zoltiz

Got the springs this morning - went home for lunch and did the rear axle - took a bit of time because I had to take the wheels off to loosen my swaybar - on a stock vehicle it should take about 20 minutes.

Fronts were a bit more of a challenge. To get to the top strut bolts you have to take off windshield wipers, plastic cowl AND a sheet of metal that has wiper motor and mechanism attached to it - that's extra 9 10mm bolts, couple of clips and an interesting rubber hook thingy.

Took the car out for a short testdrive after taking the pictures - night and day difference. Between better wider tires, 17" wheels, swaybar, and springs the car feels completely different. Nimble is a good word for it. Total spent - $200 tC wheels, $330 Falken Ziex 912, $100 to mount / balance tires and move TPMS sensors over, $200 springs, $170 swaybar, plus another $100 or so on alignment. $1100 minus whatever cash I will get for brand new OEM tires and a set of steelies.



Tires are slightly oversized - 215/50/17, and cause about 2mph error at 60mph according to my GPS. I can live with it.

Comments, questions, concerns?

thedon

That looks hella good. You got the perfect color. I always liked that silver. The xD looks even better with that minor upgrade.

captainlaziness

Like McDonald's, I'm lovin' it.

zoltiz

Thanks, guys. I love black cars. I had a black tC and did not want to buy any other color ever. But I live in Atlanta. 105F today in the shade. So being practical won. Car stays cooler, does not show dirt as much and and is somewhat visible at night (I got t-boned in a tC because some bad person did not see me).

But yeah, xD is actually a pleasure to drive now. No more side to side swaying - all nice and tight.

captainlaziness

How did you get the springs? I didn't an xD listing on Sparks.

zoltiz

They don't have the xD section up yet, but the springs are either in stock, or at the SET warehouse a day away. Gotta call in to order, though.

FLINT

lookin good drew whats next?

zoltiz

Heh. Hopefully not much left. Car drives like I want it to drive, so only some minor cosmetic stuff left - HIDs should be in any day, I want a leather steering wheel, but not sure when the '08 version will come out - current one does not fit '08 xB/xD and a lot of dealers don't know it.

Maybe I'll put in the footwell lighting that I saved from the tC. And then just enjoy the car, low insurance and cheap gas for a change.

L4rry_B1rd

Nice man, your the forerunner for a bunch of mods. Still debating the whole xD vs TSX. They are totally different cars and will serve distinct purposes but Im having a tough time deciding. Your pics up top made me think of the xD again.

zoltiz

I moved to the xD from a 350Z. Less temptation to drive like a bat out of hell, $4K cash in my pocket instantly and about $1K/year saved on gas and insurance. Hard to resist.

L4rry_B1rd

Nice. I was under the assumption that the xD was your 2nd car because of your signature. I'm still thinking about the whole car thing. I'm not making a decision til I see the TSX redesign. Either way, 6 to 8 months will allow the aftermarket for xD to flesh itself out and allow me to see what my options are for modding.

zoltiz

I've had a few cars in my short 6 years in this great country

I am hoping for great things for the '09 TSX, too. Hopefully the 2.4T from the RDX. It just seems so logical.

Chibi_Knight

So Zoltiz, how are the springs doing after a few months of install? they settle any lower, how they doing with the new 18's.

I'm only asking because my 18s should be installed this weekend and its time order springs. Was gonna go TRD but saw that Tanabe also makes em, with two different drop rates.

thanks!

zoltiz

Come to the Marietta Toyota meet on the 4th - you'll see for yourself ;)

Chibi_Knight

LOL, I'll be at that one since I can't go out to the Savannah show.

xBster

wow...what a difference. Looks great! I am so liking the xD now that I see more of them...