First id like to thank macmaster05 ahead of time for me stealing his format. I decided to get the S2 springs because I had previous success with them on my WRX and I know they have a rich racing heritage. I picked up the springs from there warehouse in San Diego. Vehicle 2008 Prius. MFG. RETAIL Price: $300 Online Price: $194-$234 Part #92.1.076 Fits 04-09 including touring modles. NOTE: B&G NOW HAS Gen 3 springs as well!! Fitting/Installation: First thing that came to mind when I opened the box was sorrow for the poor guy who individually wrapped these springs and puts them in a box hahaha. But big props to B&G for making sure that these springs don't get scratched before I do Once all the wrapping was off the springs I noticed their quality powder coating. "B&G lowering springs are wound from high tensile Chromium-Silicone wire purchased from Europe’s premium mines. The lowering springs are cold wound on CNC coilers; heat treated and shot peened for longevity; and finished with phosphate treatment and a baked on resin powder coating for a hard corrosion resistant shell." Whoever worked on a Prius before knows that Its not fun. Removing the factory struts is a pain. But other then that the springs were a direct drop in replacement. There was actually enough preload on the springs to insure that they do not move during installation or if someone ever decides to jack the car up. Comparing the factory springs with the S2 springs would be easy. The S2 springs are slightly shorter with thinker stiffer coils when compared to the factory coils. Comfort: The ride is stiffer then my factory springs and non touring struts. I would describe it as a happy medium. But please note that I'm used to riding on coilovers my whole life lol. Handling: The S2 springs made a world of difference. I noticed less body roll and less Pitch when stopping or accelerating from a dead stop. This= better efficiency! I have yet to track my Prius with the S2 springs but during street and highway driving I can go around turns with confidence. Mileage: This is a tough subject but I noticed around 1 MPG improvement. Lowering a vehicle lowers the center of gravity and limits the amount of air passing under the vehicle lowering the drag coefficient. Also with less pitch during breaking or accelerating there is less energy expended = more efficiency= more MPG Appearance: B&G advertises that the S2 springs will lower your car 1' in front and 1' in the rear. What I did notice that there was actually 1 1/8' lowering in the front. BIG WHOOP:rockon: After Before After Before Summary: I strongly suggest that one gets an alignment after this is done. Professional installation is highly recommended. To date this is the best mod I have done, both performance and appearance are greatly improved. Before After
+1! There is definitely less body roll. The stock Prius handles like a boat, so we'll feel a huge difference from any suspension modification. Versus if you slammed a BMW you probably wouldn't feel as much of a difference - those have pretty optimal handling to begin with. This depends on how you drive. I actually found my mileage to be slightly worse after the lowering, because I started taking turns harder and punching it off the line! But yes, theoretically, if you drive with the same aggressiveness as you did w/o the springs, you would get better mileage. Me too - best mod I've done. Unless you're using your Prius to transport kids/babies or have serious back problems, I definitely recommend a lowering. Looks good and handles better. Subie, there's a B&G meet in San Diego on B&G's Facebook page. I think I got kicked out cause I told them I had H&R. Haha! Thanks for the review.
^ yeah you should show up. Ill be there with both cars. Ill post up a new thread for the meet. Its going to be awsome
Do either of you guys know if there's an option for better springs but that don't lower the vehicle? I don't really want to lower it here because of the winter weather - the Prius has low clearance to start with, that extra 1" can really make a difference (that's what she said?!). I've wanted a better handling car, but I've been torn between this, center power braces, strut tower bars, sway bars, etc. I don't expect this car to ever handle like a sports car, but I'd like less roll than it currently has. That is one area that my Civic Hybrid was much better.
I would recommend that u just get sway bars^ strut tower bars wont do much for prius's. center power brace is OK but didn't really tell a difference. with sways you will reduce the amount of body roll without having to change your springs. If you do get a sway bar get the biggest one u can get your hands on. (thats what she said too)
It sounds like you might be interested in the Touring springs and struts, since it's the same ride height. But even with those, it's somewhat difficult to get significantly better handling from springs without lower springs - it's just a matter of physics. You might also want to consider the TRD Sportivo springs. Those will yield even better handling since they're stiffer, but they do lower the car about half-inch. Ultimately....In your case, I think that sway bars, as you mentioned, will make a bigger difference compared to springs. That way you won't have to sacrifice ride height.
Hmmm, I might be OK with 1/2" drop, but wouldn't want much more. I also have to see what happens when I get the enginer kit installed. I clearly wasn't paying attention, because you guys have G2 and I have a G3. But, you never know what people might know anyway! But, I'll take a look at the sway bar again. Seems to be the better option to start with at this point. If only there was something to make the rattles not as bad (overall, not specific areas that rattle).
Whoops, actually I wasn't paying attention either. Forget everything I said about TRD and Tourig springs then. Hmmm....will have to re-look at your options for G3. What's the enginer kit? Springs from a Prius plus might be an option for you...
What I want is a QUIETER suspension, less road hum transmitted through to the car. I've done a tone of damping/blocking but I'm still not happy with how loud the car is on some freeway sections around here. Somehow I doubt an aftermarket strut/spring solution would do it, but I don't have any experience with such mods. Opinions? - D
Aftermarket struts+springs will make road noise worse, if anything. The car comes pretty optimal from factory as far as comfort is concerned. I always thought the Prius was pretty quiet and cushiony which is why I felt there was room to lower it.
I also have a G II but here are some G III suspension mods that exist. Toyota Prius 2010 ZVW30 Performance, Handling & Electronic Accessories :: Sigma Automotive
I've got the eibach springs and the rear sway bar. I can tell you that the springs make a bigger difference in terms of road handling than the sway bar does. If I were to quantify it (subjectively of course).. I'd say the sway bar made about 20% of the impact that the springs did. This is about on par with cost as well, the sway bars are 28% of the cost of the spring cost+installation (531$ for me)
Oh and regarding the above post.. Sigma is a great reference to see what mods are available, but from what I've noticed is that the prices on sigma are very much inflated (even past the point of MSRP) compared to other sources online for the same part.
I would recommend that U do line X coating or rhino coating under your vehicle to reduce road noise. U can actually buy some coatings and spray them yourself for cheap. This greatly reduces road noise and helps prevent corrosion and wear from road debris. Also, Tires play a big role in how much noise is transmitted into the vehicle. soft tires will absorb most of the bumps and vibrations, hard tires will just transfer the noise straight to the cabin. hope that helps
I love these springs! I driven a few hard laps around a local track and the only issue I have had was traction control going off. I put new potenza tires on and I could turn just as well as my subaru sti
There are custom spring shops that can create springs that are stiffer but do not lower the vehicle. We used to have a shop called valley spring works that made custom springsteen. I wonder if they are still around.
Macmaster05 the enginer kit is the plug in conversion it adds 150lb to back of car. he will need a stiffer rear suspension as it makes the nice person of car sag.
