so i've been looking into redoing all the suspension on my EF but i want to know, what's the difference between getting shocks/struts and springs and getting a coilover system?

 

adjustability is the main + for coilovers. although the threads tend to lock up after a winter or two. i've heard the better coilovers have some way to prevent this from happening.

a good set of springs will perform as well. something like the eibach pro-kit has stiff spring rates but isn't slammed, gives it a good sporty feel. i have H&R sport springs, a little more drop, also a little softer for a more comfort-oriented ride.

 

yeah, the biggest benefit of a full coilover system as opposed to buying aftermarket springs and shocks separately, is the adjustability of height, and ability to swap spring rates by purchasing interchangable springs for custom setup. but the way i look at it, most ppl dont adjust their height more than once or twice. thinking youre going to raise it for winter and slam it for summer nights is not practical. also, al ot of ppl dont even know where to buy new coilover springs and what rates to choose. so if youre paying for height adjustability.

the other is ease of installation as the kit comes complete. typically full coilover kits come complete with their own top hats so you dont have to take your old ones off the spring/shock to install. just remove the shock/spring as a whole and replace. no messing with spring compressors and whatnot.

on the flip side. i like to think that buying springs and shocks seprately there really isnt such a bad thing. there are SO many choices of springs that you can buy, different rates, and heights. if you never adjust your coilovers, then you might as well choose your ride height and buy the spring kit that gets your ride height. and with dampers, decent adjustable dampers like tokico and AGX are so cheap, its not a bad deal either.