MART X

I am the proud owner of a STI8 PPP with 19" OZ's. The car is going in for its 10k service wednesday and I fancy lowering it whilst retaining my warrenty. The pics I have seen of cars fitted with the prodrive springs, to me, don't really look lowered. I was just looking for honest feedback as to whether or not it's worth paying £400 odd quid of my hard earned if its not going to return £400 odd quid of handlig improvement.

Thanks in advance,

Mart.

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

I have a STi7, not 8, so not truely a 8 expert

I would buy the Springs from a dealer. Then get fitted and Geometery done at a renowned 4wheel Laser site Some dealers Idea of 4wheel alignment is two pieces of string and some chaulk marks on the floor LOL

Are they worth it £400 !!!! They added in my estimation £240 to handling, of which £140 put down to springs and £100 4W alignment. The remaining £160 to looks

Solid Drop links @ £80 will give £150 worth of handling improvements IMHO

Tony

Steve A

I was about to have said springs fitted to my STi8...but have just spoken to my insurance company and they regard this as a modification to the standard therefore they are proposing to add what turns out to be 25% to my premium..c£260pa

MART X

thanks,

Steve, having looked at pics of cars fitted with these springs I wonder if it would be worth telling them. In the event of a claim I would argue that they know it is a "PRODRIVE" equipted car and didn't think it relevent as it was not a power gain mod.

Tony, did your car handle "alot" better with the springs fitted and did it effect comfort levels, I live in london and am flying over speed humps all day, at the moment the car takes th e humps no problem. A friend of mine owns a wheel shop with lazer alignment equiptment but said its a f**ker of a job to fit as the seats have to come out etc.

JohnD

iTrader: (5)

Yes, it is worth getting done! The car does not look particularly low but then again it does not need to be. (The standard car is high!) I'm sure prodrive were concious of the need to keep the car useable in all normal conditions (speed humps, fully loaded etc.) It's all a compromise. A car does not need to be slammed to the floor to make it handle, indeed some very low cars are pigs to drive on the public road.
If you're handy with spanners it's not difficult to do yourself although you will need to get the geometry done.
JohnD
Just read your last post. - It is not a f***er of a job, 10-15 minutes for the rear seats! There are things you need to watch out for but there's no rocket science involved here!

[Edited by JohnD - 11/17/2003 10:14:27 PM]

MART X

Cheers john, I'm "umming & arring" still!

talizman

iTrader: (1)

Like a famous American brand once said....

JUST DO IT!

The rear seats come out with 6 x 12mm bolts (2 piece)

The rest is a doddle, the only footery bit being replacing the front bump-stops as they are inside the inverted struts.

Huge difference, the bounce is gone and the grip is phenomenal!

Go on, you know you wanna!

And tell the insurers **** all. A couple of red springs are virtually un-detectable.... its not as if the car is dropping into the weeds, its a nice subtle drop.

In fact, I'd defy most insurance assessors to even realise that the car has been lowered!

T5NYW

iTrader: (4)

Mart,
I live in the sticks, where our Council spends £17.50p a week on the roads and Speed bumps in the city So the ride mustn't be tooooooo firm, and it's not handling has definately Improved
Prodrive Springs are far better than the WRX Eibachs that were on before(fitted from new by dealer, a big mistake) There was an issue my STi bottoming out Prodrive springs sorted it I think they lower the rear more than the front leveling it out

Well worth the money IMHO

Tony

Steve A

Re the Insurance part and not diverting the thread
I totally agree in the event of a claim it is unlikely that the revised springs would be noted......however insurance companies being as they are would look to avoid paying out if they could....and if they arent advised then that is a possible get out for them.
Personally on a £26k car I dont think that is worth the risk.....but obviously we all have a view on that

Josh L

I was fortunate enough to get one of the first sets, and all I can say is just do it!

IMHO it makes a tremendous difference, and the car feels far more like the P1 did. Feathering the throttle will now help the nose tuck in on corners, when previously you had to have blind faith that the diffs would drag you round (not something I was comfortable with). They also remove a great deal of the excessive body roll without making the ride too uncomfortable.

As for them not looking lowered, I suppose they don't look that much different, until you park next to one that hasn't been. I have two similar pix (before and after) of my STi, the difference is very noticable when you compare them.

As for £400, I'd make a few calls if I were you, as I know of several people who've got a far better deal on them.

Josh

555 Markus

Had the Prodrive springs fitted to my STi7 a few weeks ago together with Whiteline uprated anti roll bar, droplinks and anti lift kit. The car is noticeably lower and handles far better than standard. Wished I'd done it sooner.

Oh and declared all the mods to my insurance company....and, to my surprise, they charged me absolutely nothing extra for them .

Mark

ARRON BIRD

They are crap dont bother

Josh L

Quite contrary to what you've reported elsewhere Arron, and not too helpful when people are seeking advice.

Josh

ARRON BIRD

Josh it seems my humour has been lost somewhere??
Sorry they are brill and everyone should have em.
There you go ok

Josh L

Sorry Arron, but not everyone is familiar with your ways, and given that Mart X is a relative newcomer, I thought it best clarified.

Josh

ARRON BIRD

Ok point taken
I have had a little mid-life crisis recently and I guess i`m still in remition!!

Josh L

Had mine 20 years ago, and got married in a fit of depression

Josh

ARRON BIRD

Got married in 91 and just had mine!!!!
With a 23 year old living at home with her mum and dad!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
WHAT WAS I DOING!!!!

D1CCY

Re insurance. Told Direct Line about mine and they came back with £NIL increase and sent me updated details so all very proper.

Are the springs worth it - definitely YES, I'd say get this done before bothering with ppp, vast improvement in ride for everyday use. I did mine the other way round. Proper alignment is a must, my local dealers put mine on and the ride was OK but I didn't get the handling/grip improvement until a trip to TSL, the "before" readings were woeful.

Josh L

Good point, back on topic, I didn't see any increase in premiums with the spring kit fitted.

DrEvil

As others have stated, just do it!
They make the car far more compliant on british roads - tbh I actually think the ride is not as harsh in some respects as with the standard springs.

And likewise, no insurance increase for fitting them.

MART X

thankyou-thankyou-thankyou! !

Sorry have not responded sooner, Had an xbox night round a pals last night. ( m ust g et sl e ep!!)

The cars at the dealers at the momoent having the service done. I am going to instruct them to do thw springs tomorrow, i won't bother phoning round as its very inconvienient not having car.

Steve A

Well having complained to the insurance company after cancelling the fitment of the springs they have now decided they 'made a mistake' and there will be no increase in premium. Barstewards....my garage still have my car will see if they will fit them after all this faffing about...Jeez