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Eibach Springs - How practical?

30K views 79 replies 36 participants last post by  Tweak  
#1 ·
Hi all,

I'm looking at the possibility of purchasing Eibach springs (either Pro-Kit or Sportline) for my Sport but was wondering about the practicality of lowering the car. I've never lowered a car before but it seems as though the 500 would be such a greater car if it was lowered. Can anyone give some input on their experience with either of the kits or maybe some other kit to lower the car? Pictures would help, as well! Thanks guys!

This is the link I'm at for purchasing either of the springs: http://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...ension/Susptabl.jsp?autoMake=Fiat&autoModel=500&autoYear=2012&autoModClar=Sport
 
#2 ·
significant improvement in handling and a HUGE improvement in style (no more stink bug stance) is why I installed the Pro kit. Sometimes I wish I would've chosen the (cheaper) Sportlines, but my car rides smooth with the Pro kit, so I'm pretty happy with my decision.
 
#5 ·
The wheels gaps on the Sport and Turbos are offensive. When I finally take ownership of a 500 it will take a trip to my mechanic before it even sees my driveway. I have been using Eibach Pro Kits on all my past cars including my current VW. The Pro kit is the way to go if you are retaining the stock dampers and still want some driving comfort. The drops are perfect for daily/real world driving.
 
#6 ·
I have H&R's but they equate to the milder version Eibach lowering springs. They improve handling immensely, not to mention looks. In my case they do make the ride noticably rougher, but you adapt.;)
 
#19 ·
I got the Eibach ProKit 8 months after I bought the car. I swear that I was driving on velvet after the drop; it was very, very smooth. I had never lowered a car before and was quite hesitant to do so (had no idea what I was doing/getting into). After I got the drop, the difference in driving was unbelievable, and I'm not even an aggressive driver who likes to take turns quickly or anything like that. I was really expecting a rougher ride, but like I said, it felt like I was driving on velvet.

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#22 ·
I'm planning to get the Sportlines for my sport. Check out wundercarparts.com - you make an offer & can save a lot of $. The don't list any parts for the 500 however if you search for the sportlines part number, they will pop up. I suggest starting your offer @ $165.
I purchased a lot of parts for my 300 SRT8 from there - got a full magnaflow exhaust w/high flow cats for $500 shipped when all together would have been $1000 or so from any vendor
 
#23 ·
Has anyone used the one of the vendors off Ebay? 2-3 have great feedback and with shipping only $214-225. Only about $10-15 cheaper than TireRack so for peace of mind i'm thinking of going with TR instead. Thinking this might be another B-day present to myself along with the RRM Exhaust I just ordered.

Also...since most of us have Pop/Sports, did you need the camber bolts. I'm thinking if nobody else had to then I dont...right? Since we all have the same cars.
 
#26 ·
Also...since most of us have Pop/Sports, did you need the camber bolts. I'm thinking if nobody else had to then I dont...right? Since we all have the same cars.
When I had H&R lowering springs installed and my alignment checked when adding new wheels and tires my passenger front went to - 1.5 degrees camber which is out of spec. So I used a camber bolt, but only on that side as the other side stayed in spec. Tire Rack has an awesome price for a pair of camber bolts.
 
#28 ·
Rob @ RRM, recommended Eibach Pro Kit when I told him that I would like to lower the car by about an inch; have 5mm wheel spacers; want to improve the handling; keep the ride comfortable, and that I don't plan to race the car. Rob also recommended RRM's big red sway bar and said that coilovers were unecessary for me.
 
#33 ·
Brian: I believe the drop on the Eibach Pro Kit is more than "about an inch." I was surprised at how "low" it came out (and I know, I know, it's not ALL that low). And Rob/DC at RRM were the ones who installed this for me. As far as I can tell (just eyeballing it), the drop is more than the 1.2 inch drop that 500Madness offers (but this is a very unscientific opinion).
 
#29 ·
I have Sportlines on my Sport. I love the stance and the fact that I can feel the road just enough to know what I'm getting into. I can take corners like a mad man and I have not slipped into a tree yet. I can't wait to put on a rear sway to hopefully eliminate some of the slight body roll that I have and upgrade my struts but overall I love my Sportlines. They were installed not just for looks but also to make my daily commute to work a little more interesting.
 
#30 ·
The step up in handling with the anti sway bar is more (performance wise) than the step up to lowering springs, you will see if you drive curvy roads a lot at a sporting pace. It is the single most needed piece of after market gear for handling. Start an anti sway bar fund right now, you won't be disappointed.
 
#31 ·
For those lowering their cars, remember the Abarth comes with 1.5 degrees negative camber, with a up to 2.5 degrees allowed.

So if you are under 2 degrees, I would not worry and just leave it alone. More negative camber is GOOD for handling.
 
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#37 ·
I am amazed at the number of people who has installed lowering springs and that none of them seemed to have actually measured the ground to wheel arch distance before and after. :)
 
#49 ·
Just do it Andy
 
#50 ·
Ordered my Sportlines yesterday from TireRack - the cheapest I could find them. $201 shipped & they'll be here by Tues :)