Mk 2.5 on 16": what lowering springs?

[911hillclimber]

I would like to lower my daughter's 53plate 2.5 which is about to have 16" wheels fitted.
Nothing too silly, she still needs to drive over speed bumps etc, but thinking an inch or less.
I want to retain the standard dampers.

So:
Where from and to what spec please?

[designforlife]

consensus on mx5nutz is to avoid springs as they do a good job of shagging the standard dampers and giving a crashy ride...if you do get springs the eibach pro's seem ok spring rate wise (circa £160).

What a lot of budget conscious 5 owners do, myself included shortly , is buy raceland/rokkor coilovers at £185 a set, you can choose your drop and the ride isn't too bad for the money you get what you pay for to a degree, but there is a long long thread on mx5nutz with positive feedback about them.

Also means you can swap back to the standard shocks and springs when you/she sells on.

[matts4]

I've just changed out the OEM springs and dampers from my Mk2, running standard 15" rims.

I wanted to firm it up for track use, but didn't want to use cheaper coilovers, nor could I be bothered with messing around with adjustable damping, so went with Bilstein B6 sport dampers and Eibach Pro kit springs. (did cost £650 for the lot though)

The springs have dropped it by around 20mm currently, they may settle a little more yet, but the ride has been transformed.

However, this will have been assisted greatly by the replacement dampers. The car is truly grin inducing now and it is the car I had thought it was supposed to be. (everyone raves about the MX5, but I was a little underwhelmed until I changed the suspension)

The Eibachs are progressive so can take B raods pretty well and I cant wait to get it back out on track again in May.

(just getting the alignment set up on Friday this week which will improve it further I should imagine)

[911hillclimber]

Thank you v much for these feedbacks.
Just today fitted 16" Rota slipstream rims which look great but the car stands so high, esp at the back.

Springs and things next, but need to keep an eye to the insurance side too (modified car etc)
She needs a lowered but every-day-driveable suspension.

20mm seems about right and i think the stock dampers can cope with that.

[911hillclimber]

Should have asked;
What is a fair labour charge for a car set to be fitted and car re-aligned to good specs?

An hour a corner?

[snotrag]

911hillclimber said:

Thank you v much for these feedbacks.
Just today fitted 16" Rota slipstream rims which look great but the car stands so high, esp at the back.

Springs and things next, but need to keep an eye to the insurance side too (modified car etc)
She needs a lowered but every-day-driveable suspension.

20mm seems about right and i think the stock dampers can cope with that.

I would highly, highly recommend replacing the dampers at the same time. If you car has anything over about 50k miles on it then its definitely worth doing - you may not think your old shocks have had it (they might not, mine hadnt, still perfectly MOT'able) however sticking brand new, OEM dampers in made an astonishing difference.