Lowering springs, coilovers or adjustable springs?

Three ways to lower a car and firm up its handling:

• Lowering springs: they replace the original springs and lower the body by a fixed amount, specified for each kit (for example −30 mm front and rear). This is the simplest solution, to be fitted on shock absorbers in good condition or sports shock absorbers.
• Coilovers: shock absorber and spring in one unit, with height adjustable on a thread. Depending on the model, the damping can also be adjusted (rebound, compression).
• Adjustable springs: height is adjusted as on a coilover, but you keep the original shock absorbers, for example when they are electronically controlled.

Comfort or sport: which coilover should I choose?

The ranges differ mainly in their adjustments. At KW, for example, the V1 has fixed damping, the V2 adjustable rebound and the V3 adjustable rebound and compression. The more adjustments there are, the more you can tailor the car to the road or the track.

For everyday use, a moderate drop keeps comfort close to standard and leaves enough clearance for car park ramps and speed bumps. For the track, a coilover with adjustable damping is stiffened on track day and then set back to road mode.

Homologation in Switzerland

In Switzerland, modified suspension must be compliant and, depending on the case, inspected during a vehicle inspection at the cantonal road traffic office. Most kits require a Swiss declaration of conformity (homologation certificate); a drop of more than 40 mm or camber-adjustable top mounts require a DTC certificate or equivalent. A European TÜV report is not recognised as it stands.

Where one exists for your vehicle, the certificate is supplied with the part or offered at extra cost. Full details on our Homologations page.

Top mounts, drop links and anti-roll bars

Around the shock absorbers, several parts wear out or can be upgraded:

• Top mounts: they connect the shock absorber to the body. When worn, they knock or creak when steering; they are often replaced together with the shock absorbers.
• Anti-roll bar drop links: a clunk over small bumps often signals a worn drop link.
• Sports anti-roll bars: stiffer than the original ones, they reduce body roll in corners without making the ride harsher in a straight line.

Finding the right kit for your vehicle

A suspension kit is designed for a specific vehicle: the engine, the drivetrain (front-wheel drive or 4×4) and the axle load change the part number. Choose your vehicle at the top of the page or in the vehicle directory: only compatible parts are shown.

Think about the wheels too: a lowered car has less room in the wheel arches. The tyre size calculator compares tyre sizes, and our alloy wheels are filtered for your vehicle.

Fitting and wheel alignment in Geneva

Our workshop in Aïre fits shock absorbers, springs and coilovers bought from Rupteur, with labour at a fixed price per axle. After lowering, a wheel alignment is recommended to protect the tyres and keep the car tracking straight: CHF 160 for a passenger car.

Shock absorber fittingWheel alignment