How To Choose The Right Suspension For Your Vehicle

Sent: Apr 17, 2024

Shop BMW

Shop Volvo

Choosing your suspension can be like choosing a mattress; with so many choices and few effective ways of experiencing them as they’ll be used, it can leave you feeling apprehensive. Knowing what you’re looking for from your suspension, whether it’s OE-level comfort, a touch more sportiness, or competition-spec cornering, is the easiest way to cut down options to a focused group of parts. If you’re still looking for help beyond that, then keep reading!

Save up to 25% on steering and suspension components, and an extra $10 off $199, $25 off $499, and $50 off $999 or more when the code "SPRINGSAVE" is used at checkout (MAP items excluded). Head to fcpeuro.com and shop our Steering & Suspension Sale through Tuesday, April 23.

Explore All Deals For Your Car

Springs
Springs are a simple way of adding a little performance and extra style to whatever you drive. Many of the vehicles we cover are supported by performance-focused aftermarket companies that offer springs with modified lengths and rates. On average, they will lower the vehicle by an inch with a roughly 30% bump in stiffness, though specifics depend on the vehicle and spring manufacturer. If less wheel gap and a sharper turn-in is something you’re after for your everyday commuter, then seriously consider a set of aftermarket springs; otherwise, stick with Genuine, OE, or OEM for the original ride quality.

Shocks & Struts
Springs are a simple upgrade, but pairing them with a fresh damper can make them far more effective. The two work together to control bumps and body roll and are at their best when their compression and rebound rates are closely matched. Original replacement parts are the best choice for a set-and-forget setup, as they’re already paired with what’s in the car. But, when it comes to lowering springs, a damper meant for the shorter suspension travel is always best. The firmer rates and shorter stroke will give the best performance and a noticeable improvement over any other damper.

Cup Kit vs Coilovers

If you’re not looking to piece together your damper package, you’re in luck; we have a few options. Instead of digging through forums to ensure you have a good combo, we’ve created bespoke “cup kits” for many of the sport sedans and hot hatches that take all the guesswork out of ordering. Within the kit is a set of performance-oriented dampers, either Bilstein B8 or Koni Sport, paired with a sportier spring. The springs can be from 034Motorsports, Eibach, or H&R, depending on the model.

However, coilovers provide a similar ease of ordering with a more hardcore focus. The cup kit will do well in autocross and light track use, but the coilovers should work a bit better. With spring preload and height adjustability, damper adjustability (depending on the model), and the potential inclusion of camber plates, they’re better for changing conditions and track layouts. That comes at a sacrifice to comfort, but lower lap times should mitigate the NVH increase.

Control Arms & Bushings

Keeping the wheels on the car is the job of many parts, but control arms have more influence than that. They determine alignment settings and control articulation, so their health is critical. If you need a replacement, an OE arm is best for restoring your ride, but other options exist for those seeking performance.

Choosing an arm with a heavy-duty bushing will tighten the suspension response and provide more feedback through the wheel. There’ll be less dynamic alignment change due to bushing compression, so cornering should be more predictable. Those bushings don’t allow for more adjustment, so if you need more camber, caster, or toe, look into a set of adjustable arms. They’ll likely have a heim joint instead of a bushing, making them best suited to the track, and their adjustability will ensure you can meet the alignment settings you’re after.

Ball Joints & End Links
Sticky tires and stiff suspension means extra stress on your OE parts. Overlooked areas like the ball joints and end links are subject to them and will rapidly degrade outside of their designed performance ranges. Swapping over to an aftermarket set of heavy-duty parts is the best solution. Made with larger joints and stronger materials, they’ll give you stellar handling performance and a relatively long life.

Save up to $50 with the coupon code SPRINGSAVE

Save up to 25% on Steering and Suspension Parts

If we wouldn't put it on our cars, we won't sell it to you.

The FCP Euro Team

No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe.
FCP Euro 155 Hill Street Milford, Connecticut 06460

Text Only

Save up to 25% on steering and suspension parts + extra coupon savings through 4/23 ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ ͏ Shop BMW Shop Volvo Shop VW Shop Audi Shop Mercedes Shop Porsche Choosing your suspension can be like choosing a mattress; with so many choices and few effective ways of experiencing them as they’ll be used, it can leave you feeling apprehensive. Knowing what you’re looking for from your suspension, whether it’s OE-level comfort, a touch more sportiness, or competition-spec cornering, is the easiest way to cut down options to a focused group of parts. If you’re still looking for help beyond that, then keep reading!Save up to 25% on steering and suspension components, and an extra $10 off $199, $25 off $499, and $50 off $999 or more when the code "SPRINGSAVE" is used at checkout (MAP items excluded). Head to fcpeuro.com and shop our Steering & Suspension Sale through Tuesday, April 23. Explore All Deals For Your Car SpringsSprings are a simple way of adding a little performance and extra style to whatever you drive. Many of the vehicles we cover are supported by performance-focused aftermarket companies that offer springs with modified lengths and rates. On average, they will lower the vehicle by an inch with a roughly 30% bump in stiffness, though specifics depend on the vehicle and spring manufacturer. If less wheel gap and a sharper turn-in is something you’re after for your everyday commuter, then seriously consider a set of aftermarket springs; otherwise, stick with Genuine, OE, or OEM for the original ride quality. Shocks & StrutsSprings are a simple upgrade, but pairing them with a fresh damper can make them far more effective. The two work together to control bumps and body roll and are at their best when their compression and rebound rates are closely matched. Original replacement parts are the best choice for a set-and-forget setup, as they’re already paired with what’s in the car. But, when it comes to lowering springs, a damper meant for the shorter suspension travel is always best. The firmer rates and shorter stroke will give the best performance and a noticeable improvement over any other damper. Cup Kit vs Coilovers If you’re not looking to piece together your damper package, you’re in luck; we have a few options. Instead of digging through forums to ensure you have a good combo, we’ve created bespoke “cup kits” for many of the sport sedans and hot hatches that take all the guesswork out of ordering. Within the kit is a set of performance-oriented dampers, either Bilstein B8 or Koni Sport, paired with a sportier spring. The springs can be from 034Motorsports, Eibach, or H&R, depending on the model. However, coilovers provide a similar ease of ordering with a more hardcore focus. The cup kit will do well in autocross and light track use, but the coilovers should work a bit better. With spring preload and height adjustability, damper adjustability (depending on the model), and the potential inclusion of camber plates, they’re better for changing conditions and track layouts. That comes at a sacrifice to comfort, but lower lap times should mitigate the NVH increase. Control Arms & Bushings Keeping the wheels on the car is the job of many parts, but control arms have more influence than that. They determine alignment settings and control articulation, so their health is critical. If you need a replacement, an OE arm is best for restoring your ride, but other options exist for those seeking performance. Choosing an arm with a heavy-duty bushing will tighten the suspension response and provide more feedback through the wheel. There’ll be less dynamic alignment change due to bushing compression, so cornering should be more predictable. Those bushings don’t allow for more adjustment, so if you need more camber, caster, or toe, look into a set of adjustable arms. They’ll likely have a heim joint instead of a bushing, making them best suited to the track, and their adjustability will ensure you can meet the alignment settings you’re after. Ball Joints & End LinksSticky tires and stiff suspension means extra stress on your OE parts. Overlooked areas like the ball joints and end links are subject to them and will rapidly degrade outside of their designed performance ranges. Swapping over to an aftermarket set of heavy-duty parts is the best solution. Made with larger joints and stronger materials, they’ll give you stellar handling performance and a relatively long life. If we wouldn't put it on our cars, we won't sell it to you. The FCP Euro Team No longer want to receive these emails? Unsubscribe. FCP Euro 155 Hill Street Milford, Connecticut 06460