Droppin' the Max

[duccati02]

I just put some new wheels on my car, it looks nice but it almost looks like i put a lift kit on it. I'm thinking of dropping the car about 1.5 to 2 inches. The only downside to this would be sacrificing the ride quality. I want to know if it is worth it and how bad does the ride quality actually go down?

[NISTECH]

gonna copy this to the suspension forum for the experts to comment on.

[nab911]

If you get good stuff it doesnt hurt the ride at all. Just dont get cheap ebay lowering springs. Gte good quality tein/eibach/rsr and new struts.

[Grant@tirerack]

I'd look at the Eibach Pro-Kit KYB AGZ combo. That would still maintain very good ride quality and give you the ability to crank up the valves for more 'spirited' driving.

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?...x.jsp

[Dori Dori]

If you get good stuff it doesnt hurt the ride at all. Just dont get cheap ebay lowering springs. Gte good quality tein/eibach/rsr and new struts.

That's not true at all. Anytime you increase spring rates and have more aggressive damper valving, ride quality will suffer.

[maxhopper]

My Max has the Tein H-techs with Tokico Illuminas...great ride quality.

[jdmfreak]

What's the difference between the H and S Techs? Stiffer ride?

[duccati02]

I am looking at buying the Tokico kit on custommaxima from what maxhopper said it must be a good set.

[phenryiv1]

What's the difference between the H and S Techs? Stiffer ride?

S-tech has a lower drop with a more stiff spring.

H-tech are relatively sporty with a moderate drop that is reputed to be fairly comfortable for regular driving, but good enough to improve handling in turns and twisties.

[phenryiv1]

I just put some new wheels on my car, it looks nice but it almost looks like i put a lift kit on it. I'm thinking of dropping the car about 1.5 to 2 inches. The only downside to this would be sacrificing the ride quality. I want to know if it is worth it and how bad does the ride quality actually go down?

Personally, I would not drop the car too far. I am on Intrax springs, and I find that while the drop looks good, I would like a little less drop in the rear.

For my tastes, I would go with Progress, H&R, Eibach, or Tein H-tech.

For struts, try to go adjustable, preferrably on Tokico Illuminas, KYB AGX, or Koni adjustables (not sure of the exact name).

Many people love the look of the Intrax drop, as well as drops on Tein S-techs or Sprint springs. Your struts have as much to do with ride as do the springs, so don't scrimp there.

What are you looking to do: track, street, back roads, city driving, auto-X?

Also, are you on an auto or 5MT? The differences in transmission weight make a difference, believe it or not. edit: I see that you are a GLE, which means AT. Makes all of the above recommendations fine for your application.

Also, what size rims and tires are you running? Do you plan on more suspension ugrades in the future?

[phenryiv1]

I'd look at the Eibach Pro-Kit KYB AGX (edited) combo. That would still maintain very good ride quality and give you the ability to crank up the valves for more 'spirited' driving.

http://www.tirerack.com/a.jsp?...x.jsp

This is a good basic setup that is fairly flexible and offers good all-around performance without a slammed look. It also still rides better then most cars on the road.

BTW, expect to drop as much as $550+ on a good setup, plus installation, if you do not plan to DIY.

[phenryiv1]

I am looking at buying the Tokico kit on custommaxima from what maxhopper said it must be a good set.

It is a good set, but recent reports have stated that people are getting different springs depending on order date. This is partially a problem based on some people ordering a "Tokico" kit off of ebay that proports to be the same as the custommaxima kit, but I also heard that there were different springs sent out from custommaxima, as well.

I cannot confirm that, but I have heard some rustlings about it.

[duccati02]

Personally, I would not drop the car too far. I am on Intrax springs, and I find that while the drop looks good, I would like a little less drop in the rear.

For my tastes, I would go with Progress, H&R, Eibach, or Tein H-tech.

For struts, try to go adjustable, preferrably on Tokico Illuminas, KYB AGX, or Koni adjustables (not sure of the exact name).

Many people love the look of the Intrax drop, as well as drops on Tein S-techs or Sprint springs. Your struts have as much to do with ride as do the springs, so don't scrimp there.

What are you looking to do: track, street, back roads, city driving, auto-X?

Also, are you on an auto or 5MT? The differences in transmission weight make a difference, believe it or not. edit: I see that you are a GLE, which means AT. Makes all of the above recommendations fine for your application.

Also, what size rims and tires are you running? Do you plan on more suspension ugrades in the future?

I have 18's with a low profile tire and I'm just trying to make my car look good. I don't have the money to replace the transmission if I drop it during a race like my friend did.

[phenryiv1]

I have 18's with a low profile tire and I'm just trying to make my car look good. I don't have the money to replace the transmission if I drop it during a race like my friend did.

Dropping a transmission racing has nothing to do with springs, as I am sure that you know.

For 18s with low-pros, consider a moderate to low drop for looks and balance.

If cullenJ76 ever pulls his H-techs off, i will have my Intrax for sale, but he is waiting on a few things before he pulls them.

Check out my homepage for pics of my drop.

[duccati02]

Thanks.

Oh and about dropping the transmission, you asked me if i was street racing or auto-Xing. I didnt really make it clear that that was what I was refering to.

[phenryiv1]

Thanks.

Oh and about dropping the transmission, you asked me if i was street racing or auto-Xing. I didnt really make it clear that that was what I was refering to.

Gotcha. Did you look at my drop? Are you looking to go higher, lower, or around there?

[duccati02]

Yeah, Nice car!I am probably looking to drop it around where yours is or maybe a bit lower. I don't want to get to low or else people will think I'm tryin to be gangsta.

[phenryiv1]

Well, if you want to buy mine I might be sellin gsoon. Your auto will ride just a smidge lower in the front. If you have a system the rear may come down just a bit as well.

Let me know if you are interested. The handling is great, I just want to go a bit higher, believe it or not.

[duccati02]

sounds like a plan.

If I was any higher it would look like I have a monster truck

[phenryiv1]

I don't want to go higher than stock, just higher than I am right now. If you want a price, email me at phenryiv1 @cs.com (put together).

[duccati02]

Will do.

[redstradic]

when i first lowered my max with h-techs and GR2s, i had my stock 16s on. i was nervous at first lowering the car and putting 18s on, since i did not want the ride quality to suffer at all. however, the ride was better with the 18s than the 16s after it was lowered. i put 235/40/18 tires on and i couldnt be any happier with the ride.