Coilovers or Lowering Springs

[lennox13]

Alright folks, I'm not entirely sure what to go for here. I'd basically like to have zero arch gap. I'm not sure if a set of springs on their own are going to give me the drop I want, or if coilovers are the way forward? Has anyone had a significant drop with springs alone?

 

[Todd]

Different variables here.

Coilovers will obviously give you all the adjustment you need to get your desired height, but cheapie coilovers may ruin the ride quality? Although that may not be a huge factor. Decent coilovers can be expensive and not all of them go overly low. Depends what you're after i suppose.

Some spring setups may give you the height you want but you'd need to research them all.

You may be able to get a height adjustable spring kit, such as the KW HAS. I'm not sure if it's available for your make/model.

I always found asking on facebook groups was handy. People reply quickly with photos and their setups.

 

[CharlySkunkWeed]

Alright folks, I'm not entirely sure what to go for here. I'd basically like to have zero arch gap. I'm not sure if a set of springs on their own are going to give me the drop I want, or if coilovers are the way forward? Has anyone had a significant drop with springs alone?

Will depend on wheel width etc. Springs will travel more than coilovers so although more comfortable to drive, the stiffness of coilovers will stop wheels rubbing when going over bumps.

 

[MarkM]

Good springs will be better than cheap coilovers imo.
I’m on Ford performance Eibachs which are plenty low for me and other springs go even lower, bit of research required!

 

[southsky sunrise]

I’d h&r’s in mine and it sat and handled well.

 

[Snoopcousins]

I’ve put Eibach Pro kit on most of last cars …I find the drop Perfect for everyday use keeping OEM feel although just a slight more noticeable tightness in cornering..

Ideally I’d have KW V1 or V2 coilovers like on my last M3…gives an even better drive and can dial in the stance …

E92 on Eibachs

E46 on KW v1’s

E46 on Eibachs

 

[lennox13]

Good springs will be better than cheap coilovers imo.
I’m on Ford performance Eibachs which are plenty low for me and other springs go even lower, bit of research required!
View attachment 365847

That there is the ideal drop I think. I just don't want any arch gap but I don't want to majorly effect the handling. Are those Maxton Design skirts and splitters? I've to my eye on them for when I get the ride height sorted.

 

[da.murf]

Eibach Pro Springs in my zed. Handling is perfect and just right drop imo

 

[MarkM]

That there is the ideal drop I think. I just don't want any arch gap but I don't want to majorly effect the handling. Are those Maxton Design skirts and splitters? I've to my eye on them for when I get the ride height sorted.

Yes, maxton bits in textured finish

 

[MarkOne]

Any recommendations for someone to fit lowering springs and can maybe even do alignment afterwards? Belfast/Newtownabbey preferred. I realise most mechanics but would prefer someone recommended as my mechanic just retired.

 

[Boydie]

I’ve put Eibach Pro kit on most of last cars …I find the drop Perfect for everyday use keeping OEM feel although just a slight more noticeable tightness in cornering..

Ideally I’d have KW V1 or V2 coilovers like on my last M3…gives an even better drive and can dial in the stance …

E92 on Eibachs
View attachment 365899

E46 on KW v1’s
View attachment 365902

E46 on Eibachs
View attachment 365908

Here I hope you have been paying @Coog rent for that space?

 

[DJMCA]

I went from coilovers to H&R springs for a bit more comfort, that being said i do a lot of towing (car transporter/ caravan etc.) and the rear springs are soft in comparison to the coilovers.

Probably not relevant to this case but free info for anyone thats interested

 

[southsky sunrise]

Just put H&R’s in the 7.5 with spacers. Getting ready for port (I jest) will get pics when I get it washed

 

[Jbridges522]

Any recommendations for someone to fit lowering springs and can maybe even do alignment afterwards? Belfast/Newtownabbey preferred. I realise most mechanics but would prefer someone recommended as my mechanic just retired.

@Blackline seem to do plenty and well ultimately not particularly difficult.

 

[Eamo_vxr]

Hard to beat well set up coilovers. Nothing more disappointing than putting springs in and realising its not as low as you wanted and you should have went for coilovers

 

[MarkOne]

@Blackline seem to do plenty and well ultimately not particularly difficult.

They won’t work with u unless u buy the springs from them….eibach themselves have a massive sale on. I like value. Found it a bit strange of a company policy.

 

[Cossers]

Good coilovers every time, been in/owned a couple of cars with spring only option, tbh always felt *****, if your just after the look they are grand, pushing on a bit on an undulating b road…..frightening.

 

[browne174]

They won’t work with u unless u buy the springs from them….eibach themselves have a massive sale on. I like value. Found it a bit strange of a company policy.

It's not that strange if you have a car on a ramp to discover the customer has supplied wrong parts

Depending on budget, I would pick good brand springs over budget coilovers.

 

[MarkOne]

I don’t think anyone would say eibach pro springs are budget. They are the same springs used in the TRD edition of the gt86.

 

[Cossers]

I don’t think anyone would say eibach pro springs are budget. They are the same springs used in the TRD edition of the gt86.

Don’t think anyone said they were but no matter which ones you choose, they are being used with a set of shocks that were designed for springs with a different height and rating therefore they are always going to be a compromise.

Looks alone, not a problem at all.

Also as mentioned above, cheap coilovers are just as bad, had a set once with only height adjustment, utter *****.

 

[Coog]

Using old knackered shocks with new springs is a bit silly and don’t think anyone is suggesting that. Replace them at the same time. I’ve both in numerous cars in the workshop and I’d be surprised if anyone could tell me which is which.

For sure you’ll know if there’s a crap set of coilovers or cheap springs and old shocks fitted

If you’ve a set budget of £x Id always go decent springs and new gas shocks vs similarly priced coils.

 

[MarkOne]

It’s a 2017 with 26k on it. I’m assuming we won’t know the state of the dampers/shocks til it’s on the ramp? Again it’s the same dampers used in the trd edition as far as I have read.
On the gt86 forums they also suggest to add white line 16mm castor bolts at the bottom and reuse the oem bottom bolts at the top. After a week u go for a geo/allignment and hopefully the rear springs have added similar castor. This is all new to me but with my luck it probably won’t be that simple. I do agree that coilovers would be the way but for me I’d want really good ones and that’s 2k sorta money, I just want to get rid off the arch gap and add the spacers to the original wheels tbh. It’s already become a headache going down the forums rabbit hole as u can imagine but plenty have went the route I have chosen and it’s worked out fine. I do understand all the points made above and if the dampers are bad I will of course replace them too. I’m tempted to go the Supra SSI guy in Antrim as I think he might be better informed even tho it’s basically a suburu. Thanks for all the advice so far and any more is of course appreciated. This has been my dream car for quite some years and I’m really enjoying it. But I really don’t want to go too mad with mods, so far I have just debadged it and replaced the Toyota emblems with black ones and added a Cusco strut brace with a master cylinder brace to improve the brake pedal feel

 

[Coog]

Should be fine with 26k on them.

 

[hippyross]

I always go with Eibach. They give me the lows and comfort. But I put a set in my 335 and I was disappointed; they didn't lower the front by any and maybe 10 mm in the rear. I've ordered H&R now, so hopefully, they are better.

 

[lennyd]

Was a toss up between H&R or Eibach when I got the bm but Davy at Procar said the H&Rs were on back order so went with eibach. Nice we drop and just what I wanted (not slammed but could be factory). For me, I wouldn't want to go much lower as the suspension travel on the rear isn't great and I'm already hitting the bump stops more than I'd like (airbags on the rear)