I'm looking for a set of springs that will give me a slight drop(ie: less than 2 inches) and a comfortable ride. As I see it, my options are spy 1.25", tanabe nf210, tein h. tech, or h+r. Eibach pro-kit also came to mind, but I don't like how they lower the rear more than the front. What do you guys think and what have your experiences been with these particular springs?

 

I don't think anyone will give you an unbaised response here. I have the Tein S Tech that satisfy your requirements for a less than 2" drop and lower in front (1.7F, 1.5R). They are sport oriented springs like the H&R would be. These springs ride firm and offer better cornering etc. Incredible ride? No, but not really worse than stock, just different. Stock seems to be harsh. I think if I were looking for the most comfort, I would go with a lower spring rate, linear spring (SPY 1.25" I know, perhaps others). IMO, 1.25 drop is a good place to start. That extra 0.25" makes a big differnce in looks. Good luck. :D

 

I'd go with the tanabe nf210

 

i had NF210 i had no complaints.. but tein s-tech sounds like a winner too! i wouldn't rock spy's cuz hell i dunno if u wanna buy springs that are labeled REAR on all 4 springs(front or rear).

anyways tananbe and tein sits the car nice and even all around. and their prices are awesome! like less than 200 bucks shipped... i dont know anyone with H&r so i can't comment on that. i say try tein.. it might be a better ride than tanabe is.

 

Four rear springs? Really? I've seen the 1.25 Spys and the front springs are definitely made for a strut. Why they would say rear, I don't know.

Why did you replace the NF210's? Not low enough? I think they are also a linear spring.

Anyhow, you can still get the Spys from www.scionmag.com for $159. That's a pretty good deal (about the same as the Tanabes). The Teins can found for even cheaper.

 

the tein h tech is about a 1inch drop and will give u the best ride...according to the bB bible a drop of that little should have no ride quality sacrifice....

those werent enough of a drop for me....so i went with the tein s techs.....smoother ride then stock....feels more footed on the road....and bumps arent as sharp....really nice spring
and if u want to know a little about tein they have THE BIGGEST market share in japanese car suspension in japan...not to mention the numerous awards in n1 endurance racing and wrc.

 

I have the goldlines, as you know and like them. I'm thinking about trying the tanabe's next time for the raked look. So I vote Tanabe's so we can compare before I buy them! Hmm.. (edit) Don't the H+R's have even more rake?

 

H+R's have the same amount of rake as the df210's(.2 inches difference between front and rear), nf210's have .3 inch difference

 

How do the s tech and h tech compare ride-wise? are they about the same?

 

h tech will give u better ride quality over the s techs.....check into the spring rates also....higher spring rate = harsher ride....most of the tanabe and h&r springs have rather high spring rates except for a couple of sets they both sell which are only supposed to be 10-15% stiffer then stock.....i would not recommend a spring with a higher rate then stock unless u change your shocks....
the teins are a pretty soft progressive spring....i think u will like them...

 

I took your advice and checked out the spring rates, here they are:

s tech:
fr: 2.6/145 (kgf/mm, lbs/in)
rr: 3.2/179 (kgf/mm, lbs/in)

h tech:
fr: 2.3/129 (kgf/mm, lbs/in)
rr: 3.2/179 (kgf/mm, lbs/in)

since the s techs are softer over bumps than stock anyway, I think I might end up going with them(anything softer than stock would be a good thing!). seems like everyone with h techs get rid of them because the car doesn't get low enough...

 

I have the nf210's. I was a little disappointed with the ride, they don't ride as good as stock. The site that I saw them advertised on said 1.7f and 1.2r. I don't think the front dropped that much. I thinking about buying the goldlines but I hate to waste more money on claims that they ride better than stock. I have gotten used to the ride, they ride better at city speeds than on the freeway which I drive everyday. Hope this helps.

 

Does anyone have the spring rate for Gold Line? Thanks.

 

I don't want to steer you wrong, but I don't think there is a lowering spring out there with a softer (lower) spring rate than stock. Even though the stock springs have a low spring rate, I (as well as many others) found them jarring and harsh. This may have because the spring rate is too low for the shock, I don't know. The S Techs are definitely firmer than stock and a little less jarring. They look good and make the car handle better. They ride fine for a lowering spring, but you are not going to get a super plush ride.

 

Front = 180 lbs/in, Back = 190 lbs/in. This is from memory....I know it is at least 170.

 

Thanks Jomo. From looking at the spec, h tech should give the best ride. At least for the driving, right?

 

I don't know. I have Tein S Techs. If I was looking for the best ride, I would look into a good linear spring. The stock shocks are designed for linear springs. That's why I would figure the SPY 1.25 would be a good choice. Never tried them though. IMO the h tech does not have enough drop (the same problem with the TRD's)

 

I certainly don't expect a super plush ride, but if the s techs are a little less jarring than stock I will be happy.

 

Are the spy 1.25's a different design from the 2" version? If not then they're progressive..... http://www.scioned.com/suspension.asp

 

They are a different design. I have not ridden an XB with them, but I have heard good things and it would make sense to me that this type of deisgn would work better with the stock shocks. Progressive springs are required when you go down 1.5" and lower since the lower you go, the less suspensiion travel you have left. The Tein S techs are mildly progressive in the front and are more progressive in the rear since there is less suspension travel available.