[SuperBmw]

Guys are lowering springs under tension like OEM springs? Or are they like coilover springs?

When I removed coilovers and installed new coilovers I didn't need spring compressors obviously since the springs weren't under any tension.

If I remove my coilovers and switch to lowering springs, will I need compressors to be able to install them?

Yes.

[mike-y]

you will probably need a compressor, you will still have to compress them, but not as much as factory springs.

[raceyBMW]

Yes. With lowering springs, you can probably get away with using the standard screw post type spring compressors, but if you are reusing the OEM springs for any reason, you will want to get a compressor that grabs the top hat to compress, similar to this (they are pricey).

http://bavauto.com/lview.asp?imgfile...00/kt20252.jpg

Keep in mind on this car, that once you undo the top strut nut, the OEM strut post will retract halfway into the strut tube, and is a bitch to pull back out again without damaging it. Hopefully shouldn't be an issue with lowering springs, but you will still need to compress the springs.

Its nearly impossible to compress the stock springs enough to get the top mount back using the screw type compressors, unless you put the mount in the car first and try to raise the strut into the shock mount, which has is own big drawbacks.

[mlifxs]

if you don't have the strut shaft retraction issue (I didn't with BMW perf dampers) , basic spring compressors should work fine. I did new camber plates recently and had to compress a zsp spring. I rented a second set, used one set to get the strut to clear the fender, used second set to compress spring further for top hat removal / camber plate install. Think I could have managed with one set but it went a little faster with two.