Lowering LC and LCR's - How far did you go?

[Pabs]

Hi guys

Due to my recent research into my suspension upgrade in the new year, I am looking at a few different options.

Now, everyone I talk to rates coilovers. However, the coilovers I want (cheapISH) are the FK Highsport coilovers at around the £370 mark. However, the drop is 40-85mm TUV. Now, I feel that a 40mm drop on my LC would be pushing it - I still want to be able to drive in multi-storey carparks OCCASIONALLY, and I dont want problems with speedhumps.

I have been told that using these coilovers and then dropping LESS than stated above, it wouldnt be a good idea (sure you know why so not going to explain here)

So really, how far have you dropped your car without problems? I assume the stated 45-85mm is for a std leon, the cupra sits a little lower (11mm?) so i assume its only an extra 35mm or so?

I might opt for the Koni Sports suspension kit instead - only states 30mm drop... but not sure how good it would be compared to the FK coilovers?
Cheers all

 

[slimjim]

Jeeeesus dude....

Delete the thread before wheels-inmotion find's it!

That thread scares me to death!

 

[Pabs]

i have read said thread (wow it rhymes! lol) and got lost after about 5mins.

I know a lot of people have lowered their cars, i am just looking at replacing my suspension as the std has done just over 50k now and thing that with everyone saying how upgrading suspension helps handling I think I want to do it.

So I just want recommendations for what I want to do - and wondered if anyone out there has been in the same situation as me before? People rant on about coilovers, but surely not everyone wants to drop their car 45mm+?

 

[Steve_B]

I'd possibly look at upgrading the suspension on my LC when it comes time to replace the OE units so would welcome advice from others as well.

If your roads are anything like the ones near me Pabs, you'd be looking at a 45mm INCREASE in ride height to get over the speed bumps / out of pot holes

 

[Mr Roboto]

Dropped mine just over 2 inches with coilovers on to 19" rims

Have not had any problems with the front splitter yet

 

[Pabs]

If your roads are anything like the ones near me Pabs, you'd be looking at a 45mm INCREASE in ride height to get over the speed bumps / out of pot holes

HAHA yes mate, sounds familiar. Most of my driving is motorway driving now, but I do still experience the odd bad road here and there

I have two options I think: FK Highsport coilovers or something like the Koni Sports Suspension Kit. Both around the £350-370 mark.

 

[slimjim]

Don't think it's the splitter you need to be worrying about.

It's the whole suspension setup.

 

[Pabs]

99% of modified cars have aftermarket suspension kits, and 99% of those people think that installing them has helped the handling. I'm not going to argue with that!

 

[Steve_B]

I'm looking for a set up so that the car handles better, small drop in ride height but not too much and doesn't shatter my back when I go over the many potholes / sunken drains & manhole covers that are so prevalent on the roads round here, I also use multi storey car parks and have scraped the bottom of the bumper on my LC already!

 

[Pabs]

^^^ditto to most of that above^^^

 

[Freewheelin']

Have FK Highsport coilovers on my Cupra TDI with 18" R wheels. Initially lowered approx 50mm and apart from problems with speedhumps ARB was rubbing on the drive shafts, especially on long left-hand corners. Raised it approx 15mm (now around 35mm drop) and fitted an FK front ARB and the car is transformed - no nasty noises from the drive shafts and the car feels much happier when you push on both in slow and fast corners. Ride quality is fine - definitely a road rather than track set-up.

 

[Pabs]

so your running at less than the stated 45mm drop then.... this cant be good, surely?

 

[cupra R con]

i have a 30mm drop on Eibach springs, & with a LCR front bumper i regularly scrape humps & even pulling out of the drive is a challenge.
but this is down to the long/low overhang. one thing is for sure, I'm not going any lower!

 

[Freewheelin']

so your running at less than the stated 45mm drop then.... this cant be good, surely?

If the quoted FK figures of 40-85mm drop are for the standard Leon and the Cupra's 10mm lower standard then 35mm would be within their parameters. All I know is that on my car the damping and overall handling was much improved (although the front ARB was changed to an FK item at the same time but AFAIK it was the same diameter as the standard ARB so shouldn't alter the handling) when the ride height was changed from 50mm to a 35mm drop - I can't imagine what the car would be like if it was dropped 75/85mm!!

 

[Pabs]

indeed - those were my thoughts. I assumed that the drop quoted was for a std leon.
Do I need an ARB if dropping the minimum on the coilovers, taking my car down by 35mm?
I don't think I will, just think its recommended..

 

[Freewheelin']

Unfortuanately the ride height was raised to a 35mm drop and the FK ARB fitted at the same time so I don't know whether just picking up the ride height by 15mm would have solved the drive shaft issue. However I'm sure I read somewhere when I was trying to find ways of sorting out the problem that it only becomes an issue if the car is lowered >45mm so you should be OK with a 35mm drop. Can't remember where I read it though

 

[RobDon]

I had FK Highsports and found them too soft, car would scrape and bottom out during hard cornering, because they have non-adjustable shocks even raising the ride height didn't help much, Konigsports would be better. I now Have KW V2 coilovers are these are awesome - same ride height of around a 45mm drop but zero scraping or catching even with the shocks set fairly soft (guessing the springs are stiffer than the FK's). I have thicker Eibach front and rear ARB's too - the front has a larger hoop for more driveshaft clearance. I do catch my front splitter on speedhumps etc. but not too often.

Save up and buy better coilovers, Highsports are fine for normal road driving without any form of 'spirited' cornering.

 

[Pabs]

i dont see the point in spending loads on them - for the driving I do i probably wont benefit from doing anything to be honest!
We shall see anyway.. Cheers for the help

 

[LordStorm]

I want some coilovers aswell, been looking at the KoniSport ones, I think Awesome are doing a deal on the, not 100% but I think so. I only want to drop mine about 25mm, I don't want to loose ride quality.

Unfortunately I need to get a house first though, so just window shopping for now.

Merry Christmas everyone.

 

[Pabs]

its all good Just won some brand new FK Highsport coilovers on Ebay for a bargain price of £310! Loving that