Hi all, I need some advice or a link to help me as I've searched but didn't find what I was looking for. I have an 06 s automatic that is my low milage daily driver and not tracked. I do drive spirited on non runflats with no other suspension mods. I want to lower a bit to close wheel gap but cant find TSW version 3 springs anymore as they seem to be best for stock shocks. I have since considered koni yellows with the koni lowering spring kit(fsd not for lowering springs). I like the ride quality now and don't want to go to much firmer, hence the adjustability of the yellows, but should I just live with the stock wheel gap and forget lowering or are the yellows gonna be ok? I have heard the Bilsteins give too harsh a ride and my family likes to ride with me sometimes so I don't want to kill them with something too harsh. Thanks for any input.

 

Since I hate that everyone just views these threads and never respond, i'll bite. 51 views and noone could reply?

Just first off, an 06 is an R53, so you're in the wrong section. There is a 1st gen section, R56 is 07+, which is 2nd gen.

For lowering, if you just do lowering springs, you're gonna get a harsher ride for sure. The TSW springs at least for the 2nd gen are a much more conservative drop, and thus give the feeling of a less harsher ride (which is true). Look into spring rates and you will be able to see how "stiff" springs are. You can probably find information on this in the 1st gen suspension section.

Again for 2nd gen, the JCW springs lower the car about .5", and still retain a good ride. This is a combination of the spring rate, moderate drop, as well as a linear spring instead of a progressive (gets stiffer with more compression, vs linear, given as definition). So maybe look into JCW springs for 1st gen? (not sure about availability of this for first gen, so dont quote me on it).

 

Thanks for the information...I screwed while searching threads and thought I was in the generation 1 section. If there is someone who could move it that would be great. Sorry for the mix up.

 

just report your own thread, mods will move it for you.

 

Henry,

I lowered my 07 and added a rear sway bar. I am so sorry that I lowered is as it is my daily driver and I really never run it hard. I had it at the dealership a while back and they gave me a 2010 convertible S loaner. It was such a pleasure to drive at the stock height and I really wish I could have kept that car.

Ask yourself what style of driving you will be doing with the car and adjust accordingly.

My .02

 

I am also planning on lowering my 07 MCS. I plan on doing the Bilstein b8s with nm engineering springs. Hell nothing is too rough for me. If you don't like harder rides, louder cars, louder shifting and you just want a comfortable quiet car do not and I reapeat do not modify your car. Very very few mods out there are for comfort. To name one is Tein. They make a lowering spring that is softer. But you will lose handling with it.

 

Lowering is mostly for looks...if done with coil-overs, handling can be gained, but IMO doing it with springs is for 90% looks.
WMW is handling the TSW products line...sells the struts you have too, so ge might have an opinion.
On a r53, the TSW springs were the most mild drop, and best ride from what I remember. I do recall that they do settle (depending on the brand+ manfacturing process, so do, some don't).
Since you car is a DD, ask a couple questions...do you drive over speed-bumps, railroad crossings, or have bumps at the base of your or other driveways you regularly use? Most folks say yes....and do you drive in the snow? Or mind dodging raised manhole covers in construction zones?!
Lower looks cool, but IMO was just not worth it...
A very mild drop might be an ok compermise to fix the gap, but you can also fix that with a very mild tire size change ( or make it worse!).

 

Well, again sorry for posting in Gen2 area, and thanks for the replies. I guess I will wait for my current stock suspension to wear out and perhaps replace with koni fsd and keep stock springs when the time comes. I only wanted less wheel gap for looks. I am very satisfied with the ride quality now and the performance. Coilovers are not for me-too much to mess with and screw up. Again thanks all for the food for thought.

 

The Koni's yellows are said to be firmer than stock, but softer than bilstein's.
I have the FSD's, and they make a good compermise for a DD...might not be perfect for the track, but very good for the DD, and the family will like them when they ride along!!