Why Coilovers Beat Lowering Springs on the S197
Lowering springs are the gateway drug — cheap, easy to install, fixes the 4x4 factory stance. But coilovers are the upgrade you'll wish you did from the start.
The difference: lowering springs drop the car a fixed amount with no adjustment. Coilovers let you dial in ride height, spring rate, and (on quality units) damping — independently from each corner. That means you can set the car up perfectly for street driving, then adjust it at the track for maximum handling.
Here's how to choose the right coilover system for your build and budget.
What Budget Should You Expect?
Budget Coilovers ($400-700): Do They Work?
Honest answer: the cheapest coilovers on the market are worse than quality lowering springs. Generic Chinese-sourced coilovers from unknown brands often have poor damping consistency, premature seal failure, and spring rates that are either too soft (car bottoms out) or too stiff (car launches you over speed bumps).
If your budget is under $600, buy the BMR Lowering Springs instead ($199). Made in the USA, linear spring rate tuned for the S197 platform, and they'll outlast most budget coilovers.
Mid-Range Coilovers ($700-1,200): The Sweet Spot
This is where coilovers make sense for 95% of S197 owners. You get adjustable ride height, quality dampers, and real improvement over factory suspension — without paying for track-only features you'll never use on the street.
The Viking Crusader Coilovers hit this sweet spot. Viking is a US-based manufacturer (Ohio) with a reputation for build quality that punches above its price point. Their Crusader series for the S197 features:
- Monotube shock design (higher quality than twin-tube at this price range)
- 24-way adjustable damping on each corner
- 1-3" ride height adjustment
- Lifetime warranty and US-based customer support
- Made in Ohio, not imported
Premium Coilovers ($1,500+): Track or Dedicated Street Setups
Öhlins, Moton, MCS — these are reserved for cars that see regular track days, serious autocross competition, or owners who simply want the best possible street ride quality regardless of cost. The gains over mid-range coilovers on public roads are minimal unless you're really pushing the car hard.
If you're road racing or competing in HPDE events regularly, the premium tier is worth it. If you're street driving with occasional track days, the Viking Crusader (or equivalent) gets you 90% of the performance at 50% of the cost.
Street Setup vs Track Setup: What Changes?
Street Setup Priorities
- Ride height: 1-1.5" drop — improves looks, lowers center of gravity, doesn't destroy suspension travel
- Damping: Soft-to-medium — absorbs road imperfections without jarring passengers
- Spring rate: Linear progressive — comfortable over bumps, firm enough to control body roll
- Alignment: -0.5 to -1.0° front camber — good tire contact, minimal tire wear
Track Setup Priorities
- Ride height: As low as clearance allows — lower CG, less body roll, faster corner speeds
- Damping: Stiff compression, medium rebound — controls weight transfer aggressively
- Spring rate: Higher rate for flat surfaces — reduces squat under braking and acceleration
- Alignment: -2 to -3° front camber — maximizes tire contact in corners at the cost of tire wear on straights
If you want one setup that does both reasonably well, set ride height at 1.5" drop and damping at the middle of the adjustment range. Firmer for track days, softer for the commute home.
What Else Do You Need With Coilovers?
Coilovers alone won't fix every S197 handling weakness. The factory suspension geometry was designed to make 300 hp feel comfortable — not to handle 400+ whp or serious cornering forces. Consider these additional upgrades:
- Sway bars — The Whiteline Front & Rear Sway Bar Kit dramatically reduces body roll and improves turn-in response. If coilovers are the foundation, sway bars are the finishing touch.
- Lower control arms — Factory S197 rear control arms are rubber-bushed for comfort, not performance. The BMR Rear Lower Control Arms eliminate this slop and tighten up rear end behavior under hard cornering.
- Alignment — Any time you adjust coilover height, get a 4-wheel alignment. Budget $100-150 for a proper alignment after installation.
Installation: DIY or Shop?
Coilovers are more involved than bolt-on bolt-off mods. Here's what it takes:
DIY time: 4-6 hours for someone comfortable with suspension work
Tools required: Floor jack, 4 jack stands, spring compressor, 19mm socket, various metric sockets, torque wrench
Shop cost: $300-450 labor plus alignment ($100-150)
Recommendation: If you've never done suspension work before, have a shop do the install. Incorrectly installed coilovers are a safety issue. It's not like a battery change — if something goes wrong, it goes wrong at highway speed.
Browse Suspension Upgrades
Ready to transform your S197's handling? Browse the full S197 suspension catalog — coilovers, lowering springs, sway bars, and control arms all in one place.
— Mason & Son Performance Team