Currently I'm sporting the stock springs/struts on my My maxima but I'm looking to upgrade.


What's the best setup for a lower/smoother ride?

Aftermarket springs/stock struts
Coilovers
Aftermarket springs/aftermarket springs

Looking for insight from people who have had several setups on their maxes.

 

What's your budget? No point in discussing +$1,300 coilovers and other components if you are only willing to spend $500 on new struts and springs.

 

well I would purchase these parts slowly from forums so let's say my budget is around $600.

I know I can get tokico illuminas for around $300 and tien htech springs for $80. used of course. does that sound like a decent setup?

also are struts just for dampening? I assume coilovers combine springs and struts?

 

Before we go any further, the question you need to answer is, how low are you looking to go?

Obviously the lower you go, the rougher the ride's going to get.

 

If you are looking for springs and struts only, read this:

http://shiftice.com/spring_strut_decision.html

Then search for other members' review of their setups and form your own decision. Everyone has a different view on what is rough/stiff/floaty...etc therefore no one can give you the "best" setup in your mind.

 

I was wondering if anyone has the ground control coilovers with the eibach springs? I seen some on ebay for around $400. and it says it's compatible with stock shocks or tokico hp, which is what i have now. any experience with these?

 

Yes, you can run them with stock struts, but the struts will blow pretty quick...you'd be better off coupling them with Illuminas.

I've had no experience with them personally. Although, my friend had them on his Accord. They ride like **** to be honest. By ****, I mean really rough/harsh ride.

 

1.6-2" is the most I can go on NY roads. For this reason I'm not going to get lopro tires. Sticking with the 235/40/19

 

Sorry, but this question is completely subjective except for price. There are a few setups that you can afford, mostly springs and struts and possibly some low-quality coilovers.

The problem is not everyone has experienced ALL of the available setups. Like posted above, check shiftice.com for the suspension comparisons. The amount lowered does NOT necessarily mean stiffer. Search in this subforum and in Advanced Suspension / Chassis subforum for your best results.

 

lower and smoother are only going to work together if you purchase a very good set of coilovers which is gonna run you 1g or more. being that there are no aftermarket springs for our cars made to match a certain set of shocks, illuminas would be your best bet as they are adjustable if you want to go the cheaper route. goodluck.

 

Agreed.

The real problem with lowering the 5th gen is there isnt enough rear suspension travel on even OEM springs, so once you start lowering you take away the needed suspension travel.... That being said my car had Eibachs on OEM struts when i bought the car. The ride was very harsh and would bottom out frequently on impacts that it shouldn't have. I put on Illuminas on saturday and the car is night and day different. the ride is no longer harsh but it is sporty and firm. It rides a lot like my stock 3000GT VR-4 though i do notice the lack of suspension travel on the Maxima.

If i were buying a spring/strut set up for the maxima i'd go with H&R and Illuminas. The drop is very mild and since the wheel gap is rather minimal on 5th gens to begin with a major drop is unnecessary (IMHO). From what I've read the H&R's offer the drop of the Eibachs but with a more 'German' ride, firm but less harsh than Eibachs.

 

all depends on what you looking for... i dont think anybody here knows whats the "BEST" drop for any car... its basically what you the owner is looking for and what u would like.... i personally think coilovers is the best suspension ever, but that cause i love riding slammed and dont care too much for ride quality, some will say a moderate drop with illumina's... ill say for comfort (illumina's and H-techs or eibachs)... sportiness (spring/shock- illuminas and S-techs) a lil more extreme or advanced (coilovers of whichever brand u prefer)/Thread

 

Progress and Illuminas can't be beat!

 

http://forums.maxima.org/5th-generat...on-thread.html