Suspension Upgrades Explained: Coilovers vs Lowering Springs

Coilovers vs Lowering Springs?

One of the biggest upgrades you can make to how your car feels is hidden beneath the arches. Suspension plays a massive role in handling, ride comfort and even how confident you feel behind the wheel. It is no wonder that lowering kits and coilovers are some of the first modifications enthusiasts look at once they want more than just power.

So what are your options, and how do you know which route to take? The two most popular choices are lowering springs or full coilovers. Both will drop your ride height and improve stability, but the way they get there is very different.

Lowering Springs – Simple, Effective, Affordable

Lowering springs from brands like Eibach, H&R, MMX, RacingLine, Whiteline, Dinan and 034Motorsport are an easy way to sharpen your stance and reduce body roll. They replace your standard springs with shorter, stiffer ones, lowering the car’s centre of gravity and giving you a sportier feel without breaking the bank.

For road use, springs are a solid choice. They look great, keep comfort reasonable and are relatively quick to install. The main limitation is that most are fixed height and rate. Once fitted, there’s no fine tuning. They can also put more strain on stock dampers, so pairing them with upgraded shocks is never a bad idea.

SHOP LOWERING SPRINGS

Coilovers – Control and Adjustability

If you want more than just a drop, coilovers are where things get serious. Brands such as Bilstein, H&R, Nitron, Eibach, BC Racing, RacingLine and Dinan offer kits that pair matched dampers and springs in one complete unit. The real benefit is adjustability. Ride height, spring preload and damping can all be tailored to your driving style and setup.

For track days or spirited road driving, coilovers make a huge difference. Properly set up, they improve grip, stability and confidence at speed. The trade-off is price and complexity. They are more expensive than springs and need setting up correctly to unlock their potential, but the performance gains are worth it if you want full control.

SHOP COILOVERS

Choosing What Suits You

• Street driving: Springs are cost effective and improve looks without going overboard.
• Mixed use: Coilovers let you tune comfort and handling, making them versatile for both road and track.
• Track focus: Quality coilovers are the clear winner, giving you the control needed for cornering at speed.
• Budget: Springs are the entry point, coilovers are the investment.

Final Thoughts

Whether you choose lowering springs or coilovers comes down to how you use your car and what you want from it. Springs keep things simple and affordable, while coilovers open the door to proper suspension tuning and track-ready performance.

At Progressive Parts, we stock suspension from leading names like Eibach, H&R, MMX, RacingLine, Whiteline, Bilstein, BC Racing, Dinan, Nitron & 034Motorsport. Each brand brings something different, from daily-friendly spring kits to full race-ready coilover setups. Whichever path you choose, the right suspension upgrade will transform your car’s stance, confidence and feel on the road.