My Koni/Eibach Pro setup is up for a refresh and I'm looking at the Bilstein PSS setup. I'm hoping to get a bit more ground clearance. Can the Bilstein PSS setup be lowered around .5" to .75" without excessive pre-load? I'm getting conflicting information from different vendor websites and different info in various posts here on the forum. Some websites say a minimum of 1" or more. Any info would be greatly appreciated, thanks!

 

The Bilstein measurements are from the bottom bolt to the bottom of the spring perch.

I have the rear set to the maximum recommended height and the front pretty close too.

 

Thanks, I appreciate you taking the time out to share. That looks lower than I thought, it looks like's it's more than 1" lower than stock. Is it just the angle that makes it look lower? Are those stock size tires? Just to make sure you didn't make a typo, you say maximum as in it cannot be raised any higher right? I'm currently at 1" lower than stock now and want to get it a tad bit higher.

 

Yep, that's the highest ride height that could be achieved. Tyres are standard 205/55 R16 and 225/50 R16. FWIW I've never bottomed out, even on the tiny bumpy back roads we have in Olde Englande.

Here's another pic for you (the white car is on stock suspension):


And here's me braking hard for the La Source hairpin at Spa

 

I'm running my ap1 around 1" drop. I'm finding that I'm getting into pre-load if I want to raise the rear higher, if I was to lower it I'd have less pre-load on the springs. This is the perfect setting for me, I don't want to go any lower or higher. I love the coilovers.

 

Interesting, so it sounds like the shock itself is shorter than stock (whole assembly where they may have shortened the body or shaft). I would'nt be able to get it higher without some preload or switching to a stiffer spring, which wouldn't match the non dampening adjustable PSS's well.

Thanks for the info. I need to rethink this some. I'm on an old worn koni/eibach pro setup with wider than stock wheels and tires and I get some tire rub during hard driving and the right big bump. I haven't gotten under the car to see where it's rubbing yet, but I want a setup with the option to lower less than (higher ride height) than 1". If I'm rubbing in the front, the stiffer front springs of the Bilsteins will help, but the rear springs are softer.

 

I'm running oem ap1 size rims (albeit JDM), with 10mm spacers on the front used to clear my spoon calipers. I don't rub with a 1 inch drop, and I was running the same setup with 15mm spacers up front as well. No spacers in the rear. I know I would occasionally rub with the oem suspension and oem ride height simply because they were softer sprung. Hard to say how each setup will work though.