Coilovers vs Springs

[Chapster5]

Right since my roasting of having stupid wheels on my car I have found some OZ ultraleggeras for £157 (brand new... no tyres (£30 a tyre from a guy I know) ) but yeh so with these 15" wheels (should I choose to get them) I will have room for lowering now what would be the best for my Mk2? Coilovers or just changing the springs? As I have no idea the difference between them lol also is it easy enough for a non mechanically minded person like me who has just about learnt how to check liquid levels on my car?

Cheers

Nick

 

[Narf]

on components that are potentially life threatening if they are not put together properly id advise at least getting a friend with past experience or what ever to help you if you are not mechanically minded.. the best way to learn is by doing but id strongly advise you seek a second opinion especially on your first attempt, but theres no reason as to why you cant do it.. just do it methodically and remember what bolt goes where ect.

 

[Chapster5]

Thanks Narf so on a MK2 PH1 Clio which would be recommended? Ive been told coilovers are springs around the damper but on my car my springs and damper are seperate?

 

[SkidMarx]

Sportlines springs + cheap, great handling, childs play to fit
- Dont got very low (-20mm ish max) so usually look a bit silly with 15's

Coilovers + Go as high/low as you want, adjustable to how you want them
- More work to set up properley, Expensive if you want good quality, Harsher ride than sportlines

If i had another clio it would be on sportlines and 16"s, no question.

 

[Chapster5]

Wow thanks for that Bongy so you would say just change the springs to about 20mm smaller and 16" wheels?

 

[SkidMarx]

Well its your car so upto you. do a search for sportlines and you'll see how low they go.

Ive had sportlines and two sets of coilovers. Car looks better low on coilies but it drove so much better on sportlines.

 

[sideways danny]

4 general schools of thought on this,

For an everyday road car, just wanting a bit of an upgrade, some decent springs are the way to go.
For someone wanting to play with settings, and with an interest in "stance" and going a bit lower, but not intending to go on track, some budget coilovers can do a good job
For a track focussed car, a set of decent quality coilovers, giving height, damping and camber adjustment allowing for fine tuned handling.

There's lots of different variations and option in the middle of those 3, but they're the most common routes to go

 

[sideways danny]

4 general schools of thought on this,

For an everyday road car, just wanting a bit of an upgrade, some decent springs are the way to go.
For someone wanting to play with settings, and with an interest in "stance" and going a bit lower, but not intending to go on track, some budget coilovers can do a good job
For a track focussed car, a set of decent quality coilovers, giving height, damping and camber adjustment allowing for fine tuned handling.

There's lots of different variations and option in the middle of those 3, but they're the most common routes to go

 

[Chapster5]

Ahhh Ill be going for the first option then Danny I think as im not clued up on adjusting and stuff and my car is far from track worthy lol! Thanks for posting that, it has definatly helped more looks like im looking at springs

Thanks guys!

 

[Kam.]

For everyday road use I find the Eibachs more than adequate. Certainly worked well on the country roads round somerset and devon last week You want a good spring at high speed so stay in control over the bumps.

 

[Narf]

i have a set of eibach sportlines on standard shocks which i have replaced with brand new units on my mk2 ph1 and for everyday it feels stable and doesnt crash into pot holes, i still feel confident when pushing it on the country roads, it has also seen the track a few times which it held up really well with this set up so imo its a good starting point with just the springs and polybush your wishbones and arb,