When deciding between a coilover or cup kit for your suspension, it’s essential to consider what you're looking to achieve with your upgrade. We cover both options in detail to help you choose the right setup.
Coilovers
- Precise handling due to custom tuning options.
- Great for spirited or track driving.
- Corner balancing is possible on high-end setups.
- Need proper adjusting to provide optimum performance.
A coilover suspension is an integrated unit that combines springs and shock absorbers into a single assembly. Most basic coilovers offer ride height adjustment, with pricier versions also providing adjustable damping, camber, and spring preloading.
Coilovers are commonly used for performance driving, track days, or aggressive street use. Unlike lowering kits, which are essentially shorter springs that allow for a lower ride height, certain coilover setups offer adjustable ride height. If you're looking for something adjustable that you can really fine tune to how you want it; then coilovers are probably a better option.
Cup Kits
- Improved handling over OEM without being too harsh.
- Great for daily driving, mild spirited use.
- Usually more comfortable than entry-level coilovers.
A cup kit suspension is a matched set of lowering springs and shocks/struts sold together. It is typically non-adjustable or only mildly adjustable. These setups are best suited for daily driving and offer moderate handling improvements over a stock suspension. The advantage of a cup kit is that it is specifically designed for your vehicle, instead of being a one size fits all option. They provide optimal suspension dampening and better handling than stock and other off the shelf performance suspension mods.
Which Option Is Best?
Both have advantages and disadvantages; the full coilover is not specifically designed for a specific car, however they do offer adjustability where cup kits don’t. Depending on the price you’re willing to pay for coilovers, you can get all kinds of adjustability. If you spend a little less, odds are you will only be able to adjust your ride height, middle of the pack coilovers will normally allow for dampening adjustment as well as ride height; and with higher tier more expensive coilovers, you can adjust ride height, dampening, camber, and spring preload.
Choose Coilovers if:
You want maximum adjustability, plan on attending track days, or want precise handling and stance control. Coilovers are more general and are similar in everything except the mounting points.
Choose a Cup Kit if:
You want an easy, reliable, and comfortable way to lower your car and improve handling with minimal fuss. If you’re looking for something that is essentially OEM+ and made specifically for your car with performance in mind, you might want to pick up a cup kit.
| Feature | Coilovers | Cup Kits |
| Adjustability | High (height + damping) | Low (fixed components) |
| Handling | Best for performance tuning | Better than stock |
| Ride Comfort | Variable (can be harsh or smooth) | Usually more comfortable |
| Price | Medium to high cost | Low to medium cost |
| Installation | Moderate to difficult | Relatively easy |
How Much Do Cup Kits And Coilovers Cost?
Coilover kits range from a few hundred dollars to several grand for hydraulically adjustable kits designed for supercars.
- Solowerks provides affordable coilover kits for Audi, BMW and VW with prices starting around a few hundred.
- ECS Tuning is another great brand that caters to VW, Audi, BMW, Mercedes, Porsche, and MINI. Prices for complete coilover kits range from just under a thousand to around $2k.
Cup kits tend to be more affordable as they are direct replacements for OEM parts. Prices start around a couple hundred for a set of front springs and shocks.
- A set of front Spyder struts and springs are priced affordably - only a few hundred dollars - and offer a mild upgrade over stock setups.
- Bilstein cup kits have a wide price range - from a couple hundred to a couple thousand - and are available for a wide range of makes and models.
Can I Replace Cup Kits Or Coilovers Myself?
Cup kits are essentially a set of replacement shocks and springs designed for your make and model. This makes the replacement process relatively straightforward.
Coilovers combine the spring and shock components into a single unit; however, depending on the design and complexity of the coilover, they can be more challenging to install. Some may require assembly before installation, and fine-tuning of the ride height and other parameters may be required.
Regardless of the set you are installing, you will still need a complete set of tools, as well as equipment such as a car lift or jack stands, a torque wrench, and possibly a coil spring compressor, to complete the job. Unless you regularly use these items or already have them, it can be easier and more cost-effective to get a specialist to do the job for you.
Choose EuroSport Tuning For Quality Suspension Upgrades
At EuroSport Tuning we sell performance auto parts, such as suspension upgrades, that enhance the capabilities of your Audi, BMW, Porsche, Mercedes, Volkswagen, and Volvo. We only sell aftermarket suspension systems that we would put on our own cars, and every brand we offer is one that we personally believe in.
- We only supply high-quality parts
- Our parts are shipped same day
- We keep you updated throughout the shipping process
- Our simple no-hassle returns policy provides extra peace of mind
If you're ready to enhance the handling, balance, and stance of your vehicle, then take a look at our comprehensive range of coilover and cup kits. Contact our knowledgeable team and let us exceed your expectations and provide the best suspension upgrade for your vehicle.
