2002 Boxster S Suspension Upgrade Options

luisrinsivillo · 01-10-2007, 12:45 PM

I have been thinking about upgrading the suspension on my Boxster. I am not going to race it, I just want the lowered look and a litter better handling than stock. I have seen and heard that most Boxster owners are going with the Boxster Euro suspension kit (ROW-M030). I understand that this is probably the best all around upgrade one can do to the car, for one is made specially for the Boxster and it is OEM, not only that, it also includes springs, front and rear anti-roll bars and struts. The only problem that I have with this kit, and some of you may agree with me, is that this kit will only lower the car about 12mm in the front and 10mm in the rear. I think this is not enough specially when you can fit four fingers in between the rear wheel fender and the wheel!. So, I know they have out there some H&R lowering springs made for this car that will lower the car about an 1" (now that's what I am talking about). My concern is that by ONLY replacing the springs, will the handling be affected (get worse, since the rest of the suspension components were not replaced)? I recently purchased the 5mm wheel spacers to give the car a better look and a little more track. I can't tell if it helps the car handle better, but I like the wider looks better. So, now that I have the wheel spacers, will I be OK by just replacing the stock springs with H&R springs? Has anyone here done this kind of mod to their car. I just want some feedback from you guys out there, so that I don't repeat any mistakes. Thanks,
LRR

AFJuvat · 01-11-2007, 04:50 AM

If you aren't tracking the car, you can get away with just putting different springs on it without adversely affecting the handling of the car.

AFJ

JMatta · 01-11-2007, 03:17 PM

I have H&R sport springs on my '02 S. I can say the ride and handling is excellent; not stiff, but more feel. The shocks work perfectly fine with the revised springs and the ride height is nice and low; about 1.4" lower than stock. Negative camber will be greater due to suspension geometry, but I'm not terribly concerned as I'll replace the tires before they ever wear out. I have no problem recommending this set-up. Just for reference, I have coil-overs on my '73 911 which took some setting up. The Boxster felt great right out of the box.

JMatta · 01-11-2007, 03:19 PM

Just for reference, this was stock...ready for some off-roading!

luisrinsivillo · 01-12-2007, 05:59 AM

JMata,
Does you car bottom out? This is one of the concerns I have with the H&R springs since they lower the car 1". This problem doesn't exist with the ROW M030 since they only lower the car 10mm (1/2"). Anyone else bottoming out their Boxsters with lower springs?? Thanks

JMatta · 01-12-2007, 08:44 AM

I have never bottomed out. I am, however, very careful driving over RR tracks and pulling into/out of inclinded drives. I've scuffed the bottom of the nose a few times (not visible).

Sboxin · Sboxin's Garage

We also have the H&R Sport springs on 02S w/M030 and
maximum camber both front and rear.
This is a very good setup for smooth roads and track.
It can be a DIY - my son and I did it and then had the indi shop
do the alignment and check our work. About $550 total cost.

No bottoming out, but still have to be careful on those speed bumps and steep driveways. This is not any different than before.

Good luck,
Ed

luisrinsivillo · 01-29-2007, 06:27 AM

Anybody with pictures of Boxsters with the ROW M030 suspension?? I want to see the difference in height between the ROW M030 suspension and the H&R springs. I know the specifications for both and the H&R springs will lower a little more, I just want to see with my own eyes the ROW M030 suspension. I would prefer the ROW M030 over the H&R springs cause it is a complete kit (shocks, springs, anti-roll bars and bushings), but it kills me that you are paying $1000 for a kit and still the car won't look good.
Thanks,

luisrinsivillo · 02-15-2007, 07:07 AM

Does anybody know if I will have clearance issues with H&R sport springs and the 5mm Porsche spacers??? I have the spacers already mounted and I am in the process of getting the springs right now. I want to know if the tires will rub the fenders.
Thanks
LRR

Sboxin · Sboxin's Garage

You will be fine with the 5MM spacers and H&R springs.
We have been leaving the 23MM spacers on the rear with OEM 17" wheels between putting on the track wheels which need the extra offset -- plenty of clearance.

You could also put larger spacers all around to improve looks and push the wheel out to the fender edge.

Use this offset calculator to help with the numbers:

www.1010tires.com/WheelOffsetCalculator.asp

Take care,
Ed

(no spacer in front, 23MM in rear with 18x10E65 wheel --Before H&R springs)

JMatta · 02-15-2007, 03:27 PM

I think you'll be fine. I'm running 10" rear wheels with 285s; -2.6 negative camber, 47mm total offset.

luisrinsivillo · 02-19-2007, 09:28 AM

Another thing that I need to consider is that my driveway is too steep, and right now I am scraping the bottom of the car every time I drive in and out of my driveway, so if I lower the car I know is going to get worse. I have been looking for some kind of "Driveway Ramps" but most aftermarket product suppliers don't have anything. Do any of you are experiencing this problem??? If you are what are you using as a ramp???
Thanks

JMatta · 02-19-2007, 09:41 AM

Not my driveway, but I have to be very careful when entering/exiting retail drives; sometimes the angle is just too steep. If it looks like I'll scrape, I take a pass and move on to the next. I only drive my car for pleasure, so there's usually no "unexpected". Be careful of parking lot curbs/bumpers; they'll raise havoc with your nose.

antgtv · 03-15-2007, 10:23 AM

I want to put a set of H&R springs on mine. Has anyone got any photos with them on 17" wheels? That black one looks amazing!