Since I don't have the money for both, would it be best to lower my 2012 G37x with springs or install bigger wheels? I currently have 17" wheels and am considering 18" or 19" wheels or Swift springs.

 

Personal preference. One is no better than the other. Wheels are much more expensive.

 

Lower first

 

Wheels cost like 10x what springs cost. Get the wheels if you can afford them now then it should be pretty easy to save a few hundred more for springs.

 

i'd say lower first too...

 

Hopefully you understand that "bigger" wheels won't affect the gap you see in your wheel wells. Also, lowering your car with springs will affect your ride and handling. Prioritize your needs and wants before making this decision.

 

In my opinion it would be best to use that money for extra car payments, or gas or insurance, or save it for something you really know you want.

I won't make friends saying this because I realize most people on this forum love to lower their cars. Sorry, but the way I see it, lowering a street car is just dumb. It ruins the suspension geometry and ride quality, all for marginally better handling. Springs, shocks, bushing and sway bars should be matched together. Changing only one of those just screws up the characteristics designed by the engineers. Not to mention reduced weight capacity and greater chance of bottoming out. My stock X sedan has scraped the skid plates on steep driveways, and the suspension completely bottomed out once going over a pothole on a highway in Wisconsin.

I understand not being a fan of wheel gap with the 17"s - I don't like it much either on mine, but the fact is no one really pays attention to that unless you're posting photoshoot pics on the internet.

Anyway, sorry again if I've offended anyone. Just calling it how I see it and hopefully giving some food for thought. Everyone I've ever known who has lowered a street car has regretted it.

Snowks- congrats on the purchase. You have a beautiful car and you're going to love it.

 

I agree. I've lowered every car I had up until now. Maybe I'm getting older, but I much prefer the better ride quality than the aesthetics of a lowered car. And lowered doesn't always mean better handling, even if marginal. It depends on how you lower it. Like you said, handling is a combination of many components of the suspension, not just ride height.

 

I prefer the G lowered since it sits pretty high compared to other sport sedans. But yes, it can be a hassle at times, and you have to be much more alert to road hazards that can wreak havoc on a lowered car. That said, there's nothing wrong w/ leaving it stock, especially if you're not wanting some of the "tough love" that a lowered car requires

 

the G may sit a little high, but for some reason, it doesn't look odd. It doesn't scream the need to be lowered IMO. I'm used to Audi/VW and either they sit even higher than the G, or they just look like they need to be lowered.

 

I purchased the 2008 non-sport Coupe w/ stock 18s, and noticed the handling was not the greatest... so I got the Hotchkis Sways and it made a night and day difference. The comfort level didn't change much except for going over uneven surfaces, then a stiff /harsh jerk would happen. This wasn't a big deal though and worth the planted feeling improvements on turns.

I then got Swift Springs, and 20 inch rims /w 255/295 tires. I was expecting a harsher ride and slightly better handling. Especially with the larger rims + stiffer springs. It turns out though the springs matched the Hotchkis sways better, and removed the harsh jerks. It made it seem much more natural and overall comfort level did not change much from non-sport stock suspension. What did change though was the handling improving greatly. It feels much planted and suited to the Hotchkis sways, non sport struts. and sway springs. It may be tires and quality of the springs made it quite perfect.

Besides the performance, the looks is great as well =D. The swift drop is fairly conservative and does not impose any drivability issues so far.

 

Lower!!!

 

Drop first. This way, if you ever plan to get aftermarket wheels in the future, you know what you have to work with. Deff would say drop first. I would also reccomend Sway bars!

 

Yeah. That spam bot got a raw deal. It's a free country and he should be allowed to spam wherever he likes! The staff here sucks and are a bunch of d!ck-taters.!

 

You can lower a car and retain the ride quality. They don't make all springs lower and stiffer Most cars in the US are actually higher riding than their European counter part.