What Are the Downsides of Coilovers? (Honest Guide for Daily Drivers)

Stanced UK
What Are the Downsides of Coilovers? (Honest Guide for Daily Drivers)
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What Are the Downsides of Coilovers? An Honest Guide for Everyday UK Drivers

Coilovers are one of the most popular upgrades for both stance-focused builds and street performance setups — but they also come with compromises that most drivers aren’t told about.
If you're lowering your car for street use, daily comfort, or UK road conditions, it’s important to understand the downsides, why they happen, and how to avoid them.

If you're researching options, you can view our full range of street-tuned coilover kits here:
👉 Stanced UK Coilover Kits

Why Coilovers Have Downsides in the First Place

Coilovers replace your factory shock and spring setup with a height-adjustable, performance-orientated unit.
They give you stance, control, and tuning flexibility, but they also introduce new variables:

  • Lower ride height affects suspension geometry

  • Stiffer spring rates affect comfort

  • UK roads expose cheap coilovers quickly

  • Incorrect setup causes harshness or noise

Most “downsides” aren’t actually faults — they’re results of either poor-quality kits, incorrect setup, or kits designed for track use rather than daily driving.

For drivers wanting comfort and stance without compromise, look at our street-optimised coilovers designed specifically for real UK roads:
👉 See Stanced UK Coilovers

The 7 Downsides of Coilovers (And How to Avoid Them)

1. A Harsh Ride on Poor UK Roads

This is the biggest complaint drivers have.

Cheaper or track-focused coilovers often use:

  • Overly stiff spring rates

  • Poor damping control

  • Budget internal components

This leads to crashing, bouncing, and skipping over potholes.

How to avoid it:
Choose coilovers tuned for street use, such as our Stanced UK® Street Series designed for stability and daily comfort.

2. Noise: Knocking, Creaking, or Squeaking

Common causes:

  • Incorrect preload

  • Worn top mounts

  • Cheap bearings

  • Incorrect ride height (too low)

Coilovers rely on precise setup — if something’s off by even a few threads, you’ll hear it.

How to avoid it:
Correct preload, quality top mounts, and proper installation eliminate 90% of noises.

3. Premature Wear on Cheap or Unprotected Coilovers

Many budget coilovers suffer from:

  • Galvanised bodies that rust

  • Seized height adjusters

  • Leaking dampers

  • Poor internal seals

Once corrosion sets in, adjustments become impossible.

How to avoid it:
Look for powder-coated struts and sealed hardware designed for wet, salty UK winters — all features included in our Stanced UK kits.

4. Incorrect Ride Height Causing Issues

Dropping the car too low can lead to:

  • Driveshaft vibration

  • Tyre rubbing

  • Bump-stop hitting

  • Poor alignment

  • Premature bush wear

How to avoid it:
Stay within a 30–70mm realistic drop for road use.

5. More Maintenance Than Standard Suspension

Coilovers need occasional:

  • Cleaning

  • Copper grease on threads

  • Checks for seized collars

  • Alignment after any height change

Factory suspension needs none of this.

How to avoid it:
Treat height adjusters with anti-seize and maintain yearly.

6. Preload & Setup Confusion

Many people set coilovers up wrong because guidance is poor.

Incorrect preload can cause:

  • Harshness

  • Sagging

  • Poor rebound

  • “Pogo stick” feel

How to avoid it:
Follow a clear setup guide and avoid touching preload unless instructed.

7. Cheaper Kits Are Often Built for Looks, Not Road Tuning

Most ultra-budget coilovers use:

  • Generic valving

  • Oversprung/under-damped designs

  • One-size-fits-all internals

This produces the infamous stiff, crashy ride that gives coilovers a bad reputation.

How to avoid it:
Choose coilovers engineered specifically for street performance and UK roads — not track use.
👉 Browse Stanced UK Coilover Kits

Are Coilovers Still Worth It?

Yes — if you choose the right ones.

The right coilovers will give you:

  • A lower stance

  • Sharper handling

  • Improved control

  • Better confidence on the road

  • A setup that actually works on UK roads

Most downsides disappear with a quality kit that’s been properly designed, properly installed, and properly maintained.

Final Thoughts: Know the Downsides, Choose the Right Kit

Coilovers have downsides — but they’re completely manageable when you:

✔ Avoid cheap, generic kits
✔ Choose street-tuned damping
✔ Maintain the kit properly
✔ Keep ride height sensible
✔ Install/set up everything correctly

If you’re ready to see what a properly engineered street coilover kit looks like, explore our full range here:
👉 Stanced UK Coilover Kits

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