Lowering springs

I put on 19" rims on my C4S about 5 months ago and now I want to lower it. The problem is I would only be having the car for the next 6 months because I am moving out of the country. I don't want to spend too much on coilovers. So is it ok to just change springs on the car? Will the shocks be worn out in the next 6 months? Thanks for your input. Richard

From experience (as an automotive tuner) factory struts and shocks will last up to 100,000 KMs on mild springs. What we usually refer to as a sport drop ( about 1 inch lower from stock) Springs in this catagory would include H&R Sport and Eibach Pro kit (ones I sold mostly) Now if you stay in that range (which I would suggest especially since a 996 doesnt need much of a drop to look good since it looks great even stock) and have less than 100KM/60Miles you should be fine. NOW HERE IS THE CATCH. The avg 100,000kms/60,000 mile that I have seen really depends on how the roads are in your area and if there is any premature wear on the shocks from rough road condtions. Here in Toronto commuters that use our 401 hwy will experience premature wear and therefore some lowered cars I have done killed the factory shocks in half the time. Please dont take my info as being the end to all answers as it is simply what I have observed. Hope this helps.

how do you feel that the shock are worn???

Where I live has very nice roads. Much better than other cities I lived before. I would be taking my car to the track though.

Are you trying to address a visual or handling aspect of the car? Either way, will your enjoyment from the experience outweigh the cost of install and potential uninstall? Some considerations out of your control are perception of a potential buyer if you do not uninstall and use non-Porsche parts. Will this buyer also be asking the same �are the shocks shot� question? You will not get your monetary investment back whether you install and leave on, or uninstall and sell. Probably unsolicited commentary on my part and these are just some of the questions I would be asking myself in your position. Personally, for me, it would not be worth the hassle or expense. ((Enjoyment - Cost) + $ Varibles) / Time)

A RoW M030 (OEM) setup would cost you $1,000 to $1,100 for the parts. Install at a dealer would run about $600 and realignment (a MUST after changing suspension parts) maybe another $150. If you can do the install yourself it would not be too bad of a price. When It comes time to sell ,you could leave it "as is" or change back to stock and sell the RoW kit for about $600 to $700.

Ok.....but doesn't the C4S have shocks that are a little bit more stout than other 996's more like the TT....a heavier dutified bonified shock that would handle non-track pleasures with just lowering springs?

Yes the C4S and TT share the same sport shocks which are an upgrade to the regular 996 shocks and are stiffer.

Tim said "ROW". Although the C4S does come with stouter suspension than the stock C2, the ROW C4S suspension is lower than the USA C4S suspension. Richard, if I have ownershp of the car for for only 6 months, I wouldn't mess with it. The C4S already has excellent suspension, and I doubt very much that any expense that is worthwhile in making the car lower and perform just as well or better is worth the short time of ownership. Have you taken it to the track yet? If not, I am willing to bet you will be pleasantly surprised at the level of performance of the stock C4S suspension.