Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Wheels & Tires Will my car be a 4x4 with 17" Rims and stock suspension??

Sure, I realize there are benefits to doing suspension work on an SVT, if you're autcrossing. But his question was an aesthetic one.

I think the SVT looks fine with 17s and stock suspension.

To lower it in the best possible way, Eibachs, Konis, alignment and install...that's a thousand bucks. A lot of money for less fender gap. But, to each his own.

I just put svt wheels on my se with 215/50/16 tires and the wheel gap is not real bad but bad enough for me to want to lower it when the other mods that are ahead of the lowering kit is acheived.

I have 215/45/17s on my SVT.

The ride height is roughly comparable to a sport-package 3 series or A4.

I was initially very worried about the apperance of high ride height, but I
am pleased with the looks, and a lot of people ask me if I've lowered the
car despite the stock suspension. It doesn't look hunkered down, and the
front could use a slight drop, but it doesn't look stupid. There are a LOT of
cars I see on the road with factory 17" wheels that have more fender gap.

The upgrade to high-end 45 profile rubber was a night and day difference
in the overall handling and feel of the car.

I have put off lowering the car because I remain unhappy with most of the
options on the market. I'd like to drop the car about 0.5" up front and 0.0"
in the rear but almost everyone offers a minimum 1.0" front and rear drop,
which puts my front bumper far closer to the road than I'd like.

The main aesthetic benefit is that you will likely push the wheels and tires a
bit to the outside, giving a more aggressive track. This alone looks just great.

I say do it!

T.

Good post timd. I agree with everything you said.

I'd love about a 3/4 inch drop, but I don't think its worth the bucks. I guess you'd have to use coil-overs.

Yuck. Don't take it bad, I'm obviously not a fan! I have this mental picture of a cat wearing sneakers, uncomfortable and uneasy...

I'll take mine with a 3" drop please

Look, aspect ratio, depending on tire width, is the foremost indicator of how "low" your vehicle is going to look, relative to the "gap" between the top of the tire and your fender well. When the car I bought was traded in to the dealer, I guess it had some custom wheel/tire combination on it that either the seller didn't want to part with or someone at the dealer decided he had to have. So what I ended up with was some funky 3 spoke 15 inch wheels with 205/60/15 made in Brazil tires on it. Sure I'm going to replace those eyesores as soon as I can dig up the cash but the car looks like it's dragging the ground. There's no gap between the top of the tires and the fenderwell. The car looks like it's been lowered. I wish the wheels were something to write home about because then I could keep them and save myself lots of moola. Anyway, I guess what I'm trying to say is that the lower you go with the aspect ratio, the more gap you are going to get, unless you 1) lower the car or 2) go with a wider tire, which will undoubtedly cause the dreaded fender rub.

Pascal: checked out your car pics...looks strong. Love the wheels.

That drop is looow. I'm just more into the Touring look, Audi S4 type thing.

Do you think the Bat springs 1 inch drop would work with the stock SVT struts?