O.T. Do Lowering Springs Have Any Cons As Long As They Don't Lower Too Much?

[Drdan]

SkagSig40...

"Z" tires wear quicker, but really grip nicely. My Italian sportscar had them, and you're right about rotating them regularly. No snow where I live, but lots of rain, and I appreciate staying glued to the asphalt.

Thanks for the input!

 

[FallingKnife]

Drdan:

Z-rated Pirelli's? Yes, that sounds like a (cough) reputable tire. Sounds like you're way ahead of me. Please accept my apologies!

 

[Drdan]

DrD? If you MUST do something expensive with little return on the investment and with little or no value to the rest of the world, look around at vintage road racing in Italy.

I'm just interested in having a modern automobile hold the road better!

 

[Mr.BadExample]

I would not do it. The engeneers and manufactuer spent a lot of time and money getting that car to ride the way it does. Don't you think they would have lowered it at the factory if it was going to make it better?

You want a car the handles right out of the box, get a C5 or C6 Vette.

Performance mods get tested by performance enthusiasts, factory cars get tested for "Noise and Vehicle Harshness" so soccer moms aren't scairt of them.
Yes, people even mod vettes.

Drive the car for a month, or more- 6 months. If you want better suspension, get a package. Shocks/struts, springs, a strut tower brace, and wider tires.
Find a forum for your specific vehicle and lurk there for a while, find out what other street drivers (vs. road racers, rally cars, strip cars) use.
And good luck!

 

[Drdan]

Good advice, Mr. BadExample!

In hindsight, I should have purchased the AMG version to remind me of my Maranello made ride... The SLK is fairly fast, but I'm used to a bit better handling.

I had a feeling that the lowering springs should be followed with the purchase of improved shocks, struts, etc., and a bit of research, and your post has confirmed it...

Thanks a lot for your reply!

 

[SkagSig40]

Performance mods get tested by performance enthusiasts, factory cars get tested for "Noise and Vehicle Harshness" so soccer moms aren't scairt of them.
Yes, people even mod vettes.

Drive the car for a month, or more- 6 months. If you want better suspension, get a package. Shocks/struts, springs, a strut tower brace, and wider tires.
Find a forum for your specific vehicle and lurk there for a while, find out what other street drivers (vs. road racers, rally cars, strip cars) use.
And good luck!

Yes I know that....I drive a modded Z28.

I just ment if there were not already good after market set up for a perticuler car it's not going to happen with out tons of headacks.

Even when you you do it right you still will run into problems! Of the several lifted trucks I have owned over the years all had problems due to the modifications and they were done by a top quality shop.

In most cases you will never get a after market set up exacuted as well as a factory set up with all things equal. Now the factory set up will not be on par with that after market set up given it's intended purpose but the factory set up will originaly have better engenering and quality then the AM set up has if ya know what I mean.

 

[Drdan]

Mr. BadExample:

I drove the SLK in really crappy rainy weather today, and it held the road very well. I'm used to driving a high performance 12 cylinder Italian car, but the MB did what I expected of it. On dry roads, the car held the road nicely on tight curves, much to the performance level expected (350 SLK). No need for lowering springs, anti sway bars, and high performance shocks for the level of performance expected for this car...

I'll put on some high performance Pirellis, maybe braided stainless steel brake lines, and some Porterfield brake pads, but leave the rest as it. Thanks again for the input!