xakura21

Which looks better, 17" rims or 18" rims? Also, what type of suspension (coilovers, springs, struts, etc.) is the best for a reasonable price (under $650). I plan on dropping about 2" & getting some nice rims later on.

fsttyms1

Every thing is personal preference, but most prefer 18s. As for suspension if you live in a climate that sees snow and salt I wouldn't recommend coilovers personally, the salt and winter sand are known to mess the threaded area up. I personally prefer H&R springs. Shocks the best out there are koni and bilstien. There are other less expensive brands out there, but on you 650 budget you should be able to get them. I recommend using the search button and do a little reading up on the subject. There are tons of threads asking the same thing with tons of opinions. You will get faster results that way

xakura21

How low did the H&R springs drop you? Are you on stock struts? I'm just looking at some Type 1 coils. I'm in VA, so we don't get too much, if any, snow here.

Stephen00TL

They lower the car 1.75" front and 1.5" rear

fsttyms1

Almost 2 inches. And no, im not on stock struts, im on Koni Yellows. No one should be with the age of these cars now. If you lower it, replace your shocks at the same time and save yourself a lot of headache from having to do it shortly after.

OEM1

TL is a rather larger vehicle. 18's over 17's anyday. I've had both 17" a-spec and 18"a-spec. 18" kicks ass. 19" is perfetc IMO. Also just opting for springs will most likely leave you w/ an uneven ride height. Higher in teh front. I can't stand an uneven ride height. Ideally go w/ something that is ride height adjustable.

fsttyms1

That's not true at all. If you are going by the wheel well gap being even your car isn't sitting level. The front wheel arch is higher than the rear. I have springs and my car sits perfectly level.

OEM1

I mean there will be more of a gap in the front then their will the back. Never fails w/ springs.

JDTL-S2002

I Have the Eibach Pro-kit and I sit a tad lower (wheel well gap based) in the front, if any so I wouldn't say that's necessarily always true for springs...

xakura21

I have done my research & I have a plan of what I wanna do by the end of the year. I found these http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....%2Es&pID=37731 & I'm putting the 225/40 tire on instead of the 225/45. I'm looking at some type 1 coils & dropping it between 2-2.5 inches. I'm not thinking about getting a lip kit, but I don't know if it will look funny w/o one. I'm hoping this will turn out to be the same as the image I have in my head. I think the rim color might "clash" w/ the NGM but I don't know. I wish I could see them on the car before I buy them. Thoughts??

3.2TLc

Have ya looked up any other NGM's with a similar color and style of rim ? IMO, the gunmetal would be nicely complimented by tinting the windows, blacking the grille, headlamps & tails. The lowered 2nd gen TL's are at
their optimum appearance with the lip kit. Definitely a big plus !

Just what is the image that you have within your head ????
Sometimes ya gotta go with your gut !

xakura21

This looks almost the way I hope mine will look after everything is done, except that's a 2002/2003 while mine is a 2000. The wheels are almost the same. I was planning on tinted windows & grill anyway, but I'm not sure about the headlights & tail lights. I'm getting the 2002 tail lights soon, which will look great w/ the gold. IMO, I think the lip kits looks too much. I like the no kit better.

jjashaa

iTrader: (23)

^ wheels above i believe are 02-04 RSX Aspec wheels

xakura21

I can't seem to find a 2g TL that's lowered on Tein basic coils and on 18s. I bought Tein basics & I found some better wheels than the Katanas & are silver, which looks great w/ the gold. I just don't know how low I wanna drop it. I don't wanna slam it, but I want it to be noticable & not look funny with 18s. I've been told not to do 2" all around because the front will be lower than the rear. If I decide to drop 2" front then what should I drop the rear to make it look level?

cwallace1

Hey xakura21,

I am in the same boat you are in. I am trying to find out how low I should go without it looking weird. Although, I am thinking of getting 18x8.5 wheels and tires DELINTE D 7 225/40/18

xakura21

I'm getting some 18X7.5 & 225/40/18 tires.

http://www.discountedwheelwarehouse....%2Es&pID=38729