I've had replacement Eibach springs on my MY01 for about 3.5 years now and the car doesn't feels as planted as it once did, a bit softer if you get me. Is there any evidence that the shorter springs works the dampers too hard and they lose theor performance sooner than would be expected?

LoFi

 

It probably feels softer as the "newness" (tightness) has gone from all the bushes.

eibach (or any other make) springs wouldn't make the shock work any harder.

Andy

 

Lowering a MacPherson strut car has some counter-intuitive effects.

By lowering, you actually lower the roll centre further than you lower the centre of gravity.

For this reason, the car will actually attempt to roll MORE for a given side load, rather than less. This isn't straight forward though, as the fact the mass is lower means that there should be less weight transfer during cornerning (and acceleration / braking for that matter), so in terms of actual performance, its an art rather than a science as to what benefit / negative you'll feel.

If the springs are a different rate, then the dampers will be operating in a different situation to that which was intended, so the car could become under or over damped.

On the other hand.. the dampers might just have become tired over time anyway.

Another important aspect to consider is your tyres. Have you changed them recently and noticed the difference due to that? Are your pressures out, etc?

Its a wibbly wobbly world of vehicle dynamics, so it could be almost anything which is giving these sensations.

All the best

Simon