030 vs Coilovers

I think my car is sitting a bit high and am considering H&R lowering springs - it already has the 030 suspension (about 44K miles on the car currently). Would like to hear from anyone who has experienced both 030 lowered and coilovers. What are your impressions. Are coilovers worth the extra (substantial) dollars?

I just put a set of h&r coilovers and swaybars in my car . It's fantastic . A handling transformation The street performance ones are a good balance without bone jarring ride , h&r has a distributer in Richmond with decent prices . Since you're in Vancouver , if youre interested we can go for a ride if you like

I've got mine dropped the minimum , an inch . Seems about right , no need to go lower but you can go down 2.5 inches if you want

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Looks great. That's about where I want to be - about 1 inch lower. The 030 is quite stiff, but I don't mind the trade off for better handling. Would love to check out your ride some time. Planning an early morning drive to Lillooet this weekend if you are interested.

Up the 99 or through the canyon?

What about going with lowering springs and continuing to use your M030 shocks? I've considered doing that as I don't think I need coilovers but still want my car to sit a bit lower than it does with the ROW M030.

As I've said before if you do track work or are a stance freak, then CO's are more justified IMO. If doing for track work then you should also take the extra effort to corner balance them too. Otherwise I feel CO's are way too hyped up these days for the avg joe where over half of them run them or use them improperly and usually set it and forget it. I've had touring, ROW, and currently on GT3 CO's.

I went with the H&R lowering springs, sway bars, etc. Gives the car a nice stance, but more importantly the car handles great, even for occasional track duties.

I had M030 stock on my car, and then went to H&R Streets Coilover setup. I love it. Couldn't wait to get rid of the M030. Good for driving on glass. I kept the stock rims, added 15mm spacer in the rear and 10mm up front. I would also recommend rear toe-links and maybe camber plates up front. Depending on how low you go, they may not be able to get your alignment within spec without them.

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I'm none of those things and have coilovers on my car .in fact a track car was the furthest from my mind when I put them in. I went with the H&R street performance coilovers and sway bars . These are nowhere near as harsh as a gt3 setup and are not adjustable except for height . If you have a North American car , it sits higher than a stock European market car , dropping one inch just puts it at ROW height . But lowering my car wasn't my motivation , improved handling was . My car is a 2004 with very low miles but it just didn't feel as crisp as a 911 should . Even with less than 40,000 miles on the car , there was some bush wear and the car just felt kinda baggy . No something I wanted on BC's famously twisty roads . But swapping the bushes out for powerflex and installing the h&r kit has turned the car into a capable precision machine in the corners without any jarring on our bumpy back roads or city streets . I would say it's a good setup for those who want to get the most out of the car on the street , love twisty roads , do the odd DE or auto cross etc. it's not a track car but you wouldn't get embarrassed should you go out on the track either . I would agree that a fully adjustable track biased set up like ohlins , elephant or similar is over the top for the street in terms of price and ride but a good street setup is going to please most people . The steering feels more precise , the car more planted and safer / confidence inspiring . The H&R street and similar setups from others are a good comfort, performance and price balance . In my case I was a little disappointed in how the car felt in the corners , but now I think wow every time I go for a ride .

Ehmm... i would be interested in this too. I think i have the ROW M030 that comes with the 40th AE car. To me it's a bit high and quite stiff over bumpy/bad roads. Although it does not feel imprecise or baggy.

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Yes most do in your situation. My point is that there is nothing wrong with going with good shocks and lowering springs. Everybody these days tries to equate "adjustable" this or that with being superior somehow and that is hardly the case for majority of these people. A good fixed shock/spring combo is just as effective if not more in a lot of cases. I disagree on the harshness of the gt3 setup. Just compare spring rates of the H&R street CO's to the GT3's, hell even stock cup car spring rates are on the soft side. GT3 CO's actually ride softer than H&R street performance CO's. Porsche feels that they can get away with a more undersprung and overdampened setup as a good compromise and I seem to agree based on my experiences. I love the undersprung/over damped characterstics that the GT3 CO's offer(on the street) and for a non dedicated track car.

I like coilovers better than springs and I prefer the solid top hat vs. rubber top hat. The 996 chassis does a good job of transferring energy and while the ride is stiffer, it's not uncomfortable. Another plus is lowering the car to the height you want. If the H&R/030 isn't enough for you, switch to coilovers and sell your current set up to offset costs.

Alpine , I agree a good shock setup and springs is adequate for most folks . But in my case the coilovers turned a somewhat disappointing performance into a wow this is how a 911 should feel. As for gt3 ones , I've driven a few gt3s , the ride is a bit more civilized in my car by comparison . Spring rates are only one aspect , preload and rebound rates of the dampers are as a big factor Everyone has there own ideal , and desires . I've offered my car for a comparison , he can drive his mo30 and mine back to back and get an idea if cos are something worth pursuing . I can't do Lilloet this weekend but some other time should work.

http://www.essexdistributors.com/ind...Path=1_815_822 $2700+ right now - we are getting hammered by the buck

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Check e-bay, I got mine used for a lot less.

yes , I got mine when the dollar was a little higher , but compare them with pss9 or pss10 Or cross They are still one of the cheaper coilovers . They sell for 2300 us from H&R so Essex are eating some of the exchange . Tire rack sells them for $1980 But the cost is a big jump up from just a set of springs for sure .

https://www.ecstuning.com/Porsche-19...ers/ES1303320/ They sell for under 1700 US (granted on sale)

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The 99 (both up and back) - it's an awesome drive, worth doing twice in the same day Wanna come along?

Thanks for all the input! I am quite happy with the performance of the 030 suspension, and I do track my car regularly. The ride is harsh but I don't drive it a lot on the street so that doesn't bother me (and the roads around here are pretty good). It would be great to have something to compare to, so yea, I'd love to take you (Vancouver996) up on your offer. I do want the lowered look in any case.

I live in Pemberton so I know it well! What day? I may be interested!

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Saturday morning. Will be leaving West Vancouver 6:30, so passing through Pemberton about 8:30.

Good shocks and matching springs will be worth way more ride / performance and comfort wise. Cheap coil over will SUCK. and then you will hate them. I have AST 4100 coil overs on my M3 and they are fantastic at 3X the stock spring rate and 2 inches lower. I have ROW M030 on the Porsche and they are also fantastic in a different way. the two cars are so different and have different uses. E36 M3 my track/ AX play toy that I daily quite a bit. 996 C4 Wife's pimpy daily.

So, today I made a deal for a set of JRZ coilovers. Can't wait for next track season!

Wow, congrats! I am jealous!

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Sounds like you two have some good drives on the mainland. I will get in touch if I get mine off the island. This one is lowered about 2" with techart coil overs but the 19's bring the clearance back up a bit

Thanks guys! Really looking forward to the new suspension and always up for a fun drive with some fellow P-car enthusiasts! Islandflyin - love the look of your 996. Let me know when you get over this way. Hope to try out that new track over on the island next season too!

Congrats ! New track on the Island?? !!!

JRZ are big pimpin. Will these be valved for your springs? If coming off a race car they could be valved for super heavy springs and you will be disappointed. what spring rates are you going with? Sounds like fun My experience with 2X and 3X stock rates is they do not suck with good shocks, Good luck and report back after install.

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http://islandmotorsportresort.com/

Cool , we have a place on the island not far from there . I wonder how much memberships will be ? I'd like to see how my new coilovers and limited slip diff workout on a track.

I am looking forward to learning some track driving for sure. It is going to be a nice addition to our little rock. I will keep my eyes out for you guys. Cheers, Jeff

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Great questions - Thanks! Yes, they are off a race car. I still need to sort through the details and specs with my indy. Installation won't be until closer to the spring but I will be sure to report back after it happens.