so im almost certain this has been discussed before but I’ve had my 2007 2l sport now for 8 months and it came with eibach lowering springs, I’ve since bought some rx8 anti roll bars that are waiting for installation and a set of rainsport 3 tyres and am now planning my next step so here’s the question
Would I see any substantial gandering gains from ripping the lowering springs out and replacing them with coilovers (with respect to price, currently looking at the tein flex z), or would I see the same gains (or close for the price difference) from just replacing the dampeners with adjustable ones?
I do daily drive the car and do about 10k miles a year but it’s very spirited and have plans to do track days next year
I had my Sport (same year as yours) fitted with lowering springs on the Bilstein dampers, they were ok but I found out after a while it could bottom out on undulating roads depending how fast I was pushing it. I then took the plunge and had MeisterR’s fitted, properly set up, aligned and corner weighted it transformed the cars handling, it wasn’t too bad before that handling wise just the bottoming out a problem at times.
So yes from me get a full suspension change, of course tyres are a very important choice too, my choice were Kumho.
My Mk4 is on Eibach springs and I too will switch to coilovers, I know several others (Mk4s) that have made the switch and they have said its a marked improvement.
I had -30mm Eibach springs on my previous mk3. At roughly £150 a set, they got me the appearance I wanted and, to be fair, were fine for me at the time. My current mk3.5, I fitted a set of Meister coilovers at £700 more expensive than the springs but what a difference! I had 2 sets on 3 different mk1’s a few years ago and really like them. The ability to raise/lower the ride height to suit is great, though once done, you probably won’t alter it again. The adjustable damping is also very good and is done from the top of the units so easy enough to get at. Way more expensive but worth it for me. Bought mine really on the strength of what MickAP has said about them previously on his mk3, thanks Mick for helping to empty my wallet Other makes of coilovers are available!
Yes get the whole lot changed for adjustable suspension a very notable difference. As Barrie says you can then have the ride height set to you preference, mine were set at more or less the same height as the lowering springs gave, around 30mm lower than the standard set up. Also as mentioned you can set how firm/soft you want the ride.
I’m out of touch with prices but don’t expect purchasing the Meister’s for sub £800 then you need proper fitting and set up on top. Well worth the money, as Barrie will most likely agree it’s the best mod I’ve made to the car, even the missus noticed how well it rides and she never flinched when I said how much
thanks all for the responses, seems pretty unanimous, my only remaining question is I love the current ride hight, so would I not get the same performance by just adding some performance shocks, With adjustable dampeners?
Good question, the answer though, is way above my pay grade!
However, an example, Koni, STR adjustable dampening shocks are not far short, cost wise, of a set of Meister coilovers. The difference though is the Meister’s are completely built up (top mounts included, springs fitted etc) and still have the advantage of adjustable height alongside with adjustable damping. I appreciate you effectively already have the springs, so a saving made there. I fitted my own (which is reasonably easy) so didn’t have to split the original shocks to get the springs off, and then didn’t have to build back up the new set. As said, I’m not a suspension guru but for my driving, the Meister set up is perfect for me a complete matched suspension kit. They certainly aren’t the only kit out there, plenty of choice but this is now my third set of these over the years (sold the other cars with them fitted) plus the mk1 version wasn’t designed for the mk3, hence another purchase. Your question might be best answered by the likes of Blink or Roddisons though, as linked to by Keith W previously. Good luck though with whatever you decide to do, it is very much a personal choice.