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By John Davis Automotive Writer Updated on Nov 3, 2022 Reviewed by Melanie Reiff, Staff Editor.
Load full table of contents Both coilovers and lowering springs are used to lower a car's ride height, improve its handling, and enhance its appearance. However, the way they work is different. Lowering springs are simply shorter versions of the stock springs, while coilovers are customizable and provide you the freedom to raise and lower your vehicle as you please. Since both of these parts accomplish the same thing, to a certain extent, it's often difficult to decide which is right for you. That's why Jerry , thelicensed insurance broker super app, put together this informative guide to coilovers vs. springs. We'll go over the similarities and differences and the pros and cons of each of these upgrades so you can make the right decision for your car—and we'll explain how to save oncar insurance costs while we're at it!RECOMMENDED Compare auto insurance policiesNo spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever ZIP Code ZIP Code Find insurance savings (100% Free) Coilovers vs. lowering springsCoilovers and lowering springs are suspension upgrades used to achieve a lower vehicle ride height. While both of these aftermarket parts achieve similar results, they are pretty different. Which one is right for you will depend on your goals and your budget. MORE: Strut assembly replacement cost What are coilovers?Coilovers, also known as coilover shocks, are vehicle suspension upgrades meant to lower a car's ride height. They're composed of a coil spring surrounding a shock and resting on a spring perch threaded to the shock's body. You can adjust the shock perch up or down to raise or lower the vehicle. Coilovers come in twin-tube and monotube types. These terms refer to the piston design in the shock absorber. Stock shocks typically use the twin-tube design, which allows for more suspension stroke without increasing the vehicle height. Performance vehicles and race cars usually use monotube setups, which allow for better heat dispersion, a quicker response, and the use of bigger and stronger parts. Adjustable coilovers are also available. This name may be confusing since you can adjust the right height with any coilover system; however, adjustable coilovers refer to those that provide more than just damper and height adjustment—many of these systems allow you to modify the spring rate, camber, and caster settings. MORE: Brakes, steering, and suspension inspection cost Pros of coiloversCoilovers provide a variety of benefits. Here are some of the most significant advantages of coilovers:
Cons of coilovers (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});Coilovers are not without their downsides. Here are some of the disadvantages of using coilovers:
MORE: There's a loud clicking noise when I turn the car—what do I do? What are lowering springs?Lowering springs replace the stock OEM coil springs in the stock location. As the name implies, they're designed to lower the car's ride height. You simply remove the stock springs and swap in the lowering springs; no adjustment is required. These springs do basically the same thing as coilovers. The difference is you cannot adjust the springs up or down. Lowering springs are typically intended to lower your car a set amount, like two inches. You'll see a number like that attached to every set of lowering springs. You just determine how much you'd like to drop your vehicle and then purchase a set that fits your car and matches the number of inches you want to lower it. MORE: Suspension spring coil replacement cost Pros of lowering springsHere are the upsides of lowering springs:
Cons of lowering springsWhile lowering springs provide several benefits, they're not without their flaws. Here are the major downsides of lowering springs:
MORE: How to modify a car Let Jerry find your price in only 45 secondsNo spam · No long forms · No fees Find insurance savings (100% Free)Lowering springs vs. coilovers for street drivingIf you're planning to upgrade your car's stock suspension setup, you might be curious whether coilovers or lowering springs are right for you. When driving on the street, you don't need the same level of precision and fine-tuning that adjustable coilovers provide. Further, lowering your vehicle too much could damage the undercarriage or bottom out while driving over bumpy or uneven roads. For street driving in your daily driver, you can get by with lowering springs or an entry-level, non-adjustable coilover kit. Lowering springs vs. coilovers for track drivingBut what if you're a speed demon who lives for the race track? If you're going to dedicate your care to track use, you'll probably want to spend some extra time and money to ensure the suspension system is optimized for this type of driving. Fully adjustable coilovers are ideal for this situation. They provide a greater degree of functionality and will allow you to fine-tune your ride. And on a race track, you don't have to worry about the bumps and potholes of regular roads, so you can adjust your car to the perfect height for hugging those corners and ripping down straightaways. MORE: Illegal car modifications to avoid Which is better for ride quality?Coilovers are better overall for ride quality, as they allow you to dial in your suspension fully. However, lowering springs do not necessarily lead to poor ride quality. If you install them properly and you spring for some aftermarket shocks, they can provide just as smooth a ride as coilovers. Which is cheaper?Lowering springs are cheaper than coilovers. While coilovers can range anywhere from $300 to $5,000, lowering springs are typically in the $100 to $300 range, with some sets climbing as high as $1,000. Should you use coilovers or lowering springs?In order to decide whether you should use coilovers or lowering springs, you ultimately need to determine how much you're willing to spend and what your goals are for the car. If you want a dedicated race car for track use only, you should spend the extra money on a quality set of adjustable coilovers. If you simply want to lower your daily driver's ride height and have no interest in track driving, you'll probably be happy with a good set of lowering springs. However, if you have a large budget and aren't concerned about spending extra for quality parts, you should look for a quality set of coilovers. When it comes to suspension mods, coilovers are an overall better product than lowering springs. This is due to the greater levels of adjustability and customizability that coilovers provide compared to springs.
How to find cheap car insuranceRegardless of whether you choose to go with coilovers or lowering springs, you're going to need a quality insurance plan to protect that sweet ride. Thankfully, Jerry has transformed the insurance shopping process into a series of quick and easy steps. Jerry makes it simple by comparing plans for you to find the best rate and policy for your unique situation. All you have to do is download the app, enter a few key pieces of information, and start saving.
RECOMMENDED Jerry automatically checks if you are paying the lowest price for your insurance, for free.Instantly compare top insurance companies No spam or unwanted phone calls · No long forms · No fees, ever What insurance do you want to compare? This app is great, but the customer service is even better! Not to mention convenient! My husband and I got the lowest rate (much lower than the rates I was finding online through my own searches), quickly, and pretty much all through text message! Thank you so much for a hassle free experience 👍 John Davis · Automotive Writer John is a writer based in the U.S. and a former automotive mechanic. He now pursues his passion for writing full-time. John's work spans multiple categories, and he relishes the opportunity to research a new subject and expand his area of expertise. When he's not working, John stays occupied with creative writing projects, reading, traveling, and spending time at the beach. Are coilovers good for daily driving?Yes, coilovers are good for daily driving.
They're springs that perform these important functions: Prevent the chassis from bottoming out. Reduce body roll when the car turns especially at high speeds.
Do lowering springs ruin ride quality?Lowering springs also change the geometry of your wheel/tire fitment. If it's not done right, you can expect both accelerated and uneven tire wear. Your car could also bottom out over speed bumps and be even tougher to get up inclines, like your driveway, without scraping your bumper.
What are the downsides to coilovers?Some drivers report that coilovers lead to a stiff, uncomfortable ride. In some cases, this is because poor quality coilovers were not able to be configured correctly. Buying cheaper coilovers can really compromise ride quality and even safety, so experts recommend springing for a set with a good reputation.
Do coilovers reduce ride quality?Coilover suspension guarantees an increase in performance
From a performance standpoint, coilovers do improve ride quality. And, not just slightly – but quite noticeably. They do this by lowering the classic car's center of gravity, providing several benefits that make the ride smoother: Improved handling.
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Lowering springs vs coilovers for daily driving
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