[The Z]

Guys,

This may seem like a lame topic but, I'm a bit concedrned about lowering my Z. My own driveway presents a bit of an issue but I could fix that if I wanted to. My wifes work's driveway is also a bit of a pain, I can't fix that.

So I was wondering how far some of you have lowered your cars and whether you've had many problems negotiating driveways, etc? I know it will look good but it won't be that good if I keep scratching the front all the time.

Ciao

 

[Domino]

then dont lower it :doh:

before i picked up my Z, i had planned on buying Tein coilovers, but after driving the car for a few weeks i really liked the stock suspension. You can fly over train tracks and not worry about dodging potholes

my last car was 50mm off the ground, and it was a pain in the ass negotiating driveways and speedhumps, and stiff as Eddie Mcguires hair to prevent it bottoming out. But yeah it did look good. Imo a stock Z lowered looks naff, if uve got a full kit, bigger wheels, then lower it to complete the look

 

[Scandrew]

I found that with bigger rims on lower profile tyres and a simple add-on body kit has made the 350z lowered then legal height already if it wasn't already stock! It looks like it's been dumped already and is already hard enough to drive as is so I couldn't imagine lowering it anymore.

 

[scathing]

Turns out my car is lowered, which is a right pain in the backside as I keep scraping out everywhere.

If you're not sure, don't do it. When I get the kit on my car I'll probably raise the height again (it involves taking out my struts so its a fair bit of work).

 

[Domino]

yeap im really liking the way scandrew's car sits

the 19s look great with the stock ride height

also keep in mind if u lower the car with the stock wheels, it will push the rear wheels further inside the guards.....think FJ Holden :lmfao:

 

[studybuddy]

I don't know about Australia roads, but roads in my state are not top notch. I lowered my car with Eibach springs, which lower .8 in front and 1.2 in rear. I would do every bit of it all over again.

My ride quality improved on interstates. It took out a lot of bounce that the stock suspension has at steady speeds of 70-80mph.

Also, if you think you're going to scrape somewhere, take it at an angle. Taking things dead on guarantees scraping in certain areas, but I haven't found a place yet that I can't get in of or out of without scraping other than one place around here with speed bumps that are 2 feet high. A lot of cars cannot make it into that lot though.

My point is, if you're careful and know the tips (like driving sideways into driveways etc.), you'll be fine. The car is already low, but springs really set off the look in my opinion.

Of course, like the other guys said, if you seriously doubt it, then don't waste your time. A lot of man hours are involved in taking the front suspension apart. Especially for someone that hasn't done it before.

 

[jinxxycat]

I have problems with some driveways, some streets and stuff here in Pittsburgh, because we are in the mountains and there are hills everywhere. I've bottomed out in a couple of places so I wouldn't dare lower my baby here in this city....I think it really has to do a lot w/ landscape too, if you live in a relatively flat place it would be easier....

 

[Domino]

i mastered the angle driveway/speedway tricks from 5years of driving my last car



i personally cant be bothered going thru that all over again

 

[scathing]

Australian roads are crap compared to most "developed" countries. It doesn't help that we have such a small number of people for such a large area, which means there simply isn't the population density to pay for and maintain quite a bit of the road network.

Sydney's an even worse case as there has been little to no town planning, which means blocking off a main road for resurfacing can make it near impossible to get to some areas without trying to move a lot of cars through suburban streets.

With the Koni dampers, there are 2 heights to choose from. Mine's on the lower ring, which appears to be lower than stock. On this setting, I've been bottoming out even more (in places I didn't used to), and even if I exit at an angle it still happens.

There are some spots where you can't exit sideways, and I've had some issues where I've scraped it.

The last time I had the car on the hoist, I had scrapes on:

* the heat shields on the cats
* the centre muffler on my exhaust
* One or two other places

I've also bent one of the underbody smoothing panels (that runs near the centre muffler).

 

[mchapman]

Mine is probabally about an inche lower maybe a bit less. Just perfect in my opinion.

I personally have no problems with it, you just need to know what you can and cant drive over and dont drive over things you cant. I dont go into car parks I dont know and I avoid streets with speed bumps, though I can go over most without drama, just need to go slow and in some cases at an angle. I generally dont use car parks anyway because of stupid people with doors.

If I owned a <insert favorite supercar> I believe it would be similar.

 

[scathing]

So what happens if you go to new places? Just park the car on the street, or do laps?

I went to Panthers for the first time a couple of weeks ago, and near the Aquagolf there's a carpark where its only 1 lane wide, and a nasty speed hump in the middle.

I suppose I could have just asked everyone behind me to back it up so I could reverse out..........

 

[mchapman]

I generally dont go into car parks as they all have some hectic lone speed bump which they make everyone go over, unless ive been there before. Just about any scraping isnt acceptable and the car is more important than a longer walk from a spot further away. I do get caught out every now and then if I cant back out I just take it at a full angle and go slow.

If I have to go somewhere dodgey or I HAVE to go somewhere which will cause trouble then i'll go in my girlfriends car, but that isnt often. Obviously this might not be suitable for all.

 

[Z350Lover]

Murray:

Same here.... if I gotta go somewhere that my car will not pass through, I will just simply drive my wife's car instead... but that's what I hate about the 350z.... factory design is really low actually... and with the nismo bumper and the rubber piece at the front of the bumper, my car is really low now even if the suspensions are stock items...

If anyone is doing exterior mods to their car, I think leaving the suspension stock might be a wise idea though if you don't have another car to go somewhere that will not allow you to go with you z... just my 2 cents!

cheers,

richie

 

[tongpo55]

I lowered my Z about three weeks ago w/ the eibach pro kit springs and the ride quality is better, suspension is 100% better and as long as you don't have a body kit you should be good

 

[Nuff]

I've the konies on the lower setting as well, I scraped few times and I got stuck once. But i like the side view, the car looks a lot meaner. I took of the front lip from my car, it made speedbumps and gutters a lot easier to deal with. Otherwise I don't have a problem, just got to be careful. I've also bent one of those plastic diffuser panels right behind the engine, but it was nothing that heat gun couldn't fix. I've quiet few scrapes on the cats as well.

The only time I ever got stuck was in a driveway near a lamborghini dealer on spit bridge rd. I didn't have any problems getting in, but getting out was another story. I've no idea how they got the lambos in and out, i guess it's an extra security measure they have.

 

[zuffy]

I've lowered my car by around 25mm, the added benefit is the increased camber.

It takes some work to get up and down the driveway but i can go over speed-humps without any problems unless it's those real tall ones. I went to fast on one and bottomed out as it was way too high...and the drop to sudden.

It's definitely a worthwhile mod though.

 

[mchapman]

Absolutely.

 

[frosty]

Nice executive sheen on the alfa! None of this tizzy stuff here.

Not from FRIZZLE

lol

 

[The Z]

Thanks for all your input folks. I've decided to leave it well enough alone. As my wife drives it a bit, the driveways are already a bit cose and the fact that it already looks ****-hot, I don't think lowering it is required. I like the way it looks and drives and don't plan on racing it so, done!

Thanks everyone