Eibach Sportline vs Tein S-Tech

[FRS1010]

Debating on which ones to get. They both give the ideal drop I'm looking for. I've been reading reviews on both but wanted to get some more feedback from owners.

Thanks in advance!

[supramkivtt2jz]

I have not lowered my FR-S, but I had the s-techs on my old A4. I loved them - the ride was just a bit more firm and gave it an awesome stance.

However, I had the eibachs on my old mustang. I dont have a single negative thing to say about them. If youre looking into sway bars in the future, i think the entire eibach combo would work well in conjunction.

[switchlanez]

Eibach is an ODM for OEMs having manufactured springs for and specified by reputable tuning companies, for Toyota/TRD, and in collaboration with Bilstein. They include shorter bumpstop replacements with their spring kits. I believe their direct competitors (Tein and H&R) simply suggest cutting your bumpstops when you install their kits. May not seem a big deal but that distinguishes how committed Eibach is to delivering a quality product.

Can't speak for S-Techs but I have Sportlines... here's a quick review I did on another thread:

Originally Posted by switchlanez

I have these on stock struts as well. They won't ruin your suspension and should last tens of thousands of miles if installed correctly. Sportline springs on other make/model cars have a more aggressive drop (>1.5") and owners are logging 60k+ miles on them with no issues. The drop on the FR-S is more mild (advertised 1.4" but reported 1.25") so it should be less of an issue.

My only gripe is sometimes I hear/feel front coils bind onto themselves under hard braking and cornering. And if I go too fast over bumps/dips, the rears can bottom out. Which is fine because the bump stops get to do their job (kudos to Eibach for providing bump stop replacements unlike H&R's and Tein's equivalent aggressive drop springs which require you to cut the stock bump stop). Regardless, I plan on upgrading my struts if Bilstein ever comes out with any. I expect it to be a little stiffer/harsher but that ought to help reduce the binding or bottoming out. I also have an aero kit which reduces my ground clearance by ~2" (it includes a 1" protective rubber skirt under my front lip). Sometimes that rubber skirt scrapes the ground but the front lip that it protects still has good clearance so it never touches the ground when I drive. These minor issues are not a huge bugger for me because I had a Celica with TRD USA lowering springs on TRD USA struts (~1.25" drop) and they exhibited the same behavior I described above with my current Sportlines. I used to have STI lowering springs which did not have these issues.

Regardless, the Sportlines still function great (I have a little more confidence turning in with these Sportlines than with the STI pinks). I had wider than stock tires (225mm) with the pinks and it was hard to break traction. Now I have 235 wide tires with my Sportlines. Due to the increased stiffness, it's slightly easier to drive on the edge of traction despite the wider tires and correct my steering. The Sportlines provide more feedback. I think it's a worthwhile mod.

[FRS1010]

Thank you for the feedback.

The bumpstops provided by Eibach is a great selling point for me too. I just didn't know if it made much of a difference to cut the OEM bumpstops with Tein or use the aftermarket ones provided by Eibach.

[supramkivtt2jz]

cutting the bump stops isnt an issue IMHO. But then again.... i dont think ive ever bottomed out the FR-S or my old A4

[Ndgreely]

I have the tein s-techs and didn't have the bump stops cut .. I have put about 1000 miles on them and haven't bottomed out once ... I have fairly smooth roads to travel on but I am careful to avoid bad bumps and pot holes as I would do the same even with stock suspension .. So I guess it just depend on your preference .. Either way you go good luck and one thing is for sure .. Either way you get rid of most of that awful wheel gap

[FRS1010]

Originally Posted by Ndgreely

I have the tein s-techs and didn't have the bump stops cut .. I have put about 1000 miles on them and haven't bottomed out once ... I have fairly smooth roads to travel on but I am careful to avoid bad bumps and pot holes as I would do the same even with stock suspension .. So I guess it just depend on your preference .. Either way you go good luck and one thing is for sure .. Either way you get rid of most of that awful wheel gap

Thanks! I decided to try the S-Tech springs. Will be installing them next week and finally looking forward to getting rid of the ugly gap.

[Ndgreely]

Originally Posted by FRS1010

Thanks! I decided to try the S-Tech springs. Will be installing them next week and finally looking forward to getting rid of the ugly gap.

Congrats man make sure to post some pics ..

[FRS1010]

Originally Posted by Ndgreely

Congrats man make sure to post some pics ..

Will do thanks!

[hadozen]

Originally Posted by FRS1010

Will do thanks!

Waiting for these photos!

[Sugi]

Bump

I'm also looking to swap suspension looking at the s-tech or sportlines. I'm ok with the fact of getting coils, but am using my car for daily driver only. Im really worried about the ride of the car. Any other feed back?

[BlueDubbinTDI]

Originally Posted by msugi07

Bump

I'm also looking to swap suspension looking at the s-tech or sportlines. I'm ok with the fact of getting coils, but am using my car for daily driver only. Im really worried about the ride of the car. Any other feed back?

Your ride is going to get significantly stiffer if you lower with springs. Get coils if that is a concern. I have RS-R Superdown springs (the equivalent to these 2) and the ride is extremely stiff. If you're local roads are rough, I wouldn't recommend maxing out springs to lower your car.

[Sugi]

Anyone with feedback on going from stock to springs and from springs to coils? Difference between all three?

[Jaden]

Originally Posted by FRS1010

Thanks! I decided to try the S-Tech springs. Will be installing them next week and finally looking forward to getting rid of the ugly gap.

I've been on the s techs now for a few weeks and made two trips from San Diego to San Francisco and Sacramento.

The ride is a little bit more firm but I don't mind that. I LOVE the way it looks though...

You should get the wheel spacers if you're on stock wheels I have 20mm in front 25mm in back.

Jaden