raduga

I've had these on the car now for two days and two hundred miles. My comparisons are based upon OEM Sport suspension.

First thing, the car looks much better. Even though the drop is quite modest, and in pictures doesn't even look like a big deal, in person the car looks much more squat and flat. So, A+ on the looks. (I bottomed out leaving the shop's driveway -- D'oh! -- but haven't since has any issue with driveways

Before:
<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1377/585510519_b3b4ea6d7e.jpg">

After (/w camerafone):
<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/26291471@N00/585496911/"><img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1376/585496911_01a60cb946.jpg" border="1"></a>


Now the ride -- at first I was a little disappointed. Potholes, large dips, and steep speed bumps seemed just as bad as OEM Sport. In fact, they almost are, but there are some differences. Instead of a real spinal jolt followed by bounciness, the FSDs definitely put a soft cushion on even the big bumps. They're still big enough to rock the car, but they don't feel like the sharp impact that they were before. The edge is taken off. And after the pothole or speedbump, the car very quickly returns to it's proper stance without hardly any 'bounce' or wobble. Just boom and then it's done. After a couple days of driving, I realize that this is a significant improvement in large bumps.

Small bumps are 98% better. As others have noted, things like lane markers, expansion joints, cracks, and uneven pavement (1-2" difference) are absorbed almost fully. I think the progressive nature of the NS springs coupled with the FSD's high-frequency setting does a great job here. It also seems that at moderate speeds the effect is even greater -- I was able to tear around some poorly maintained roads (Twin Peaks SF) faster and more comfortable than ever before.

So to summarize the comfort level: before, the car was fatiguing after an hour on the 101. Now, it's not. The car still feels somewhat like a 'small' car, you can't balance a wine glass on the dash or anything (did I see that in a lexus commercial?) but it's much better. City street driving is also more 'civilized' and far less punishing.

This was my first suspension mod, so now I finally know what people are talking about when they say "handling is improved." It's like I can finally steer. Corners are effortless. It seems to take less turn of the wheel to take a sharp corner at speed, although I must be imagining that The car stays *almost* flat on quick lane changes or hard braking. Net result: you feel more planted, more secure, and in better control. Combined with the ride quality improvements, the overall change is impressive. I still have two or three more days to 'evaluate' the NS springs before Griffin Motorwerke in Berkeley will take them off sans labor. They're really nice folks. I think I'll keep 'em, though.

Oh, and this dog-bone thingamajig? Fantastic. My shifts are *much* smoother. Disengaging the clutch is also more pleasant. The engine/tranny connection feels more tightly coupled.

<img src="http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1190/585501689_712bd2e515.jpg">

Thanks to everyone who endured my indecision in putting these springs on

andrec

Nice write up. Thanks for the feedback.

iModTTS

The dogbone is a subtle diffence, but I noticed the same things you did. Good stuff overall. It made me start thinking about a full set of VF mounts too. Anything to keep that non-quattro front end in control during launches, huh? My camera phone has all the quality of a blackmarket polaroid. That all changes in 6 days anyhow!

Hesaputz

Lookin' fine - perfect drop. Once you've tried the FSD's, no going back.

scotchy

Upgrading your blackmarket polaroid to a graymarket cannon?

A3lex

Any chance you could measure height to fender back and front??

raduga

Battery life is only good for 2.5 days, however.