I popped this on to another spring/coil-over post but thought I’d kick off again in anew one.
Just had an MOT on my VR Combo and found I had a broken rear spring
So I’m intending to go with a set of slightly lower springs and some new shock boots (the exisiting shocks are in reasonably good condition)
I guess the question is, which ones There are so many out there.
Tempted by a set of MX5 parts nice red “Trim Springs” but have also heard good words about Autolink’s offerings too. Definitely don’t have the budget for a set of coilovers (Meisters would be nice but I haven’t raided a bank this week or won the lottery yet)
An aside to all of this is that I managed to get some quality garage time in this morning and thought I’d have a measure up of my current “stance” (I think that’s what all the Max Power/Nutzers call it )
Anyway, I’ve come up with approximately 360 mm height on each corner (give or take a gnats) from wheel centre to wheelarch lip. This seems awfull high to me with plenty of fresh air under the arches, so going with “Trims” or “Sports” springs might be too much ? Now officially confused of Croydon ! (wheels are standard VR Combo 15" x 6J with AvonZv3 195/50-15 tyres)
I’m not going to be much help here…but I was browsing mx5parts the other day and the reviews on those trim springs are mixed to say the least. A few people saying that they seem to be cut-down standard springs as there is no flat seat at one end. However, they also say they have a new version, so maybe those reviews refer to the old ones.
Lowering will increase the firmness of the ride, plus introduce a little jitteriness over rough surfaces, as you have Bilsteins. I’d go with a mainstream established spring brand, such as Eibach or Tein. These will give nominal 35-40mm drop compared to a 90-93 MX5.
if you go for Autolink’s sport spring with standard shocks you will get the best of both worlds, as the the standard shock are softer it balances out the harder springs, your ride will still be firmer but not as firm as if you had bilsteins.
When you do lower you car you will need to have it re-alined, plus release all the brushes to re-centre them, as the static position is now in a different place.
That’s my intention methinks. My little boy (he’s taller than me and well over 30 odd) is going to fit them on the ramps at his emporium for sick cars (Kensington Autos/Dave Jacobs Motorsport in Norbury, Sarf Lunden, for any interested parites out there) and will do a full alignment afterwards too. Wise words about releasing the bushes though, I’ll pass that on (and probably get told off for stating the bl**dy obvious - kids, who’d have 'em !)
I’m still bemused by how high my 5 seems though. Any others out there with a ride height that … err … high
Well, I’ve attempted to see what’s going on under the arches and with what little I could see, I can definitely confirm that there’s no sign of a Billy under there.
The shocks are a pretty universal black colour with rectangular sticker around the lower part of the shock just above the mounting eye. The sticker is a blue colour with fairly large lettering thus :-- NEWSR in those differing sizes of text. Apart from that there’s no obvious distinguishing marks.
The more I think about all of this, the more I’m tempted to scrape some pennies together and end up going down the Coilover route.
I got a set of these on a few weeks ago and really pleased. Ride height is now respectable, and it feels more planted on the road. Not that I can now remember, but don’t think it feels any harsher.
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Here's an 'After' --
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Another 'Before' --
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Another 'After' --
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..........and another 'Before' --
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..........and the last 'After' --
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The use of the ....err... angle Grinder ? Simple really, as I said, strictly non pc (the health & safety police would have a field day) but damned effective --->
And the finished article --->
O.K. so one pics the back and the other's the front but the principle worked all round.
Job completed on the ramps at my Son's garage (or rather the Garage he does all the work in) with the aid of a very large persuading lever and said angle grinder. - Simples !
Mmm - forgot to add the pre-amble text in the previous posting - DOH !!
“Well, the new springs are in and I have to say that I’m comfortably well pleased with the result. Nicely lowered but not too far that those damned ‘speed’ humps become an embarrasment.
Must say that the ride quality has improved to my mind too. Seems to be more comfortable and a there’s a noticably bit less crashing around. Only fitted (a demon method involving the use of an angle grinder - don’t try this at home kids) and set-up on Tuesday so I’ll know even more when it eventually stops bl**dy raining and I can get out for more than a traffic full bimble.
Full marks to Autolink, great advice and money well spent.”
The front of my V spec was ok but the back like yours rather high. I fitted a pair of Autolink spring to the rear and it sat lovely, but wifey thought it rather too firm so I changed them back. I think the springs are probably fine and it is more likely my shocks are a bit long in the tooth. So I will have to get some replacements sometime and get the Autolink sport springs back on.
There are so many out there.
)
(wheels are standard VR Combo 15" x 6J with AvonZv3 195/50-15 tyres)
I’ll pass that on (and probably get told off for stating the bl**dy obvious - kids, who’d have 'em !) 
- don’t try this at home kids) and set-up on Tuesday so I’ll know even more when it eventually stops bl**dy raining and I can get out for more than a traffic full bimble. 
