5th Generation Maxima (2000-2003) Learn more about the 5th Generation Maxima, including the VQ30DE-K and VQ35DE engines.
View Poll Results: So which looks better?
Stock - Drop looks ghetto or unnatural
45
10.61%
Drop - More aggressive and even
366
86.32%
Dunno. They look the same to me.
13
3.07%
Voters: 424. You may not vote on this poll

Drop vs. Stock - A decision in pictures. New pics posted...

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Old 03-21-2005, 11:39 PM
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Drop vs. Stock - A decision in pictures. New pics posted...

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.
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Old 03-21-2005, 11:41 PM
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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..
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Old 03-21-2005, 11:46 PM
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This one was the deciding factor for me on this poll, but I knew the drop looks better previously.

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Old 03-21-2005, 11:54 PM
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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
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Old 03-22-2005, 03:47 AM
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Looks great...... how low are the progress.. ones... I have to get the Illumina nad springs but still undecided .... Maxspeed or ?????
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Old 03-22-2005, 04:13 AM
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hmmm, It's probably just me, but I don't notice THAT much of a difference between the two.
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Old 03-22-2005, 04:22 AM
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Check out the other pics on his site, you may see more of a difference in some of the other pics.
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Old 03-22-2005, 04:26 AM
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Originally Posted by steven88
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
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
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Old 03-22-2005, 06:43 AM
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Another suspension poll from Cory, I can see this becoming another popular thread. Great job on the comparison pics, the drop looks much nicer.
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Old 03-22-2005, 06:51 AM
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 07:05 AM
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That's the drop I've always favored for the 5g.
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Old 03-22-2005, 07:37 AM
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i dunno, I don't think I could sacrifice my ride quality for minimizing the wheel gap.
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Old 03-22-2005, 07:51 AM
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 07:53 AM
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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...
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Old 03-22-2005, 08:26 AM
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 08:30 AM
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 09:08 AM
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Originally Posted by Lontar1
Looks great...... how low are the progress.. ones... I have to get the Illumina nad springs but still undecided .... Maxspeed or ?????
Progress is something like 1.7F and 1.5R...
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Old 03-22-2005, 09:10 AM
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Def dropped no question..and as always housecor has outdone himself...BUt im still waiting on the how-to Aim headlights...
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Old 03-22-2005, 09:10 AM
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Originally Posted by housecor
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.
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...
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Old 03-22-2005, 09:20 AM
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 10:28 AM
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Originally Posted by steven88
... i heard about eibachs saggin in the rear...
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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 10:58 AM
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i like my progress, they ride tight like it should, and still retain quite a bit of comfort.
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Old 03-22-2005, 10:59 AM
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Originally Posted by steven88
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

S-Tech's have been good to me

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Old 03-22-2005, 11:09 AM
  #24  
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Originally Posted by housecor
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.

i agree with you 100%.
i think the maximas should come with a lower stance from the factory.
the drop defintely looks better.
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Old 03-22-2005, 11:23 AM
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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...
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Old 03-22-2005, 11:57 AM
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Originally Posted by Ryans Maxima
hmmm, It's probably just me, but I don't notice THAT much of a difference between the two.
I really don't see that much of a difference and certainly would not sacrifice any ride quality to minimize the "gap"
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Old 03-22-2005, 12:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Mr. Peabody
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....
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Old 03-22-2005, 12:52 PM
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I guess some of us are just more "gap sensitive" than others...
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Old 03-22-2005, 01:46 PM
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Originally Posted by Maxima112
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
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.




 
Old 03-22-2005, 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by housecor
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.
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
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Old 03-22-2005, 06:11 PM
  #31  
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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.
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Old 03-22-2005, 10:08 PM
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The sterling mist Max on the left looks like it has "Shift on the fly 4wd" capabilities.

..Go low
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Old 03-22-2005, 10:11 PM
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the back on stock springs is okay but the front is just horrible with stock springs.
 
Old 03-22-2005, 11:08 PM
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Dropped def. looks and handles better. For those that voted there is no difference, what pics are you looking at? Just curious.
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Old 03-23-2005, 05:15 AM
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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.
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Old 03-23-2005, 05:38 AM
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I say the lower the better.
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Old 03-23-2005, 07:04 AM
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lower is better, albeit sublte, but better.
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Old 03-23-2005, 09:07 AM
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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
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Old 03-23-2005, 10:59 AM
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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!!
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Old 03-23-2005, 11:20 AM
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Originally Posted by chris'smax
I say the lower the better.
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!
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