Options for a UCF 11?

I need some help regarding some minor changes to my UCF11

But as I'm in the UK, and VIP isn't as common now as it is in other places so I'm struggling for parts.

The airbags obviously failed as a previous owner has replaced then with standard struts and springs.

It now however drives like a jelly. When you brake hard it dives really badly.

So it is rebuild replace time. I know I can go with stock KYBs or GR2 upgrades with springs, but I fancy proper adjustable coilovers.

Looking at US and UK sites, the only ones I can find are JIC-Magic A2's.
at about $2k USD+shipping (and the risk of getting busted for import duty and sales tax by customs on the way in), or about £1400+sales tax but no need to import. Either way that is more than the car cost me, with a full years inspection.

I have in the past bought smaller stuff from the states. But I imagine something as large as a box of coilovers would attract a small ammount of interest from customs.

As it stands, I will probably fit poly sway bar bushes, coilovers and new upper and lower control arms.

Any advice for japanese coilovers to fit the UCF1* models? I have bought from Takaira before but couldn't see any makes on there for the ealy celsior/ls400.

I could look at a set of Arnott airbags but I don't know the condition of the rest of the air system or how to test it without paying $2kUSD for a set of bags when the rest of the system might be screwed.

I am sure you could get used coilovers for much less than that on Yahoo auctions. I'm surprised you cant find any other coilovers for it locally though. There are a couple of companies in Australia that have applications for the Celsior (the cheap chinese brand ones like D2 etc); probably not the best performing but better than the jello-mold suspension you have now.

Oh, and if you dont like that soft suspension feel, i would steer clear of replacement bags.

Please don't rush to judement. A good set of H&R or Tein coils and Bilstein shocks  will rival an expensive coil over setup (in a large , heavy sedan). Unless you push your ride  9, or 10, 10ths. or  enjoy a lowered  ride with an almost OEM ride quality. If You are in that 10-10ths  category then by all means change over.