Opinions on lowering Mk1 172 please...

[matt4478]

Okay, I finally got a new job so thought Id treat myself to some lowering springs. Im after a drop of around 40mm front and rear. The problem is that I cant find a good range of manufacturers for this drop:

- Eibach do a 30mm drop Pro-Kit which (after speaking to John at Demon Tweeks) appears to actually be a 20mm drop on a 172 as the 172 is lower than a normal clio already
- PI do a 40mm drop for a 172 (apparently) but I dont know if the quality is any good.

Anyone know of any other options and/or if PI are any good?

Thanks

Matt

 

[BenR]

pi are fine.
i use them.

fairly stiff the lower you go, and not progressive, which i like.

 

[K-Tec Racing]

Hello, we use Avo/Chassis Dynamics springs to lower the 172 and the quality is very good. They quote a drop of 35mm. We have just lowered our own Mk 2 172 with these springs and the measurements from the ground to the wheel arch, directly above the centre of the wheels, are front: 590mm and rear 580mm. Take these measurements away from what your car currently measures and this will give you an accurate expecyted drop.

I hope this helps.

David.

 

[Simon]

My cars got PI springs and Koni Shocks. Car sits nice and low now. Springs lowered car 25mm at front and 15mm at rear.

The Konis are shorter than the standard shocks so car sits about an extra 10mmo 15mm lower with them on.

 

[ak_uk]

David


The CD springs you are talking about, are they simply the same as the mk1 ??


ak

 

[GR7]

Why is the 172 higher at the front?

 

[Simon]

GirlRacer its higher at the back with a slight downwards slope going to the front. Chatting to a racer friend at work and he says that they do these sorts of things on cars to make them handle in a certain way. Apparently changing ride height and mucking about with the suspension can really change the characteristics of the way the car handles. E.g. understeer, oversteer.

 

[K-Tec Racing]

ak, the CD springs are the same as the Mk 1 springs. The reason the measurements make the car look lower at the rear is because of the different height wheel arches. The fronts have to have more clearance over the front wheels to allow them to turn. The overall height of the car is still lower at the front than it is at the back.

David.

 

[MarkB]

A question for you Dave,

I have a MK1 172 and want to get it lowered abou25 - 30mm all round...

What would this cost, including fitting, checking tracking, whatever needs doing etc. and also how long would it take, and finally when would you be able to fit it in....

Cheers,

Mark
====

 

[MarkB]

Also David, if youd prefer to give me details via email rather than post here, then my addy is baron_mark@hotmail.com

Cheers,

Mark
====

 

[matt4478]

Thanks everyone!

If the PI springs should be okay, then I think Ill just get them and fit them myself (Im reasonably adept with a tool in my hand... that makes me sound like a p**n star, sorry) ABP Motorsport can supply them for £87 apparently, so theyre quite cheap really.

BTW: Renault Insurance (who Im currently with) only reckon my premium will increase by £71 after lowering the car, just incase anyone was wondering...

Cheers

Matt

 

[BenR]

check you strut top bolts as they can be seriously seised on!!!

 

[The Monk]

"BTW: Renault Insurance (who Im currently with) only reckon my premium will increase by £71 after lowering the car, just incase anyone was wondering..."
ive got charged £94 by them for springs and 17s wheels, so does means a perimum of £23 for wheels???

 

[matt4478]

TheMonk,

Dunno mate, but I got seriously hammered by them for a SuperChip and K&N - about £130 extra - which is frankly taking the p*ss for the difference they make!

£20-odd quid for wheels sounds good value though!

Matt

 

[The Monk]

another thing is when i declare my mod i say can i put the excess up instead of added premium, but they said i can only do that come the renewel time.

 

[GR7]

When I had loads of mods on one of my cars I found Adrian Flux were the cheapest.

 

[GR7]

Just noticed folk talking about extra cost for new wheels. I have had to pay £31 extra for my 17" Super Ts, which are only one inch bigger, as they say that they are more expensive to replace than the standard 172 wheels, should I get them stolen.

 

[ak_uk]

David, the reason I ask is HP fitted CD springs for me and I didnt know much about them...but the drop was just about right - visually - ......how do you find them when driving in terms of handling/ride etc....

Iid like to fit adjustable shocks but I dont think they are available yet....




ak

 

[Fred@BTM]

Koni do adjustable shocks

 

[K-Tec Racing]

ak, we have found the springs to improve the handling by giving the car a sharper turn in and less body roll without making the ride too hard. We have lowered several of the Clio 2s and all our customers have been more than happy with the results.

David.

 

[ak_uk]

David, I think I agree with what you have said about the CD springs, however did you find that the back is now a little more mobile afterwards - or maybe its my tired Contis......


ak

 

[Man-Chun]

Im getting my car lowered for 150 pounds fitted at Hill Power. He uses chassis dynamic springs which give about 35mm lowering.

Chun.