[seis-speed]

I put H&R springs on my car and really notice a huge difference in handling and body roll. The car rides lower and I have more aggressive wheels and tires with NO RFLT.

Am I missing something by not going with a V1 coilover?

[MassBimmer]

With springs, you don't have control over how low your drop is. Coilovers are adjustable so you can get your ride height to your desired specs. A coilover system is a spring and shock/strut combo specifically engineered to work with one another to ensure long life of the system, better handling characteristics and no unwanted side effects like a bouncy ride that can sometimes come with only springs

[pits200]

^ Perfect summary of the differences.

Springs = Cheaper more economical way

Coilovers = More expensive but a more refined way to drop the car.

[seis-speed]

Originally Posted by MassBimmer

With springs, you don't have control over how low your drop is. Coilovers are adjustable so you can get your ride height to your desired specs. A coilover system is a spring and shock/strut combo specifically engineered to work with one another to ensure long life of the system, better handling characteristics and no unwanted side effects like a bouncy ride that can sometimes come with only springs

Thanks!

[Presidio335xi]

Originally Posted by pits200

^ Perfect summary of the differences.

Springs = Cheaper more economical way

Coilovers = More expensive but a more refined way to drop the car.

So you are calling him cheap?

[JoeyBananaz18]

Originally Posted by Presidio335xi

So you are calling him cheap?

if that was the case he'd be calling 75% of the people who have lowered their cars that too.

[forza1976]

It's the JDM way to lower a car haha

[pits200]

Originally Posted by Presidio335xi

So you are calling him cheap?

Ha I suppose it can sound like that, kinda like saying a Vette is cheaper than a Ferrari.. Does that make the Vette bad??

You knew what I meant though, by comparison, lowering springs only are a cheaper alternative to coilovers.

[Atsnow]

Originally Posted by seis-speed

I put H&R springs on my car and really notice a huge difference in handling and body roll. The car rides lower and I have more aggressive wheels and tires with NO RFLT.

Am I missing something by not going with a V1 coilover?

Here is a good explanation on why use springs

Originally Posted by Tire Rack Website

No matter what you drive, your vehicle’s development engineers were faced with considerations that ultimately affected its performance – bumper heights, snow chain clearance and the number of people the vehicle was designed to carry. To accommodate all of those variables, your car’s suspension had to be tuned for average conditions, acceleration, braking and cornering. But if you’re not average, you may want to tune your vehicle to better match your driving style.

If you want the performance look and feel as you cruise the streets and go through the corners, then springs can provide the more aggressive appearance and more sure-footed handling that will help even the world’s finest automobiles perform even better.

Without a doubt, there is no more cost-effective way to enhance a vehicle’s performance and make it look more distinctive than a set of wheels and tires. However, the additional cornering and stopping traction they provide may be limited by the ability of the vehicle’s stock suspension to manage all of the increased traction. So in order to get more performance out of high performance tires, a suspension upgrade may be beneficial.

The first step is to lower the vehicle and increase its spring rate. Caution: Modifying a vehicle’s original springs almost always ends with unsatisfactory results. Cutting off coils or collapsing stock springs with heat may adversely affect the spring rate, multiply internal stresses and prevent them from fitting the vehicle’s suspension correctly. Properly engineered aftermarket sport springs are not only designed to fit the vehicle, but will enhance its appearance and performance at the same time.

Vehicle appearance is improved in two ways. Sport springs will typically lower vehicles to give them a more aggressive stance and reduce the vehicle’s fenderwell gap (the distance between the top of the tire and the edge of the wheelwell). When the vehicle is viewed from the side, the wheel and tire will appear to properly "fill in" the wheelwell. But when the vehicle shows fender well gap, it may look out of proportion and even create the illusion that the vehicle has been "lifted." Sport springs complete the vehicle’s appearance by lowering the vehicle and reducing fenderwell gap.

Vehicle performance is also improved by sport springs in two ways: they reduce ride height and have higher spring rates that are carefully tuned to the vehicle. This ensures sufficient load capacity and lowers the vehicle’s center of gravity for added stability. It also improves the vehicle’s responsiveness by reducing body movement, allowing the tires to function more effectively when performing at their limits.

Another solution is a complete coil-over system that combines springs and shocks along with an adjustable perch to support the spring. This set-up is most like a race set-up in that it allows tuning of the vehicle through ride height adjustment.

Eibach and H&R are two of the world’s leading spring manufacturers. They supply everyone from casual driving enthusiasts to professional racing teams. Their products are built to the highest standards and meet Germany’s tough TUV standards

[ModBargains.com]

The answer is simple, you get what you pay for when it comes to vehicle suspension. As such a crucial component of your vehicle, suspension is definitely something you do not want to cheap out on.

A coilover suspension basically gives you a matched lowering spring and shock absorber combination with the added benefit of adjustable ride height and spring rates through a moveable spring perch or perches. Coilovers are to your car's advantage by reducing unsprung mass, increasing suspension travel, and allowing the car to be corner balanced.

Feel free to shoot me over a PM if you have any questions at all.

- Alan

[Misterstag]

thats a good article

[Prismcube]

I would say springs are a temporary solution until you can afford coilovers.

[jg3360]

Lowering an xi by springs or coilovers- does either void your warranty?

[Babydragon]

Originally Posted by jg3360

Lowering an xi by springs or coilovers- does either void your warranty?

Yup

[nicocho]

Originally Posted by pits200

^ Perfect summary of the differences.

Springs = Cheaper more economical way

Coilovers = More expensive but a more refined way to drop the car.

would it make sense if I get coilovers with no intention to lower my car? just to replace the terrible stock suspension?

[Babydragon]

Absolutely not.

Originally Posted by nicocho

would it make sense if I get coilovers with no intention to lower my car? just to replace the terrible stock suspension?

[rogerdiaz]

Any input on zsp vs kw v1?

[DJKhan85]

Originally Posted by nicocho

would it make sense if I get coilovers with no intention to lower my car? just to replace the terrible stock suspension?

That's what I did(well I'm lowered very little to even out the wheel gaps). It is cheaper to go new dampers if you don't plan on lowering at all.

[E31BMW]

i personally could care less about adjustable ride height. Are coilovers for me?

[Fozzy]

There are two parts to adjustable...one is ongoing lowering and raising. The more important one is setting the height and rake to your personalized sweet spot.

[Babydragon]

The number benefit to coilivers is being able to adjust ride height. Seeing that ride height adjustment is unimportant to you.....than yes I would get the coilovers.

It's almost like buying a turbocharger and saying you never plan on going fast.

Originally Posted by Genek335

i personally could care less about adjustable ride height. Are coilovers for me?