When it comes to upgrading your car’s suspension, two popular options often come up: lowering springs and coilovers. While both can lower your vehicle and improve handling, they offer distinct differences in terms of performance, adjustability, and ride quality.
Choosing the right suspension upgrade depends on your driving style, goals, and budget. In this article, we’ll dive into the key differences between lowering springs and coilovers, helping you make an informed decision on which option is best suited for your car’s performance needs.
What Are Lowering Springs?
Lowering springs replace your vehicle’s stock coil springs with shorter, stiffer versions that reduce ride height and lower the center of gravity.
This improves handling, reduces body roll, enhances aerodynamics, and gives the car a more aggressive stance. Made from high-tensile steel, they offer varying stiffness for different performance levels.
While they provide better control during acceleration, braking, and turning, they lack adjustability in ride height and damping, which may affect comfort on uneven roads. Overall, they are a simple, cost-effective upgrade for better aesthetics and handling.
Benefits of Lowering Springs
Lowering springs offer several advantages, making them a popular choice for car enthusiasts looking to upgrade their vehicle’s suspension without breaking the bank. Here are some key benefits:
Affordability
One of the biggest benefits of lowering springs is their cost-effectiveness. Compared to coilovers, lowering springs are significantly cheaper while still providing noticeable improvements in handling and aesthetics. This makes them an ideal choice for drivers on a budget who want to enhance their car’s look and performance without a major investment.
Improved Aesthetics
Lowering springs give your car a more aggressive and sporty stance by reducing the ride height. This not only improves the vehicle’s visual appeal but also creates a more aerodynamic profile, which can slightly enhance performance, especially at higher speeds.
Enhanced Handling
By lowering the car’s center of gravity, lowering springs improve stability during cornering and reduce body roll. This leads to better handling, especially in everyday driving conditions or light spirited driving, making the car feel more responsive and planted on the road.
Simpler Installation
Compared to coilovers, lowering springs are easier to install, as they are typically direct replacements for the factory springs. This means that installation can be completed relatively quickly without the need for extensive customization or tuning, making them accessible to DIY enthusiasts or those looking for a straightforward upgrade.
Reduced Body Roll
Lowering springs are stiffer than stock springs, which helps reduce body roll during sharp turns and quick maneuvers. This stiffer suspension setup provides a more controlled and sportier driving experience, giving the driver greater confidence during performance driving.
Also Read: Top 5 Lowering Springs for Your Car: Enhance Handling and Aesthetics
Disadvantages of lowering springs
While lowering springs offer some appealing benefits, they also come with a few notable drawbacks that drivers should consider before making the switch. Here are some key downsides:
Limited Adjustability
One of the biggest limitations of lowering springs is the lack of adjustability. Once installed, you’re locked into a fixed ride height and stiffness level.
Unlike coilovers, which allow for fine-tuning of ride height and damping, lowering springs offer no flexibility. This makes it challenging to adjust the suspension to suit different driving conditions or preferences.
Compromised Ride Comfort
Lowering springs are typically stiffer than stock springs, which can lead to a harsher ride, especially on rough or uneven roads. The reduced suspension travel and increased stiffness can make the vehicle feel bumpier, as the springs absorb less shock from road imperfections.
This compromise in comfort is one of the main trade-offs when opting for lowering springs.
Impact on Stock Shocks
Lowering springs are often paired with a car’s stock shocks, which may not be designed to handle the stiffer springs or the reduced ride height.
Over time, this mismatch can put extra strain on the stock shocks, leading to premature wear and reduced performance. In some cases, it’s necessary to upgrade to aftermarket shocks, which adds to the overall cost of the suspension upgrade.
Reduced Suspension Travel
Since lowering springs reduce the car’s ride height, they also reduce the amount of suspension travel available.
This means there’s less room for the suspension to absorb bumps or impacts, which can negatively affect handling and performance on uneven terrain or under heavy load.
In extreme cases, it can lead to bottoming out, where the suspension fully compresses and impacts the chassis.
Handling Trde-Offs
While lowering springs improve handling in terms of reducing body roll and improving cornering stability, the stiffer springs can make the vehicle feel less forgiving in daily driving situations.
The sharper handling can sometimes come at the cost of reduced comfort and more twitchy behavior on rough roads or during sudden maneuvers.
Ideal use cases
Lowering springs are a great choice for car enthusiasts who are looking to enhance their vehicle’s appearance and handling without making a significant financial investment.
Here are some situations where lowering springs are the ideal suspension upgrade:
Budget-Conscious Enthusiasts
For those who want to improve their car’s look and performance but are working with a limited budget, lowering springs offer a cost-effective solution.
They provide noticeable benefits at a fraction of the cost of coilovers, making them accessible to hobbyists who are just getting started with modifications or don’t want to invest heavily in their suspension setup.
Mild Performance Improvements
Lowering springs are perfect for drivers seeking moderate handling improvements without going too extreme. By lowering the vehicle’s center of gravity and reducing body roll, they can deliver a sportier, more responsive driving experience, particularly during spirited street driving.
While they may not offer the high-performance capabilities of coilovers, they are well-suited for drivers who want a mild upgrade for daily driving or occasional spirited driving.
Aesthetic Enhancements
Many car enthusiasts choose lowering springs primarily for the visual impact they provide. The lowered stance gives the car a more aggressive and sporty appearance, which is especially appealing for show cars or street builds.
If you’re mainly interested in giving your vehicle a sleek, lowered look without the need for extensive suspension customization, lowering springs are an ideal choice.
Daily Drivers
For daily driving, lowering springs can be a practical upgrade. They offer improved handling without the need for constant adjustments, making them ideal for drivers who want better performance on the road but don’t need the advanced tuning capabilities of coilovers.
Lowering springs can provide a noticeable difference in handling and appearance, while still being comfortable enough for everyday use.
Easy Installation for DIY Enthusiasts
For car enthusiasts who enjoy working on their vehicles, lowering springs are a relatively easy DIY installation.
Their straightforward design makes them less complex than coilovers, allowing for a more user-friendly upgrade.
This makes them ideal for car owners who want to take a hands-on approach to improving their suspension without needing professional assistance.
What Are Coilovers?
Coilovers are advanced suspension systems that combine a coil spring and shock absorber, allowing for adjustable ride height, damping, and sometimes camber. Unlike lowering springs, coilovers offer full customization, making them ideal for performance tuning.
Drivers can adjust spring preload and shock damping to fine-tune handling and comfort. By adjusting the threaded body, vehicle height and center of gravity can be modified, enhancing both stance and performance.
Coilovers are versatile, excelling in high-performance settings while also providing adjustable comfort for everyday driving, making them a top choice for balancing performance, comfort, and aesthetics.
Benefits of coilovers
Coilovers offer a range of benefits that make them a popular choice for car enthusiasts looking for performance and versatility in their suspension setup. Here are some key advantages:
Full Adjustability
One of the biggest benefits of coilovers is their ability to adjust both ride height and damping. This gives drivers the freedom to customize their suspension for different driving scenarios, whether they need a low stance for improved aerodynamics on the track or a more comfortable setup for everyday driving.
The adjustable damping allows for fine-tuning of the suspension stiffness, providing the ideal balance between comfort and performance.
Superior Handling
Coilovers are designed to significantly enhance a car’s handling by offering more precise control over suspension dynamics. The ability to adjust ride height lowers the center of gravity, reducing body roll and improving cornering performance.
Additionally, the adjustable damping improves the vehicle’s responsiveness during acceleration, braking, and turning, making coilovers a top choice for track enthusiasts and performance drivers.
Improved Ride Quality
Despite their reputation for being performance-focused, many coilovers offer adjustable damping that can be softened for better comfort.
This means that coilovers can be tuned for both high-performance driving and smooth, comfortable rides, depending on the driver’s needs.
This dual-purpose capability makes them suitable for those who use their car for both daily driving and weekend track sessions.
Durability and Longevity
High-quality coilovers are built with premium materials, ensuring durability and long-term performance. Many coilover systems are designed to withstand the rigors of both street driving and track use, offering a longer lifespan compared to standard suspension components.
Their robust construction often includes corrosion-resistant coatings and heavy-duty seals, which contribute to their longevity and consistent performance.
Customizable Fit
Coilovers come in various configurations, allowing for a highly personalized suspension setup. Drivers can choose coilovers with different spring rates, shock lengths, and damping settings to match their specific driving style, vehicle type, and performance goals.
This customization ensures that coilovers can be tailored to meet the needs of both casual drivers and professional racers alike.
Enhanced Aesthetic Appeal
Along with their performance benefits, coilovers provide the opportunity to fine-tune a car’s stance.
Whether lowering the ride height for a more aggressive look or adjusting it to fit aftermarket wheels, coilovers allow for precise control over how the car sits, enhancing its visual appeal and making it stand out on the road or at car shows.
Downsides of coilovers
Higher Cost
One of the most significant downsides of coilovers is their higher price compared to lowering springs or other suspension upgrades.
High-quality coilover systems can be expensive, especially when factoring in advanced features like adjustable damping and camber plates.
For budget-conscious drivers, the initial investment in coilovers may be difficult to justify unless maximum adjustability and performance are the main goals.
Complex Installation and Setup
Installing coilovers is more complex than swapping out lowering springs, often requiring specialized tools and technical know-how.
Proper setup involves adjusting ride height, preload, and damping settings, which can be challenging for someone without experience. Many drivers opt for professional installation and tuning, which adds to the overall cost.
Additionally, improper installation can lead to poor handling or even damage to the suspension components.
Potential for Rough Ride
While coilovers can be tuned for comfort, many are designed with performance in mind, meaning the ride can be stiffer and less forgiving than stock suspension.
If not adjusted correctly, coilovers can make daily driving uncomfortable, especially on rough or uneven roads.
Drivers who prioritize comfort over performance may find this to be a significant drawback.
Increased Maintenance
Due to their more complex design and adjustability, coilovers require more frequent maintenance than standard suspension components.
Parts like dampers, seals, and threads need to be inspected and sometimes lubricated or cleaned to ensure proper functioning.
In performance applications, especially on tracks, coilovers may wear faster and require more frequent replacements or servicing, adding to the long-term cost.
Noise and Vibration
Depending on the setup, coilovers can introduce additional noise, vibration, and harshness (NVH) to the ride, especially when set to stiffer settings.
Some coilover systems can produce squeaks, clunks, or rattles, which may be bothersome during daily driving.
Drivers who are sensitive to cabin noise or prefer a smoother, quieter ride may find this aspect of coilovers undesirable.
Over-Tuning Risk
With so many adjustments available, there is a risk of over-tuning coilovers to the point where the car becomes difficult to handle or uncomfortable to drive.
For inexperienced tuners, the extensive settings can be overwhelming, and it can take time to find the perfect balance between performance and comfort.
Improperly tuned coilovers can actually reduce the vehicle’s handling and stability, leading to a suboptimal driving experience.
Ideal use cases:
Coilovers are an ideal suspension upgrade for drivers who prioritize performance, precision, and customization. Here are the key scenarios where coilovers shine:
Performance-Focused Drivers
For those who want to maximize their car’s handling, coilovers are the go-to option. The ability to adjust ride height, damping, and sometimes camber allows performance-focused drivers to fine-tune their suspension for maximum grip and stability. Whether it’s enhancing cornering capabilities or improving high-speed stability, coilovers provide the precision and control needed to push a car’s limits on the road.
Track Enthusiasts
Coilovers are an essential upgrade for anyone looking to take their car to the track. Track driving demands optimal suspension settings that can handle high-speed cornering, braking, and acceleration.
Coilovers allow drivers to lower the vehicle’s center of gravity, reduce body roll, and dial in the suspension stiffness for sharper, more responsive handling.
The adjustable damping also lets track enthusiasts tweak their setup depending on track conditions, ensuring their car is always tuned for peak performance.
Custom Adjustability Seekers
Drivers who enjoy customizing their vehicle’s suspension to meet their specific needs will benefit greatly from coilovers.
Unlike lowering springs, which offer a fixed ride height, coilovers provide full adjustability, allowing drivers to change their car’s stance and suspension characteristics with ease.
Whether lowering the car for aesthetic reasons, tuning for comfort during daily driving, or setting up for aggressive track performance, coilovers give unparalleled flexibility to tailor the suspension to any driving condition or personal preference.
Auto-X and Time Attack Competitors
For enthusiasts involved in auto-crossing (Auto-X) or time attack events, coilovers offer the fine-tuning capabilities needed to shave precious seconds off lap times.
Being able to adjust ride height, damping, and camber allows drivers to optimize tire contact with the road, reduce understeer or oversteer, and maintain maximum control at high speeds. For competitive drivers, this adjustability can be the difference between winning and losing
Modified Car Builds
Coilovers are a popular choice among car enthusiasts who are heavily modifying their vehicles. Whether it’s a street build with custom wheels or a fully built performance machine, coilovers allow enthusiasts to adjust the suspension to complement other modifications.
They provide the versatility needed to fine-tune the car’s stance, handling, and ride quality to match the overall build’s goals, ensuring a cohesive and high-performing setup.
Key Differences Between Lowering Springs and Coilovers
| Aspect | Coilovers | Lowering Springs |
|---|---|---|
| Adjustability | Highly adjustable (ride height, damping, camber) | Fixed ride height and stiffness |
| Performance | Offers superior handling and performance tuning | Improves handling but limited performance tuning |
| Cost | Higher cost but better long-term value | More affordable, budget-friendly option |
| Ride Quality | Can be fine-tuned for comfort and performance | May reduce comfort, especially on rough roads |
| Installation & Maintenance | Requires expertise for setup and maintenance | Easier to install, less complex |
Which Option Is Right for You?
Budget: Coilovers are pricier, while lowering springs are more affordable.
Driving Style: Coilovers are ideal for performance tuning, while lowering springs are for everyday use with improved handling.
Adjustability Needs: Coilovers offer more control over suspension settings, whereas lowering springs are a fixed upgrade.
Comfort vs. Performance: Coilovers provide flexibility for both, but lowering springs might sacrifice comfort for improved handling.
Ease of Installation: Lowering springs are simpler to install, whereas coilovers may need professional expertise.
Recommendations for different types of drivers
When choosing between coilovers and lowering springs, consider your driving style and vehicle use:
DIY Enthusiasts: Lowering springs are simpler to install, while coilovers need more technical know-how and adjustments.
Casual Drivers: Lowering springs offer a fixed drop in height, improving handling and aesthetics without requiring adjustments. They’re affordable and comfortable for daily use.
Performance Enthusiasts: Coilovers are ideal for spirited driving and occasional track days. They allow fine-tuning of ride height, damping, and sometimes camber for optimal performance.
Track Racers: High-performance coilovers provide precise tuning for competitive driving, with advanced features like independent compression and rebound adjustment.
Show Car Owners: Both options work, but coilovers offer more stance control for perfect aesthetics.
Conclusion
When upgrading your car’s suspension, lowering springs offer a cost-effective, simple way to improve aesthetics and handling with a fixed ride height, ideal for casual driving. Coilovers, however, provide superior performance and adjustability, making them perfect for enthusiasts seeking full control over ride height, damping, and handling. They are the go-to choice for those wanting to push their vehicle’s limits with customizable suspension dynamics.