Difference Between Coilovers & Damper/Lowering Springs?

[Rickst3r]

As titled, what are the main differences between a suspension set-up using a lowering spring & damper configuration or a coiler over kit?

There seems to be a big difference in price, as the coil over kits are circa double the price of the lowering spring & damper kits.

Is it a case of the coil overs giving more up/down height adjustability and camber adjustments on the expensive kits?

I am thinking of changing the wheels and lowering my car, but a bit worried about damper failure with just using lowering springs. I'm only interested in the looks of lowering the car and not so interested in the handling improvements as I don't rag or track the car etc.

I didn't find much from a thread search that answered this question so thanks in advance for any replies.

 

[DamianPM]

Basically the main difference is a springs and shocks kit will give you a set height drop where as a coilover kit will give you adjustable height and with some kits also adjustable damping.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[Rickst3r]

Okay cool, thanks for the reply Damian.

 

[dannyuk]

i bought some lowering springs for my cupra but people have said dont bother get coilovers all i want is to lower it, will just the springs do the job? also i cant find a garage to fit them for less than 250 i thought is quite expensive can ne1 help

 

[vRSy]

just fitting lower springs to standar dampers will not improve the handling by much. damping is one of the most important factors on a car. the std dampers are designed to work with the std amount of travel. when you lower it, it reduces the amount of damper travel, and thus will a bouncy ride(in comparison to a uprated dampers/springs setup)

id recommend fitting loweing springs to a set of performance dampers like koni FSDs or bilsteins for fast road light track work. fromthe ones ive driven they are comfier than stock and much more composed

if your after serious track work then id recommend a good set of coliovers

 

[dannyuk]

i think ill stick with dampers i dont drive it much anyway maybe 5000 a year

 

[dannyuk]

would it do much damage if i used springs for the minute until i can afford dampers

 

[DamianPM]

How many miles has your car covered?

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[dannyuk]

26000 i have had it 2 years and done 11 thousand miles i bought it at 15000

 

[DamianPM]

With that mileage you should be fine on just springs until you get round to changing the dampers.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[dannyuk]

hi damian what kind of price am i looking at to have these fitted

 

[DamianPM]

We no longer offer fitting but you'd be looking at around £100-£150.

Damian @ DPM Performance

 

[dannyuk]

sounds a bit better than the quotes ive had 250 was the most, garages dont wanna touch them because of the alloy hub

 

[Invisible]

that price may include re-alignment aswell (which can be around 40/50 quid) but even so a bit pricey for what I would think a decent garage could do all 4 corners in 1 hour, 2 hours max if you include coffee breaks and other jobs!

Alot of people are just using lower springs on the standard dampers without issue, purely for the cosmetic look rather than to improve handling albeit it will improve a little.

The standard dampers do cope well with aftermarket springs (some members here have done in excess of 20K miles with no issues but as with all cars (including my daughters toyota starlet which went recently) they will wear out quicker than normal as the aftermarkey springs put more stress on the standard dampers

I have not done mine yet but my plan would be springs first then save up for the dampers to add later if cant do all at once

 

[Adam's Cupra]

i bought some lowering springs for my cupra but people have said dont bother get coilovers all i want is to lower it, will just the springs do the job? also i cant find a garage to fit them for less than 250 i thought is quite expensive can ne1 help

My car is booked in to have springs fitted next saturday and they charging me 3 hours labour @ £60.00 + vat per hour that’s including lazer alignment so it’s costing me £211.50 total

If anyone knows of any cheaper i will be happy to know..