coilovers overkill?
Thread Starter
Newbie
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
From: New Jersey
coilovers overkill?
so i know there are already a million threads on coils versus springs, but i still haven't found the right choice for me. I want to lower my car mainly to get rid of the wheel gap, i don't plan on taking this car to the track. Its my daily driver and i like to take it out to the twisty roads when I have the time, so i would still enjoy improved handling. Would coilovers be overkill for me? if i were to buy coilovers they would be less than 1500$, so are they even worth considering at that price point or should i just get the eibach pro kit and call it a day?
I didn't want to spend a whole lot on coilovers so I went with Racecomp Engineering lowering springs. I also got the Whiteline Front Roll Center kit to help with the handling when it's lowered. I'm hoping this combo works out for me.
to put it simply, yes.
to get a cheap set of coilovers you're still going to spend about $900-$1300, there maybe some for less, but lets get serious... they will do EXACTLY what you want, which is get rid of the wheel gap. They will also cause a harsher ride, bounce, and probably won't last very well on a DD.
Since you won't be tracking the car, I assume you won't be worried about adjusting for this or that, height, rebound, etc., which you'll be hard pressed to find that type of true adjustability in cheaper coilovers anyway.
Springs, on the other hand, will provide you with EXACTLY what you're looking for... less wheel gap. With the springs, you might get a bit more bouncy of a ride, but your stock struts will still provide at least somewhat proper dampening (theoretically, you should get them revalved to match your setup, but manufacturers put at least a little R&D into this.) so you won't jar your teeth out cruising down a street.
I'm all for coilovers on cars that need them. My track STi has coilovers, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My DD Evo X has springs waiting to be installed for the very reasons I mentioned above.
However, if you REALLY feel you need coilovers because all the cool kids are doing it. I would suggest not skimping on quality and picking up something like KW V3's with some decent tophats. These are a reasonably streetable coilover, and KW is an awesome company to deal with.
tl;dr: springs
to get a cheap set of coilovers you're still going to spend about $900-$1300, there maybe some for less, but lets get serious... they will do EXACTLY what you want, which is get rid of the wheel gap. They will also cause a harsher ride, bounce, and probably won't last very well on a DD.
Since you won't be tracking the car, I assume you won't be worried about adjusting for this or that, height, rebound, etc., which you'll be hard pressed to find that type of true adjustability in cheaper coilovers anyway.
Springs, on the other hand, will provide you with EXACTLY what you're looking for... less wheel gap. With the springs, you might get a bit more bouncy of a ride, but your stock struts will still provide at least somewhat proper dampening (theoretically, you should get them revalved to match your setup, but manufacturers put at least a little R&D into this.) so you won't jar your teeth out cruising down a street.
I'm all for coilovers on cars that need them. My track STi has coilovers, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My DD Evo X has springs waiting to be installed for the very reasons I mentioned above.
However, if you REALLY feel you need coilovers because all the cool kids are doing it. I would suggest not skimping on quality and picking up something like KW V3's with some decent tophats. These are a reasonably streetable coilover, and KW is an awesome company to deal with.
tl;dr: springs
Fortune Auto 500 coilovers are a bit over $1k and you can talk to the guys at FA to set them up for a good street ride, that will definitely work better, and ride better than stock shocks with springs. And then you can set your ride height where you want it.
I'm more all or nothing. I haven't been in an Evo with only springs that didn't harm the ride somewhat, particularly after years of use wearing the shocks.
Live with stock ride height or pony up for some decent coilovers. Lowering for cosmetic purposes on a car that has such high agility and grip doesn't make sense to me.
Live with stock ride height or pony up for some decent coilovers. Lowering for cosmetic purposes on a car that has such high agility and grip doesn't make sense to me.
Former Sponsor
Joined: Jul 2013
Posts: 97
Likes: 1
From: Troy, MI
You can find Hipermax IV GTs in that price range and not only will they give you the drop you're looking for, they'll actually improve the ride compared to stock. Because you'll adjust ride height with the bottom brackets on the shocks, the shock stroke and spring rate and ride quality isn't affected.
I've had them on my X for ~35,000 miles now. Everyone that's been in my car, from Mitsu. R&D test drivers to my 70 year old step-dad, loves the way it rides.
I've had them on my X for ~35,000 miles now. Everyone that's been in my car, from Mitsu. R&D test drivers to my 70 year old step-dad, loves the way it rides.
Trending Topics
Newbie
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: Phoenix, Arizona
to put it simply, yes.
to get a cheap set of coilovers you're still going to spend about $900-$1300, there maybe some for less, but lets get serious... they will do EXACTLY what you want, which is get rid of the wheel gap. They will also cause a harsher ride, bounce, and probably won't last very well on a DD.
Since you won't be tracking the car, I assume you won't be worried about adjusting for this or that, height, rebound, etc., which you'll be hard pressed to find that type of true adjustability in cheaper coilovers anyway.
Springs, on the other hand, will provide you with EXACTLY what you're looking for... less wheel gap. With the springs, you might get a bit more bouncy of a ride, but your stock struts will still provide at least somewhat proper dampening (theoretically, you should get them revalved to match your setup, but manufacturers put at least a little R&D into this.) so you won't jar your teeth out cruising down a street.
I'm all for coilovers on cars that need them. My track STi has coilovers, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My DD Evo X has springs waiting to be installed for the very reasons I mentioned above.
However, if you REALLY feel you need coilovers because all the cool kids are doing it. I would suggest not skimping on quality and picking up something like KW V3's with some decent tophats. These are a reasonably streetable coilover, and KW is an awesome company to deal with.
tl;dr: springs
to get a cheap set of coilovers you're still going to spend about $900-$1300, there maybe some for less, but lets get serious... they will do EXACTLY what you want, which is get rid of the wheel gap. They will also cause a harsher ride, bounce, and probably won't last very well on a DD.
Since you won't be tracking the car, I assume you won't be worried about adjusting for this or that, height, rebound, etc., which you'll be hard pressed to find that type of true adjustability in cheaper coilovers anyway.
Springs, on the other hand, will provide you with EXACTLY what you're looking for... less wheel gap. With the springs, you might get a bit more bouncy of a ride, but your stock struts will still provide at least somewhat proper dampening (theoretically, you should get them revalved to match your setup, but manufacturers put at least a little R&D into this.) so you won't jar your teeth out cruising down a street.
I'm all for coilovers on cars that need them. My track STi has coilovers, and I wouldn't trade them for the world. My DD Evo X has springs waiting to be installed for the very reasons I mentioned above.
However, if you REALLY feel you need coilovers because all the cool kids are doing it. I would suggest not skimping on quality and picking up something like KW V3's with some decent tophats. These are a reasonably streetable coilover, and KW is an awesome company to deal with.
tl;dr: springs
I got some used KWs from a user here and they are amazing. For twisty roads and everything else you throw at them. One important thing to consider whichever choice you make is not to cheap out on tires. Lowering the car changes the handling, acceleration and braking due to less body roll. Good rubber will enhance the results, cheap tires will detract. Especially on twisty roads at speed.
I got some used KWs from a user here and they are amazing. For twisty roads and everything else you throw at them. One important thing to consider whichever choice you make is not to cheap out on tires. Lowering the car changes the handling, acceleration and braking due to less body roll. Good rubber will enhance the results, cheap tires will detract. Especially on twisty roads at speed.
Whats so terrible about having a space between your fenders and wheels? Are you worried your evo won't look like a sports car? VW puts a lot of effort into that whole thing. I would never buy a vw.