Looking for a coil-over system for your daily driver, but also want it to perform at the track? One of the most attractive features of the following options is their ride height adjustability. They feature an adjustable spring perch and a threaded shock body. You can thread the perch up and down, allowing you to customize how much lowering you prefer for each corner of the vehicle. These coil-over systems will also let you customize the tuck of the vehicle's corners.
Below are my three favorite track-ready coil-overs available at Tire Rack:
Utilizing Bilstein's shock absorbers that are designed for heat dissipation and ride control, the PSS10 Coil-Over System adds a matched performance spring and threaded ride height adjuster to provide a complete suspension system for your vehicle. The system offers ten vehicle adjustment settings and includes numbered adjusters at the base of the shock body so you know exactly what setting you are on without counting clicks.
The RSS ClubSport Coil-Over Kit is designed for the committed motorsport enthusiast who's willing to relinquish some ride comfort in return for handling performance. The firmest coil-over in the H&R street line, the RSS is the choice for weekend track and club sport events.
KW Variant 3 Coil-Overs are state-of-the-art motorsport technology for proven performance on the streets. Independently adjustable compression and rebound damping allows for custom driving set-ups. The exclusive KW patented system has dual-level valves to provide the adjustment of the rebound damping (comfort) and the compression damping in the low-speed range. High-speed settings for driving comfort are preset by KW engineers.
To find the suspension component that's right for your car, shop by vehicle.
My 1997 BMW 740 is likely overdue for a suspension overhaul. The potholed and broken pavement that is typical of this time of year has highlighted that fact. With over 180,000 miles on the vehicle (only about 20,000 are from my driving), I have not replaced the BMW shocks or springs and do not know whether the original owner did either. The existing components could very well be the ones that came from the factory!
The decline in handling from sloppy, worn-out suspension components is taking a toll on my enjoyment of the car. Therefore, it's time to start plotting my replacements. Springs are easy to replace and relatively affordable. I have narrowed my choices between the Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set and H&R Sport Spring Set. Both brands are excellent and well priced. For a car like mine that may see some fast driving but is generally a daily driver, the Pro-Kit offers an excellent combination of comfort and handling.
Shocks are a little tougher choice and more expensive. Check back next week to see what option I've chosen.
The late model BMW M3 comes equipped with a sport suspension system optimized for aggressive street driving. For drivers looking for improved track performance and the flexibility to adjust for reasonable street manners, upgrading to a fully adjustable coil-over kit is a great solution.
A coil-over suspension kit incorporates precisely matched
coil springs and dampers in a compact solution to provide maximum performance. In addition to improved handling, these coil-over suspension solutions reduce the unsprung weight of a vehicle. These improvements translate to faster lap times and improved daily driving comfort.
Coil-overs can also be a great solution for lowering your car with upsized custom wheels (rims) and tires. The ability to fine tune the car's ride height can be a great way to overcome many challenging wheel fitments.
There are several options including kits from
KW and
H&R that can adjust both the ride height and dampening:
Search suspension components by vehicle to see which suspension products work best for your vehicle.
Lowering springs are a very popular option for those that are looking to improve both the appearance and handling characteristics of their vehicle. By lowering the center of gravity on the car and winding the coils closer together, a lowering spring can make the car feel more "planted" to the road for better cornering. Lowering springs will also give the car a
more aggressive stance and reduce the vehicle’s fenderwell gap (the distance between the top of the tire and the edge of the wheelwell). The "downside" of the lowering spring is that the tighter coils will have less travel to them and take away from the ride comfort of the vehicle.
So what to do? A good rule of thumb to follow is the less the vehicle is lowered, the less the ride comfort will be effected! Depending on the vehicle, both
Eibach and
H&R have options that can fit a variety of needs (lets use a newer VW Golf as an example):
For the least amount of lowering (and the closest to "stock" ride comfort, consider the
Eibach Pro-Kit (1" drop front and rear).
For a "sportier" ride with a lower stance, look at the
H&R Sport Spring kit (1.5" front and 1.4" rear).
Lastly, for the best improvement in handling for track applications, consider the
H&R Race Spring kit (2.0" front and 1.75" rear).
Take a look at all the testing we've done on lowering springs for the complete
picture!
Looking for new springs that are right for your vehicle and the way you drive it?
Tire Rack has performed back-to-back product comparisons to help consumers with their purchasing decisions. Our Suspension Component Research page shows
Eibach Springs,
H&R Springs and
KONI results from our Real World Road Ride route and Performance Test Track course. Our findings can help you select the springs that are right for your application.
For example, we tested spring sets from Eibach against the Original Equipment installed on a BMW E46 328i. Our tests results showed the Eibach springs enhanced the handling and feel of our test vehicle while increasing lap time speeds. To evaluate the benefits of modifying your vehicle’s suspension, read:
“
Spring Testing”
You can also contact one of our
sales specialists for more information.
How can springs improve your vehicle’s suspension?
Springs are designed to provide cushion to absorb road imperfections and return the vehicle to a set ride height. Shorter overall lengths and a higher spring rate are commonly used to lower the ride height which helps improve handling and enhance the vehicle’s appearance. Car springs are a major contributor to a car’s handling balance and ride quality.
Whether you choose
Eibach springs,
H&R Springs or springs from
KONI, Tire Rack has the equipment to fit your application.
Shop by vehicle to see which springs work best for your vehicle.
H&R Springs has one simple philosophy: “Build the best and the rest will follow.”
Whether it’s the Premium Performance Coil Over Kit or one of their Sport Springs Sets, H&R’s products are tested and approved by the German government’s TUV agency for quality, safety and reliability. All springs developed by H&R are precision-wound with the highest quality German spring steel available.
Engineers who develop racing suspensions also design the
RSS Club Sport Coil Over Suspension Kits. These kits enhance the performance and corner-handling ability of your vehicle without harshness.
Shop by vehicle to see which suspension component works best for your vehicle.
Considering replacing your Original Equipment springs with
lowering springs? A good rule of thumb is that many vehicles can be lowered approximately 1.5 inches without any complications.
Eibach Springs and
H&R Springs offer options that provide the required spring rates using progressive rate springs that minimize the effect on ride quality. Remember, the lower you go the higher the spring rate required.
It is also important to note that lowering springs will change the ride characteristics of a vehicle and maintaining the proper balance ensures your car’s handling and ride comfort are not altered.
Shop by vehicle to see which springs work best for your vehicle.
Looking to get rid of that unsightly wheel fender gap while simultaneously improving handling, braking and reducing body roll? All for a minimal cost? A set of lowering springs from
H&R or
Eibach may be the answer. Whether you drive a BMW, Porsche, Audi, Infiniti or even a Honda,
lowering springs can make your car more fun to drive!
Benefits of lowering springs:
- Improved appearance with reduced fender well gap
- Lower center of gravity
- Reduced body roll
- Reduced pitch and dive when braking and accelerating
- Better handling and steering feel
Shop by vehicle to see which suspension options work best for your vehicle.
Are you looking to improve the suspension on your vehicle? With options available from companies such as
H&R,
Eibach and
Koni, Tire Rack has the products to improve your vehicle's appearance and handling.
An entry-level introduction to improving your vehicle's appearance and handling is to purchase a set of
lowering springs and
performance dampers.
If you are looking for more control over adjustability then consider a
coil-over or
cup kit.
Anti-roll bars are also a great addition to improve handling and help remove body roll around corners.
Lowering will change the ride characteristics of the vehicle, therefore give some thought to the balance you want to maintain between handling, looks and ride comfort. If you have upgraded your wheels and tires to a larger-than-original size, you will also want to check clearance before you decide on the kit you want.
Ever wonder what to expect when changing out Original Equipment (O.E.) springs to lowering or race springs? The information below is a quick comparison between H&R O.E. Sport Springs, H&R Sport Springs and H&R Race Springs.
| | H&R OE Sport Springs | H&R Sport Springs | H&R Race Springs |
| Application | Average Everyday Driving | Sport Everyday Driving | Track Use, Limited Street Use |
| Lowering | Subtle .025-1.0" Drop | Average 1.25" Drop | Average 1.9" Drop |
| Handling | Same as O.E. | Less Roll/Sqaut/Dive | Very Little Roll/Squat/Dive |
| Ride | Same as New O.E. | Firmer than O.E. | Very Firm |
| Alignment | Same as O.E. | May Require Alignment Kit | Alignment Kit Recommended |
| Considerations | None | May Require Alignment Kit | May Require Suspension Modifications |
Check our
suspension fitment guide for the exact options and average lowering height for your vehicle.
H&R Sport Springs are a great way to lower your vehicle for an aggressive look and high performance handling. Each H&R component is made in Germany and tested and approved by the German government's TUV Agency for quality, safety and reliability. They are further tested and tuned in the USA just outside of Seattle, Washington following the philosophy "build the best and the rest will follow."
Popular Applications for H&R Sport Springs*
| Model | Year | Approximate Lowering Front/Rear |
| Audi A5 | '08-'09 | 1.3" Front 1.25" Rear |
| Ford Fusion | '06-'09 | 1.6" Front 1.9" Rear |
| Honda Accord Coupe | '08-'09 | 1.5" Front 1.3" Rear |
| Honda Fit | '07-'09 | 1.6" Front 1.3" Rear |
| Scion xB | '08-'09 | 1.4" Front 1.3" Rear |
| Volkswagen GTI | '06-'09 | 1.5" Front 1.4" Rear |
*Lowering and availability may differ based on your exact fitment.See pricing and
options for your vehicle.
As I was looking through some recent tire survey comments, I came across this review for the
Bridgestone Blizzak LM60.
"I've driven two winter seasons on these tires. I have complete faith in getting around in Ohio's mix of winter weather with these tires. Have had no problems in deep (10' snowfall) or light snow. I was amazed too, at how well they preformed on ice. I gave no second thought to buying a set for my wife's Honda Civic. Well worth a little time and effort, and dirty hands to make the tire change in fall and spring." -- Tire Rack Consumer Review
Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 is a great
Performance Winter Tire that concentrates more on snow traction within the winter performance tires category. It is designed for the driver that wants good handling on dry and wet roads with improved snow/ice traction for winter driving.
Bridgestone Blizzak LM60 RFT is also available exclusively to the following O.E. makes:
Do you already have lowering spring or are planning to get them and are confused about what shock absorbers to get? This
can be confusing with so may choices out there. I recommend the KONI Sport Shocks.
1.
KONI Sport Shocks are adjustable. You can adjust the damper for the amount of rebounding damping that you want. This allows you to change the handling characteristics of the car for your driving preference. Just about every aftermarket spring company uses a different spring rate. With the KONI adjustables you are able to set the dampers to work best with your aftermarket springs. Dampening of a shock/strut decreases with tens of thousands of miles and with the adjustability KONI offers you can continue to increase the dampening over time.
2. KONI's are designed to improve the handling of the car from the moment they are installed and I can personally attest that they do. I like the fact I can set them softer for the street and then if I am doing a track/autocross event I can firm them up for better handling.
3. KONIs are built for a lifetime. They have a limited lifetime warranty for the original purchase
r. These will be the last shock/struts you will ever need to buy. My original shocks and struts for my car started to leak at around 38,000 miles. I now have over 109,000 miles and my KONIs are going strong. Here is a picture of my 04 Subaru Impreza WRX Wagon lowered on
H & R Sport Springs with KONI Sport dampers.
We have the lowering springs you need if you are looking for a way to reduce that large wheel well gap that most modern Mustangs have as well as improve the vehicle's handling.
The
Eibach Pro-Kit Spring Set and
H&R Sport Springs are two very popular options that offer a moderate amount of lowering while still maintaining much of the original ride quality. For those who want more aggressive lowering, the
Eibach Sportline Springs and the
H&R Super Sport Spring kits.
Keep in mind that performance dampers are recommended for use with more aggressive springs.
To see what we have for your specific application, enter your vehicle information
here.
Tire Rack not only sells tires, but has a large selection of suspension parts for your vehicles.
We carry
Eibach Springs,
H&R Springs,
Bilstein Shocks and
Koni Shock Absorbers just to mention a few.
Eibach lowering springs give your vehicle a great look and maintain good ride quality while enhancing cornering performance. So if you are looking to give your vehicle a more sporty look and at the same time improve its handling, you should consider Eibach.
Please check out all of our
suspension products.
Tire Rack offers a number of high-quality suspension products that can take your vehicle down a notch, but first, make note that you shouldn't go any lower than 1.5 inches below stock settings. We'd hate for you to negatively affect ride and drive performance.
That said, we're big fans of
H&R Springs. They're made in Germany and precision-wound with the highest quality spring steel available. You can choose from
Sport and
Race springs depending on your vehicle and how you drive it (
H&R Springs Comparison Chart).
We also like
Hotchkis Springs. Sport Suspension, a leader in the suspension industry, engineers high quality products for domestic muscle cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks, plus European performance vehicles and Japanese sport compact vehicles. Their
Sport Springs are popular among our consumers, and we think you'll like them, too.
Of course, choosing aftermarket suspension products has everything to do with your specific vehicle. You'll want to
shop by vehicle, after which Tire Rack will create a detailed list of options that you can choose from.
Not sure you want to lower your vehicle?
Take a look at lowering to get a better understanding of what your vehicle would look like sitting a little lower to the ground.
1987 Mercedes-Benz 190D
