I am ready to lower my GS350, so I have done some research and narrowed down to the followings:

A) Tanabe NF210 stated the followings:
- dorpped: F 1.3inch / R 0.9inch
- spring rate: F 4.6kgf/mm / R 5.8kgf/mm (5% firmer than stock)

B) Tein H-Tech stated the followings:
- dropped: F 0.8inch / R 0.6inch
- spring rate: F 3.7kgf/mm / R 4.6kgf/mm

C) Tein Comfort Sport coilover stated the followings:
- dropped: min F1.2inch / R1.2inch
- spring rate: F 7kgf/mm / R 7kgf/mm

Please help me with the concerns that I have:

1. I know that it takes couple months for springs to settle, so how much do they actual lower the vehicle?

2. Tanabe stated that their spring rate is about 5% firmer than stock, so does that mean Tein H-Tech is softer than the stock springs?

3. If you could, please describe how it rides, actually firmer or softer than stock?

4. After the vehicle has been lowered, does it rubbed when turn or bottom out?

5. Finally with either set, were you able to do alignment on it without tirewear?

Thank you all,

SL

 

I can only answer a couple of your concerns since I haven't had the Tein H Techs very long (only since Friday).
3. It rides very similar to stock. I'm having a hard time telling if it is more firm or softer. It just feels a little different...I think it might be just from the slightly lower center of gravity.
4. Absolutely no rubbing or bottoming out so far.

I was thinking about all of your lowering options and it probably comes down to preference. The coilovers will be the most agressive in terms of ride quality and lowering. Tanabe is a good balance of ride and lowering. Tein is the most conservative.
I liked alot of the pictures of the Tanabe lowered cars, but some looked perfect and some seemed a little lower than what I wanted. If I didn't have my wife and 2 y.o regularly in the back and didn't have to commute so much daily, I would've probably gone with the Tanabes.

I'll be doing the alignment in a couple weeks.