Thinking of lowering your car or improving its handling? You've probably come across two options: lowering springs or coilovers. But which one is better? And more importantly — which one is right for your build?
In this blog, we’ll compare the two most popular suspension upgrades, break down their pros and cons, and help you decide which setup delivers the performance, adjustability, and comfort you need.
What Are Lowering Springs?
Lowering springs are replacement springs that are shorter and stiffer than your factory ones. They're designed to drop your ride height — typically 1" to 2" — and reduce body roll during cornering.
Pros:
- More affordable than coilovers
- Simple install — usually just swap springs
- Improves aesthetics and lowers center of gravity
Cons:
- No height adjustability
- Ride quality depends heavily on existing shocks
- Stiffness is fixed — no damping adjustment
- Can cause premature wear on factory shocks
Best for: Daily drivers who want a cleaner look without major performance upgrades.
What Are Coilovers?
Coilovers combine the spring and damper into a single, adjustable unit. You can fine-tune your ride height, spring preload, and often compression/rebound damping — giving you far more control than lowering springs.
Pros:
- Height adjustable for perfect stance and fender clearance
- Custom spring rates available for drift, grip, or street
- Better handling and ride control under load
- Damping adjustment available on most setups
Cons:
- More expensive up front
- Install takes more time than springs
- Requires occasional maintenance (rebuilds, cleaning)
Best for: Drifters, track enthusiasts, and anyone serious about chassis performance.
Ride Quality: Springs vs Coilovers
Lowering springs are usually stiffer than stock, which can improve cornering but also make the ride harsher — especially if your factory shocks aren’t valved for the extra stiffness.
Coilovers offer more balanced ride control, especially if they’re tuned for your weight and use case. For example, SLR Drift-Spec Coilovers offer a firm but controlled ride — stiff enough for angle but still streetable for daily use.
Performance Comparison
| Feature | Lowering Springs | Coilovers |
|---|---|---|
| Height Adjustment | No | Yes |
| Damping Adjustment | No | Usually Yes |
| Spring Rate Tuning | Fixed | Customizable |
| Track Performance | Low | High |
| Price | Low | Moderate–High |
Final Verdict: Which Should You Choose?
If you just want to drop the car and don’t care about tuning suspension feel, lowering springs are fine. But if you’re chasing real performance — especially in drifting or time attack — coilovers are the clear winner.
They give you the control, adjustability, and ride confidence that springs simply can't match.
Ready to Upgrade?
Explore our full breakdown of how coilovers work and why they're the suspension of choice for serious builds — or browse the SLR Drift-Spec Coilover Collection to find your ideal setup.
