Here at Stance Stories we are always looking at ways to innovate how people perceive the car scene by trying to come out with the widest variates of creative content possible. One such idea was to create what your reading now. A series of articles tackling some of the greatest head to head debates in the scene today. To compare and contrast the two using some of the primmest examples our culture has to offer. With that summary laid out for you, we begin our first Versus article with one of the most heated debates around. Do you hit the streets hard and low with the static life, or do you ride low and park lower with the sophisticated air ride systems. Compare, contrast, and take your side on one of the greatest debates of all time. 

It seems like every meet or show you attend you run into someone locked in a heated debate over the heated question of which suspension setup is superior. The soft and smooth ride of air ride, or the rigorous track appeal of the age-tested coilover suspension system. While both have there committed customers, and fair share of righteous fan boys, it seems both have a similar number of pros and cons that really leave a possible investor with two discrepancies when choosing between the two. One of which being constant ridicule from the opposite spectrum of the community.

Airbags and cupkit setups much like the one on Mike Vo’s 2006 Lexus GS300 allow for the ultimate ride comfort and adjustability at the drop of a hat. However, some may argue that airbags limit the durability and over all finish of your build. Where as bags make getting around town in slammed car much easier, the entire air system can be much more finicky than it’s spring and strut based competitor, and the bags themselves are much weaker than that of the solid hardened material coilovers are comprised of. Leaving it very difficult to say, go take your car to the local track, or drive aggressively on the highways.

Though an air ride system can be more expensive and less sporty than the coilover, it also holds many advantages that those with static suspensions simply can not achieve. Air ride creates not only a smoother suspension for daily driving, it also allows the driver piece of mind when driving on rough and beat up back streets, climbing mountain-looking speed bumps, or angling up the steep inclines of the driveways at your local supermarket. Though they require a more work, and in some cases a slightly deeper investment. To some it’s worth the investment to go as low as they want when they want, and as high as they need to keep from ruining those pretty cosmetics all while retaining ultimate comfortability for both driver and passengers. With comparisons complete allow us to take a second to meet some of the warriors we chose to represent both sides of the epic struggle.

On the side of static is Joser Romo and his Audi A3. Joser has been dominating the show circuit for years raking in more trophies than he can fit in his cozy 5-door sport back car. Joser fights the good fight sitting on some D2 Racing RS-Spec coilovers featuring a full 36-point dampening system. To complete this static bombshell his baby rocks some of the cleanest shoes around, and by shoes we mean a set of mean SSR SP3 wheels measuring 19″ x 9″ in the front and 19″ x 10″ in the rear, not to mention the delicious custom white faces.

In the opposite corner of the arena sits the owner of this gorgeous 2006 Lexus GS300, Mike Vo. Complete with a custom air suspension built by his friends from D-Imports in Upland, California where Mike goes to keep his car looking immaculate, as well as getting help from his sponsors at 88 Rotors who outfit him with all his gorgeous custom brake components and the coils that comprise his custom cup-kit. Mike is a head turner everywhere he goes, and it seems that in the months I’ve been drooling over this freshly custom wrapped Lexus GS, not single person has had anything negative to say about this gorgeous and incredibly unique VIP build complete with a beautiful set of custom forged wheels complimenting the already flawless demeanor of this gorgeous vehicle.

You’ve heard our biased review of both sides of the field, now which do we here at Stance Stories prefer? Is it the allure of the track with the rough and battle tested coilover system, or the promise of luxury with the sophisticated and elegant air ride suspension. Well, thats for each of us to know and for you to ponder amongst yourselves. The question remains, which is truly the superior product? You compare, you contrast, and ultimately… You decide! Much like the Highlander, in the end there can only be one!

• Story by Aleksey Royt
• Photos by Jordan Adkins & Juan Mazariego
• Edited by Aleksey Royt