Advice on lowering my car................

[FELIX_5]

I currently have billy coilovers fitted on my mk1, but would like it lower, 1.) to improve the handling and 2.) for asthetics, and reduce the gap between the top of the tyre and the wheel arch...

Question is, as I have coilovers fitted, what are my options to lower it (they're not adjustable) without replacing with a complete new set of coilovers.

Whilst the ride is a little hard, I don't mind it, am I right in thinking I can't just fit 'lowering springs' on coilovers.........?

Thanks in advance

[Oldandslow]

Does billy mean Bilstein? That should already be a low and slightly hardcore setup. You can certainly fit lowering springs but they'll be stiffer (or should be). It's all compromises.

I've raised my car over the years to get more comfort and she handles better. Removed awful tramlining and skipping rear end problems. The previous owner had her slammed to the deck, even those little plastic speed bumps were a nightmare.

[franv8]

It's a bit of a one way trip, but you can just cut coils off the springs. Also, coilovers tend to be a standard diameter, so one of the rally parts supply shops will undoubtedlt carry a stock of different lengths and rates that could replace your current springs.

[Gizmo!]

I believe - possibly wrongly - that the factory standard suspension is made by Bilstein? Certainly the factory ride height varied according to age (again possibly wrongly, I believe to pass pedestrian safety regs). My 96P Mk1 is pretty high

[FELIX_5]

Yeah sorry by Billy, I meant Bilsteins. Lol. I'm not really bothere about comfort levels as it's just a weekend toy. But would really like to get it a bit lower, not really slammed, but certainly lower.
Mines a 1990 Roadster if that makes any difference to the ride height?............

[snotrag]

What are your ride heights now?

Mines at about 12" Front, 12.5" rear, and its about as low as you'd wanna go on a road car to be able to get over speed bumps. Mine crunches on a brace bar between the front wishbones.

Measurement is the distance from the centre of the wheel to the top of the arch.


I'm due a suspension refresh soon and I want to aim for about another half inch front and back to make life easier.

[FELIX_5]

I'll have to measure mine.....

[Evangelion]

Mine's 13" front, 13.5" rear - a bit 4x4-ish. Don't know how long the shocks have been on there so I'm thinking of replacing those too; not sure whether to have adjustable shocks and 35mm shorter springs, or go the whole hog with an adjustable height setup.