What Can I Do About That Gap?

spending a bit of money is the way! if you dont want to shell out the cash for some coilovers (which would be the best option!) just buy some lowering springs, if you got some coilovers which come up second hand ocasionally then you could set it at whatever height you want, other than that, as iv said just get some springs however if your going to the trouble of taking the shocks off you might aswell buy something nice to replace them with.. dont bother with the tyre idea.. hope that helps

Think one of the cars Painterdave is breaking has lowered suspension, might be worth a PM

mx5nutz said:

spending a bit of money is the way! if you dont want to shell out the cash for some coilovers (which would be the best option!) just buy some lowering springs, if you got some coilovers which come up second hand ocasionally then you could set it at whatever height you want, other than that, as iv said just get some springs however if your going to the trouble of taking the shocks off you might aswell buy something nice to replace them with.. dont bother with the tyre idea.. hope that helps

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Ok, thanks for that. Just wondering why you would you not go with the tyre idea

rattrap said:

spending a bit of money is the way! if you dont want to shell out the cash for some coilovers (which would be the best option!) just buy some lowering springs, if you got some coilovers which come up second hand ocasionally then you could set it at whatever height you want, other than that, as iv said just get some springs however if your going to the trouble of taking the shocks off you might aswell buy something nice to replace them with.. dont bother with the tyre idea.. hope that helps

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Ok, thanks for that. Just wondering why you would you not go with the tyre idea
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Surely 4 decent tyres would be at least ?150 fitted? Then your speedo would prob be out... for not much more than ?150 you could prob get some decent second hand lowered sus?

Yeah i'd definitely look out for some coilovers if I were you. Come up second hand quite often on the forum, or there are some cheapies on eBay for about ?170. A lot of debate and mixed reviews on those though!

I regret not doing that before, and now coilovers are on my ever expanding shopping list..

I thought you decided to sell the 15's

Quick Silver said:

I thought you decided to sell the 15's

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Yeah I was, until I took my first drive this week in it after driving my mates who is on 15"!His was miles better handling, so I have changed my mind (nothing to do with the wife ) I prefer the look of my 16", but handling is a bigger issue for me. I will eventually get a set I really like, like Lorbers for instance, but I'm dreaming at the moment.

Like I've said, the 15" to me just look lost in those rear wheel arches, especially because I have the side skirts on. I would even take off the skirts too, but the missus would definatly spit her dummy out then

Definately get some new springs. The tyres will only make minimal difference.

CRNeo said:

you could prob get some decent second hand lowered sus?

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Contradiction in terms me thinks.

If you don't have the money to buy decent shocks then my advice is just to leave it as is.

If you fit lowering springs you'll need to either replace the bumpstops or cut the ones you've got.
Problem with this is the shock seals and shaft will be well worn in now, if you start using a part of the stock shaft that's not been used (because it has been protected by the bumpstop) then almost certainly you will pop the shock seal.

If on t'other hand you start fitting higher profile tyres you'll start loosing feel from the car.

End of the day it's a car.

It's sole purpose is to be driven, that's what it was designed and built for, so just enjoy driving as it is and forget about how it looks as it really doesn't matter.

Cheers
Mark

rattrap said:

By the way Quick Silver, your car looks spot on, what suspension set up, and size wheels are on it?

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I'm on Oz 15's with Marangoni 195/50/15's - Koni 1020-6072 sports springs & Koni 8041-1203/1204 sports Shocks - lowered the car by 35mm but if you go for the coilovers you'll get up to 40mm lower.....car came over from Japan with the springs/shocks already fitted & she turns like a go-cart.

You were right to choose the 15" wheels - general consensus for over all best handling

Gixer said:

you could prob get some decent second hand lowered sus?

Click to expand...

Contradiction in terms me thinks.

If you don't have the money to buy decent shocks then my advice is just to leave it as is.

If you fit lowering springs you'll need to either replace the bumpstops or cut the ones you've got.
Problem with this is the shock seals and shaft will be well worn in now, if you start using a part of the stock shaft that's not been used (because it has been protected by the bumpstop) then almost certainly you will pop the shock seal.

If on t'other hand you start fitting higher profile tyres you'll start loosing feel from the car.

End of the day it's a car.

It's sole purpose is to be driven, that's what it was designed and built for, so just enjoy driving as it is and forget about how it looks as it really doesn't matter.

Cheers
Mark
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Point taken Thanks for the advice, money is an issue at the moment, but it is more important to me how the car handles, which is no way as good as one with 15" wheels as I have discovered.

Quick Silver said:

By the way Quick Silver, your car looks spot on, what suspension set up, and size wheels are on it?

Click to expand...

I'm on Oz 15's with Marangoni 195/50/15's - Koni 1020-6073 sports springs & Koni 8041-1203/1204 sports Shocks - lowered the car by 35mm but if you go for the coilovers you'll get up to 40mm lower.....car came over from Japan with the springs/shocks already fitted & she turns like a go-cart.

You were right to choose the 15" wheels - general consensus for over all best handling
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Thanks for the info, great set up you have there

Ok folks, I have listened and learned to all the comments about this,thanks very much but, just hear me out...........

Currently on the car I have 205/50/16 on the rear, on the front I have 205/45/16. The ride quality is, in my opinion hard,and bumpy, and every time I drive over a bump. the CD skips

Surely if I put 195/50/15 on the front, and 195/55/15 on the rear, I would get a better ride quality, and not feel every single bump in the road, plus reduce the gap between the rear tyres and the rear wheel arch? (And also go better with the side skirts so the wheels don't look lost!!!)

I know all you guys are telling me to get spending on coilovers etc, but the ride quality with the 15" on must be better????????