Prodrive Vs Eibach Springs - Opinions wanted!
 

Having done the exhaust, filter and ECU remap I'm now looking to improve the handling of my bugeye WRX a little to try and reduce some of the roll I get round corners.

I'm looking at two options within my budget - either an Eibach pro lowering spring kit, or the Prodrive springs. A local Subaru specialist has quoted me £400 to supply and kit the Eibach kit with a year warranty, or I can get the Prodrives fitted for £439.99 at my local dealer - both prices include a realignment and setup following fitment.

I've read some comments on here that the Eibachs drop the car slightly more than the Prodrive (I heard 30mm front, 25mm at the back Vs 20mm at the front for Prodrive (rear unknown)), and might ride harder, but I don't know this for sure.

I've also been offered an all-in deal of £610 by the specialist to add a rear ARB and alloy droplinks to the package.

Can anyone provide me with their experience of either spring setup and tell me the pros and cons they've found. Thanks!

Actually - to summarise - "Eibach or Prodrive - which is better and why?" lol :iamwithst

Had prodrives on both MY03 WRX and MY06 STi. Good product, improvement over standard springs everytime. The drop isn't as low as some but upside is they aren't a harsh spring and aren't supposed to suffer with rear sag like some have been claimed to. Car feels more stable with than without and I would never entertain standard spings on my subarus. Not tried the eibach's but would probably go Tein for the drop or Whiteline flatout which look the nuts. Also Whiteline Control springs are in the mix.

Thanks for the info. Realised I didn't say what I was looking for in terms of drop - personally, I don't want to go so low I'm scuffing the bumper all the time on speed humps (and there are plenty if I go a certain way to work!), but a little lower than current would be better as I'm still running the standard 17" wheels.

What I don't want is to have a car that looks and handles awesomely but makes my fillings fall out because the ride is so hard!

i believe eibach make the pro drive springs , i have the eibach ones only problem i found is they clatter abit over speed ramps due to not being wrapped

Personally from what you have said I would go prodrive.

I've also been offered an all-in deal of £610 by the specialist to add a rear ARB and alloy droplinks to the package.

Do you know what brand/size e.g 22mm or if its adjustable ?

Sadly no they didn't offer the info - I just enquired how much extra it would be to supply and fit one. I'm wondering if actually that was the price just to fit it rather than supplying it too....
I've heard the thicker the ARB, in theory the more grip you get - that about right? A lot of people seem to recommend Whiteline in this area so I guess if I was to go for a ARB I should follow suit...

Thanks for this. From what I've read, Prodrive's stance on this is that Eibach make the springs, but to Prodrive's specs, whereas the Eibach kit may have different qualities / specs.

Also sorry - but when you say "not wrapped" what do you mean?

Good thread this i have been toying with the idea of sorting out the roll too :)

tape the top and bottom of the springs or use heat shrink else when u go over speed humps the coils clatter against each other

Surprising they're so noisy! So howcome the standard springs don't do this then? 53WRX do you have this problem with the prodrives?

maydew - nice motor mate - are those 18" redlines you have on there, or are they BK's? - I couldn't tell... but they look great. I'm desperately trying to control myself from getting a set ATM -:D one thing at a time eh?

cheers mate yes they are 18" redlines. dont quote me on this but i believe its because the coils being closer together than the wrx ones , as for the pro drives ones at a guess they are wrapped or got some sort of plastic cover on them sure someone can confirm :thumb:

Nope.:) For fast road use in all weathers I went for Whiteline 22mm Adj Rear ARB, Alloy drop links and Heavy Duty ARB Mounts. The thinking is by destabilising the rear with a thicker ARB you increase front end grip. With this, the prodrive springs and a fast road alignment, its more than enough for most on the road.

New you would be looking at the £250 mark for the Whiteline parts, £80 for the alignment. The price on the Springs and fitting sounds good but no idea who it is or their alignment credentials.:thumb:

The specialist I mention is Subaru4U in Newbury. The prodrive fitting would of course be done by the dealer, who apparently apply Prodrive alignment and camber settings when they fit the springs - or so they said ...

I would go for prodrive every time, you dont have to look far to see they know what they're doing...everything they touch is quality. My car had eibach springs fitted to it when I bought it so cant comment on difference from standard, however I definetly think they are slightly too much for standard dampers(although my car is a classic). Its a handfull on a long bumpy straight when flat out...and obviously a well set up car suspension wise should be nice and predictable. Hope this helps...PRODRIVE! **cough** :lol1:

Alan

You can buy the springs as a part and get your chosen specialist to fit them. From experience I wouldn't trust dealer alignment, if its done at all its done wrong. The Prodrive settings are ok but not the be all. Any subaru specialist with the Hunter gear should be able to recomend a good fast road set up.

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:thumb:

Heres my two pennies worth.;)

I would go for the prodrive springs with the 22mm whiteline ARB & the whiteline alloy drop link then a good geo set up like prodrive or fast road setting!:)

I have had all the above done to MY02 WRX and it has transformed the handling without sitting to low and without making my filling fall out!:lol1:

Heres a couple of pics that shows how low it will sit with the prodrive springs!;)

Attachment 49861
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Front Drop

Attachment 49859

Overall drop

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53WRX did you notice any problems with regards to scraping over kerbs/bumps when you had your WRX lowered? You had a front splitter on yeah? The reason I ask is my next mod is to do something about the gap above the front tyres, i'm not sure if I want to lower on 17's or stick as standard but get 18's.

Bugeye, keep us informed of what you choose and how it goes.

The Whiteline ARB and solid droplinks (steel are fine and cheaper) are definitely worth it.

I think if it was me I'd get Len at Subaru4you to fit them and the Prodrive springs - I guess he can source them from the dealer?

No lip on the WRX and I did fly over the middle of the road speed bumps. Makes no difference what wheel size you go for the rolling radius remains the same. The arches look better filled because of the proportion of wheel to tyre. Having said that the tyre wall is slightly smaller as I went from 225/45/17 to 235/40/18 which is .3" closer to the ground.

I have 18's, prodrive springs, and have a lip in the garage to fit.:D I will let you know if I break it :thumb:

:lol1: Cheers mate.

IMO there will be little in it between the Prodrive or the Eibach's.

Both are very popular and both fitted by top tuners so obviously quality items. I think you will be pleased whatever you opt for and if the ride height is an issue, then perhaps the Eibach's will be more suitable.

I have Tein's on mine, a little lower than the above but rarely catch on speed humps even with a front splitter.

I have the Eibach Pro Kit on my 2002 WRX with 18's, I was under the impression that the Prodrive branded springs were Eibach anyway ? Surely they are not going to make one spec for Prodrive and then start from scratch to find their own spring rates etc ? I find the ride is quite harsh compared to standard but I changed the springs at the same time as the upgrade from 17's, I'm sure the lower profile tyres don't help. The suspension is set up to some 'fast road' settings from one of the forums rather than the prodrive geometry settings, minimal understeer and sharp turn in but can be a little 'twitchy' in the wet under power !

have you considered Tein??
Everybody is always saying how good they are

I went with the prodrive springs and the rest are standard STI bits... of course had the alignment done once fitted. The drop in height was minimal, but enough to not make it look like it is on stilts like standard. The ride is slightly harsher but the handling is vastly improved.

I have a front lip spoiler and it is currently being resprayed as scratched it on a curb... I used to be able to clear it lol

It's interesting (and useful!) to see so many people really rating the Prodrive kit.
Also to learn that you wouldn't trust a dealer to fit it.

I've always used Bulldog Subaru in Twyford and found them to be very good - but from what I'm reading here, are some of you suggesting that dealers don't have good enough kit to apply the proper fast road settings that Prodrive recommend? Sorry for all the questions guys - I like to do my research! :iamwithst

I'm going to email Rick @ Subaru 4 you again and see if he can source Prodrive springs for a similar rate...

Thanks for everyone's input so far!

Right, Rick's gotten back to me this morning with the following package:

• Whiteline Rear ARB
• Whiteline Aluminium Droplinks
• Prodrive Lowering Springs
• Geometry Setup (Subaru 4 You Specs)

£630 supplied and fitted.

Just the springs on their own would be £420 all in.

I must say I'm tempted to go for the lot as it seems like a very good price. What do you think?

Check if the ARB is the adjustable type as its nice to fit to suit. Also get him to price the HDuty mounts for the ARB. Good price though.:)