Question on Lowering my car?
- Thread starter BMWgrl
- Start date
Well, the 'lowering kit' will *be* your suspension, you'll be changing out either shocks, springs, or possibly both.
Theres a few other threads on this here, I'll sum it up in a few brief lines. And take it with a grain of salt, I'm going through this debate currently, but have done some research beforehand. Hope this helps, I'm sure some folks will pipe in with some good personal experiences to share with you.
You want to lower your car, depending on 'how much' will help you decide what to buy, and what product to buy.
Springs - You can get 'sports springs' or 'race springs' from some companies, that claim to work well with OEM shocks. This is a cheap 'drop', but even though they say they 'work' with OEM shocks, I've heard numerous stories of the shocks wearing out within 6 months to 2 years of putting sports springs on a car with OEM shocks. This *will* drop your car, anywhere from .75" to 1.7" depending on the spring manufacturer, and product. The 'ride' like this has been described from 'stiff', to outright 'bumpy' (bumpy generally means your OEM shocks are dead, or dying..). You can always get springs now, and shocks later if your $ needs demand it. Springs can go for $200-$350.
Cup Kit, or complete spring/shock kit - These 'complete kits' replace the shocks, and springs - both designed to work together to give you a smooth, yet tighter and lowered ride. (H&R and Eibach both come to mind, but there are plenty of others). This will lower your ride generally from 1" to 2.1" again depending on the manufacturer and product you buy. The 'ride' on these is generally 'stiff' but comfortable, more like the 'stock' ride with improved handling and lowered ride. (Generally considered the best thing to do if you're not tracking your car alot). Around $500-650 for these kits.
Coilover kit - same as a cup kit essentially(springs, shocks), but the ride level is 'adjustable' to your liking. Your ride height can be anything you want, but they generally take you to the same height as a cup kit, sometimes a bit lower (1" to 2.5"). The 'ride' is considered the best in these, as you can make it softer or stiffer to your preference, and driving style. The coilovers are more expensive then a Cup Kit. Around $1000 or more easily.
There are even better options, PSS9's, etc etc. If you aren't tracking, I'd not even worry about them, especially for a daily driver car.
As for struts. That depends on what condition your current ones are in. If your car is new or fairly new, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you are planning to do alot of tracking. If your car is a few years old, seen some aggressive driving in it's time, or is a track car, then I would replace the rear shock mounts for sure.
Lots of names to go with, lets see. H&R, Eibach, Bilstein, Kono, Vangaard. That should be enough for you to check out.![[:)]](/images/smilies/smile.png "Smile [:)]")
Hope that helps a little!
Theres a few other threads on this here, I'll sum it up in a few brief lines. And take it with a grain of salt, I'm going through this debate currently, but have done some research beforehand. Hope this helps, I'm sure some folks will pipe in with some good personal experiences to share with you.
You want to lower your car, depending on 'how much' will help you decide what to buy, and what product to buy.
Springs - You can get 'sports springs' or 'race springs' from some companies, that claim to work well with OEM shocks. This is a cheap 'drop', but even though they say they 'work' with OEM shocks, I've heard numerous stories of the shocks wearing out within 6 months to 2 years of putting sports springs on a car with OEM shocks. This *will* drop your car, anywhere from .75" to 1.7" depending on the spring manufacturer, and product. The 'ride' like this has been described from 'stiff', to outright 'bumpy' (bumpy generally means your OEM shocks are dead, or dying..). You can always get springs now, and shocks later if your $ needs demand it. Springs can go for $200-$350.
Cup Kit, or complete spring/shock kit - These 'complete kits' replace the shocks, and springs - both designed to work together to give you a smooth, yet tighter and lowered ride. (H&R and Eibach both come to mind, but there are plenty of others). This will lower your ride generally from 1" to 2.1" again depending on the manufacturer and product you buy. The 'ride' on these is generally 'stiff' but comfortable, more like the 'stock' ride with improved handling and lowered ride. (Generally considered the best thing to do if you're not tracking your car alot). Around $500-650 for these kits.
Coilover kit - same as a cup kit essentially(springs, shocks), but the ride level is 'adjustable' to your liking. Your ride height can be anything you want, but they generally take you to the same height as a cup kit, sometimes a bit lower (1" to 2.5"). The 'ride' is considered the best in these, as you can make it softer or stiffer to your preference, and driving style. The coilovers are more expensive then a Cup Kit. Around $1000 or more easily.
There are even better options, PSS9's, etc etc. If you aren't tracking, I'd not even worry about them, especially for a daily driver car.
As for struts. That depends on what condition your current ones are in. If your car is new or fairly new, I wouldn't worry about it, unless you are planning to do alot of tracking. If your car is a few years old, seen some aggressive driving in it's time, or is a track car, then I would replace the rear shock mounts for sure.
Lots of names to go with, lets see. H&R, Eibach, Bilstein, Kono, Vangaard. That should be enough for you to check out.
Hope that helps a little!