Lowering Springs

[n00bMeiSter]

Is it a better idea to buy them now, or wait until spring? When are the deals usually better?

YES I am going lower, NO this is not a joke. But I definitely do not want to be low for the winter, especially not after the two week's I've just had on the 407.

Also, should I buy a set of stock/oem springs for raising back up in the winter? Or should I go aftermarket on those too?

No guarantee that I am lowering this year 2010/2011, all depends on cash flow.

[n00bMeiSter]

G16 had a set of Apex springs on sale (which I missed because of work), which is what got me thinking.

Also, what do pepple think of Apex? Any good?

I'm looking to keep ride comfort over performance gains right now. And I'm not interested in going any lower than 1" after settle (maybe 1.2" if that's the best I can get).

Not sure if any of this matters in terms of my initial question.

[coriolis]

Just wait til Spring, no point having it sit there til Spring, might as well save that money unless something really nice comes up for sale...

[n00bMeiSter]

Just wait til Spring, no point having it sit there til Spring, might as well save that money unless something really nice comes up for sale...

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure if the deals are usually better now than they are in the spring.

[chan7]

That's what I was thinking, but I wasn't sure if the deals are usually better now than they are in the spring.

Like coriolis said, if a deal comes up I would say go for it! IMO I don't think prices will change all that much, but I could be wrong.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Aftermarket to stock, to aftermarket, to stock each season is silly if you are going to do that get coil overs.

If you want to be able to drive all year with no issue get pro kits.

[sp3GT]

I'd say wait till the spring, unless a really good deal on a set of used springs come up.

IMO, prices don't change that much and there might even be GB or something similar in the spring.

[n00bMeiSter]

Dave: I was thinking that, but aren't coilovers $1000 and up?

sp3GT: What would be considered a good deal on used springs?

[stevenma188]

+1 on just running prokits year round. I ran S-techs all last winter with no issues. Now I'm on prokits and drove through a major snowstorm yesterday and it was great. Just make sure you have a good set of snow tires.

[bman13]

Rick MAY or MAY not have prokits on sale as a part of his deal of day. Used prokits usually go for $150-220ish depending on condition/use.

I know a member on board running Apex and he likes em.

[Rob23]

lol why bother lowering your car if your looking to keep ride comfort over performance gain? your not going to keep the same ride comfort after lowering. thats what lowering your car is meant for, performance.

[ST3ALTH]

lol why bother lowering your car if your looking to keep ride comfort over performance gain? your not going to keep the same ride comfort after lowering. thats what lowering your car is meant for, performance.

But if you decide to go with the Prokit then you will not sacrifice that much ride comfort as they are really close to stock.

[Rob23]

prokits are good but why bothering spending all that money for no reason tho? either way you will loose ride comfort even if its just a little, and if you don't want performance gain what is the point? im not trying to be an ass, but there are many better mods to spend your money on that are more functional for your needs.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Dave: I was thinking that, but aren't coilovers $1000 and up?


Coils are not cheap no but if you factor in the removal and reinstall of springs twice a year for 4 years plus the initial cost of the springs you can see where I am going.

[xdutrax]

prokits are good but why bothering spending all that money for no reason tho? either way you will loose ride comfort even if its just a little, and if you don't want performance gain what is the point? im not trying to be an ass, but there are many better mods to spend your money on that are more functional for your needs.

There is an OBVIOUS reason why he wants to spend money on springs. He wants his car to be lower... or am i totally insane???

[xdutrax]

Coils are not cheap no but if you factor in the removal and reinstall of springs twice a year for 4 years plus the initial cost of the springs you can see where I am going.

Minus the fact that he will suffer a huge loss in ride comfort, correct?

[Rob23]

There is an OBVIOUS reason why he wants to spend money on springs. He wants his car to be lower... or am i totally insane???

again for what point? no point. for show. to each his own.

[mazdaskit]

prokits are good but why bothering spending all that money for no reason tho? either way you will loose ride comfort even if its just a little, and if you don't want performance gain what is the point? im not trying to be an ass, but there are many better mods to spend your money on that are more functional for your needs.

I love my prokits :chuckle lol but soon i think im gonna go lower

[Rob23]

im not hating on lowering, you guys got me all wrong. i will be lowered someday. im just saying the whole purpose of it is performance gain, noobmeister said he is not looking for performance gains so im saying he should look into some other mods he can get better use out of.

[xdutrax]

again for what point? no point. for show. to each his own.

Exactly, and he wants to lower so why question him?

Pro kits will give you a 1"-1.2" drop depending on load. You will not suffer a great deal of ride quality loss, and they are not low enough to plow or push snow in the winter... unless you live somewhere that accumulates ridiculous amounts of snow. I would say it's the best deal for what you are looking for, and exactly why I am going for Pro kits as well.

[Rob23]

thats exactly why he posted this thread, to get peoples opinions. im not bashing him im just stating the purposes of lowering. don't be so sensitive.

[stevenma188]

IMO, the biggest reason for lowering is for the look. If you are after true performance, you need to factor in damper settings, camber, rebound, preload etc. Just slapping on a set of lowering springs, although will take away body roll, will not improve handling THAT much.

[xdutrax]

IMO, the biggest reason for lowering is for the look. If you are after true performance, you need to factor in damper settings, camber, rebound, preload etc. Just slapping on a set of lowering springs, although will take away body roll, will not improve handling THAT much.

+1, agreed.

[mazdathree3]

If you got the cash then go for the prokits but if you are limited, I would say save it for something else because the drop on prokits is only about 1.2" so its a very subtile drop. But at the end of the day it is up to you, if you can justify spending the money to just drop a inch or so, go for it. I am on the same boat as you but I'm going to wait till spring and see how my new rims look without a drop and go from there.

[coriolis]

You can also get larger rims(18") and get side skirt extensions to make it look lower :D

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Minus the fact that he will suffer a huge loss in ride comfort, correct?

I don't believe coil overs offer a huge loss in comfort. I'm sure I could set my BC's up at pro kit height and soft enough that it would be very similar to stock, I would even go as far to say I could probably get the ride comparable to a tire profile change in terms of difference.

Just switching from sportline/yellows to BC's was a huge difference in ride comfort in my own car, ask anyone in my family lol.


You can also get larger rims(18") and get side skirt extensions to make it look lower :D
That only works to a point, in the end it's the wheel gap that is the real look killer.

Yes most people lower for looks first performance second, self included.

OP you should look into Mazda Speed springs or Mazda accessories springs. I think they are a mild drop with a comfortable ride.

[n00bMeiSter]

Thanks everyone for the responses!

bman: you are right on the money, he just had a sale on Apex springs, that, thanks to work, I missed. Which is what got me thinking.

Dave: that's what I was thinking. It's cheaper up front, which works great for the budget, but ends up being more costly in the long run. I was also thinking that maybe I could learn to swap them out myself, emphasis on the maybe lol. I was thinking about the Mazdaspeed shocks, but I think someone told me a while back that they don't fit on sedans? Are MazdaSpeed springs and Mazda accessories springs not the same?

Coriolis: I was thinking of maybe getting larger rims, going to do some searching over the winter and do some photoshopping.

mazdathree3: I think I'll probably wait for spring too, unless I find a really good deal now. But yes, they wouldn't be installed until spring.

Just to clear things up a little:
I know that when you lower you lose ride comfort. I'm not really lowering for the performance gains, it's mainly for the look, which is why I don't want to go much lower than 1" - 1.2". So what I'm looking for is something that can give me that look, without a really uncomfortable ride. Plus anything has to be more comfortable than the toasted shocks I have now lol.

[stevenma188]

Mazdaspeed Accessories springs = Prokits
Mazdaspeed 3 OEM springs = basically same height but stiffer. Some people have experienced a slight raise putting these springs on a 2.0L 3 (Apparently, but I cannot confirm or deny this)

[n00bMeiSter]

Mazdaspeed Accessories springs = Prokits
Mazdaspeed 3 OEM springs = basically same height but stiffer. Some people have experienced a slight raise putting these springs on a 2.0L 3 (Apparently, but I cannot confirm or deny this)

Interesting, I shall have to investigate further with MoT I guess.
Good thing I have a 2.3L :)

[bman13]

I'd personally say pick up prokits used, if Rick has it as a daily deal (is asking for suggestions on what we want to see), or wait until boxing day as I believe last year sponsors had a good price on new prokits and then do what I will be doing which is getting the Koni Yellows barely used off the BC Coilover crew (list of people jumping on coilovers early spring). That is one option.

[thanu31]

arent you going to be replacing your shocks too since you said its toast..

i think that qualifies as a good excuse to get coils, lol

[xdutrax]

arent you going to be replacing your shocks too since you said its toast..

i think that qualifies as a good excuse to get coils, lol

Why would it be a good excuse?

[stevenma188]

Since you can't reuse your stock shocks, might as well upgrade both shocks and springs at the same time by getting coilovers.

FYI: I drove around in like a foot of snow today in my car, lowered on prokits. No major issues.

[Thrizzl3]

Why would it be a good excuse?

coilovers > springs