I snapped some drop vs. stock comparison shots a long while back when I saw a 2K3 nearly identical to mine sitting lonely in a parking lot, but I never got around to posting them. To see how much of a difference a drop makes in a side by side comparison, the shots are now up here:
http://www.innerbean.com/housecor/2004_5_29.html

Progress springs are on the silver Max in these shots.

Here's one:


And just for kicks, I threw in a poll. I'm sure there are some who prefer the look of stock - I'm just curious how many of us zealots feel that way.

 

Wow, a world of a difference; I can't wait to get rid of that ugly wheel gap on my car...

Great suspension writeup btw..

 

This one was the deciding factor for me on this poll, but I knew the drop looks better previously.

 

i think the progress springs give the best drop for a 2k2.....i heard about eibachs saggin in the rear...maxspeeds not being low enough....and s-techs being too low in the front but not in the rear....

judging from your website and pix....progress is the best compromise if you want an even looking maxima

 

Looks great...... how low are the progress.. ones... I have to get the Illumina nad springs but still undecided .... Maxspeed or ?????

 

hmmm, It's probably just me, but I don't notice THAT much of a difference between the two.

 

Check out the other pics on his site, you may see more of a difference in some of the other pics.

 

i agree, unless you have a sound system, lowering the back about .5 of an inch more than usual then the s-tech of 1.5 front and 1 + .5(box/sub/amp) =1.5 in back is the better choice. :P

 

Another suspension poll from Cory, I can see this becoming another popular thread. Great job on the comparison pics, the drop looks much nicer.

 

Definately dropped! I'm not a big fan of the s-techs...it looks a little unatural to me, but I do like the progress and h-techs, the perfect look IMO. Looks much better dropped.

 

That's the drop I've always favored for the 5g.

 

i dunno, I don't think I could sacrifice my ride quality for minimizing the wheel gap.

 

Slam it baby slam it to the floor!!!

Definetly dropped, maximas were meant to be dropped. On the other hand, if you have another car to toy around with and you use your max to cruise, then stock suspension.

 

Definitely dropped. The Progress springs worry me because the drop may be too much for the struts. Housecor, didn't you have a problem with a strut?
BTW, your website rocks, thanks for the great info...

 

Thanks Maray. Glad it's been helpful! I blew an Illumina after only 4 months while running Progress springs. Now whether that had anything to do with the springs is anybody's guess. It could have been caused a faulty strut as well. No one else has blown in Illumina to my knowledge in such a short time. But to just to be safe, and to get more suspension travel for potholes, I went with an H&R front only setup. This evened out the stance and enhanced handling.

 

Wow, so far 15% don't see any cosmetic reason to drop. See, I knew a few would chime in. And I can understand that view - If my max came with an even reasonable stance like a 330i from the factory I'd likely never have done it.

 

Progress is something like 1.7F and 1.5R...

 

Def dropped no question..and as always housecor has outdone himself...BUt im still waiting on the how-to Aim headlights...

 

I agree, I think we've got it pretty bad compared to a lot of other cars... I'd post pics or a list to support that, but I think most of ya already know that...

 

i wouldn't lower my car based on looks alone. it does look nice, but i lowered my car cuz i couldn't stand the way the stock suspension rolls, the look is just an added bonus.

 

I have had Eibachs on my Max for 4 years and haven't noticed any sagging. They have settled and I don't have a system in my trunk. If I measure behind the front wheel well (ground to body) and measure in front of the rear wheel well (ground to body), the car sits level, even tho the measurement from ground to center of wheel well front and back is different (front is higher than rear). The rear wheel arch is smaller than the front wheel arch. There are pictures on my homepage, but because it's black, it isn't super obvious. The ride is probably harsher than H&R's.

 

i like my progress, they ride tight like it should, and still retain quite a bit of comfort.

 

S-Tech's have been good to me

 

i agree with you 100%.
i think the maximas should come with a lower stance from the factory.
the drop defintely looks better.

 

i have a little bit of a sagging issue with maxspeeds. but i do like the drop. i don't want the car too low. especially in winter time when there is a foot of snow...

 

I really don't see that much of a difference and certainly would not sacrifice any ride quality to minimize the "gap"

 

i didnt see much difference until i clicked on the link....

 

I guess some of us are just more "gap sensitive" than others...

 

actaully the s-techs lower 2.2 in front and 1.8 in the rear. i love my s-techs with illuminas. i could go from being soft to being stiff in a matter of seconds. and actually i though s-techs would be horrible with ride quality but not for me.

 

i really dont understand how some people dont see any difference...if you look at the pic you provided, you can even see that the other car's trunk is much higher than yours (as well as the eliminated wheel gap on your car) ... i think it looks great, and that our cars should have come that way from the factory as well

 

Your drop looks awesome! I love the Progress drop. I'm saving up for Tein H-Techs myself, though. The Progress springs are nice, but the roads here aren't. The Teins are a tiny bit higher.

 

The sterling mist Max on the left looks like it has "Shift on the fly 4wd" capabilities.

..Go low

 

the back on stock springs is okay but the front is just horrible with stock springs.

 

Dropped def. looks and handles better. For those that voted there is no difference, what pics are you looking at? Just curious.

 

Picture comparing a lowered vs stock Maxima, it was taken at a Nissan BBQ in the fall of 04. The parking lot isn't level and it kinda messes with the cars stance.

 

I say the lower the better.

 

lower is better, albeit sublte, but better.

 

a subtle drop is much nicer then the stock look the gap is just terrible... but going too low also looks a little ricey imo

 

the drop looks waaaaay better, plus the tint and the clear housing. cant really tell from far away, but it gets rid of that horrible fender gap i see daily when i get in/out of my car, and i bet it handles better too. cant wait to put mine on!!

 

Granted you have a nice looking MAX, very nice in fact. BUT......there are many associated problems and things you have to look out for when you lower your car like yours. Railroads for instance, im sure you almost get to stop before you pass over one, you probably avoid "known bumps" in the road too, and you know if you pull to far up in a parking spot you may damage your front bumper. One added disadvantage as well is if you need your car towed, most definately you will get damage from the tow truck trying to get it up on the flat bed or on the rear for being so low. Yes it looks awesome but I wouldn't sacrifice the stock ride for all those extra headaches in which there may be other headaches as well. Oh i would love your ride but only if I have another one with the regular height for long distance rides and out of town trips.

Looks awesome, great job but my vote is for the stock ride!