which one would you choose and why? let me also state that i'm older, 27, and want comfort over handling but still want handling

 

Tokico Illuminas with H&R's are the only choice if you want a drop with comfort.

 

I'm 38 yrs old and can empathize w/ the comfort part trumping handling. I just installed H&R's w/ Illumina's and they're an amazing handling improvement over stock.

For everyday driving, I'm keeping them at 1, the lightest setting. The ride only becomes rough(harsher dampening?) if the road is a bit bumpy, rather than more boat-like and springy when compared to stock springs.

The drop is good too, for an oldie like myself - in fact, I wouldn't want it any lower - but, that's just me. The look merely appears "finished"; a height you would think the designers would have considered when designing the car.

Do note, they will feel completely different after 2 weeks - they need to settle a bit.

Hope this helps.

 

^^^ you have pictures of your car?

 

I've been super-lazy, and should do such. I will try and take some later today and post them.

 

Hi, how much and where did you get your H&R springs?
Thanks
Jeff

 

Or how about Sprint Performance springs?

 

Okay, here are my pix after lowering. The struts are Tokico Illuminas and the springs are H&R's.

I think the photos where the inner wheelwell is darkest are more representative of how it looks in person. Due to the flash, the upclose shots of the wheels suggest a wider gap between the fender and tire than how it actually appears in person.

When I dropped the car from the jacks upon completion, it really seemed like a different car as that 1.5" drop or so maked a big difference. However, it DOES NOT have that "slammed" look. It just looks finished, and handles infinitely better than stock.

Sorry, didn't wash the car for the photo shoot, but you get the idea.

 

thanks, i like the look, not slammed at all, kind of like the "old man" drop. just what i want.

 

In all honesty, it truly does look lower in person. Maybe I should have turned off the flash. I believe you'll be pleasantly surprised when finished.

Before they settled I was a bit worried that the ride was too rough, as I do cart around some older family members on occasion. However, once settled, the ride and comfort level was more than acceptable.

Good luck, and feel free to email or post here if you have other questions.

Lastly, don't skimp on your spring compressor; rent one, buy a good one or something. Just don't used the $12 special I used. In retrospect, it seems very unsafe.

 

H&R drop:





...damn, I need to take some newer pics...

 

I installed this combo and started with the struts set at 1. After riding on them for a couple of months, I've settled on position 3. It is a little bumpy on the dips, but on a smooth road the handling is worth it. The 1 position seemed to wallow too much for me in the turns. The nice thing is you can change them any time you like.

 

Illuminas & H&R's set on 2 is just an awsome ride.

The H&R drop makes the Maxima look finished, not slammed. Their probably the best spring on the market for our cars. Great ride, excellent handling and they compliment the car perfectly with a mild drop. The Tokico Illuminas have a very smooth fluid like ride with excellent ride control. Put the two together and you've got a fantastic sport suspension setup.

 

IN for Tokico

 

I paid for my H&R's and Illumina's together. They were $590 total, cash and carry. I purchased them in Los Angeles at JDM auto&games. Really nice guys; fast, efficient and honest, too.

The price was unbeatable anywhere.

http://www.jdmautogames.com/

 

KYB AGX with sprint springs BY FAR THE BEST!!!!!!!

I researched the hell out of this b/f i got mine!

HR springs make the front of the car higher than the rear

Tokico shocks fail!

 

Thanks for the info, How much was your set-up and where did you get your stuff? And does your car ride stiff? Thanks
Jeff

 

Illuminas fail? Where's the data on your claim? It seems everyone who has purchased Tokico Illuminas loves them. Just curious to know.

 

ME TOO!!!!!

 

Yeah, cough up the proof BIATCH!!!!! ( LOL )

 

get illuminas and ull never have to purchase new shocks ever again !

 

i highly recomend h&rs with illuminas. i am very happy with mine, yes the drop could be lower but its a lot better than stock and the ride isnt too harsh.

 

I do not think that Illuminas were on the market 2 years ago when i purchased my setup. BUT I really did like the KYB AGX and so did a lot of other friends with maximas who rode in my car. BUT, I would HIGHLY recommed the Sprint springs w/ whatever you go with (except coil-overs) b/c they lowered the car perfectly! My buddy had the H&R springs and (no offense) but the car didn't sit as nice at all!

 

That's funny.....

I'll beg to differ though.

 

guyfromkop is asking for a comfortable ride. I had AGX's and swapped them out for Illuminas. There is no contest in the ride quality of Illuminas as opposed to the AGX's.

 

I'm satisfied with my AGXs set on 3/6 and the H&R springs.

Illuminas might even be better, but I don't have a reason to change right now.

 

Illuminas! I have the Tokico kit and it's pretty comfy. From what I've read, the H&Rs should be even better. You won't regret the Illuminas!

 

You can choose between strut choices but do NOT get the Sprint springs. They're the complete opposite to what you want.

H&R. Look at how many grey hairs here are recommending them in your thread

 

Okay, my head is going in circles. I'm definitely getting the Illuminas, so that's settled. Everyone is suggesting the H&R springs because they don't give you a harsh ride. Everyone who has the H&R springs says the drop could be lower, but the ride is good and is a comfortable drop. I want to be able to notice as well as others to notice that the car is dropped. Is the drop of the H&R springs that subtle? I'm putting on 18" rims and I want it to look good w/ barely any wheel gap. SO MANY SPRINGS, SO LITTLE PATIENCE IN CHOOSING ONE. Someone please tell me, H&R or the Tokiko springs, which is a better drop ( more noticable ). If the H&R springs are that light of a drop, then why bother?

 

Some of us prefer proper handling over looking low....

 

If you're adding aftermarket wheels, the drop will be noticable. It's probably not as low as you'd probably like. If you don't believe me, put the wheels on before getting the drop.

You can look at the Tein S-Tech's. They roughly have the same spring rates as the H-Tech's (less drop). The problem is you lose most of your suspension travel and you will undoubtly bottom out unless your roads are smooth as heck.

You're going to have to sacrifice something, even if you go coilovers.

 

Thanks man, I'll just go with the H&Rs, and maybe get a little taller tire, like a 245?? Thanks again

 

OK... i was happy with the KYB AGX but the ride was stiff. If you feel that the Tokicos would be softer i would sugest those.

As far as the springs, H&R is not a decent drop in my opinion. The back is lower than the front! The SPRINT springs are agressive looking with the front slightly lower than the rear. I had 18" rims and my friends with maxima were very impressed and chicks were like, "DAMMMMNNNN!!!."

For wheel gap check out my sig...

 

My H&Rs sit even, see sig.

 

Tein S-Tech and Illumina's:




I hafta go with Illumina. Very nice ride.

 

The rear is not lower than the front - it's an illusion. There's more travel up front, hence you'll see more wheel to fender gap up front in comparison to the rear.

If you closed that gap up front, you'll have a much different ride, IMO. I've got the H&R / Illumina set up and would prefer to have a slight rake to the car's profile, however I will not trade for a much harsher ride to do so.

Also, consider that the Max isn't a light car. That said, try to take other aspects of your drop into consideration. I'm unsure how other oldies feel, but I wouldn't care for the looks of a much lower spring, as I'm not a teen or twentysomething anymore.

From my own experience, the H&R's definitely made a big difference when the car came down from the jacks. The car sat 1.5" or so lower, and you could see and feel it immediately. Again, the car just looks finished, NOT slammed, and DEFINITELY NOT 4x4 any longer.

The H&R's are quality, function and performance all in one, and you can even adjust to a tighter suspension with the Illuminas.

Lastly, isn't there a member named, Ben who makes some type of insert for rear illuminas and H&R's that smooth out the ride even further? I'm curious if anyone knows about this.

 

At around 3000lbs, it ain't all that heavy either....

 

I like my Tokico kit. Those who are saying the H&R drop is uneven, are forgetting one vital piece of information. Manual vs. Automatic transmission makes quite a difference in how your car will sit in the front ( the higher weight of the auto, makes it sit lower in front). From what I've read, those with Auto trannys get a pretty even drop from the H&Rs, and those with a 5-spd may sit slightly lower in the rear (but the front settles some). With my Tokico kit, and manual tranny, I did get a bit more drop in the rear that the front ( 1 5/8" front, 1 3/4" rear). Now the ride height is dead even and handling is great. I'm very happy with it.

 

i got my tokico illuminas struts and tokico springs installed last night didnt get a chance to play with settings but so far i love it plus drop is low i like it i'll wash it over the weekend i'll post some pics

 

Forget washing your car!! Post those damn pics biatch!! There are people here, such as myself who are HARD to see your Max... Post now, post now, post now!!!! I don't sound desperate do I ?