend about RS-R lowering springs for a different car sparked further investigation. Out of curiosity, I looked up RS-R lowering springs for the Honda CR-Z. The design looked remarkably familiar.
Comparing Spring Rates and Specs
Intrigued by the visual similarity, I decided to compare the spring rates listed on the respective websites for both Spoon and RS-R lowering springs. The specifications were strikingly similar.
The Spoon Sports website listed spring rates of 2.5kg/mm for the front and 4kg/mm for the rear, with a 20-25mm drop in ride height for both axles.
Comparing this to the RS-R Down Sus springs, the rates are virtually identical: 2.48kg/mm front and 3.87kg/mm rear, with the same 20-25mm drop. It appears Spoon likely rounded up their figures. The near-identical specifications strongly suggest these are the same springs with different branding.
The Price Discrepancy
The crucial question then becomes: what is the price difference between these seemingly identical car parts? Looking at retail prices, the RS-R lowering springs are significantly more affordable.
RS-R offers their springs for around $250, a reasonable price for aftermarket lowering springs. Now, consider the cost of Spoon Sports USA’s offering.
Spoon springs are priced at approximately $500 – double the cost for what appears to be the same product, albeit with a different color and brand name. It’s worth noting the Spoon USA website screenshot shows a likely typo in spring rates (2.3kg front and 2.4kg rear), which contradicts the Japanese site and real-world experience. Having previously used HPD springs (2.6kg front, 2.9kg rear), the Spoon springs definitely feel stiffer, aligning more with the 2.5kg/4kg figures.
Spoon’s Marketing vs. Reality
Spoon Sports excels at marketing and brand building. Their image is meticulously crafted, often seen in motorsport and tuning circles. However, this price comparison raises questions about the actual value proposition of Spoon car parts in this instance. While the Spoon brand carries prestige, the functional difference between these springs and the RS-R equivalent seems negligible, especially considering the substantial price premium.
Conclusion
This comparison suggests that while Spoon car parts may offer quality and performance, a significant portion of their cost may be attributed to branding and marketing. In the case of these Honda CR-Z lowering springs, the evidence points towards a considerable price markup for essentially the same product offered by RS-R. While brand loyalty and perceived value are subjective, informed consumers should carefully weigh the price difference against the potential benefits when considering Spoon car parts, especially when comparable, more affordable options are available. It’s always wise to research thoroughly and compare specifications and prices before investing in aftermarket car parts.
