Coilovers vs. Lowering Springs: Which Is Best?
When you want to upgrade your car with aftermarket parts, you have to sit back and really think about what you want out of the vehicle. This might sound obvious to some seasoned drivers, but it’s those small details that you can easily overlook that will make or break your experience with any given part.
Do you want better handling around bends? Do you want the car to rock less on bumpy roads? Questions like these will help you identify the best aftermarket upgrade for you.
That said, in order to find the best options, you have to know what they bring to the table. For instance, which is best when comparing coilovers vs. lowering springs? If you can’t answer that question, we can help you learn how to do it below. That way, you’ll know exactly what you’re looking for when shopping aftermarket parts online.
Coilovers
If you’re looking for ample control over your car’s look and feel, coilovers are an excellent go-to. However, “feel” can refer to various aspects of the vehicle’s handling, so let’s break down exactly what we mean here. The term “coilover” stems from the phrase, “coil over shock.” Even the shorter title has many variations, including coil over and coil-over.
However you choose to say it, this phrase precisely describes what this component is: coil springs sitting over shock absorbers. This combination provides drivers a convenient way to adjust their ride height, ensuring they can lower it for a more aesthetically appealing look. That said, beyond the aesthetics, coilovers impact your ride’s performance, too.
When you lower a car, you do more than change its look—you lower its center of gravity. After lowering your vehicle’s center of gravity, you’ll notice behavioral changes on the road. More specifically, you’ll encounter less obtrusive weight transfer when accelerating, braking, and other sudden motions that can cause the car’s body to shake. This smooth performance is thanks to the components from which the titular term comes from—namely, the coil springs and shock absorbers. Let’s take a closer look at exactly what these components do on the road.
A Closer Look
Despite not being very large parts, coil springs are strong enough to support the entire vehicle’s weight. As a result, quality coilovers minimize swaying during turns, minimizing bounce on the road. If you’re familiar with the excessive bounce your car experiences during sudden maneuvers, then you have a clue as to what these coil springs are combatting. This also comes in handy when you’re traversing over rough terrain because the springs will help your car handle the bumps and bounces like a champ.
The other main component of a coilover is the shock absorber. Coilovers must compress and extend to adapt to the road conditions, such as uneven terrain. To complete this task successfully, the coil springs and shock absorbers must tackle two parts of the previously mentioned equation.
The coil springs handle compression, allowing you to adjust ride height and adapt to road conditions beautifully. On the other hand, shock absorbers handle the extending, which is invaluable to managing rough patches in the road without experiencing excessive bouncing during your drive. Now that you know the ins and outs of coil springs, let’s talk lowering springs.
Lowering Springs
Aftermarket lowering springs are replacements for your standard factory springs. Simply put, a good set of lowering springs are ideal for drivers who want to adjust their ride’s height, but don’t need the same amount of control over the vehicle’s handling that you get from the coilover. For instance, although coilovers allow drivers to adjust their car’s damping, lowering springs do not.
That said, like the previous component, the function of lowering springs is right there in the name. This component gives drivers a way to lower their car conveniently. Since this will reduce the center of gravity, lowering springs still impact performance on the road, assisting with weight distribution during drives. With our discussion of lowering springs out of the way, let’s wrap back around to the titular question—coilovers vs. lowering springs, which is best?
Balancing the Options
So, how do you choose between our titular aftermarket parts? First, you have to think about the level of control you’re looking for on the road. For instance, coilovers are for drivers who want precise and convenient control over the car’s ride height, weight distribution, damping, and overall handling. If all you’re looking for is a way to adjust your ride height, consider a set of lowering springs. Plus, the second factor to consider is your budget.
If your budget is particularly tight and you’re struggling to find suitable coil springs, consider a set of lowering springs. The lowering springs don’t provide the widespread effects of coil springs, but they can still adjust performance in a cost-effective way. If you’re looking for more than what the lowering springs have to offer, then plan your budget accordingly.
Moreover, you should consider parts availability for your car because neither of these components is a one-size-fits-all design. For example, can you find coilovers that fit your specific car? Thankfully, the options available are extensive. As our library of aftermarket coilovers will show you, many luxury vehicles have aftermarket coilover counterparts ready to enhance performance.
Having to find a coilover for your specific vehicle might sound annoying, but it’s a relatively straightforward process, thanks to the many options online. Always make sure you know exactly what cars your aftermarket part is compatible with before making the purchase because, suffice it to say, that’ll save you a lot of disappointment and frustration down the line.
Speaking of which, to avoid additional frustration and disappointment, you should consider the brands you’re buying. If you’re unfamiliar with the brand behind an aftermarket part you’re looking at, hop online and dig around for reviews from other customers. This quick and easy task will give you great insight into the vehicle’s performance post-installation.
You should also take this same level of precaution with aftermarket vendors. When you buy from reputable and trustworthy services, you can have peace of mind knowing your parts will arrive as expected. Now that you’re more familiar with the differences between coilovers and lowering springs, you can jump online and track down the best option for your ride immediately.
