Dr.Fox

So...I currently have the Eibach Pro System Plus setup in my coupe - (sachs dampers, eibach pro kit springs, and eibach sways). It came as a kit, and thus all the components work together perfectly. The ride is a bit harsh in the city (NYC streets are terrible, so it's understandable) but since the car is primarily driven daily in the suburbs of NJ, I'm willing to deal with that. The car handles awesome, and is very nicely balanced.

That said...

I have this little fender gap issue with this setup. The rear is slammed, whereas the front is about the height of the stock 230 SS suspension. I really hate that the front of the car appears higher than the back. The one spring set that seems to make the drop appear to have a rake to it is the Tein S-Tech.

I have read many reviews on this forum, from awful to great. Tein seems to be more of a spring for aesthetics rather than performance. While I don't like a harsh ride, I don't want the car to transform from extremely stable and nimble to slushy and scary at high speed. From the research I've done, the spring rates from the Eibachs are quite similar to the Teins, although stiffer than the Teins.

I know this is a decision I'll have to make, but am I making a huge mistake by swapping out the Eibachs for the Teins? Keep in mind, I will have a good set of dampers and sways to accompany these springs too...

Here's a pic of my drop now. You'll see what I mean.

Dr.Fox

This shows the drop best

bdgdl08

You could always keep the rear and just change the fronts.

Dr.Fox

I was thinking of doing that, but was advised against mixing and matching springs. I figured it would be ok if the spring rates were close to one another..

Anyone try this?

tommy

Wow, we're almost twins.

Have the same setup as you, and am kind of in the same boat. I hate the front gap, but am afraid to mess with it.

Unfortunately, don't really have any info to offer, other than the same general information you've got. Obviously, you could go coilovers, and get exactly the look you're after; Tein Streets would cost about 800-1k. If their EDFC worked on our cars, I would probably have gotten their c/os, but it doesn't.

Good luck, though - if you have any luck, post results. Used to live in Clifton myself, and the roads around you ain't much better than NYC.

Dr.Fox

It's annoying that Eibach couldn't have made the front a hair lower, because you said it - I'm afraid to mess with it at all.

As for the roads, you are right - any main roads here are pretty beaten up - you just have more room to swerve the holes

infected

If you are fussy about ride height then coilovers will be the best solution.

Dr.Fox

I think that's probably what i'll do..

TruTaing

Im curious, how big is that gap really? Can ya take a measurement from the top of the tire to the top of the wheel well? :x

Dr.Fox

The gap is right at about an inch. Does anyone know what rear spring pads come on the coupe? Maybe if I raise the rear a tad, it will look more even. If I'm still not happy after that there's always coilovers..

TruTaing

The tallest rear spring pad will be helpful I dont think its worth the swap from eibach to tein. I get the impression that they are roughly all the same ride height... Try the rear spring pad first

Dr.Fox

Ok. I'm going to try the thicker pads first. It's the best option at this point, I agree - Thanks Tru.

Guess this means I have a brand new set of Tein S-Techs for sale I'll post something up in the classifieds, but PM me if interested.

mtnman82

+1 on the rear pads. It did the trick on my sedan anyway (H&R spring set & went from #2 to #4 pads in rear)...

TemjinX2

i agree, just get a thicker rear spring pad and buy tires with wider side walls. The wider side wall should fill up the front gap more and the spring pad should raise the rear a little bit.

Dr.Fox

I'm going to order the pads tomorrow and throw em in on the weekend. Its not like the front of the car is high, its just that the rear is so low. Maybe Eibach designed the springs with the thickest pad on the car?

Looks like the pads are the best bet, I'll post some pics once they're installed.

Smallbodybenz

i may be interested in the tein s -techs? send me some info via PM

kirax2

o man u don't wanna go lower when you already has spring... otherwise its gonna rub crazy...

Dr.Fox

SO...here's the problem. I checked with my dealer today, who ran my VIN #. I was told that my coupe comes with the thickest pads from the factory. Do I have any other options? I suppose if I'm truly going to be picky, I'll just get coilovers. Although I am the car's
toughest critic...Any opinions on the drop? How does it look to you guys?

kirax2

i think your current drop looks prefect right now, get a Brabus front lip you won't complain anymore

Dr.Fox

Thanks! I think you're right...I was looking at the car from the side from across the street and it really does look good. I think the issue is the front valance doesn't come down far enough on the stock bumper.
Anyone know where I can find a "Frabus" lip for the coupe? I have searched, seems they are quite hard to find these days...

kirax2

look up supershyguy he was a member here

http://nextmod.com/index.php?target=...ategory_id=188

BENZ0c240

your issue is the same as mine but dies not look as bad on a sedan. You can look which pad you have by jacking up your car in the rear and take a flashlight and aiming flash light on upper mount .If you see 2 nipples you have #2 pads which from your pics makes me believe you do.

jahoo

Is yours a C7 package coupe? Ours is a Canadian Evolution package coupe and it didn't come with any rear spring pads. The rear had about a 1.5", the front about 3" wheelgap.

I installed H&R springs f/r and #4 pads in the rear and the car had too much rake. Front gap about .75" and rear gap was about the same 1.5". Now with #2 spring pads in the back it looks pretty good, a bit more rake than stock.

Dr.Fox

gonna try to get under the car in the next few days to check out the spring pad situation...I don't know what the C7 package is though, but I know I have spring pads. In any case, wouldn't the absence of spring pads have made your car slammed in the rear?

tommy

Since he has black door handles, it looks like he doesn't have the C7 package.

Dr. Fox, the C7 package was the $750 package that included color-coded door handles, the 17" rims, thumb rests on the steering wheel, slightly different manual transmission, different pedal pads, and I'm sure something else that I can't remember - it was well worth the add'l $$.