Suspension Review: Eibach Sportline Lowering Springs

[DarrenDriven]

Today we installed Eibach's newest spring set onto the black FR-S owned by @Zach. The install went smoothly following the Spring Install DIY. @Zach will drive the car a little bit and we will put together a review of the quality, performance and overall impressions of this lowering spring set. Stay tuned!


Eibach Sportline Springs (claimed 1.4" Drop Front & Rear)
Part Number: 4.10582
MSRP: $359


Distance from center of front wheel to fender - FRONT
Stock springs: 14 7/16"
Eibach Sportline: 13 5/16" (1 1/4" drop)

Distance from center of front wheel to fender - REAR
Stock springs: 14 5/8"
Eibach Sportline: 13 5/16" (1 5/16" drop)





Springs and assorted goodies that came in the box



Front springs: stock vs Eibach



Rear springs: stock vs Eibach



Zach's FR-S after the install -- looks much better than stock!

[DarrenDriven]

Posted on page 2...

Originally Posted by Zach

Sorry for the delay, crazy week and I wanted to get some miles on the car before giving any quick judgement.

As soon as we put the car on the ground I was in love all over again. The drop isn't crazy visually but makes the car look much more purpose built as a "sports car". Spacers will be needed to get everything flush on stock wheels, at least in the rear, but its not terrible. This really is how the car should come stock, at least visually.

After putting about 5k miles on the stock suspension I could feel the difference getting in/out, again nothing crazy but a great reminded that you just lowered your car. My first drive was basically around the block to pick up some burgers for the guys at the shop (thanks again!) On that drive the car felt tighter but if stock was a 6 (arbitrary 1-10 for ride firmness) this was maybe a 7. Really was surprised how little it seemed to change the ride feel. Over the next few days things seemed to firm up a bit but nothing dramatic. Ruts and potholes were never fantastic to hit in the 86 but avoiding them has become more of a priority not for suspension travel but ride comfort. In fact, I have hit some mean bumps and pretty sure bottomed out the rear end travel and It wasn't that harsh at all.

I have not hit a track with the 86 before or after. I can say the car feels MUCH more planted in a street corner now, almost to a fault if you don't want to break the speed limit. On my daily commute there are several open empty corners I get to hit each day and play, the rear end grips the road with much more intent now and I have to be more aggressive to get it out. The car feels even more attached to the road, I have never had the tires chirp going into 3rd gear till now but maybe that could be the stock tires starting to wear.

In my opinion and for my driving abilities (not great) the 86 is quick around a typical road corner, not fast. Its so much fun to "play" that you totally forget about the fast part. You felt fast and certainly had fun but as with most things this starts to get boring, old and habitual. These springs turn the stock suspension up just one more notch and give you a new challenge to learn and grown with while giving the car a much cleaner and aggressive look.
Of all the things to spend <$300 on I cant imagine what else would give you this much of a feel/performance and look difference.

Sorry again for the delay everyone and any questions or different angles just ask, I'm back and just cleaning up the car today so should be around.

Thanks again Darren and Trav for the help, cant tell ya how awesome it is to have you in the area

[Pekingduck]

I like these the best for look if coilovers are not the way you want to go

[xclusive_brett]

how did you get them already!?

[DarrenDriven]

Originally Posted by xclusive_brett

how did you get them already!?

Purchased from Eibach.

[Wolfking]

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

Zach's FR-S after the install -- looks much better than stock!

How would we know? "Someone" failed to take comparison photos of the car.

[Rawdog]

any 24 hour reviews? Settling?

[DarrenDriven]

It hasn't even been 24 hours yet, hehe... be patient.

[thatWESguy]

waiting patiently

[tnt]

any reviews with 19 inch wheels

[cnk]

There was a report on another forum where the OP claimed that these springs resulted in his friend's car blowing out their shocks. Will be interesting to see how these work out.

[DarrenDriven]

Originally Posted by cnk

There was a report on another forum where the OP claimed that these springs resulted in his friend's car blowing out their shocks. Will be interesting to see how these work out.

You didn't read that thread very closely, it was NOT these springs and it was not the springs that caused the damage.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14599

[cnk]

Originally Posted by DarrenDriven

You didn't read that thread very closely, it was NOT these springs and it was not the springs that caused the damage.
http://www.ft86club.com/forums/showthread.php?t=14599

I stand corrected. I recall reading the OP, but could not find it since reading it when it was first posted. Good to know that there is nothing wrong with them. I still prefer full coilovers over drop springs though. I had Cusco Zero2R's on my WRX and think I'll probably go with them again when I get my BRZ.

[Chuynh207]

Waiting patiently myself... Would really like to see how these are after 24s and what it's like daily driving them. Looking at getting springs in the near future