Advice on lowering 2003 996 Coupe

[dereko]

Hi Guys

I have a very nice Midnight Blue 2003 996 coupe with 60,000kms (Australian Spec which I think is ROW) which I have recently bought

It has 18" GT3 wheels, and I'm thinking of lowering it.

I don't plan to track the car, i just want a bit more aggressive look, and and slightly firmer handling

Questions:

1) what springs do you recommend that will lower the car, provide a slightly firmer, but not ridiculously hard road ride, some say eibach, some H&R, some Cargraphic (which are HR I think)

2) Can you re-use the factory shocks (I think they are OEM Bilstiens)

3) Is it worth revalving/rekitting the factory shocks if I go that path? ( I did this on my older air cooled 911's when when dropped the height, was a great result, though many years ago)

4) eibach distributor has offered a eibach B12 Pro Kit which has Bilstein B8 Yelo coilovers for $2000 which seems like reasonable value, though I suspect the spring and revalving route will be much cheaper

You thoughts greatly appreciated

Also toying with a muffler change as that is stock also, Agency Power, Snell Performance, Cargraphic are a couple I have seen, I know the Fabspeed is popular over there, thoughts also appreciated

Fairly experience on the older air cooled 911's of which I have owned a few, but my first venture into the water cooled land of Porsche

[msaif]

Gongrats on the car. I have the same model with the same wheels, and also wanted the same look and feel you are after. I recommend the ROW Sports Suspension pack (996 Porsche Tequipment) which lowers the car by 10mm. This coupled with 5mm spacers front/rear (same Porsche catalogue) will give you the look with a firmer but compliant feel. I'm guessing your shocks are worn by the age of the car and the pack above includes shocks, springs and stiffer anti roll bars. I'll try to dig out some before and after photos if you like.

[EleCTriCT]

Bilstein PSS10 Kits are my favourite kits..

my .02c

[logray]

I own and really love the PSS10's. Not only does it lower the car, but the handling is phenomenal over stock. I drive on some pretty bumpy roads, and while it does transfer a bit of that to the seat (more than stock), on smooth roads it's smooth as silk. When you crank the stiffness up to 10, it's like driving on rails.

Just be sure to stay "within" the acceptable ride heights from Bilstein and you'll be OK.

As for the exhaust I hear good things about Cargraphic. Also search for Fister D mod to stock mufflers. I used to own fabspeed, and while it was great, it started to drone after a while, but I've heard their newest stuff doesn't drone as much.

[msaif]

For the exhaust, I would look into the Porsche Switchable Exhaust with the button to revert to normal levels when required. The sound does not drone when in Sports mode. I managed to find one unsold unit in the stock room at my local OPC and negotiated a good price.