wanting help on springs :)

[Chris_uk]

ok so im going to get some lowering springs for my sport 2, trouble is, which ones, theres such a choice and i dont want to be spending over 100 pound on some crap ones haha, heres a page i found for the uk with near enough every set of lowering springs the 2 has to offer, im thinking the eibachs but again i don't know, can you guys help me out here, i know a few people have bought lowering springs so any advice on which ones to go for, looking for the 30mm drop as i think this looks best on the mazda

link
http://www.dcperformance.co.uk/performance/mazda/2.html

 

[Chris_uk]

not one person with any advice or anything?

 

[Richard_rsp]

Well, I'm not sure if its because you are on the other side of the pond or what, but Im not familiar with many of those brands. I know H&R and Eibach, but thats it.

When I got my springs, I was considering the H&Rs, but decided to go with function over looks, and went with Racing Beat Springs. While they only lower 22mm front and 16mm rear, I appreciate not having to worry about bottoming out my car on speed bumps and the car handles fantastically. If I was to do it again, I would still get the Racing Beat.

 

[Chris_uk]

ok, well my 2 main choices are to drop it by 30mm for eibachs or 40mm on the H&R's as for speed bumps we have so many on this side of the pond i never attempt to go over at speed, always slow down lol, so of the 2 which would be best, im wanting it to look good but also don't want it to be rubbin on my tyres if i had say 2 adults in the back, ive seen a pic of the eibachs and there still seems to be a lot of space between tyre and car, so im really considering the H&R's

 

[Joker2]

I have experience with Eibach on my OTM2. They are good springs for the money.

 

[Chris_uk]

yea i've seen them priced quite well although tbh i've found some H&R's cheaper lol argh choices choices, i just want to be looking low and good without having issues of tyre to body contact if i have people in the car

 

[Racebrewer]

Hi Chris,

No experience with the M2 specific springs (went with Bilstein coilovers), but over the last 15 years reading various forums (mostly Honda), it seems like the H&R work better on a performance / durability basis. YMMV......

Either way you'll also want to upgrade shocks (dampers) when Koni and Bilstein step up.

John

 

[Chris_uk]

ymmv?? and thanks, decided to shelve that idea for now and wait it out for coilovers, may aswell just do the full lot in one go and i got a corksport sri instead

 

[Clod_King]

Racebrewer,

What made you go with Billies, over H&R coil overs?

 

[Racebrewer]

I read some long articles on Bilsteins and being able to revalve them. Bilstein has a pretty big U.S. presence and excellent quality.

Beyond that, the decision was a crap shoot. If spring rates were published I would have been happier.

Soooo,,,,,, It was an "Oh, what the Heck!" moment. Happy so far. Handling seems very good and the car is much smoother over sweepers.

Where is Grimsby?

John

 

[rhe]

Where is Grimsby?

Grimsby is the south shore of Lake Ontario on the way to Niagara Falls from Toronto...half way between Hamilton and St.Catherines.

 

[Clod_King]

Yup! It's a winery town. I don't drink wine, but I do like the scenery. And there are some pretty good roads to bootin' around on here.

I read on here somewhere that none ofthe companies are posting the spring rates for the coil overs... what's up with that? Has anyone tried emailing yet?

 

[Racebrewer]

Cough.... Choke... On the other hand I drink. Worked for the US Gov't for 33 years. Seems to come with the territory<LOL>

I go by Toronto every once in a while. Love the traffic jams at rush hour. <LOL>

There appears to be no standardized way of measuring springs rates (preload. Initial compression). Kinds of like camshaft specs... Makes it difficult to compare. Probably scared of being blamed for car accidents based upon spring rates.

They tend to not respond to emails anymore.

John

 

[Clod_King]

That blows... how are the billies?

And I do drink, just not wine. Almost everything put in front of me I will consume, or at least try, but wine doesn't do much for me I guess. I'm a beer man.

 

[Racebrewer]

Yup. I prefer the dark, chunky stuff myself. Beer you drink with a fork......... Not Sleeman's<LOL>.... Love Unibrew (sp?) (Trois Pistoles Yummmm) stuff from Quebec. PQ has a lot of good beers.

I like the Bilsteins and I thought the price was pretty good. Construction quality is excellent. I did a write-up on the installation and driving experience in the M2 suspension forum.

The car is much smoother and stabler around corners. At least I go faster. Cough,,,,, choke....

Work on sway bars next. Wheels and tires in the spring. $$$$$$$$$$$$$ Wheeeeeee! ! ! ! !

John