How to Lower Your Car Properly: Springs vs Coilovers

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Lowering Your Car: The Foundation of Modified Styling

Lowering your car is often the first modification enthusiasts make — and for good reason. A properly lowered car looks aggressive, purposeful, and planted. It transforms the stance from stock "4x4 look" to something that actually looks like it belongs on tarmac. But lowering incorrectly creates problems: poor handling, blown suspension, rubbing tires, and MOT failures.

This complete guide covers everything about lowering your car properly: lowering springs vs coilovers, how much to drop, installation requirements, alignment needs, and common mistakes that ruin cars. Whether you're going for mild drop or full aggressive stance, this is your roadmap.

For wheel fitment that works with lowered cars, see our JDM fitment guide and MX-5 coilover selection. For stance and lowering inspiration from real builds, browse our magazines on Amazon.

What You'll Learn:

• Springs vs coilovers comparison
• How much to lower different cars
• Installation process and costs
• Alignment requirements
• Common mistakes to avoid
• MOT considerations

Option 1: Lowering Springs

What Are They?

Replacement springs that sit lower than stock. Keep stock dampers (shocks).

Pros

Affordable: £150-400 for set Simple: Direct replacement Decent ride: Better than cheap coilovers Reliable: No complicated adjustments

Cons

Fixed height: Can't adjust after install Compromised damping: Stock shocks not designed for lowered springs Limited drop: Usually 25-40mm maximum Shorter lifespan: Shocks wear faster

Popular Brands

Eibach Pro-Kit: £200-350

• Quality: Excellent
• Drop: 20-35mm typically
• Ride: Comfortable

H&R Sport Springs: £180-320

• Quality: Very good
• Drop: 25-40mm
• Ride: Firm but good

AP Springs: £150-280

• Quality: Good
• Drop: 30-45mm
• Ride: Acceptable

Installation Cost

DIY: Free (need spring compressors) Professional: £150-300 labor

Total cost: £150-700 (springs + install)

Option 2: Coilovers

What Are They?

Combined spring and damper unit with height adjustment and often damping adjustment.

Pros

Adjustable height: Dial in perfect drop Better damping: Designed to work together Performance: Better handling than springs Upgradeable: Can adjust as needs change

Cons

Expensive: £400-3,000+ Complex install: More involved Maintenance: Need periodic inspection Harsh ride: Budget coilovers especially

Quality Tiers

Budget (£400-800):

• Brands: BC Racing, Raceland, MaxPeed
• Quality: Hit and miss
• Ride: Often harsh
• Lifespan: 2-4 years
• Verdict: Only if budget very tight

Mid-Range (£800-1,500):

• Brands: Tein, HKS, Greddy
• Quality: Good
• Ride: Acceptable to good
• Lifespan: 4-6 years
• Verdict: Best value sweet spot

Premium (£1,500-3,000):

• Brands: KW, Ohlins, Bilstein PSS
• Quality: Excellent
• Ride: Surprisingly comfortable
• Lifespan: 6-10+ years
• Verdict: Buy once, cry once

Installation Cost

DIY: 4-8 hours (need tools) Professional: £300-600 labor

Total cost: £700-3,600 (coilovers + install)

How Much Should You Lower?

Daily Driver / Mild

Drop: 20-35mm Look: Improved but subtle Ride: Minimally affected Practicality: Full Rubbing: None

Recommendation: Lowering springs or quality coilovers

Aggressive Street / Show

Drop: 40-70mm Look: Aggressive, low stance Ride: Compromised Practicality: Careful over speed bumps Rubbing: Possible (may need fender work)

Recommendation: Coilovers with camber adjustment

Extreme / Bagged

Drop: 80-120mm (on air suspension) Look: Slammed, show stance Ride: Harsh when lowered Practicality: Lift to drive, lower when parked Rubbing: Extensive fender work required

Recommendation: Air suspension (£2,000-5,000)

Installation Process

Lowering Springs

1. Jack car and secure on stands
2. Remove wheels
3. Remove stock springs (compress and remove)
4. Install new springs
5. Reassemble
6. Alignment mandatory

Time: 2-4 hours

Coilovers

1. Jack car and secure on stands
2. Remove wheels
3. Remove entire shock/spring assembly
4. Install coilover assembly
5. Set initial height
6. Reassemble
7. Alignment mandatory
8. Test drive and adjust height

Time: 4-8 hours first time

Alignment After Lowering

Why Mandatory

Lowering changes suspension geometry. Without alignment:

• Uneven tire wear
• Poor handling
• Car pulls to one side

Required Adjustments

Camber: Will go more negative (top of wheel inward)

• May need camber plates/bolts
• Target: -1.5° to -2.5° front

Toe: Affected by lowering

• Must be reset to spec
• Critical for tire wear

Caster: Less affected but check

Cost: £80-150 for alignment

For detailed alignment guidance, see our drift car setup guide.

Common Mistakes

1. Maxing Out the Drop Immediately

Problem: Installing coilovers at maximum low setting Result: Suspension binding, terrible ride, potential damage

Solution: Start higher, lower gradually over weeks

2. Cheap Coilovers

Problem: Buying £300 eBay coilovers Result: Harsh ride, failure within months, unsafe

Solution: Save for quality or buy springs instead

3. Skipping Alignment

Problem: Driving on lowered car without alignment Result: Ruined tires in 1,000 miles, poor handling

Solution: Alignment immediately after lowering

4. Lowering Beyond Practical Limits

Problem: Dropping 80mm+ on static suspension Result: Can't use car (scrapes constantly), damaged

Solution: Keep it reasonable or go air suspension

5. Mismatched Components

Problem: Lowering springs with worn shocks Result: Bouncy, dangerous handling

Solution: Replace shocks if worn

MOT Considerations

Will Pass If:

• Suspension functions properly
• No excessive play or wear
• Tires don't rub on anything
• Lights at correct height (important!)
• All components secure

Will Fail If:

• Suspension binding or seized
• Tires rubbing bodywork
• Damaged components
• Excessive negative camber (>-3.5° questionable)
• Headlights too low (adjustment required)

For complete MOT guidance, see our modified suspension MOT guide.

Cost Comparison

Springs vs Coilovers: Which to Choose?

Choose Springs If:

• Budget under £500
• Want mild drop (25-35mm)
• Daily driver priority
• Don't plan further suspension mods
• Want simple, reliable solution

Choose Coilovers If:

• Budget allows £800+
• Want adjustable height
• Plan track days or spirited driving
• May want to adjust height later
• Building show car

Best value: Quality springs if budget tight, mid-range coilovers if can stretch budget.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: Will lowering damage my car?

Not if done properly with quality parts and alignment. Damage comes from cheap parts or excessive lowering.

Q2: Can I lower my car and keep stock wheels?

Yes, but may look odd. Most people change wheels when lowering for proper stance.

Q3: Will my insurance increase?

Possibly. Must declare lowering. Specialist insurers may not charge extra. For strategies, see our modified car insurance guide.

Q4: Can I install coilovers myself?

If mechanically competent, yes. Need: jack, stands, spring compressors, tools, patience.

Q5: How often should I adjust coilover height?

Once dialed in, rarely. Maybe seasonal adjustments (higher for winter).

Q6: Will lowering improve handling?

Potentially, yes. Lower center of gravity and reduced body roll help. But quality matters more than how low.

? Related Articles

1. JDM Wheel Fitment Guide

2. Best MX-5 Coilovers

3. Drift Car Setup Guide

4. Passing MOT with Modified Suspension

5. Modified Car Insurance

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