I'd like to lower the car a bit(1"), but try to keep the ride as stock as possible.
What are my options?

 

M7 springs, better than factory ride, 1.3 inch drop.

 

A member of my club did springs and found his rear camber too far out of spec with the lower ride height, as it's not adjustable or not enough to get it right without also buying I think adjustable controls arms... Hence he has to either live with it and heavy rear tire wear, switch back, or add the adjustable arms.

 

Any major rubbing issues? what size wheels / tires you running?
Any other mods must be done w/ M7? as noted in mm's post?

 

if you decide to go with m7s ive got a set with less than 500 miles use ill make you a deal on. didnt work at all with stiff bilstein shocks.

 

If you want to keep the stock ride, don't go with the H&Rs and Bilsteins, even though my car dropped approx an inch, the ride got better than stock

Believe me, you need to change the shocks if you change the springs... with the Bilsteins the ride gets better with stiffer/shorter springs. I am sold on athe H&Rs and Bilsteins.

 

i just had h-sport springs installed, it is 1" drop for front and back, after installation I had big negative camber in the rear, but today I will have an allignment and get back to stock settings. Honestly, if it wasn't for the shake, i would have left it alone. Because, love the crisp handling at higher speeds.

H-sports are a little firmer compared to M7s, but I think it is better to go with H-sports.

Good Luck

 

I also have H-Sport springs(w/ stock shocks) I think they are near stock ride. maybe a slightly stiffer on big bumps.

 

OK. I'd like the car to be lower, no rubbing problems! I still have stock Xlites on the car, and will go to 17x7 205/50.

I wouldn't mind a bit firmer ride, but not harsh.
I guess the smartest thing to do would be to get a ride.

Where can you buy the M7s?
I see the H sports on TireRack. any where else?

 

M7 u get it from peter at M7?

other choices are Tein H-Tech, which is a nice softer setup than stock, but dont lower much

 

coopercrazy- no rubbing issues for me with either s-lites/runflats or aftermarket 17x7s/205/45/17s when I used the M7s- they worked great. Your rear camber will be off but it really isn't a big deal, I didn't notice and difference in handling. If it is a big deal, get a set of RDR rear lower control arms- probably $250-260 installed and any decent alingment shop can get your car back to factory settings.

 

One thing you might want to consider is the new Brigdestone Potenza run flats in 205/45/17 (stock size). I've driven them in new Bimmers and they're far less harsh then the 1st generation run flats (Dunlop/Pirelli/Goodyear). Tirerack has them for $221 per corner. Of course, with the 17s, your ride will be much firmer than what you're use to. Also with the stock size, you shouldn't have any rubbing issues either if you get wheels within the proper offset. If you really want the ride quality to be the same as your X-lites, you're headed in the wrong direction. You'll get the lowered look and bigger wheel look and harshness times 2. I have 16" X-lites and 17" R99s (Double Spokes) and the harshness difference is great. Lowering via new springs will only exacerbate that (from mild to wild depending on what you buy). I want to get rid of my R99s, but won't until I get back to the States (maybe next year). Don't get me wrong, I do like the look of the 17" wheels. Seems very fitting for the MCS. But the wheels are appreciably heavier than 16" and the tires are far more expensive too. So in my estimation, performance (including ride quality) is better in the 16" solution, but look is perhaps better in the 17". I guess the dilema is which do you prefer? Here's an example (Tirerack prices):

1. 17" x 7" O.Z. Superleggera (16.3 lbs) with 205/45/17 Dunlop SP Sport 9000 run flats: $1884 (with Bridgestone Potenza: $1760)

2. 16" x 7" O.Z. Superleggera (14.6 lbs) with 195/55/16 Dunlop SP Sport 3000A run flats: $1392

Solution 1 is a weight savings over your X-lites, which is great, but there's the harshness tradeoff by going to 17". Solution 2 is a bigger weight savings and the harshness will be equal to stock until you lower it via springs only. Decisions, decisions...

 

That tire is fairly new on Tirerack. Rated just as high if not higher, than F1s in most areas AS a RF. Im interested in them too.

If you want to lower only a bit, the JCW suspension lowers about 1/2 - 3/4" and the ride is less bumpy then stock.

 

Stevie, thanks for the input.
I'm leaning towards the H sports, cause I would like some better handling.
In the spring I'm probably getting the Kosei K1TS 17x7 14.1lbs 42offset @ $200 ea. and putting on nonrunflats(205/45. This should be similar to the ride of my 16" runflats now.
http://http://www.tirerack.com/servl...filterSpecial=

I should be saving about 3lbs at each corner too.
I wouldn't mind a bit firmer ride, but nothing too harsh.
I may get a chance at riding in some modded suspensions.

 

You'll be saving closer to 13lbs. per corner I have the TS's with 205-45-17 es100 and I'm very pleased.

 

Apexer, do you have any pix of your car? Do you have aftermarket springs?

I'm running Xlites, and I thought they were around 17lbs a wheel?

 

shake? that's probably from your wheel balance... no? or is
your sus parts loose? ususally don't get shaking from sus mods.

 

Ken, well probably I mistranslated the problem: the steering wheel was shaking, not the car, thanx God. Today I got the allignment done, and steering shake decreased dramatically, there is still some left, which needs balancing on tires. I have almost 15K on the car and have 65% left on run-flats. When ready, I am planning to get 16" SSR comps and comfortable stickies. Thanks for the warning though, you are a good friend

 

IMHO, the JCW suspension setup is just the ticket. Much less harsh than my 02 SS+ suspension even with JCW 18" with runflats. Car is lowered just enough for a sporty stance.



NICE

 

Check out my gallery, I added some pics of the car with the H&Rs and Bilsteins. I will try toload some better pics later today.

 

bonz- WOW! That looks great, I love your wheels- want to trade?

 

Thanks jbsf3,

The offer is tempting but since the better half will dump me if I get another set of rims (my third), I will be keeping these of a while.

NICE

 

I have pictures but have yet to post to my gallery. No aftermarket springs as of yet but seriously considering H-Sport springs. I don't know wieght of the xlites. Thought you had S-Lites and they weigh 25lbs.

 

h-sports is the way to go if you like firm ride, I was injbsf3's car before he had his coilovers when he was running on M7s, it was low, but very comfortable. h-sports are firmer, feels sportier.

 

What didn't you like about that combo? I have the M7 springs and was planning on the Bilsteins in the near future. In my experience the Bilsteins have that "just right" feel.

Thanks