Lowering a car... Genuine intrigue
Discussion
Good afternoon all,
Popped out Sunday morning for a spot of breakfast, and whilst enjoying a cigarette afterward I noticed the below parked on the opposite side of the road.
Now I know it's a regular topic of 'slating', and while I appreciate we all have our individual taste's, just how do people live with a vehicle like this?
As it was already parked when I got outside, I can only assume it must have some sort of 'self raising/lowering' suspension which allows to drive over bumps etc. To get the vehicle where it stood, and to leave the particular road, you have to go over speed bumps. Could you even get close to full lock in it's current state?
I moved my standard E93 m sport on recently because I just couldn't live with the ride. This must take real commitment.
Or maybe I'm just getting old?
Popped out Sunday morning for a spot of breakfast, and whilst enjoying a cigarette afterward I noticed the below parked on the opposite side of the road.
Now I know it's a regular topic of 'slating', and while I appreciate we all have our individual taste's, just how do people live with a vehicle like this?
As it was already parked when I got outside, I can only assume it must have some sort of 'self raising/lowering' suspension which allows to drive over bumps etc. To get the vehicle where it stood, and to leave the particular road, you have to go over speed bumps. Could you even get close to full lock in it's current state?
I moved my standard E93 m sport on recently because I just couldn't live with the ride. This must take real commitment.
Or maybe I'm just getting old?
It could be an air suspension system that settles to full droop when parked, like the Citroen DS (although that was hydraulic).
In which case the ride height can be whatever the system is set to, or whatever the driver wants (although probably pretty low, from the lack of stupid camber at that height).
In which case the ride height can be whatever the system is set to, or whatever the driver wants (although probably pretty low, from the lack of stupid camber at that height).
I guess just as handling, performance, noise or speed matter to us then there will be other people for whom looks are the be all and end all of a car. And looks are, of course, entirely subjective.
As long as that car passes an MOT and is "safe" I don't mind the discomfort the owner has to endure, if he/she enjoys it.
Pretty sure many people have looked in the window of a GT3 RS and wondered why you would go through the hassle of having scaffolding in your car and no air conditioning, just for a noisy old beetle.
As long as that car passes an MOT and is "safe" I don't mind the discomfort the owner has to endure, if he/she enjoys it.
Pretty sure many people have looked in the window of a GT3 RS and wondered why you would go through the hassle of having scaffolding in your car and no air conditioning, just for a noisy old beetle.
thecremeegg said:
It's probably on air suspension so has a compressor etc to raise and lower it. I agree it looks ****, a subtle couple of inches lower than stock however would be perfect.
I don't think a couple of inches lower than OEM will ever be "subtle", it's about a third of the ride height of the average car. 
When I refreshed my suspension, I had to get custom wound springs, as all the aftermarket springs were lowered as well as stiffer.
If you just buy a "sports suspension" kit, you get lowered whether you want it or not, although the car in question has more than just kit springs and dampers, IMO.
If you just buy a "sports suspension" kit, you get lowered whether you want it or not, although the car in question has more than just kit springs and dampers, IMO.
It's on a hydraulics system. This also means the wheel fitment doesn't need to have any clearance when sat on the floor. Not sure what height he drives it at either.
I like the look in general, I'm not convinced on this one particularly, the WCI CC10s have never been a huge favourite for me, although they may also be winter wheels, it's a new car build so might have something nicer/rarer for show season.
You do get crazy low static cars, they often have many issues being used day to day, but can genuinely be setup so that the wheels don't contact the bodywork. They obviously don't handle well, but that's not the point of them.
I like the look in general, I'm not convinced on this one particularly, the WCI CC10s have never been a huge favourite for me, although they may also be winter wheels, it's a new car build so might have something nicer/rarer for show season.
You do get crazy low static cars, they often have many issues being used day to day, but can genuinely be setup so that the wheels don't contact the bodywork. They obviously don't handle well, but that's not the point of them.
Jim AK said:
It's all about the look Bro innit.
That look being having to come to a virtual halt to go over speed bumps & having your fillings dislodged on all but the smoothest blacktop.
I have driven a couple of F-cars (notably a 355) which although not that low, have very long front overhangs and do prompt you to become a granny whenever a speed hump presents itself. Does often receive visual "encouragement" from white van men behind you...That look being having to come to a virtual halt to go over speed bumps & having your fillings dislodged on all but the smoothest blacktop.
You get massive scene points for grinding your subframe / sump / other un-necessary components on the road surface.
You clearly have a much bigger willy if your ride is 'static' too (ie. doesn't feature a complicated air-ride suspension worth several times the value of the car).
They see motoring perfection. I see a desperate cry for attention / recognition.
You clearly have a much bigger willy if your ride is 'static' too (ie. doesn't feature a complicated air-ride suspension worth several times the value of the car).
They see motoring perfection. I see a desperate cry for attention / recognition.
As many have already mentioned that will be on air ride or hydraulic suspension.
My own Golf is on air suspension, so can go as low as the BMW in the picture or higher than standard depending on what you want.
It's surprisingly comfortable to drive even on the low settings and the more modern setups can be just as good handling wise as a decent set of coilovers.
My own Golf is on air suspension, so can go as low as the BMW in the picture or higher than standard depending on what you want.
It's surprisingly comfortable to drive even on the low settings and the more modern setups can be just as good handling wise as a decent set of coilovers.
Mr Ben said:
Good afternoon all,
Popped out Sunday morning for a spot of breakfast, and whilst enjoying a cigarette afterward I noticed the below parked on the opposite side of the road.
Now I know it's a regular topic of 'slating', and while I appreciate we all have our individual taste's, just how do people live with a vehicle like this?
As it was already parked when I got outside, I can only assume it must have some sort of 'self raising/lowering' suspension which allows to drive over bumps etc. To get the vehicle where it stood, and to leave the particular road, you have to go over speed bumps. Could you even get close to full lock in it's current state?
I moved my standard E93 m sport on recently because I just couldn't live with the ride. This must take real commitment.
Or maybe I'm just getting old?
Air ride is actually softer than your M sport ride & that car is definitely on Air Ride Popped out Sunday morning for a spot of breakfast, and whilst enjoying a cigarette afterward I noticed the below parked on the opposite side of the road.
Now I know it's a regular topic of 'slating', and while I appreciate we all have our individual taste's, just how do people live with a vehicle like this?
As it was already parked when I got outside, I can only assume it must have some sort of 'self raising/lowering' suspension which allows to drive over bumps etc. To get the vehicle where it stood, and to leave the particular road, you have to go over speed bumps. Could you even get close to full lock in it's current state?
I moved my standard E93 m sport on recently because I just couldn't live with the ride. This must take real commitment.
Or maybe I'm just getting old?
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