Don't know for sure now, but in a few months, yes. The question I want to ask you is why.

My experience tells me lowering springs decrease effectiveness and life of the OEM struts. Since spring rates on lowering springs are almost always higher than standard ones, OEM struts go bad a lot faster, not to mention the rides would suffer all the time. Your suspension warranty and all things related would go out the windows.

If you spec PASM, adding air suspension would be a better option for this purpose. There are aftermarket units which would allow you to adjust suspension heights even more on AS equipped Porsches if it's not low enough to your liking. Do a search online and you'll find plenty.

 

It's a very slippery slope to go this route. For example my first (of three suspension upgrades) on my 997 turbo was Techart springs . They cost 700 bucks but the labor was 9 hrs plus an alignment . In short this type of change adds up and Porsche actually offers an amazing performance suspension (AS , PTV, and PASM) in stock form .

 

I agree with @yrralis1 especially given the weight of the vehicle I would trust Porsche engineering and simply go AS, PTV+.

 

Thanks for the input...my wife's current Q5 S-Line has steel suspension and I've heard good things about the Macan steel suspension as well, so I'm just weighing all of my options...and I'm trying to avoid a $75K Macan S as well I did spec out the full air suspension on my 2014 Ram...self leveling is extra-important to me on the truck, plus it has a lower "entry/exit" mode that helps my petite wife climb in!

 

The basic steel suspension without PASM SUCKS! and it is out right dangerous with all the power from the Macan.

Even with AS, I think the car can still be a bit lower. Since the Macan is my wife's car, we are not going to do anything. But if it is mine, I will find way to lower it than the lowest AS setting.

 

The basic steel suspension without PASM SUCKS! and it is out right dangerous with all the power from the Macan.

Even with AS, I think the car can still be a bit lower. Since the Macan is my wife's car, we are not going to do anything. But if it is mine, I will find way to lower it than the lowest AS setting.

Dangerous? I think you're a little off base with that comment. I have the basic steel springs and I think it performs just fine for a CUV.

 

for those tech savvy guy ... here is the Cayenne version of lowering AS by just coding it .. I guess it's the same theory for the Macan application.

http://www.photobykent.com/downloads/cayenne/Durametric-Cayenne-Lowering_Tutorial_V2.pdf

 

I was kind of hoping for springs that would give another inch or so of lift.

 

I find the basic steel suspension to be absolutely fantastic in every way. In fact, it is the single greatest surprise since taking delivery. I think it will out handle my BMW and the ride is significantly better. As for the power, not even close to overpowering anything much less this suspension at least on an S as 340 HP on a 4100+ lb. vehicle is barely adequate...

 

I find the basic steel suspension to be absolutely fantastic in every way. In

The AS/PASM crowd probably feels the same way.

 

Checdk this out:Pro-Kit | Eibach.com | Performance Suspension | English | Europe

Click "Online Catalog"

Pro-Kit | Eibach.com | Performance Suspension | English | Europe

E10-72-014-02-22
Parts list
o.I
Pro-Kit
Observe service information , for vehicles without electronic suspension control, Fitting Position Front Axle, Lowering ca. 30 mm
Fitting Position Rear Axle, Lowering ca. 25 mm
with roadworthy certificate, for vehicles without ride height control, Axle Load FA to 1290 kg, Axle Load RA to 1475 kg
------------
Pro-Kit
Observe service information , for vehicles with electronic suspension control, Fitting Position Front Axle, Lowering ca. 30 mm
Fitting Position Rear Axle, Lowering ca. 25 mm
with roadworthy certificate, for vehicles without ride height control, Axle Load FA to 1290 kg, Axle Load RA to 1475 kg
in Preparation

 

Cool. The Eibach springs lower 1.2" in the front and 1" in the rear, just perfect.

 

Cool. The Eibach springs lower 1.1" in the front and 1" in the rear, just perfect.

---
that's what I'm gonna do when I get my car

 

----------
also available on ebay

 

---
Got a confirmation email from seller:

Eibach sport lowering springs #1349 Porsche MACAN 3.0 S, 3.6 Turbo, 3.0 S Diesel | eBay

--------------

Yes - that is correct - these springs are only for models with standard steel suspension.

Mit freundlichen Gruessen

Ruben Nötzold

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-----------
There is also another set of springs for PASM cars

 

I want to lower my Macan S. It currently is stock with steel springs, no PASM.
Does anyone know if I can get my local Porsche dealer to fit air suspension as an after purchase option? If so, is this the best way to go to lower it and how much lower will it be? I'm looking at approx 30mm.
Thank you.

 

@Mojo


Doubt you would be able to retrofit AS. Possible you could buy all the associated parts but you would be bled dry.

 

No way to put AS on without spending an insane amount. It is certainly the best way to lower it imo, as considering all that it does, it's a bargain. Several here have installed steel lowering springs to mixed results, for similar cost to AS. Steel lowering springs will always roughen the ride as they naturally throw off the OEM suspension balance/geometry. While adaptive springs can of course lower and improve comfort.

In your position, you'd have to sell your car and get a new one if AS is the chosen route. Otherwise. More realistically, getting lowering springs is your best bet. But considering your sensitivity, it's hard to know how you'll value the ride changes.

 

unless you might wanna look into airrex or ridetech etc.

 

Get lowering springs... its the only practical way at this point for you. It seems even to get lowering springs installed, the cost is close to air suspension territory. This is why I just got the air suspension and plan on getting the computer module that will allow me to lower it even further without adding any real physical suspension parts.

Or like someone suggested, do a trade in. These cars are holding good value, so it might not be as much as you think. May even be more cost effective.

 

Thanks for all the advise.
I won't be selling the car at this early stage as I only got it a month ago. Sounds like lowering springs might be the go.
Thanks again.

 

I believe you need PASM to get H&R springs, but I'm not certain. Please check directly with them, cause we, on this forum, don't know what we're talking about many times.

H&R Springs | Products || H&R Special Springs, LP

H&R has been around forever, they make a very high quality product, and they, more than any one of us can give you good advise.

Only several MF folks have installed H&R springs on Macans, and finding a good suspension shop is critical. To suggest they ruin the ride or alter the 'balance' of a Macan has no basis in fact, and is no more of a concern than potential of long term air suspension maintenance issues.

You like your Macan, so I suggest first investigating H&R suspension options and costs with the company and with local experienced installers. Not here, from someone that doesn't have this set-up, or any of us other blowhards. AS is a cheaper alternative when ordering a Macan, but H&R is a better one when you already have a Macan, IMHO. It's the way I'm going, eventually.

Good luck!

 

H&R have lowering springs for the non-PASM (base springs) based Macan as well. They are available from Tirerack.com for $325. There have been a couple of people on the forum who have installed them noting that the drop is about 1.5" front and rear with minimal reduction in ride comfort yet considerable dynamic improvement.

The H&R part # is 28788-2

2015 Porsche Macan S Applications || H&R Special Springs, LP

 

My experience with H&R lowering springs on PASM convinced me that the ride quality is significantly compromised/altered, but you do gain better ride dynamics and handling. Porsche engineers didn't leave much on the table for easy performance/handling gain without any sacrifice.

No pain No gain in this case. One needs to carefully consider the tradeoff before proceeding. For me, it is a 50/50 decision since my Macan is not a DD so I can choose where to drive it on weekends. If mine is a DD, I would definitely not do it unless the commute is all smooth roads.

 

Porsche's PASM setup differs from the base springs setup. In Comfort mode the PASM setup rides considerably softer than the base spring setup whereas in Sport mode it is noticeably harsher/stiffer than the base springs. Hence H&R's are a great option for those with base springs without PASM.

 

Who did your install, jzwu? If they weren't really experienced, the install can easily be compromised, usually requiring a four wheel alignment.

Thanks for reporting your experience. Good point about those Porsche 'regular' suspension engineers. I'm not so sure, however, about the Macan air suspension experiment.

 

The installer is a local PCA club sponsor, BR Racing in Los Gatos, CA. I was there the whole time and didn't see anything abnormal.

So far I haven't done the alignment yet, but that should not affect the ride. The point is that there is gonna be tradeoff if you drop the well tuned stock suspension by 1.5" without properly reworked shocks.

Don't get me wrong. I quite enjoy the lowered ride and handling because I mostly drive on smooth roads.

 

To have your cake and eat it too, on a car designed to do many things, is why AS is the way OEM engineers most often choose to lower expensive and large, heavy cars (including Panny GTS/Turbo/Turbo S and Cayenne's top spec models as well).

To spend the same to lower steel springs means you are getting only the same visual effect, and possibly a tighter spring rate (though AS can get as tight a spring rate as it wants, outside of OEM parameters), but are compromising in nearly everything else. Porsche designs and tests a harmonious balance into all their geometries. To switch out springs and leave stock shocks on your expensive 4 door Porsche as intended for comfort as it is for sportiness, you might not come away happy with the results. I personally have had enough of prematurely chewed shocks and dealing with bottoming out. Not to mention, a shop is installing it, not Porsche factory.

Thus, to lower, AS is a bargain. For O/P, I'd recommend to try someone else's lowered Macan, if at all possible, before making the decision. Maintaining OEM balance is key on anything over a raw sports car (that can deal with jarring ride and early worn shocks, etc.).

Those are my views. On the other hand, the Macan is in such desperate need to go down a good 1" or more, that lowering springs are probably still worth it to me.

 

OEM AS might look like it was a cheap option over steel springs but wait until a component fails out of warranty. That was the main reason I didn't go AS and went with steel springs with PASM and getting ready to lower. Also, I live in a hot environment which will surely shorten the longevity of the rubber components in the AS system. :crying:

 

Yes, and getting a Porsche is prone to expensive component failure over a Honda after warranty. :laugh:

I get that, and you're right, that is a benefit of passive springs over a more complex system (or N/A engine over our not 1 but 2 turbos, or no Direct injection, no PASM, no PTV+, no LC, 2 wheels moving instead of 4, no electronic drivers aids or seat coolers or pano roof or auto steering adjust, no A/C, manual windows, etc. etc.).

To me, even with complexity failure possibilities, the value of OEM dialing in of AS being the same cost as what I consider the ultimate compromises of lowering a steel sprung car, is still more than worth it. Though, the vast majority of Macan AS's won't have failures through the owners entire runs with the car. Panny and Cayenne AS's on the most high performance version of those cars have been excellent, and those are more complicated (presumedly more troublesome prone) than the Macan's newer system. I wouldn't say that a hot environment would affect the rubber components. I'm sure they've been tested and developed to withstand much higher.

Regardless. I think we're all on the same side in terms of the car needing some lowering.