Lowering, what kit? and ride quality.

[quarterscalelegends]

I am tossing the idea of doing a lowering job on my 06 300c. I just changed the wheels to 20" D'vinci DV50 because I did not want to loose too much ride quality with going 22" I still could notice quite a bit feeling in the road with the new wheels, but the handling is much better. Anyway, what lowering kit do you guys recomend to shorten the gap on the wheels and what kinda ride can I expect? I want it to still be a luxury car and not a bouncy rice rocket ride.

[eudaman]

u are gonna have to search for many past posts in this area, but to give u a cliff notes version from my memory, basically:

eibach springs - like 1.6 inches, cheap only liike $300 or so...definitly will effect ride quality away from your stated ride quality goal.

goldline springs - similar to eiback, less agressive lower...only like an inch.

hotchkis spriongs and swaybar setup - from the reviews on this board these will give you a tad more then an "srt8" stance...i think like an inch, u will have to research, but the verdict was that the ride quality was excellent with these...lowering for better handling, but still retiaing the luxury rig mojo. the set is like $600 or so, and install somehwre in the 700-1000 area.

KW coil overs - these are reported as having amazing ride quality, and the added ability to have the stance adjusted to your desires. so you can have them setup with the exact drop you want. this is about a $1200-1400 upgrade from what i remember.

air ride - i dont know much about the airbag thing, but i think its huge cabbage/duckets..

[HEMEEE]

qsl, the cliff notes eudaman posted are on the mark...
Regarding the Hotchkis set-up: My car was the test mule for Hotchkis so I have no info about the cost of installation. Tbyrne Motorsports, a vendor here on the site, was carrying them. The price posted for the KW coilovers is roughly MSRP I believe, not sure on the cost to install those either, but fatchance may have some info as he just installed this system on his car.

Here are a few links to my Hotchkis threads regarding the install and my review: in a nutshell.. no bounce, no more float or rear kick-out, improved cornering I'm thrilled!

- R&D Project
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9571
- Hotchkis set-up w/22's
http://www.300cforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=9761

Good luck in your quest!

[quarterscalelegends]

Thanks guys. I did read every post here before I asked the question... I know better than not to There was comments on handling but not so much on ride quality and if it felt bumpy or not. My wife is already mad about the wheels so lowering is a hard sell. On a straight away hemee how is the feel compared to stock?

[HEMEEE]

Originally Posted by quarterscalelegends

Thanks guys. I did read every post here before I asked the question... I know better than not to There was comments on handling but not so much on ride quality and if it felt bumpy or not. My wife is already mad about the wheels so lowering is a hard sell. On a straight away hemee how is the feel compared to stock?

The ride quality has not diminished, in fact hubbeee, who doesn't drive my car that much said it felt like stock to him, the first time he drove post-install. I considered that a compliment. The handling has improved in the straights as well and the ride is as smooth as stock, even with the ContiSeals. There is none of the bounce and bone-jarring that one sometimes 'expects' after lowering. I believe this is due, in very large part, to the swaybars and I highly recommend that you not skimp here. I have ridden in 2 300's that have been lowered with other springs-only kits and I was concerned... needlessly.

Remember to consider that wheels and tires play a critical role in the overall ride and handling equation. Also bear in mind that you must be a bit more mindful of parking stops and curbs, dips and steep driveways, but that is an issue with these cars before lowering too. If you have any other questions, please don't hesitate to ask!