ms9811

I am about to pull the trigger on FSDs and springs for my 96 NB 993. I was leaning towards M029s because I really didn't want a lot of lowering. I also thought that the M029's lowering setup (20 in front 10 in rear) would help get rid of some of the nose high attitude more than the M033s (30 lower all around.) Some folks in the know (including Darin - thank you for being patient!) have have suggested that M033 is the way to go, but I am a little worried it will lower the car more than I want, especially after they settle. So I am looking for whatever input I can get from folks who may have tried the different spring setups. Does anyone have any experience or pictures of cars running M029 springs, or even some M033s after they have settled? If I am really lucky, maybe some before and after or other comparo shots?

Just to avoid the inevitable posts dealing with "what are M029s", the M029 was the spring you got as standard equipment on a basic 993 everywhere in the world other than the USA (lucky us.) The M033 was the optional factory comfort lowering springs available on non-US cars. So if you've got a stock basic 993 purchased other than for the US market, you've got M029s.

Thanks in advance for the help/advice/observations.

Randall921

I know they're not part of your consideration but I bought ROW M030s from Darin. I live in a town with terrible roads and even so, I haven't had any difficulties in the year + I've been running them. I think the M033s should suit most just fine. The FSDs are height adjustable in the front (I believe, the sports definitely are) so you should be able to dial out the rake.

pirahna

I would stick with M033's. I have them and still wish my car was about 10mm lower. I definitely wouldn't want my car taller than it is.

M. Schneider

Don't fool with Mother Nature by mix n matching springs. Your choice is the M033 spring set for a street use 993. Done and done.

MACH993

Don't over think it boss. Darin's the man in So. Calif. when it comes to suspension set-ups. I put M033s and Koni FSDs on my 993 last year and I couldn't be happier with the ride and the height.

csmab

It won't be too low. I have the same setup and like it.

ms9811

Thank you for the reply. I understand that you are saying about the M033s, but I am not sure what you mean by mix-n-match with regard to the M029s. M029 is a complete set (front and rear) of factory springs. They were OEM on all stock non-US cars.

M. Schneider

The take away I had after a quick read of the OP was up for consideration was to install M029 springs on the 993s front axle,,, and M033 springs on the rear axle.. My bad.

As you may know the M033 spring set with standard dampers was production issue on the RoW MY97 and MY98 C2S wide bodied coupes. Our USA C2S wide body coupe has lived with the "correct" spring set of M033s since 1999/2000. The PAG Werk 1 facility in Zuffenhausen orchestrated the M033 spring swap and a G50/21 gearbox swap. Couldn't be happier.

1stgear

I'm running M033 Springs/Bilstein HD shocks. If anything, I'd want the car a little lower. The ride is a little stiff when running down small/poorly maintained road, but most of the time it's really nice.

cmat

I have MO33 springs with Bilstein HD shocks as well along with 18" wheels. The ride is firm but compliant and good over all but the worst roads. My ride height is set to just above ROW sport which I find to be a nice compromise....no scraping but looks "right". If you go much lower you will have bump steer issues without making further changes.

Another possible option if you only want a slight lowering would be to retain your original springs and go with HD's which would give you a range of ride height adjustment. Some here have done this.

Busta Rib

I am currently running M029 springs installed by the PO (see pic). They are slightly lower than stock, but still too high for my taste. I recommend M033 springs based on your requirements. It is not too low. Most cars I've seen with M030 springs sit with about an inch of space between the top of the tire and fender. The 033 springs should sit about the same.

ms9811

Just to be sure, is the pic in your reply post still with the M029s? I only ask because it looks about as low as some of the M033 pics I've seen and some of the posts in the link which was part of your post say something about M030s.

BTW, gorgeous car!

Thanks!

Busta Rib

Yes, pic is with M029s. It is subtle, but they sit slightly higher than M033/M030s.

Rinty

MS:

Here's a before pic, with North American springs:



And an after pic, with MO33's that have settled:



And one shortly after the springs were installed:



Hope this helps. JMO, but I wouldn't mix springs.

ms9811

I guess my thread description mislead folks. I am not planning on mixing M029s with M033s - I am trying to choose which complete set to use.

It is a little hard to tell from the photos. How much do you think the springs settled? Did they settle about the same front and rear?

Thanks for the help. I'm obsessing a bit, but don't we all?