anyone else think their car needs lowered?

[Bavarian Motorist]

Yup I have 18" 'S' wheels.


What's a ballpark figure for the shocks and springs? I can install it myself (w/ my friend)


This is something I really want to do.


Only thing I'm thinking about is speed bumps...but I don't think 1/2" will change that much.

[Jeph]

Originally Posted by Bavarian Motorist

What's a ballpark figure for the shocks and springs? I can install it myself (w/ my friend)

This is something I really want to do.

Only thing I'm thinking about is speed bumps...but I don't think 1/2" will change that much.

Springs: $250-300-ish
Shocks: ?

My quote to lower was $660 + parts + alignment (RUF Auto Centre). That's another thing, you'll require an alignment when you're done. From my understanding, the rear springs are difficult to do yourself. There's a lot of disassembing to do back there.

I read about lowering Boxsters somewhere that said, when looking for a place to lower it, look for a place that has experience with your specific car. Even places that tune suspension (race shops) may not know the tricks involved for, say, a Boxster specifically.

I don't doubt the ability of you and your friend, It's just my understanding that it's a process more elaborate than a simple spring swap. I'd hate to see anything bad happen to such a nice looking 987.

[racer_d]

The fronts are pretty straight forward. The rears, in the pics I've only "scanned" in the Bentley manual, indicate that entire rear hubs and axles and other components need to be disassembled before you can get the shock/springs out of the car. Labor is the killer. I'd imagine a shop would charge 8hrs of labor to do the whole job. Then you will need an alignment (figure $150-250).

Springs - $250-400?
Shocks - Lots$$ (Shocks could be, just a guess, $100-200 each)
Alignment - $150-250
Time spent - figure a whole day or weekend if trying it yourself for the first time (or say 8hr shop time X about $80-100/hr)

Please don't take these numbers as gospel. Just a regurgitation of what I've read elsewhere, plus the personal experience of redoing the entire suspension on my 911 a few years ago.

[MNBoxster]

Originally Posted by racer_d

The fronts are pretty straight forward. The rears, in the pics I've only "scanned" in the Bentley manual, indicate that entire rear hubs and axles and other components need to be disassembled before you can get the shock/springs out of the car. Labor is the killer. I'd imagine a shop would charge 8hrs of labor to do the whole job. Then you will need an alignment (figure $150-250).

Springs - $250-400?
Shocks - Lots$$ (Shocks could be, just a guess, $100-200 each)
Alignment - $150-250
Time spent - figure a whole day or weekend if trying it yourself for the first time (or say 8hr shop time X about $80-100/hr)

Please don't take these numbers as gospel. Just a regurgitation of what I've read elsewhere, plus the personal experience of redoing the entire suspension on my 911 a few years ago.

Hi,

I agree with your estimates. One might be able to lower them slightly by prudent shopping or having say a lift, but in general, your's are good numbers...

Happy Motoring!... Jim'99

[Perfectlap]

if you are going to do a suspension mod...do a suspension mod.

if you have the means go with a full kit, new shocks and springs. On an expensive car like this I wouldn't consider anything other than coilovers which allow you to adjust the ride height. If you pass up on the coilover kit you are stuck at the ride height which you may not like at all.

I had a very experienced mechanic I once used refuse to install a set of eibach springs on a previous sports car on principle. He said there is no point in having to do all this labor, re-align the car and then face the possibility that the ride may be all wrong. You need to do some proper driving in a similar car with the exact set up you are considering before you pull the trigger.

Also, lowering a car that is often driven on public roads, particular one on 18" wheels and higher, is going to take a toll on your car. All the joints and connections through out the car will slowly start to loosen. The car will start to rattle and before you know it things are starting to break. If your car is a Sunday driver with few miles clocked in a year its probably safe. But if you drive that thing allot know what you are doing. Lowering a car is not a cosmetic adjustment, its a performance mod. Needs to be tested on the road before you make a change that you will be stuck with or have to pay allot of labor to undo.

[David_J]

Not lowering a car is like not putting braces on your kids teeth when they have big gaps.

If you're going to do it, do it right. Go with coilovers. Yes just adding springs will give you the better look and a slight increase in performance, but adding coilovers will be a night and day difference in ride quality and handling.

I spend just under $4k out the door for Cross coilovers, installation, alignment, corner balance, and tax. Well worth it in my opinion.

-David

[Perfectlap]

That sounds a bit high. How much did you pay for the CC's?
You can get a set of Bilstein PSS9's installed for under $3K with alignment--
and if you're lucky they'll let you sit in it during the alignment.

I'm definitely going this route when it comes time to swap out the shocks and springs.

[arenared]

I don't think my car needs to be lowered. I like my suspension travel and not scraping. Mine is also a 986. 987s have much larger wheel wells to support the larger, more trendy wheels that consumers desire.

[Bavarian Motorist]

It's true - the roads here do stink. They are very "well-traveled".

The aesthetic advantage is important, but when I found out about the performance advantage, that really turned me to this.


MNboxster, you said that the height is adjustible w/ coilovers, right?


I suppose I don't really need it right now. I'm not exactly a track driver or Auto-x'er.

[Bavarian Motorist]

Anyone know the least expensive coilovers around for the Boxster? I'm considering the bilstein PSS9 set-up, but $1800 + installation sounds pricey..



If I can save $$ on the actual parts, then I'd be happy.