Jimmy Gardner

Hey guys, I need some help. I am wanting to lower my wife's SE, but I do not want to pay 249.00 for Eibach springs and only get a 1-1.3" drop. I really want to drop the front about 2 full inches and maybe 1 and 1/2" in the rear, so that the rear doesn't sit lower than the front, like it does from the factory. What do some of you guys run? What do you suggest? Right now we are still running the factory 17" wheels with 235/45/17 tires, and we are going to switch wheels, but stay with the 17's, we just bought the tires not 2 weeks ago. Any help you guys can give me will be greatly appreciated. Pics would be nice too. Thanks Jimmy

housecor

iTrader: (2)

If you're looking for an even low drop, Progress is a great option. Of course, I'm biased - since I just installed mine.

According to Progress, they drop 1.7" F/ 1.5" R. As you can see in the pics below, the actual drop is near 2" up front.

Before:

After:


More pics of the drop are on my site if you roam around.

For more info to assist in your decision: http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/sp..._decision.html

MaximaPolak

iTrader: (9)

You might want to look at the group deals for answers.

They have a strut GD for 250 i think. Now that's bangin'.
Springs are 95???

Jimmy Gardner

I'm not looking to replace the struts and shocks, only the springs, so I have to have a decent spring that will go with the factory struts and shocks. Recommendations?

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

If you don't get aftermarket struts w/ your 2" drop springs, you will blow out your OEM struts real quick. Ride quality will not be good also.

GreekMaxima

you need Tein springs (2.2 front and 1.6 rear) but you have to change the struts/shocks, Tein springs is the best out there!!! nice drop and very nice ride!!

for pics check on my web page...

i got my Tein springs from AltiMax : 150 shipped --is the best price--
my KYB GR-2 shocks/struts : 285 shipped from Jessica

housecor

iTrader: (2)

Jimmy - There are a few guys on the org running Progress springs with stock struts who are very happy. Titaniumax03 is one example. This is (arguably) the lowest drop you can get away with while running stock struts. Just be forewarned that the stock struts will wear out more quickly than normal (most get 1-2yrs.) and the ride may not be as good as with aftermarket struts. Generally though, if you plan to keep the factory struts you're better off going with a less extreme drop (H&R's would be your best bet).

limsandy

iTrader: (1)

Many people are forgetting Tein H Tech.


~limsandy

KiLLeR2002se

iTrader: (4)

I don't know if your wife would appreciate an extremely harsh ride. Most of the guys here will tell you it's not bad, but ive rode in them, and they hurt. The springs were new on the car though.

I would suggest H&Rs, its the most comfortable aftermarket suspension available for the max.

2k2MerlotSE

iTrader: (2)

JIC....If you are keeping your car for more than a few years it is best off to get the real deal.

The AM struts will only last so long then go bad...Someone correct me if I am wrong.

There is a GD going on right now.

NT2SHBBY

teins and GR2's=garbage-this has already been addressed

how bout a maxspeed/GR-2 drop-affordable and semi-comfy

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

Sounded like $249 was alot. Doubt he will spend $1500

GreekMaxima

you wrong, many people has tein and gr-2 and they are happy... include myself!!

NT2SHBBY

dude...first off...ENGLISH!!! secondly-this has already been proven...teins eat aftermarket struts like candy-they are aggressive looking but THATS IT....there is no performance to them.

thirdly-talk to me in a year when u have some mileage on them and tell me they haven't gotten extremely bouncy

GreekMaxima

well, im happy with my combo

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

S-Tech is mostly about looks IMO. They eat up struts like no other. Very very harsh ride.

Jimmy Gardner

I did not sat 249 was alot, I said I didn't want to spend 249 for only 1" of drop with the eibach's. I am willing to spend whatever necessary to get the drop and ride quality, my wife and daughter are in this car every day, so I am not worried about cutting costs, I just want the most for my money.

NuJerseyDrive

iTrader: (3)

Jimmy,

Any aftermarket drop will affect the ride quality of the car. If you plan to switch springs then do yourself a favor now and swap out the struts as well. I originally went with Maxspeeds when they 1st came out, I had them on with my stockers. Maxspeeds are not as stiff as the other springs mentioned and they still destroyed my struts in no time.

I now have Sprints and the moddified (Cattman) AGX's. This is a great combo if you have the luxury to drive on a track daily but I doubt it. It coners as if on rails but if you hit a bump, you REALLY feel it. I'm sure any aftermarket strut/spring combo will be close in comparison to my ride. Some may be more forgiving but I don't think by that much.

Since your wife and your daughter will be riding this car daily then I seriously recommend keeping the car as is.

Jimmy Gardner

OK guys, thanks for your opinions, now another question? Is it possible, well, I know it's possible, but can I only lower the front enough to make it level with the back? If so, what way do you guys recommend?

Ammi

iTrader: (26)

You can buy Eibachs and install only the front springs. I don't know why you would just install only front springs. Waste of money IMO. No matter what you do, don't cut your OEM springs.

If price is not a concern, why don't you get a coilover system like Tein or JIC? You can adjust the ride height and dampening rate.

MaximaSe2002

well first off i know you you've already heard from oithers but i also have the maxspeeds and i blew right through the stock struts if you have weight in the back and hit a bump the car wouldn't stop bouncing

as far as just lowering the front i'm not too sure how you could unless you bought a set of springs and on;y put the fronts in now i know the maxspeeds are realy inexpensive and i like them.....but if you want which is the total wrong way to do it and i really don't like mentioning it but you could go the ghetto route and cut them

SEturner

I would suggest a set of Maxspeeds and stock struts.
The Maxspeeds left me with 27" from center fender lip to ground front and back. I forgot to measure before, so I do not know how much of a drop it was.
It does look much better, handles a little better(doesn't lean as much) and rides 95% as smoothly as stock(which wasn't all that smooth). Oh, I just did this last week myself, it is pretty simple. My stock struts have 41,000 miles on them and they control the springs just fine. You can pick Maxspeeds up for less than $100 shipped.

Jimmy Gardner

cutting the factory springs is not an option. Maybe I will just use the Eibach's. I have some decisions to make. My wife is not wanting a horse and buggy ride, and we had Eibach's on our PT Cruiser and loved them, I just wished they dropped the Maxima more than what they do, 1.3 and 1" is really not enough. Eibach makes great springs though, I have used them in the past on other vehicles.

NuJerseyDrive

iTrader: (3)

Give it time and in all likelyness you won't feel the same. Take it from someone who had more than a weeks experience.

white m3 guy

iTrader: (6)

i have a set of gc coilovers/and tokico blue struts they adjust 0-3 inches drop pm me if your interested im selling to upgrade to jic's