Why lower a car? And how!?

Question

I'm thinking about lowering the supension on my Audi.

I'm wondering, why bother? Apart from the obvious cosmetic benifits, are there any others? I mean, does it reduce wind drag and reduce fuel consumption? What real benifits are there?

Also - and this is one for the mechanically minded - how do you do it? Can it be done using the existing springs etc or do you need to replace these with special types? Is this something that the generally mechanically minded person can do?

All SENSIBLE answers greatly appreceated!

Cheers, Sam

Answer 1

It's usually about just making your ride look good. You can buy lowering shackles, which usually cost about 50 bucks, to lower the car about 2-3 inches.

Answer 2

Hi,
Firstly if you lower the car you can go round a corner faster. The science bit is that you have less body roll, this means the tyres keep the same pressure on the road, if you went round a corner to fast in an SUV, it can tip over. If you go really fast and suddenlly turn the car can flip (See the new James Bond movie if you really want to see what I mean) If you have a much higher centre of gravity thanks to high suspension (Think SUVs) you wont be able to corner faster and the wheels will leave the road and the car can end up on 3 wheels or even 2 - But you've got to try for 2 wheels!
It doesn't help the car go faster
It doesn't make the car more fuel efficent
It can make the ride a little firmer- not everyones idea of comfort
And whatever you do DO NOT CUT THE SPRINGS
You can do it on the cheap or you can buy lowering kits. If you want to do it on the cheap you can look at new springs, or the whole suspension kit. A good manufacturer are TEIN or someone like that.
If you don't want the bother you can just take it to a garage and they'll do it for you.
If you want to do it yourself, it will take time, like a few hours and it helps to have a good idea what you're doing-Otherwise you could have fun

Hope you get what I mean :)

Good luck

Answer 3

It should help very slightly with aerodynamics but what will give you better fuel economy is the fact you dont have to slow down for corners so you dont use as much gas getting back up to speed.
The underside of most cars is aerodynamically pretty dirty so if you stop the air getting in here with front dam/splitter it has to be better on gas The US replies don't understand European market or driving style, its all about how it looks, practicality almost always takes a back seat.
It can be done by cutting the springs but its not too expensive to get a spring/damper kit. You have coil springs all round, spring clamps and shackles (for cart / leaf springs) wont work or are just a Mickey mouse way of doing it. If you have a floor jack and axle stands its a relatively simple bolt on

Answer 4

As others have mentioned, the reasons are to improve handling. Though under a race situation, not pottering around town or motorway.

Two proper routes
- Replacment coils springs, these can be bought online from many vehicle "mod" shops, you just need to tell them make/year of vehicle. (cheapest)
- Complete shock and coils - Replace entire shocker and coild springs. Invest in adjustable ones so you can optimise height. speed bumps vs lowering. (expensive)

Yes you could cut the springs, but not sure what MOT would say.

If you want to improve your vehicle performance, put a better air filter in, maybe K&N also use a quality oil, decent spark plugs, leads, improved exhaust (you can get replacements that are quiet), maybe ecotek device.

Answer 5

It improves handling a great deal(the car stays flatter on bends), and once you've experienced it you'll never feel 100% safe in a car with factory suspension again(unless it's a performance model of course). All You need is a set of shorter, stiffer springs, a mechanic will fit them in about 2-3 hours. Once fitted, you'll be able to add at least 5-10mph to any corner, and yeah it might be mildly bumpy, but it's fun, and addictive. NEVER cut your factory springs shorter.

Answer 6

It depends on what you want. It will improve handling, but will ruin the ride, and makes the suspension rough on tires and will make the car wear form end parts out quicker. believed me when I tell you that if the car was intended to be set up this way, they would have done it from the factory, like they do with Lambirgini and Porshe, etc. Keep it stock. It will last longer, give you better service and cost you less in repairs.

Answer 7

Lowering a car serves no purpose unless the car is going to be racing at speeds above 150mph. Lowering can be accomplished by clamping the existing springs with kits you can by at most auto parts stores and all speed shops. Shortened springs can also be purchased. In both cases the ride because stiff and terribly uncomfortable.

Answer 8

You're right, it only does 2 things:
1)it gives it a particular look
2) it empties your wallet

They usually sell kits with different springs and shocks in order to lower the car. You'll probably have to get it done.
Just get a few free estimates from performance shops and you'll know everything you need.

Answer 9

Realistically I believe lowered cars are a waste of money unless its a show car mostly because it is not practical. You cannot get past speed bumps without grinding your body on it, or get up on steep slopes without the same thing happening to you again. what about pot holes and other road debris. All you set your self up for when you lower your car is nothing but more repair expenses.

Answer 10

am not an expert but here goes,

Lowering the car can improve the handling as it reduces body roll on corners, the negative side is that the ride is a lot harder.

The really buget way to do it, is to buy coil spring clamps they can reduce the ride height by about 2cm if my memory serves me right.