OK, with all you guys who are lowered, how much does your ride differ from OEM(I am talking SE owners here). My 03 SE doesn't have "the ride of a Cadilac" and I didn't expect it to. However, I am a Realtor so I don't want bone jarring like my Eibach/Tokico setup had on my 89. I really like the look of the Teins, but I am thinking H&Rs. Though, I am afraid the H&Rs won't be enough of a drop to notice a difference. Also, what about these GR2s? Are these meant to be performance strut/shocks, or are they closer to OEM replacements? If they are OEM replacements, won't they eventually fail due to being compressed all the time? I am not going to waste my time lowering the car without new struts(even though I have only 12000 miles). I am afraid of Tokicos, they are too stiff. Any other options? Also, some pics of your lowered cars would be cool. I know this has been talked about a million times, but the search is down and I need to spend some money. I am in Mod withdrawl.

 

Ditto. I'd like to know the same!

 

The problem with this request for info is that the answers are gonna be as subjective as there are folks on this board.....

Generally speaking, H&Rs are considered softer than Eibachs, Maxpeeds very H&R-like, the 'big drop Teins' are all over the place.....some think they are soft (for the amount of drop) some say they are harsh.

I personally have Eibachs in the front and H&Rs in the rear and love that combination after having had Eibachs all around.

On the Tokico vs the KYB BR2, most opinions from those who either have had or have ridden on both is that the KYBs are indeed a bit mellower than the Toks. Konis felt to be harsh all around...

 

Here is my subjective answer. "EXCEPT" for large bumps my Tokico HP's and Sprint springs offer a very comfortable ride. My drop is 2 inches with 18 inch wheels on 235-40 Yokohamas and my Max is an 02 SE.

If you are riding on stock tires and wheels you would have an even more comfortable ride than I do with the same setup as I am running.

 

Progress drop on stocks shocks are almost close to stock as I can tell,the drop is noticeable as well 1.7F and 1.5R..heres a pic

 

For what it's worth, I ride on 18" Moda R6s with 245/40/18 Yokohama AVS-ES100s. I do put the OEM wheels back on for the winter months. I have Blizzaks on those. You can check out my home page to see how badly I need to drop the Max.

 

I have the same setup except i am currently riding on 16 inch wheels. I LOVE the drop and the way it handles. I agree with PhxBlue. Big bumps and big potholes hurt when they are unexpected, but well worth the advantages in my opinion.

 

that drop looks awsome. subtle but noticable. you do it yourself?

 

About 20000 miles ago, I had purchased used H&R and Tok Blues. The ride was extremely soft - softer than OEM. I ended up buying new H&R and KYB GR2. At the time I thought the combo was excellent. Firm when I wanted it (on flat roads) and compliant when I wanted it (over big bumps). Now, 20000 miles later, the front struts seem to have held up very well, but the rear struts are starting to get a little soft . . . I am planning on upgrading the rears soon either with KYB AGX, Koni or the new Tok Illuminas. The Tokico Blues are NOT considered to be firm riding. Many people have reported a VERY stock feel by using the Blues with H&R. Also, the drop with H&R is noticable, but the car won't look "slammed". If I were doing it over, and I had the money for it, I would consider going with a higher performane shock to start with. That means I would definitely not choose the Tok Blues, I might not even choose the GR2's and instead I might opt for the Koni's which are generally considered to be an all around excellent shock. Note, the Koni's are cartridge style for the front strut (you have to cut open the OEM strut and replace the innards with the Koni cartridge. A cheaper option could be GR2 up front and Koni or some other adjustable strut in back.

Regardless, if you lower the car, you will be going to a stiffer spring to compensate for the reduction in spring height. This will definitely result in a firmer ride than stock no matter what you do. The quality of the strut you choose will largely impact the handling of the car and its performance on smooth and/or bumpy roads - basically how well the strut controls the movement of the stiff spring.

Good luck!

 

were you referring to me?? If so, Yes with the help of my brother it only took 3 hours to do, of course we had access to a lift, impact wrench, spring compressor, and whatever tools..

 

If you have bumpy roads the tein/gr2 combo for instance is going to suck, if their smooth, then it won't be bad at all. don't mean to sound like an *** but thats the facts.

 

That looks great! You're still on stock struts.
Do you plan on upgrading to gr2s?
I wonder how that combo would be. I don't want the gap plus I'd like a little better handling, but since I drive in the city with horrible roads, I don't want to suffer either.

 

Depends on if you live w/ lots of potholes and bumps. I have Eibach and Tokicos. When I go over bumps and potholes, I wish I had stock suspension.

 

I had Tein/GR2 and it was far from the SE-like ride everyone was talking about a while back. Anyone who tells you that rides like stock is either out of their mind or drove an ox cart as their last vehicle.

I'm back to stock now. I'm thinking to try H&R/Tok. Blues next summer. I've given up on getting this FWD beast to handle (I'll probably end up buying a 240 to mess around with sometime soon) but I do want to get rid of the huge wheel gap in the front wheel wells.

 

i currently ahve Eibach springs and i was planning on getting GR2s,,, i want the best handling without a horrible ride

do u guys htink this setup will meet these need or no??

thanx

-J

 

From my experiance installing suspensions for the Maxima community I can tell you for sure that Tokico Blues are soft. KYB GR2's are nice and firm yet not harsh. Don't waste your money on Koni, they ride like crap.

H&R and Progress springs ride the best on 5th gen's. Couple either spring with GR2's and you have a nice sports car ride with a moderate drop.

If you wait a few more months for the Tokico Illuminas to come out for the 5th gens, they would be your best combination of smooth ride and great handling. I have the Illuminas coupled with H&R's on my 4th gen and can tell you there is no other setup that comes close to the ride quality of my setup.

So if your concerned with ride quality, wait for the Illuminas to come out and couple them with either Progress or H&R springs. I guarantee you'll be very happy with either combo.

 

This is just what I wanted to know. I don't need the car to be slammed on the ground. I just want to get rid of that incredible wheel well gap. I had the Tokico blues on my 89 with Eibachs and the ride wasn't "soft" at all. I didn't mind it, but I wasn't hauling people around for a living then. I was going to do this after the winter, so I guess I'll see when the Illuminas come out.

 

Anyone look at the Tien Tech H springs yet?? Theres another thread about them and they seem like a possible option. I personally have Maxspeeds in the garage but I'm waiting for the results of these new "H" 's first. Just my $.02.

 

Anyone know how much the Illuminas will run when they come out?
Also, are they a direct replace, or do you need to make some adjustments to them?

 

Yeah you can tell your lowered by lookin at that pic.. Your car looks nice!

 

Thats a BADA$S lookin dog you got there..

 

i just put MaxSpeeds on stock shocks. not slammed...but good drop. got rid of that 4x4 gap for sure. and cheap!

ride is close to stock...but a bit bumper. not too bad at all though.

 

thanks man..sometimes when I look at my ride, I wish it was lower..than I see other stock Max's and Im like dayam thats high

 

Me too, and I drive almost 40k miles a year. I have Maxspeeds and GR2s which work great! I can load up my car with clients and have had no problems. The ride is firm but not hard or jarring. I am on 18's as well, no probs.

 

Illuminas are out now for 5th gen. just saw it i thought u guys should know!

http://forums.maxima.org/showthread.php?t=266599

 

Get the New Tokiko Illuminas, 5-way adjustable for your 5th gen. I saw the Tokiko rep and he said that they are ready to ship.

As far as springs, my Eibachs have gotten softer over time (1 year). When I first installed them, they were kinda harsh. Now they have a great ride, totally compliant. I just wish I had a bit more travel for some of the bigger bumps. Blue Tokikos for the moment, gonna switch them out the the 5-ways.

H& R will lower your car more than Eibachs. H&R drop is 1.4" front, 1.3" rear. Eibach drop is 1.3" front and 1.0" rear.