I live in Maine and the roads here in the winter get pretty harsh, but the summers are nice. I'm looking for a strut/spring combo that is a decent, comfortable ride yet sporty. I'm looking for about a 1" - 1.5" drop on my stock 16" wheels. I've heard to stay away from the HP Blues because they tend to wear out faster and can't handle the drop. I'm leaning towards the KYB GR-2 but I need to find springs that will give me a comfortable, sporty ride like my dad's '03 VW Passat. Thank You.

 

If you want comfy, keep the OEM springs, get some aftermarket struts and add a rear sway bar.

 

My maxspeed/gr-2 setup was more agressive than stock, yet still a comfortable enough ride for my 1 hour commute to work.

I agree that nice struts and an RSB with Stock SE springs would be a good setup as well to maintain civility. In this case, I'd go with Tokico adjustable struts on the stock springs.

Whatever you do, don't lower your car and keep your stock struts ....

 

Progress springs on KYB AGX.

People dont believe me when I tell them the car is lowered because it rides so well. And theyre driving late model European cars like 323Ci, 330i, C240 etc.

I put at least 25k mi on my car. There are a lot of messed up roads in L.A. and the freeways in general. Many cracked roads w/ 1/2-assed tar jobs and wide expansion joints. I would not be able to tolerate it if the ride sucked, especially going at a snails pace on pockmarked freeways with the aforementioned tar strips and wide expansion joints.

 

http://maxmods.dyndns.org/index.php?MaximaHandling

 

if ur talkin aftermarket. either H&R or eibach matched with illuminas

 

eibach with gr-2's, thats my set-up. its a smooth ride. kinda rough over bumpy roads, or railroad tracks, but other than that, its smooth, and handles like a dream.

 

Not to mention Progress springs coupled with Illuminas ride awsome as well and I agree that the AGX/Progress setup may ride pretty good too.

I've coupled GR2's with Progress springs on a 5th gen and it rode basically like a stock car with added firmness. Not to shabby at all!

 

I'm a novice to modifying cars but I have H&R springs on my 96 Maxima and I'm pretty sure I didn't change the OEM shocks or struts. I've probably had this set up for several years and while it may be a bit hard over bumps, I don't find it that bad. However, from what I've been reading on these forums and in other websites, I'm doing something that seems an absolute no, no. I'm assuming, I am definitely suffering in performance handling but am I damaging the car in any way? I do bottom out occassionally but only when going over a fairly steep bump? Advice is appreciated.

 

does anybody know i can get some eibach for cheap?

 

yup maine blow.....haha not really. I have both Eibachs and Intrax......with AGX. Id say get illuminas with H&R or tokicos

 

i have H&R springs with Tokicos in front and GR2's in the back.... best setup you can buy if you want a nice ride (just like stock) and about a 1.5 inch drop... PM me if you need more info...