Suspension Suggestions Wanted

[Libila]

I recently purchased a 00 2.5 RS with 5zigen lowering springs and 17 inch Rotas. I like the wheel, but I don't like the springs. I want to buy new springs and struts soon but I need help choosing which parts will be best for my application.

This car will be my daily driver, but I know that I will auto cross it and go to a few track days before my bug is done. I don't mind a stiff ride and a lower than stock stance, but there is a point where it becomes bouncy and too low and that is what I don't want.

I've been doing lots of reading on strut and spring options for the 2.5 RS but I don't have any experience with these parts so I felt it would be wisest to talk you guys before I go spending my money.

So far in my searching and asking around the most common recommendation has been STi lowering springs (non-tarmac) with KYB/SPT struts and STi top hats. I honestly don't know how well this will perform or ride but I just wanted to let you guys know what kind of suggestions I've been getting.

I would like to hear what you guys think or have had good/bad luck with. I'm open to suggestions so please feel free to speak your mind.

[tysonK]

I think first you should roll your fenders with a baseball bat!

But seriously.

I still have my old suspension from my WRX(for sale). It has the Eibach springs on it. They rode VERY well. I did many Auto-X's on them and also 1 track day. I really can't find a thing wrong with them. I only changed because I great deal came along and I knew eventually I was going to get a different setup anyways.

I like being able to adjust the dampening and ride on my coilovers. But those 2 things don't make coilovers the end all for suspensions. Like you stated there are plenty of combos out there for our Imprezas. A nice strut/spring combo my yield that perfect ride/handling that I am still trying to find with my suspension.

I change it up every couple of weeks to see if I can find a dampening level that I like the feel of. The more I drive my car, the more I think stiff coilovers should not be on a daily driven car. I really didn't think I would say that when I first put them on but the fact of the matter is that's the truth for me.

[Dean]

You will probably learn more faster autocrossing on a soft suspension. I drove my A4 on the stock sport suspension for 2 years of autocross, and 3000 or so track miles before it retired to daily driver status. Soft suspension forces you to be smooth with your inputs, and to anticipate.

That said, if you want daily use coilovers, I'd go Tein Flex.

You don't say what you don't like about your current springs... How many miles on your struts? It is possible the springs are to much for them...

[Libila]

From what I understand the spring rates are not ideal and the drop is far too much for stock struts or even KYBs. The car is still on the stock struts with 89,000 miles on them.

Dean, I understand what you're saying but I'm not looking into auto crossing the car for more than a season. I'm trying to finish my bug which will be for racing specifically. I want to make my RS fun to drive through the mountain passes and to lower it a bit.

Has anyone here used Prodrive P1 springs or SPT struts?

[Dean]

AT 90K, it is proably time for new struts as well. I'd say to try Tysons stuff, but I don't think the rears will fit.

Maybe a cheap set of street coilovers will meet your needs. Sustek has a set for your car that are only about $850.