Contour Enthusiasts Group Archives Forums Modifications Suspension What are my options?

Could it be that the struts are for the V6 model? That would explain why they are stiffer......

Why don't you do a little searching around for pictures of lowered rides? There's quite a few here on the suspension forum. Then you could compare it to your car's current ride height.

I have looked at the posts and everyones car looks the way I want mine to look. What I am trying to figure out is will mine look that way after I spend a few hundred dollars and a bunch of time? All of the lowering springs lower the front and rear somewhat equally. That said it seems reasonable that the 1.5" difference between my front and rear end will remain after lowering because both front and rear have been lowered equally. My rear end is at about the height that I want and the front needs to drop 1 to 1.5 inches. None of the lowering springs indicate that they will do that kind of drop and I want to know what to expect before I invest my time and money.

I looked at the GCs, but saw several posts indicating that they made the ride MUCH stiffer. I would prefer to keep the ride quality near to what I currently have. I realize that lowering springs are always going to make the ride a bit rougher, but I don't want to make my family uncomfortable. If they are uncomfortable, I will be forced to ride shotgun with my wife behind the wheel of a Ford Escape.

you should look into H&R springs then...they lower the front more than the rear.

Go with BAT springs. Best "even" drop, and rates that are sane. For struts, it gets a little harder. Your choices are BAT/Spax/Sachs/Bilstein.

My BAT struts have ~40,000 miles on them, and quite frankly, I feel they need replacement. I will not be getting them again. They're valved more agressively than the stockers. Liveable...with a proper tire choice.

The Bilstein's are reported to be valved more agressively than the BAT struts. I'm thinking the wife won't be happy with that choice.

There are very few people that have either the Spax or Sachs, so they're an unknown. Eric at BAT says that the Spax are valved like the BAT struts. They might be a good choice for you.

The Sachs are reported to be stock replacement pieces. You could probably run them with the BAT springs..but def not with any other stiffer spring.

I will say..that I installed a set of Boge struts (also a German OEM replacement manufacturer like Sachs) on a 1992 BMW 525 this past weekend and was very impressed with their build and how they rode after the install. Very robust...yet smooth action.

My $.02