hey everybody. my new set of wheels are supposedly getting put on next week. I've been looking into a suspension component to compliment the new addition. While a set of H&R coilovers would be my choice because I can set them to the exact height I like, they're a bit expensive for me to spend. I started looking into the Tein basic damper which I've found for around $800 or so - still too much money. So, I decided to price out a set of springs and shocks (because I know it's not good to just put springs with stock shocks). These priced out to around $600. So, I'm stuck. Are there any other ways people recommend for lowering the car? Also, when they say shocks are adjustable, is this just damping or is it height?

 

can somebody please help?

 

I can't help you with any other ways to lower, coilovers or shock/spring combo are the only legit way to really lower your car. Cutting springs is BAD. You could paint your lowers, it gives the ride a little bit of a lowered look...but not alot. If you are looking at Blisteins grooved shocks to go with springs then yes, they are height adjustable. I'm waiting on my H&R Sport Springs (lowers 1.25in front and 1.0 rear) with the Blistein grooved shocks. This means the shocks in the front will have the regular setting, but it will have 3 perches under that which lower in 1/4in increments (a total of 3/4" in the front). And the rear grooved shocks have one perch 1/4in higher and one 1/4in lower than the normal perch. So if you don't want to get race springs (harsher ride) but don't think sport springs are low enough...it's a nice medium to go with.

 

that was really helpful. thank you very much. also, I know you can't really answer this question easily, but if you could just give me an idea. Approximately how much harsher are the race springs and how much lower are they.

 

H&R Sport drops 1.25 front 1.0 rear

H&R Race drops 1.9 front 1.5 rear

^ This is assuming you have quattro

Sport stiffens up the suspension a little bit, creating better handling with less body roll. You will feel them stiffen up the suspension, but it doesn't make the ride horrible, the ride feels idk pseudo-stock? lol

Race drops lower obviously, but the spring rate def starts taking its toll in terms of ride quality. Basically alot of road imperfections, potholes, bumps, etc... will be transmitted way more harshly to your ****. Basically the rule of thumb is if your car is a daily driver and you don't do much auto-x then race is NOT for you (unless you really want the lower drop)

Another thing i had to take into consideration was camber and other stock suspension components. As you lower camber goes more to the negative side (so if you were looking at the car from the front your wheels instead of being more like this |-----| will be more like this /-------\ ) creating uneven tire wear...more negative camber is great for handling, that's why race cars have alot of negative camber...but not for a daily driver where you have to buy your own tires! And of course things like control arms get thrown out of whack a little more as you go lower.

 

i did neuspeed race springs and bilstein shocks, it was about a 2" drop, and it handled very well.

 

Save your money. Dont try to find cheap sets of suspension systems. Just wait a little longer, save a little more, and spend it on quality products. You're not going to find great suspensions setups if your thinking about spending too much. I spent $730 on my Tein Basics, and they're doing real good. You're probably not going to find anything under $600.