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987.2 Cayman S Lowering Springs, Eibach or H & R ?
Hi all, I've no doubt this has been discussed and debated before, but a Google search didn't turn anything up, and likewise a search on Rennlist itself was equally fruitless.
I'm wanting to lower my 2010 Cayman S, non PASM, 19" wheels, to Cayman R ride height. I'm not looking to replace the existing dampers or indeed fit upgraded items at this juncture.
The car will be used solely on the street and I'm lowering for aesthetic reasons, so I'd prefer to choose the softer, more compliant out of the two manufacturers.
Please note I do NOT want to go sub Cayman R ride heights.
If there are other good quality alternatives to the H & R or Eibach kits, do please let me know what they are and your experiences with them.
My 2010 987.2 S came with a JRZ RS-one suspension setup. With the 400 lb (front) & 500 lb (rear) springs I have, that likely wouldn't suit your desire to have a compliant ride on the street, but for track oriented driving, the setup is divine. Expensive, but divine.
I suspect that you may be able to get less firm springs with the JRZ's, but it is a pricey option.
I have Eibach Pro springs fitted to my 987.1 CS, non-PASM with standard shocks. I would say its a little bit lower to my eye than a Cayman R. Feedback-wise it seems to 'skip' over small potholes/bumps, but that is more myself being more attentive to the change of the suspension. It does not drastically affect the character or the handling of the car. You will need to be more mindful of driveways and speed humps though as the nose overhangs noticeably (compared to several BMWs that I've owned previously). Aesthetically its done wonders for the looks of the car along with some spacers to tidy up the gap in the wheel wells.
I went with Eibachs over H&R, as my indy Porsche specialist preferred them, due to the manufacturer providing more accurate measurements and parameters for the vehicle height (didn't really get too much into that, his word is enough for me)
I have Eibach Pro springs fitted to my 987.1 CS, non-PASM with standard shocks. I would say its a little bit lower to my eye than a Cayman R. Feedback-wise it seems to 'skip' over small potholes/bumps, but that is more myself being more attentive to the change of the suspension. It does not drastically affect the character or the handling of the car. You will need to be more mindful of driveways and speed humps though as the nose overhangs noticeably (compared to several BMWs that I've owned previously). Aesthetically its done wonders for the looks of the car along with some spacers to tidy up the gap in the wheel wells.
I went with Eibachs over H&R, as my indy Porsche specialist preferred them, due to the manufacturer providing more accurate measurements and parameters for the vehicle height (didn't really get too much into that, his word is enough for me)
In my experience the Eibachs tend to be a slightly more compliant.
Sorry to be nuisance, do you have a picture before and after your install (or just after) ?
The Cayman R ride height makes for the perfect all round set up IMO. Sensible enough to not make driveways and speed humps a problem, and allied to the Cayman R wheels, makes for pretty much the perfect stance.
Go with the H&R, they lower the car but not as much as Eibach springs. I've had them for 4 years and handle great, not much different from the oem ride.
Here is a picture of how my Cayman sits with H&R springs:
Go with the H&R, they lower the car but not as much as Eibach springs. I've had them for 4 years and handle great, not much different from the oem ride.
Here is a picture of how my Cayman sits with H&R springs:
interesting, looks the same as my eibachs. I’m new to the 987 platform but on my 997, H&R was much lower than Eibach.
To be totally honest with you, I'm thinking that may be the best option, they're a known quantity from the perspective of finished ride height, compliance, improvement in handling dynamics etc (I'm a former Cayman R owner) My only concern is would they work with 60K mile OE S dampers, which in turn raises the spectre of mission/budget creep ... !!
I think the ideal/best set up for my needs would be Cayman R springs along with Bilstein B8 dampers ...
To be totally honest with you, I'm thinking that may be the best option, they're a known quantity from the perspective of finished ride height, compliance, improvement in handling dynamics etc (I'm a former Cayman R owner) My only concern is would they work with 60K mile OE S dampers, which in turn raises the spectre of mission/budget creep ... !!
I think the ideal/best set up for my needs would be Cayman R springs along with Bilstein B8 dampers ...
Fair point about mismatched dampers but wouldn't that be the same concern as with H&R or Eibach?
Go with the H&R, they lower the car but not as much as Eibach springs. I've had them for 4 years and handle great, not much different from the oem ride.
Here is a picture of how my Cayman sits with H&R springs:
It looks like the H & R springs when fitted to a standard Cayman S, lower it 35mm, whereas the R springs are only 20mm lower. Much as I like the idea of the H & R's, that's too low for my use. And on the basis that you're saying the Eibachs lower the car even more than the H&R's, the Eibachs must lower an S 40+mm ?
I upgraded my 2009 Boxster S with Cayman R springs and damper and really love the results. About .5 to .8 inches lower and really exceptional handling and ride stability. It is a bit rougher ride but very controlled. Just an idea. New parts from Porsche very expensive option. Best to you.
I used them on my 2009 Cayman S. This was back in 2014, the car only had 9000 miles, so I left the S dampers on it. I took some heat from some people suggesting I should change to R dampers. My thought - and several others - was it would be just fine for a street car. I guess my point was that unless you change out the anti-roll bars (stabilizers) and even the R wheels - well you the get the point - you are changing what the factory suspension / handling set up. Would it be the perfect set up just with springs? Probably not, but I was ok with it. I loved the look, especially after adding wheel spacers - and the ride was just fine.
In your case the car is now 12 years old - I might consider doing the dampers just because of age. When I went on the Bilstein website years back - they did not have an aftermarket R damper - Just S & base. That may have changed.
09-27-2021, 10:50 AM
987.2 Cayman S Lowering Springs, Eibach or H & R ?
