springs or coilovers

[moogster_1]

I have just put on a nice set of 17" alloys on my 172 and am now looking to lower my car to rid it of the monster truck look. Iv lowered every other car iv had with springs and never really been 100% pleased. so now i have the car iv wanted for ages i feel i should be totally happy when i lower it otherwise im just wasting money.

so i have been thinking of coilovers, there is an amazing set of gaz coilovers from k-tek that has full adjustmant in height and stiffness.

has anyone used these or similar and what do you think of them.

Is the ride quality reasonable? (live in edinburgh and roads are pish!)

basically is the £400 pound price differance worth it?

cheers

 

[CHRIS172CUP]

It'll feel dogshit if you use springs or coilies especially with the 17's on. Coilovers are the best route imo but you can probably get a good drop from a cheap set of Apex lowering springs.

Saying that, I find the damping on my H&R's better than the standard setup. All bumps soaked up much better and there's hardly any body roll.

From the feedback in here, GAZ give a harsh ride so do research...ask Loony lol.

 

[moogster_1]

right so you would recomend the H&R coilovers then.

see im looking for a stiff ride (dont laught! ) but still dont want my spine to shatter when going over pot holes etc.

maybe im just looking for something that dosnt exist.

 

[CHRIS172CUP]

GAZ/FK are pretty stif from what I've heard and H&R are perfect for road. Then there's Bilstein and Leda which I have no knowledge of but are the top of the crop, especially for track use.

Honestly, you'd love the H&R's but they're about £720.

 

[Anonymous]

H&R or Leda Coilovers are top notch

 

[Jay MK1]

*what Are Coilovers Lol, I Dont Know What They Are?*

 

[moogster_1]

you lot are a bad influence allready! now im soarly tempted by the H&R's.

more saving i guess.

 

[Anonymous]

*what Are Coilovers Lol, I Dont Know What They Are?*

Standard shocks and springs http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=206

Coilovers http://www.k-tecracing.com/show_product.asp?id=1049

 

[CHRIS172CUP]

you lot are a bad influence allready! now im soarly tempted by the H&R's.

more saving i guess.

By far the best thing to buy for these cars imo. Can make such a difference in all areas, especially track driving.

 

[Andy_J]

I have FK's and i love them... not as stiff as ppl make out on here!

They are really good on the road, first track session coming up soon.

 

[ant]

apex, £90, -40mm, job done.

no point in spending over £700 for the road. [especially when you've gone and stuck 17's on!!]

 

[Anonymous]

Mine had 17's and coilovers and handled fine

 

[ant]

would've been even better on 16's!

 

[moogster_1]

would've been even better on 16's!

well i thought about keeping the standerd wheels on as they are the limited edition bbs aloys that are on the 172 exclusive but i had a set of very light japanes alloys that although larger (10mm larger in total dia) they are infact lighter that the 15" alloys that were on. So now the car grips really well as they are wider with less tyre flex and iv not lost any power through large heavy wheels so quite pleased.

 

[Anonymous]

would've been even better on 16's!

It was on 16's to start with before the Anth Super L's

 

[Turkish]

no point in spending over £700 for the road. [especially when you've gone and stuck 17's on!!]

Why not? If you've got the cash then they're far better than springs. You dont need to do trackdays to benefit from higher quality (and matched for that matter) springs and damper.

H&R's are the b****cks, I had a set on my 172 and now have a set on the 182 and after experiences with other options i'm unlikely to be tempted to stray from H&R in the future.

 

[moogster_1]

I totally agree.
I dont have to be racing round the track to benefit from upgraded suspension. With all the twisty up and down roads i drive i want all 4 wheels to have the most grip possible.

been a pasenger in an accident invovling a 205 gti going round a corner at reasonable speed when the driver lifted of the accelerator (lift off oversteer) and the whole car spun out of control and plowed me into a lampost:dapprove:. Having pushed my car round corners it is slighty twitchy at the rear so want that sorted asap to avoid any more lampost incodents.

anybody else find that about the clio's btw. slightly twitchy at back end?

H&R hear I come!!!!!

 

[Turkish]

The back end is pretty mobile on the clio due to the weight distribution but i've always found it really progressive, adjustable and you always know whats going on. Unlike some cars where they let go in a big way all of a sudden with no real warning.

 

[moogster_1]

nice one thats what i thought. any time it has flaired out i have managed to totally get the car back with little correction (and im no racing driver like) i was just so shocked at how easy the 205 spun and its much tighter round the bends than the 172 that i dont want the same to happen.

still getting coilovers though!

 

[Turkish]

Definately wont have any nasty surprises like the 205 can give, you've got to get it well out of shape before it lets go.

Whereabouts are you based ?

 

[moogster_1]

Sunny Edinburgh.

what about you?

as i mentioned earlyer the roads around hear are pants and thats not just the cobbles. i swear there are more holes in the road than there is road

but dont get me started on that or ill rant on for ages.

 

[Turkish]

Down in wiltshire so bloody miles away, lol. I've been up there though so i know what you mean about the state of the roads.

 

[CHRIS172CUP]

Talking of handling and quality of spring/dampers...you slam on the anchors from about a ton on the standard setup, then try the same with a good set of coilovers. Braking is much better through the corners too, the car stays in control and doesn't get as tail happy.

 

[moogster_1]

exactamundo. that is my justification to my fiance for spending 800 smackers on suspension......

yes dear its safer with this setup.

hehe

so in agreement hear then H&R worth the dosh.

nice!

 

[Gaz_]

would've been even better on 16's!

and even better on 15's

 

[ant]

well if you can afford it then go for it but from your first post it seemed you were trying to justify dishing out 700 notes.

for the road the 90 quid apex are a worthy enhancement.

 

[ant]

and even better on 15's

no doubt :approve: