How low is "just right" on 17s?

[Nj]

I'm trying to decide how much I want to lower my CQ20v. Of all the cars I've had in the past I loved a 16v that was on 17s and lowered 40mm all round. I still need to get over the occasional speed bump so I can't be silly.
I have a nice offer through Yaz for a set of Cobras that would drop 30mm at the front and 25mm at the rear.
I'd appreciate any thoughts you may have.

[K Simmonds]

The Cobra's sound like a good comprise between ruined and drivable, I'd be tempted to give them a whirl

[mackenzie50]

if you like them lowered then that sounds a reasonable drop- personally i like coupes looking slightly lower than standard but also believe a quattro should still have decent ground clearance (been up a lot of forest tracks in mine )...yup, could sound contradictory !!
..I've so far retained standard height springs on my S2s but 30mm lower on my 7a CQ cos it was bought 10 yrs ago with that setup...it's your car, do what you fancy...I'm sure it won't end up like that A5 in the 'stance' thread!

[John.]

Interested to see what you go for here......I've just put Boleros on my CQ, wasn't sure I was going to like the effect as I'm not a "big" wheels fan but now they're on I'm liking them.........regards lowering, you first!

[mackenzie50]

beautiful looking example John- I still love the B3 front end

[Vorsprung durch Technik]

If it's "you first" meaning yours is standard John then i think that looks perfect except the rear wheel as seen over on CA looks too far in so needing a spacer! Ride height is perfect!!

[Ruffiano]

this was mine on 17s:

[John.]

this was mine on 17s:

That makes me want to tint my fog lights!

[John.]

If it's "you first" meaning yours is standard John then i think that looks perfect except the rear wheel as seen over on CA looks too far in so needing a spacer! Ride height is perfect!!

Aye it is on the standard springs although the front are looking a bit rusted so at some point they will be replaced.
If -15/20mm springs were made then I'd go for a set..........coil-overs is a no-no for me.
Spacers!.....hhmmmmm?

[Nj]

thanks gents. that's definitely helped and if that's standard height John then I'm definitely inclined not to go as far as 40mm.
I was led to believe that my 16v was lowered by 40mm but now I would say it must have been nearer 25mm.


I really shouldn't go too low because I need to drive on snow in the winter too.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

[4WheelDrifter]

Here's mine on 17s with Koni/H&Rs/OEM blue top mounts all round.

[Nj]

those are 17s too by the way

[Rusty]

630-635mm arch to ground

[Bbmossma]

thanks gents. that's definitely helped and if that's standard height John then I'm definitely inclined not to go as far as 40mm.
I was led to believe that my 16v was lowered by 40mm but now I would say it must have been nearer 25mm.


I really shouldn't go too low because I need to drive on snow in the winter too.
hmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm.......

I like these wheels they look good, are you changing them as well, I'd keep em.

[Nj]

I like these wheels they look good, are you changing them as well, I'd keep em.

unfortunately I let that car and wheels go quite a few years ago before I moved out to Finland. I did a bit of a search after posting this photo the other day and I can't find any indication that it's still on the road, which depresses the **** out of me because I loved that car.
I also tried finding a set of those wheels but couldn't. So I ended up with the Boleros, which are really nice, OEM and valuable. I think I now need to concentrate on getting my "new" coupe from Wales to Finland. Fingers crossed I can arrange a few days away from work (my own company so quite difficult) next month to fly over and drive back