R53 - eibach springs?

[darren9]

I'm thinking of removing a bit of arch gap but don't have much of a budget.

I don't want to run at a "stance yo!" Height and I'm not running on track - though I do often enjoy a "spirited" drive. Coilovers seem far too expensive for what I want.

The eibach springs look good and are well regarded amongst other marques.

Does anyone have any experience of running them? What are they like day to day?

If they're awful I'll just stick with standard. It is a great handling little car and the last thing I want to do is upset that.

[eikoorb]

Hi mate.

I bought mine with brand new Eibach Sportlines fitted 3 months before. The ride is fine for what I use the car for (just evenings/weekends) and the handing is good! I drove my friends on the standard springs and I couldn't tell much difference in ride quality, mine was just a bit sharper through the bends.

A few photos of the height of mine are in this thread:
http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&a...

[darren9]

Thanks mate. That sounds good - I checked on minitorque and all I could find was people who wanted to run dhead stance yo low.

From what you've said the eibach a will be perfect. I might change to new standard dampers too. Just to make sure it's all fresh.

Yours looks really smart. Nice usable height from what I can tell.

[eikoorb]

The general opinion from what I've seen is that the ride is improved with a set of AP coilovers, which I don't discount. I sure it is. However if you do go down the coilover route, adjustable RCAs are also needed. By the time you've done, assuming you're paying fitting costs you've not got much change left from a grand.

I feel mine is a good compromise between the 2, and sits at a nice useable height as you say.

[darren9]

That's what I was thinking. I can't spend a grand on new suspension components and I won't get the use out of them.

Cheers mate.

[Hyde]

I've run eibach springs on my R53 for years
I find the handling is grand, though it is harder than with the standard springs

[eikoorb]

No worries mate. If you want any more info or have any other questions give me a shout. I'd offer you a ride out in mine, but it seems you're a fair way away.

[SteveS Cup]

I've had Eibach spings on mine for the last 2 years.

My advice would be to buy AP coilovers and just run them at a sensible height.

With Eibach's you'll have a car that is lower at the rear than the front, very hard, the shocks don't match the spring rates...

If you're only interested in removing some arch gap cut the standard springs. If you want to improve looks, handling and ride comfort is get some AP's. If I were to do it agai that's what I'd do. By the time I realised this I was bored of spending money on it.

[SteveS Cup]

To add, you'll also mess up your camber. You really need to do it properly or not at all IMO.

[ftypical]

As you're thinking of fitting new dampers as well, you may also want to consider fitting the JCW suspension to your car. It manages the impressive trick of lowering the car and improving the ride.

HTH

[darren9]

I did consider the JCW suspension but I've swapped to non run flats and have read that the JCW suspension should be used with run flats only - I'm not keen on going back to run flats as the continentals we have on there now are excellent.

[junky]

STOP!!
I've been down the Eibach Springs route along with Koni FSD Dampers that are supposed adjust with the way you drive accordingly.. Think the set up cost me £800.. And in all honesty compared to the standard set up,I did wonder at times what I had spent my money on.. Yes,it was lower,but to honest the ride quality wasn't that much different if at all.. 1 day however,whilst my car / R53 was having work done I was given a courtesy Mini which had Coilovers,which incidentally I was dead set against,hence the Eibach Sorings route.. At the time I didn't know the courtesy car was on coilovers.. The ride quality was BETTER than stock and my own set up..it was lower than standard,not stance,and looked good.. I was in disbelief when I phoned and asked was the suspension set up was..Turned out it was on a set of KW V1 Coilovers!! With this info I duly told the garage to fit a set to my car and never looked back (had the car 4 years).. As harsh as they are over on MT they do have a motto (that I didn't adhere to at 1st), Do It Once..Do It Right.. That's my twopence worth from personal experience with Eibachs.. Oh n with regards to AP's,I followed someone on a Mini run who was on AP's and watched him dodge every crack and hole (no matter how small) in the road,which tells you how comfortable they are. Oh n also,the V1's are height adjustable.. Yes they will cost more than your Eibachs,but there is NO WAY,you will question their validity as I did with the Eibachs..

[darren9]

I can't justify the cost of coils - especially not KWs (as much as I'd like to) looks like I'll be sticking with standard if springs are that bad.