Springs or coilovers?

[vanquish]

Hi guys

I live in Australia and so have a euro spec, German built Fiesta.
It's currently running stock suspension (not the sportier Zetec tune either) but i've added 17" wheels with 205/40 rubber.

I was wondering whether I should install coilovers (either the Bilsteins or the Eibachs) or just the Eibach Pro Kit lowering springs?
European-Parts

Basically what I want is none or a small reduction in ride quality with less body roll in corners.

Anyone have experience with either the coilovers or the Eibach springs?

Thanks

[Robertz]

I had both steeda springs and the eibach prokit on my 2012. The steeda were a pretty firm ride...bouncy and somewhat uncomfortable. The prokit rode much better but the drop was uneven. (like a quarter inch different height on drivers and passenger side)....and they were installed by place that modifies cars. I now have bilstein coilovers I installed myself...firm but not to bad of a ride. The fronts are tucked so I imagine if I raised it a little the ride would be better. I think the look is worth the firm ride though. I have a post on this forum so u can see what the coilover stance looks like.

[Iceracer]

Most coil overs tend to be pretty stiff.
I would go with Eibach Pro-Kit.
My 2000 ZX2SR had it and it worked very nice. A little lower and a little stiffer but still a good ride.

[BRGT350]

another option is the Ford Racing suspension kit. Regardless of what you do, make sure the springs and dampers are matched to work together. The lowered ride height and increased spring rate will cause issues. A matched set of springs and dampers is the best way to go. I run spring rates that are roughly 4x what stock is on my Mustang. With properly selected shocks/struts, the ride is not too bad. A slight increase in spring rate on stock dampers will result in a horrible ride and handling.

[aspitaletto]

FR Suspension

[eRic]

Originally Posted by BRGT350

another option is the Ford Racing suspension kit. Regardless of what you do, make sure the springs and dampers are matched to work together. The lowered ride height and increased spring rate will cause issues. A matched set of springs and dampers is the best way to go. I run spring rates that are roughly 4x what stock is on my Mustang. With properly selected shocks/struts, the ride is not too bad. A slight increase in spring rate on stock dampers will result in a horrible ride and handling.

So... have you installed the kit yet?

[psi chick]

co's will always give you a better ride than springs. springs generally lower the car and give it a rather harsh ride. it's a budget way to lower the car imo. co's on the other hand (if you get a decent set) allow you to not only adjust height but also camber and stiffness. if money is not a concern, go with a good set of co's.

[Iceracer]

I sure would like to know how coil overs give a better ride
Lowering does not necessarily give a harsher ride unless you go down to the bump stops.
Othere than adjustments on the shocks, the only other adjustment would be ride height.
Tell me how coilovers make it possible to adjust camber.

[eRic]

I have had both the M-FR3-FA handling pack and the M-FR3-FASB b-spec coilover kit on my Fiesta. the handling pack did not make the ride much harsher than stock. none of my passengers even noticed other than my Fiesta was slightly lower to the ground. the b-spec coilover kit comes with springs that are roughly double the spring rate as stock. you can tell it's stiffer for sure driving over rough roads. it's not too harsh but my passengers could tell that "something" changed on my Fiesta (: and it was noticeably lower to the ground. the ride height on the spec-b kit is adjustable via the spring perch but the damping is not adjustable.

[vanquish]

Thanks for the responses guys - see this is why it's so confusing because everyone suggests different things.

I would get the Ford Racing kit but they don't sell it in Aus and i'm not sure it'd work with the Euro spec Fiesta's anyway.

Was looking through old forums and some recommend adding a rear sway bar to improve body control and turn in without affecting ride too much. How does that compare to springs and coilovers?