Lowering the Ghibli, whats the options?

[GhibliMonster]

I am thinking of getting my Ghibli lowered. There are two reasons for this, the first being it should look better and the second being that it should drive better. The frugal side of me is thinking to lowering springs, but how will that affect the ride and will it put excess pressure on other parts of the suspension. The other option is coilovers although I suspect they will be expensive. Has anyone lowered their ghibli?

 

[outrun]

Ah, are you talking about a new Ghibli, rather than the 1990s one?

I ask because I have a set of H&R lowering springs brand new and boxed if you're interested. Fits all cars that don't have skyhook.

I've lowered a few cars, it's fine provided you use a good brand like H&R or Eibach. Better handling, better looks and not a great deal of money.

 

[GhibliMonster]

Its a 2015 Ghibli, how come you didnt put them on your car? What price are you looking for?

 

[must go faster]

I fitted the H&R springs to my 15 plate ghibli. Made a huge difference and really firmed up the handling which I found way to wallowy for my taste (suspected spring sag). You will need larger wheels though as I found the lowered springs on the 18”s made it far too low and ground out over everything.
I fitted 20”s and put a set of Dunlop’s on them which I spec’d to have a higher side wall (lotus trick to give a softer ride without compromising handling).
Very happy with it now and the wheels fill the arches. Plus the Dunlop’s have gotten rid of the squeak that the Pirelli’s always made.

 

[GhibliMonster]

I fitted the H&R springs to my 15 plate ghibli. Made a huge difference and really firmed up the handling which I found way to wallowy for my taste (suspected spring sag). You will need larger wheels though as I found the lowered springs on the 18”s made it far too low and ground out over everything.
I fitted 20”s and put a set of Dunlop’s on them which I spec’d to have a higher side wall (lotus trick to give a softer ride without compromising handling).
Very happy with it now and the wheels fill the arches. Plus the Dunlop’s have gotten rid of the squeak that the Pirelli’s always made.

Did you fit the springs yourself? My concern is that by just swapping the springs it might shorten the life or mess up the struts. Have you found this? How many miles have you done since you fitted the springs?

 

[must go faster]

I got a local garage (not Maserati) to fit them for £400 plus an alignment check as heard it was a bit of a pain. They did it in a day and I didn’t have to lose a weekend fighting it. Only thing to mention is the garage had to remove the dust covers from the struts to fit the H&Rs. Couldn’t say if that was required on all cars, just mine, or because of the guy fitting it. Springs have been on for a year which has been about 8000 miles and absolutely no issues. Combined with the wheels the car no longer grounds out on all but extreme pitch changes. The car doesn’t role anywhere near as much, looks better, and maintains the executive feel where British roads allow.
Ideally I would have lowered the car by 25mm or 30mm however that meant using either FD or Novitech springs. Both were more expensive than HR and more importantly in my case would take too long to turn up (wanted it done before doing some long trips and I’m impatient). The compromise was HR at 35mm, they were a lot cheaper as well coming in at £260 a set as opposed to £650 and £400 for the other 2 respectively.
My thinking was… change the springs for relatively little money and see what happens.
Opinion will always be divided when it comes to modifying cars and poor garages love to use mods as an excuse for everything and anything.
If you don’t feel comfortable changing just the springs then find a suspension guru (northampton motorsport are good) and go for something like the novitech coil overs.

If you are anywhere near west London then you are more than welcome to come take a look.

 

[Sam McGoo]

I fitted the H&R springs to my 15 plate ghibli. Made a huge difference and really firmed up the handling which I found way to wallowy for my taste (suspected spring sag). You will need larger wheels though as I found the lowered springs on the 18”s made it far too low and ground out over everything.
I fitted 20”s and put a set of Dunlop’s on them which I spec’d to have a higher side wall (lotus trick to give a softer ride without compromising handling).
Very happy with it now and the wheels fill the arches. Plus the Dunlop’s have gotten rid of the squeak that the Pirelli’s always made.

I assume with your new wheel and tyre combo (larger circumference) that your speedo will under read somewhat.

 

[must go faster]

If you fit any larger Maserati wheels with the tyre size specified by Maserati then they are all the same rolling circumference and hence no change. If the wheels had come with tyres then I would have left them as they were however as I had to put new rubber on them I thought I would see what the art of the possible was. My car (like most) over read originally and is now more accurate than before. When I did the calculations it equated to a 4 -5 mph difference at 70mph although this doesn’t take into consideration tyre pressures. The gps, gauge and speed display all marry up nicely and the speed is within 1mph of other gps devices.

 

[Michael]

If you fit any larger Maserati wheels with the tyre size specified by Maserati then they are all the same rolling circumference and hence no change. If the wheels had come with tyres then I would have left them as they were however as I had to put new rubber on them I thought I would see what the art of the possible was. My car (like most) over read originally and is now more accurate than before. When I did the calculations it equated to a 4 -5 mph difference at 70mph although this doesn’t take into consideration tyre pressures. The gps, gauge and speed display all marry up nicely and the speed is within 1mph of other gps devices.

Do you have any experience of the new springs putting excess pressure on other parts and causing a failure? Just nosey as I have an AR Stelvio that I would like to lower by 20mm but worry it may just create a bunch of other issues.

 

[must go faster]

I’ve fitted lowering springs to the following:
Peugeot 309 gti -just springs ran for 2 years no issues (still running now after 15 years)
Saab 9-5 - just springs ran for 3 years no issues.
Saab 9-5 aero - springs, shocks, stiffer anti roll bars no issues in 3 years of ownership.
Alfa 159 - springs and poly bushes no issues for 5 years of ownership
Lotus esprit - pro tech springs and shocks absolute rubbish. Then lotus sport 300 springs on avo shocks absolutely brilliant. Most difference made by the springs.
ghilbli -springs wheels and tyre dimensions no issues to date.
Lowered springs will change the at rest point in the shock however they also have a different spring rate which shortens the travel. I personally wouldn’t consider changing the shocks if lowering between 20 and 30mm. More than that and you have to decide whether to go further. My ghibli is on the H&R 35mm lower springs and needed larger wheels and tyres to stop it from scrapping (original wheels were only 18”).
Car will need the tracking checking and realigning depending upon the amount lowered. I personally don’t think that any part will fail any earlier than it would of in the first place.
To mod or not to mod is the same argument in every car forum. There are equally as many people that are advocates for it as there are nay sayers. Usually modifications only go badly when they are done excessively cheaply or by people who don’t know what they are doing (DIY and some garages). If in doubt either take it to a reputable garage for their opinion or don’t do it.
My ghibli is a 65 plate and was scrapping speed bumps on the original suspension and 18” wheels plus I was sick of it wallowing around corners and so from my perspective it was worth changing the springs and alloys. I class shocks and bushes in the same category as brakes and tyres (service items) If I need to replace bushes or shocks in the future then so be it as at least the car handles and looks the way I want it to and from what I can tell Maserati parts are not always the most reliable even on a good day.
Other considerations are warranty, insurance, value, lease options etc. which I would argue are more important and likely to cause bigger issues than the mechanical aspects.
If you are thinking about doing anything to your stelvio then I’d recommend talking to Ned at autolusso. He is based in Houghton Regis in Dunstable, Bedfordshire and will be able to give you impartial professional advice, options and costs.

 

[Sam McGoo]

I’ve fitted lowering springs to the following:
Peugeot 309 gti -just springs ran for 2 years no issues (still running now after 15 years)
Saab 9-5 - just springs ran for 3 years no issues.
Saab 9-5 aero - springs, shocks, stiffer anti roll bars no issues in 3 years of ownership.
Alfa 159 - springs and poly bushes no issues for 5 years of ownership
Lotus esprit - pro tech springs and shocks absolute rubbish. Then lotus sport 300 springs on avo shocks absolutely brilliant. Most difference made by the springs.
ghilbli -springs wheels and tyre dimensions no issues to date.
Lowered springs will change the at rest point in the shock however they also have a different spring rate which shortens the travel. I personally wouldn’t consider changing the shocks if lowering between 20 and 30mm. More than that and you have to decide whether to go further. My ghibli is on the H&R 35mm lower springs and needed larger wheels and tyres to stop it from scrapping (original wheels were only 18”).
Car will need the tracking checking and realigning depending upon the amount lowered. I personally don’t think that any part will fail any earlier than it would of in the first place.
To mod or not to mod is the same argument in every car forum. There are equally as many people that are advocates for it as there are nay sayers. Usually modifications only go badly when they are done excessively cheaply or by people who don’t know what they are doing (DIY and some garages). If in doubt either take it to a reputable garage for their opinion or don’t do it.
My ghibli is a 65 plate and was scrapping speed bumps on the original suspension and 18” wheels plus I was sick of it wallowing around corners and so from my perspective it was worth changing the springs and alloys. I class shocks and bushes in the same category as brakes and tyres (service items) If I need to replace bushes or shocks in the future then so be it as at least the car handles and looks the way I want it to and from what I can tell Maserati parts are not always the most reliable even on a good day.
Other considerations are warranty, insurance, value, lease options etc. which I would argue are more important and likely to cause bigger issues than the mechanical aspects.
If you are thinking about doing anything to your stelvio then I’d recommend talking to Ned at autolusso. He is based in Houghton Regis in Dunstable, Bedfordshire and will be able to give you impartial professional advice, options and costs.

Well put.

I think I've only owned 3 cars in my life that I haven't lowered. Nissan GTR (it just didn't need it), and two GranTurismos. The first I think needed it visually, but I know I would have regularly scraped on my local roads. The second (current) one, has the MC-handling pack (Strad suspension) so is a little lower and Stiffer from the factory, so is just about OK visually and manages to still not scrape much and handles very well for such a big car.

I would say with lowering springs, that are generally a bit stiffer, you may wear your bushings a little quicker, but whether it be by a noticeable amount, is just guesswork.

Lowering springs on standard shocks wouldn't worry me at all. As said about it just moves the working position a little, and a shock is designed to work over its full travel.
Lowering by 20-30mm is no different to having a couple of passengers on board.

If it'll make you enjoy your car more, just do it.
Just get the geo set up afterwards, or you'll wear the insides of your tyres quicker.

 

[Michael]

I’ve fitted lowering springs to the following:
Peugeot 309 gti -just springs ran for 2 years no issues (still running now after 15 years)
Saab 9-5 - just springs ran for 3 years no issues.
Saab 9-5 aero - springs, shocks, stiffer anti roll bars no issues in 3 years of ownership.
Alfa 159 - springs and poly bushes no issues for 5 years of ownership
Lotus esprit - pro tech springs and shocks absolute rubbish. Then lotus sport 300 springs on avo shocks absolutely brilliant. Most difference made by the springs.
ghilbli -springs wheels and tyre dimensions no issues to date.
Lowered springs will change the at rest point in the shock however they also have a different spring rate which shortens the travel. I personally wouldn’t consider changing the shocks if lowering between 20 and 30mm. More than that and you have to decide whether to go further. My ghibli is on the H&R 35mm lower springs and needed larger wheels and tyres to stop it from scrapping (original wheels were only 18”).
Car will need the tracking checking and realigning depending upon the amount lowered. I personally don’t think that any part will fail any earlier than it would of in the first place.
To mod or not to mod is the same argument in every car forum. There are equally as many people that are advocates for it as there are nay sayers. Usually modifications only go badly when they are done excessively cheaply or by people who don’t know what they are doing (DIY and some garages). If in doubt either take it to a reputable garage for their opinion or don’t do it.
My ghibli is a 65 plate and was scrapping speed bumps on the original suspension and 18” wheels plus I was sick of it wallowing around corners and so from my perspective it was worth changing the springs and alloys. I class shocks and bushes in the same category as brakes and tyres (service items) If I need to replace bushes or shocks in the future then so be it as at least the car handles and looks the way I want it to and from what I can tell Maserati parts are not always the most reliable even on a good day.
Other considerations are warranty, insurance, value, lease options etc. which I would argue are more important and likely to cause bigger issues than the mechanical aspects.
If you are thinking about doing anything to your stelvio then I’d recommend talking to Ned at autolusso. He is based in Houghton Regis in Dunstable, Bedfordshire and will be able to give you impartial professional advice, options and costs.

Well put.

I think I've only owned 3 cars in my life that I haven't lowered. Nissan GTR (it just didn't need it), and two GranTurismos. The first I think needed it visually, but I know I would have regularly scraped on my local roads. The second (current) one, has the MC-handling pack (Strad suspension) so is a little lower and Stiffer from the factory, so is just about OK visually and manages to still not scrape much and handles very well for such a big car.

I would say with lowering springs, that are generally a bit stiffer, you may wear your bushings a little quicker, but whether it be by a noticeable amount, is just guesswork.

Lowering springs on standard shocks wouldn't worry me at all. As said about it just moves the working position a little, and a shock is designed to work over its full travel.
Lowering by 20-30mm is no different to having a couple of passengers on board.

If it'll make you enjoy your car more, just do it.
Just get the geo set up afterwards, or you'll wear the insides of your tyres quicker.

Thanks, Sam and Must Go Faster - I'll get my Stelvio lowered in Jan when the warranty expires.

 

[Twos]

Ah, are you talking about a new Ghibli, rather than the 1990s one?

I ask because I have a set of H&R lowering springs brand new and boxed if you're interested. Fits all cars that don't have skyhook.

I've lowered a few cars, it's fine provided you use a good brand like H&R or Eibach. Better handling, better looks and not a great deal of money.

Hi there, do you still have the lowering springs?