Lowering a Leased car

[sp3GT]

My car is on a lease for 4yrs 80,000km. I was wondering if I lower the car with either S-tech or eibach pro-kits. Will my stock shocks survive for that long? I still have more 3 years on my lease.
And when I service my car will they void my warranty. I'm asking because I'm not sure if I'm going to keep the car.
I currently have about 15k on the car with stock suspension.


Thanks,

[Jeff-TheBiz]

You would need to return the car back to 'stock' before you bring it back.

Do you have Wearcare?

[sp3GT]

I know I have to return it to stock but will my warranty be void if they see the springs replaced.

[FLIPDADY]

I know I have to return it to stock but will my warranty be void if they see the springs replaced.
No unless you blow a shock then it can be related to the drop.

[sp3GT]

Blowing a shock shoudln't happen within 80k rite?

[stas]

i heard some stories where it happened in 10000km or less. maybe it depends what kind of surface you're driving on.

[FLIPDADY]

Blowing a shock shoudln't happen within 80k rite?
Hey man I'm at 91,000km on stock dampers and just put on a 2nd set of Tein's.

[sp3GT]

So should I go with the s-tech or pro-kits? Sportlines will be problematic in the winter rite?

[FLIPDADY]

So should I go with the s-tech or pro-kits? Sportlines will be problematic in the winter rite?
I personally like the S-techs. My first springs were used S-techs from autoexe's hatch. Never had any real issues other than camber wear.

[p-o-g-i]

So let me get this straight (cause I'm in the same boat as sp3GT)......

I get the whole deal about warranties and what would void it, but I'm more concerned about riding with stock shocks.

Is it really ok to ride with S-techs or H-techs on stock shocks?
Take into consideration I am not an aggresive driver, nor do I speed.....

[sp3GT]

I ended up going with H-techs, still on stock shocks. You just gotta watch for pot holes and slow down for bumps but other then that it's pretty good.

[MattC]

I did alot of reading up on this and talking to people before I ordered my springs, (c'mon SSG! get that order in! ;)

It seems like the concensus is that the stock shocks last atleast 40k. i've talked to folks that ruined the stock shocks after 15k (were they driving on the moon or something?) On the other end of the spectrum ive heard of them lasting upwards of 80k.

I am from the school of thought that I don't like to think 3 years in advance, i like to live in the NOW! so if you are the same way, just throw some new springs on and roll the dice. Just keep a spare 700$ or so around incase any of your shocks go ;)

[-RJ3-]

Yah I was worried about my shocks and struts, pretty much the mechanic at westowne said, the car is lowered, so pretty much your shocks aren't expanding as it would with your stock springs... something about restriction to the shocks, but other than that he said its fine for now.

[p-o-g-i]

I ended up going with H-techs, still on stock shocks. You just gotta watch for pot holes and slow down for bumps but other then that it's pretty good.

I've never seen a car lowered on H-techs in person, but I've heard that the drop isn't that noticeable to stock...???... Is that true?

[S.F.W.]

the drop is noticeable, but isn't as noticeable as say a pro-kit drop. It's a fairly mild drop, just over 1"

[sp3GT]

It's mild on a sedan but pretty noticeable on a hatch. My front is lower then most with pro-kit but the back isn't. THe front is more like 1.5 inch and the back is like 1.1 inch.

[chinsterr]

My H-techs are noticeably lower than any prokit I have seen, at least at the front for sure. I have less than one finger gap !

I have been riding on H-techs for over 50,000 KM so far an no problems . Shocks are in good condition and the Springs themselves have little to no rust at all !

[garboui]

it seems the consensus is that on the hatch the front and overall drop is significantly lower than pro kits?

so if im touching heatsheild stock to get into some underground lots and front into driveways h-techs dont seem to be the route to go.

[sp3GT]

Yes, the front on the h-techs is lower then the pro-kits. But for the back, pro-kits seem to drop lower. I've only scraped my bumper a few times though.

[p-o-g-i]

Thanks everyone for their input. I'm leaning towards either h-techs or s- techs....
I'll post pics as soon as I decide on a spring and have them installed. I just got my grille and eyelids today so I'll post everything installed in one shot.

I also have 3 additional aftermarket grilles for sale if anyone is interested.... $100 each (unpainted, with mesh)

THanks guys :)

[BiG-ED]

we may need pics for the comparison between Htechs and the pro-kit for the hatch..

[onetwo3]

stock shocks cant hold for 80k or u will drive like a boat.