There's been some debate on this topic before - but thought I'd cast the net out and see what people generally think about this.

If I were to compress/reset a set of factory 3rd gen springs (professionally) in an attempt to retain a comfortable but lower ride, what are the major downsides I should be prepared for? Note that the springs have done about 80K, and they will be matched to fairly new KYB Excel G shocks.

Thoughts / views very much appreicated.

Lowered suspension with a soft spring rate will make your car very prone to bottoming out.

Lowered suspension with a soft spring rate will make your car very prone to bottoming out.

I'd want to avoid this as much as possible... was thinking of a 30-40mm drop only, nothing crazy.

I have King Lows (40mm drop) + KYB shocks which are both starting to age a little (50,000km), and it's starting to bottom out a bit. A similar height on older stock springs wouldn't be very pleasant.

What if you go for a set of VRX springs?...not as low, but still looks and performs OK. However I agree with Red, if you want to go 30-40mm you need a firmer spring.

I think you will find that any reputable Spring Works business will advise against this.

The proper way to do it would be to get standard height heavy duty springs & then get them reset. Depending on how much lower you want, it maybe more economical to just buy a set of lows.

Thanks for all the comments.

GTVi - yes, already been thinking along the lines of the VRX springs. However, these aren't much lower than std so not sure - plus I don't want to have to spend too much on them. I did a WTB thread the other week but not much response locally.

Fooz - already have King Lows, which would probably achieve what you're suggesting with a heavier std spring and getting it compressed.

Lowered suspension with a soft spring rate will make your car very prone to bottoming out.

If you want to test this out without changing anything, put 3 40 Kg bags of cement in the boot, and two in the passenger footwell. lol

Higher rated shorter springs are the way to go.

Speak to Industrial Springs @ Hindmarsh!

mm i find king lows are very soft springs, always scraping :)

Be curious to know how much it would cost you to get stock springs compressed. You would most likely get king / lovells springs for that, and would get a better result.

Seriously, get kings / lovells lows and KYB heavy duty shocks...