Mild lowering - best way to do it cheap ?
#16
Burning Brakes
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: Singapore
Posts: 935
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I know someone who did the install himself with a jack and two jackstands. If you're willing to do that, the only external labor you'll be paying would be the alignment and potential corner balancing. I'm sure a few Rennlisters would be happy to share their DIY experience.
#17
Rhymes With Polo
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
No, I needed the shocks also, So just doing the whole thing
#18
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
If anyone else has springs they're willing to sell (that would lower my stock setup), send me a PM. I'm in the same boat as Greg. Hopefully there's someone else out there like Rolo!
#19
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Nobody answered my question above, so I found my own answer on p-car.com. The stock Euro suspension is the 029 and I was wondering if it was lower than US standard suspension. It is 20mm lower in front and 10mm lower in the rear than the standard US suspension.
If these springs work with the standard shock, an option for Greg D., who likes his current suspension ride and only wants to lower his car, might be to buy a pair of standard ROW springs. I would think those would be easy to find, maybe from Harald in Germany.
Greg H.
If these springs work with the standard shock, an option for Greg D., who likes his current suspension ride and only wants to lower his car, might be to buy a pair of standard ROW springs. I would think those would be easy to find, maybe from Harald in Germany.
Greg H.
#20
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I've got a set of ROW M030 Springs and Shocks with about 20K on them that I'm not using. Came off my 96 C4S. I'm still using the sway bars, so someone will have to confirm the US bars will work (smaller diameter only, I believe). If answer is yes, make me an offer.
#22
RL Technical Advisor
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Hi Greg:
Boy, I really have to agree with Ray Calvo here and tell you to do this important job right. If the $$$ are currently too much for the 'ol wallet, then save up until you can.
Given the labor to install, setup, cornerweight, and properly align, its much less expensive to do this whole thing once. BTDT, as this is what I do for a living.
One point I'd make is that the OEM German Monroe shocks are really poor. Short life & insufficent control of ANY shorter, stiffer spring you'd select to install, makes these a poor choice when new shocks are due,....(around 40K).
Whichever springs you ultimately choose, I'd strongly suggest a set of Bilstein HD struts and shocks to match up properly. Further, these have a nice range of ride height adjustment for you that no OEM shocks have,....![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Bilstein's sourced in the USA do carry their limited lifetime warranty, and based on their excellent customer service, thats a good deal, IMHO.
Boy, I really have to agree with Ray Calvo here and tell you to do this important job right. If the $$$ are currently too much for the 'ol wallet, then save up until you can.
Given the labor to install, setup, cornerweight, and properly align, its much less expensive to do this whole thing once. BTDT, as this is what I do for a living.
One point I'd make is that the OEM German Monroe shocks are really poor. Short life & insufficent control of ANY shorter, stiffer spring you'd select to install, makes these a poor choice when new shocks are due,....(around 40K).
Whichever springs you ultimately choose, I'd strongly suggest a set of Bilstein HD struts and shocks to match up properly. Further, these have a nice range of ride height adjustment for you that no OEM shocks have,....
![Smilie](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/smilies/smile.gif)
Bilstein's sourced in the USA do carry their limited lifetime warranty, and based on their excellent customer service, thats a good deal, IMHO.
#23
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Thanks, Steve, sounds good ! So you don't think Euro specs stock springs are any good then ? I guess I'll have to live with a car on stilts for while then ! Cannot afford to go all out yet.. Ah, the old days of my 83 911, a couple of hours of work on the torsion bars, and presto, lowered !!!
#24
Intermediate
Join Date: Feb 2002
Location: Keller, Texas
Posts: 44
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Greg D.
I went round and round on this subject. This is what I did on my 97C2S
1st - Just adjusted my front spring perches down as far as they would go
that lowered the front end somewhat. (Only the front are adjustable)
looked better, but still did not handle very well.
2nd - Replaced the stock OEM std US sway bars with MO30 bars
that helped the roll of the car considerably, but still handled like a firm 300ZX.
3rd - Drove a friends car with the PSS9's and RS sway bars and realized
that was how the car should feel. After researching everything I could find I purchased the US PSS9's from bimmer parts for $1510 including shipping and a rear RS sway bar from Gert for around $500 did the work myself (left the front MO30 bar on) and had it balanced and aligned for $375 at the dealership is was purchased new. It cost my friend around $3500 - $4000 for the same thing.
Summary: You can throw money at the problem but IMHO It won't be fixed until you change out the struts, springs and bars. What I'm trying to say in this lengthly post is that If I did it right the first time I would have saved quite a bit!!!!!! Hope this helps maybe you can start putting money in the cookie jar!
I went round and round on this subject. This is what I did on my 97C2S
1st - Just adjusted my front spring perches down as far as they would go
that lowered the front end somewhat. (Only the front are adjustable)
looked better, but still did not handle very well.
2nd - Replaced the stock OEM std US sway bars with MO30 bars
that helped the roll of the car considerably, but still handled like a firm 300ZX.
3rd - Drove a friends car with the PSS9's and RS sway bars and realized
that was how the car should feel. After researching everything I could find I purchased the US PSS9's from bimmer parts for $1510 including shipping and a rear RS sway bar from Gert for around $500 did the work myself (left the front MO30 bar on) and had it balanced and aligned for $375 at the dealership is was purchased new. It cost my friend around $3500 - $4000 for the same thing.
Summary: You can throw money at the problem but IMHO It won't be fixed until you change out the struts, springs and bars. What I'm trying to say in this lengthly post is that If I did it right the first time I would have saved quite a bit!!!!!! Hope this helps maybe you can start putting money in the cookie jar!
#25
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I think everyone has great advice here, and if $$$ were no object, there's no question about it. Coilover like H&R or Pss9 and RS sways is the way to go. But, it all leads back to how you drive your car...daily commuter, weekend car, track car? I think this will help in the decision making for many of you out there.
-nelson
-nelson
#27
Rennlist Member
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
Sean993,Re:<I put the M033 springs and shocks on my cabrio, I think you can get them at carnewal for $1100.00, I'll be adding 18in wheels later this week hopefullly the ride won't be too much firmer>. Sean993, I have the exact same car as you, blue over white, except I have 18's. Get ready for a substantially stiff ride. I notice creaks and rattles a little more too. Can't beat the look though.
#28
![Default](https://rennlist.com/forums/images/icons/icon1.gif)
I have a 96 C2, stock suspension, and do a 3-4 DEs/year. My car is a daily driver and I want to maintain some civility on the road. I think the max lowerering I would like to achieve is 1", maybe even a little less.
After some research, I've concluded (hopefully not in error), to go with Bilstein's HD shocks with ROW M030 springs and sway bars (all from Gert).
Thanks for the help and look forward to feedback.
After some research, I've concluded (hopefully not in error), to go with Bilstein's HD shocks with ROW M030 springs and sway bars (all from Gert).
Thanks for the help and look forward to feedback.