Which Spring?

MisterK · March 1, 2012, 17:44

Note that I've posted this under Performance and not Appearance. I'm currently thinking about getting a set of lowering springs fitted mostly for appearance purposes rather than outright performance & based on that thinking then the Prolex FK Automotive offer at £48.50 a set would seem to be a no brainer. However I thought I'd ask the question as to whether these springs also give value in the perfomance stakes. It would seem that my other options to lower the car by 30mm would be Toyota Springs from Pentagon Toyota at £151 a set or Tein S-Tech at £132.60 on ebay, SPAX at £136 from Demon Tweek etc etc but this does add an extra cost and would I be able to notice the difference in performance? I only really use the car for commuting & the odd blast around the lanes, so the question is - will the Prolex FK Automotive set be the ones for me?

loadswine · March 1, 2012, 18:56

I had a set on one of my roadsters last year and it was great with them, currently have Tein lowering springs on my new roadster and they feel pretty much the same to me. Had TTE springs on the one before and not a vast amount of difference there either, if anything, the FKs felt better!
I would think you'll be fine.

MisterK · March 1, 2012, 19:41

Thanks for that - that's what I thought but thought I'd check out others opinions first.

stargazer30 · March 1, 2012, 19:46

I've ran with TTE springs on my last MR2 and the prolex ones on my current one. The prolex ones are just as good and much cheaper. However make sure you factor in the cost of fitting (£120 ish) and 4 wheel laser alignment and geo check (£50-£80). Thats where the cost is the fitting.

Performance wise they reduce roll a fair bit, the ride is very slightly more harsh but not an issue. Speed bumps are not an issue as long as your sensible.

donnac · March 1, 2012, 20:12

Im tempted by these springs too.. have to keep reminding myself i intended to keep this car the way i bought it though s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

MisterK · March 2, 2012, 11:33

Guys - many thanks for your feedback. Looks like I'm going to go with the FK Automotive ones. I've factored in the cost of the fitting and alignment and geo check (Stargazer - your spot on with your figures). Also, just checked with my insurance company (Adrian Flux) and the good news is no extra cost on the premium and no cost for advising them of the change. Just need to get them ordered now!

Anonymous · March 2, 2012, 11:36

Quote from: "donnac"I'm tempted by these springs too.. have to keep reminding myself i intended to keep this car the way i bought it though s:lol: :lol: s:lol:

go on do it !! s:twisted: :twisted: s:twisted:

Wabbitkilla · March 2, 2012, 12:52

You won't regret it, the car really suits the lowering and it handles much better & safer.

G20 · March 2, 2012, 15:28

Is it recommended to get them fitted by a pro or is it something a diyer could do by themself?

I've seen the How to, but I believe the guy had some help while doing it.

mr-ed_smt · March 2, 2012, 15:47

it's not too tricky. you need and modest supply of tools, including spring compressors:
m http://www.eurocarparts.com/ecp/p/tools ... 1&0&t5_436 m
m http://www.halfords.com/webapp/wcs/stor ... yId_255216 m
I did mine by myself in an evening I think, using the instructions in the "how to" section. make sure the car is on axle stands, and you put quite a lot of force on some of the bolts. geo-set up afterwards is a very good idea, no matter who fits them.

MisterK · March 2, 2012, 18:38

Good news. Just run the idea past 'she who must be obeyed' and based on feedback from you guys, she now agrees that it's not too bad an idea so will get on to Prolex to order them straight away. I'm too long in the tooth to have a go at fitting myself, so have arranged for Matt Performance to do this for me which will include alignment etc. Can't wait now to see how the car will look and feel once complete.

puma2 · March 2, 2012, 22:03

hi mark, we had this chat last year at ding day if i rember right s:D

s:D
defo lets us no how you get on this and if poss some before and after pics with all the prices you have paid in total s:)

s:)
many thanks s:bowdown: :bowdown: s:bowdown:

G20 · March 5, 2012, 12:18

Quote from: "MisterK"Good news. Just run the idea past 'she who must be obeyed' and based on feedback from you guys, she now agrees that it's not too bad an idea so will get on to Prolex to order them straight away. I'm too long in the tooth to have a go at fitting myself, so have arranged for Matt Performance to do this for me which will include alignment etc. Can't wait now to see how the car will look and feel once complete.

Just out of curiosity, how much is Matt charging for fitting and alignment?

I've got springs sitting in my garage but a bit worried to give it a go myself so looking at what prices I should be paying.

MisterK · March 5, 2012, 12:32

Hope Matt doesn't mind me saying - it's £180 including a 4 wheel geometric check after installation, which is spot on the figure that Stargazer suggested. Springs were ordered from Prolex on Friday & should be dispatched today, so hopefully I can arrange with Matt to get them installed before too long. I'll post some pickies in due course.

G20 · March 5, 2012, 16:23

Quote from: "MisterK"Hope Matt doesn't mind me saying - it's £180 including a 4 wheel geometric check after installation, which is spot on the figure that Stargazer suggested. Springs were ordered from Prolex on Friday & should be dispatched today, so hopefully I can arrange with Matt to get them installed before too long. I'll post some pickies in due course.

The garages around me are wanting 150/160 just for fitting the springs s:(

s:(

MisterK · March 8, 2012, 10:56

Springs just arrived so now need to arrange fitting. Will post before & after pickies when done.

Toplesscouple · March 10, 2012, 19:40

Shame I didn't see this thread earlier, Mark. You could have come and tried our car. TBH, I'm not overly impressed as the ride quality is greatly reduced and you use yours as a daily driver. To be sure it does handle better and looks good, but on our ever increasingly badly surfaced roads the knobbly ride is annoying and the interior does rattle and squeak more. Maybe yours won't or I'm just being too fussy.

loadswine · March 10, 2012, 20:00

I thought you had Tein springs and the KYB dampers, which are also uprated TC?

MisterK · March 10, 2012, 22:17

Quote from: "Toplesscouple"Shame I didn't see this thread earlier, Mark. You could have come and tried our car. TBH, I'm not overly impressed as the ride quality is greatly reduced and you use yours as a daily driver. To be sure it does handle better and looks good, but on our ever increasingly badly surfaced roads the knobbly ride is annoying and the interior does rattle and squeak more. Maybe yours won't or I'm just being too fussy.

Not quite the same setup as yours Pete - I'm only replacing the springs. From what I can see you did KYBs and Tein springs from Camskill plus a corkys plate. That's why I asked for feedback from other members & all gave the thumbsup for the FK Automotive offering. I'm sure that for what I want it'll be fine, but I'll let you know in a couple of weeks when all fitted & bedded in. Keeping my fingers crossed.

bigwillcv36 · March 10, 2012, 23:04

I've got the FK springs and KYB shocks... and some seriously bad roads around me!
You definately feel the bumps more but it's still a reasonably comfortable ride and the car handles so much better. It's a worthwhile pay off and I'd never go back.
Just read the road and move about as necessary. s:-D :-D s:-D

loadswine · March 10, 2012, 23:55

I'd agree. The combo of FK springs and KYBs are superb and work well for a sensible cost. I'd say they were as good as some solutions costing more than twice as much. Yes, a little firmer than stock, but if my stock shocks give out at any point, the provision of the KYB units is a no brainer.

Toplesscouple · March 11, 2012, 08:52

Quote from: "loadswine"I thought you had Tein springs and the KYB dampers, which are also uprated TC?

Yes, that's the set-up, Loadswine.

Perhaps the slightly firmer dampers make it harsher or, like I said, I'm just too fussy. Still think I prefer the standard set-up for all round performance as I never really had any handling issues. Obviously wasn't driving fast enough s:)

s:)

MisterK · March 20, 2012, 16:12

Had the new springs fitted by Matt Performance yesterday & I must say, I'm really pleased as they have achieved both aims - the car looks a lot better and has far more 'presence' - gone are the tractor like gaps between the tyre & the top of the wheel arch. The driving performance has also improved too. Whilst you can notice that the ride is a little bit harder, it's nothing that I can't live with and the roadholding has definitely improved. No issues as yet with speed humps, though I must remember that the car is now 30mm lower than before!
Before:

After:

Great value for money.

Toplesscouple · March 22, 2012, 09:52

Glad you're happy with the new set up, Mark.

Sets your car off a treat. s:)

s:)