By the Suspengo Technical Team · Published 2026-11-03
Quick answer: For most European cars — BMW, VW, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Škoda, SEAT, Ford, Opel — Eibach is the deeper range, with Pro-Kit for a mild drop and Sportline for a lower, firmer stance. For Japanese performance cars — Subaru, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, Nissan — and the Tesla Model 3 and Model Y, Tein S.Tech often has the application Eibach does not. Where both exist for your car, choose by how far you want to drop it.
Eibach and Tein both make progressive-rate lowering springs designed to work with the car's existing dampers. They are not interchangeable brands of the same thing, though: each grew up around different cars, and that shapes which one is the realistic choice for yours.
Which cars does each brand cover?
Across the springs we stock, the split is clear. Eibach's coverage is dominated by European makes — BMW, Volkswagen, Audi, Mercedes-Benz, Opel, Ford, SEAT and Škoda make up most of the range. Tein S.Tech is concentrated on Japanese makes — Toyota, Subaru, Honda, Mazda, Nissan, Mitsubishi and Lexus — plus Tesla.
The two ranges overlap on a smaller group of popular models, including the VW Golf, BMW 3 Series, Audi A3 and A4, Honda Civic, Mazda MX-5, Subaru Impreza, Toyota GT86 / Subaru BRZ, Toyota GR Supra, Toyota Yaris, Suzuki Swift and Ford Focus. On those cars you have a genuine choice.
How far does each spring lower the car?
| Spring | Typical drop | Character |
|---|---|---|
| Eibach Pro-Kit | 20–30 mm front, 15–25 mm rear | Sport-comfort, close to factory ride |
| Eibach Sportline | 30–45 mm front, 25–50 mm rear | Sport-firm |
| Tein S.Tech | Around 35–40 mm (Tein quotes about 1.5 in), model-specific | Street sport, moderate drop |
Exact figures differ by car. Each product page lists the drop for that application, so check it before you buy.
How do they feel on the road?
All three use progressive winding: the effective rate rises as the spring compresses, so small bumps are absorbed more gently than with a linear spring of similar average stiffness. Pro-Kit is the softest step from standard and suits a daily driver shared with passengers. Sportline and S.Tech sit lower and feel firmer, which most drivers notice on poor urban roads and enjoy on smooth ones.
Can you keep your standard shock absorbers?
Both brands design these springs for the car's existing dampers, provided the dampers are in good condition. The lower the car sits, the less bump travel the damper has left, so larger drops make worn or standard dampers work harder. Some Tein S.Tech applications also specify trimming the bump stop rubber — the instruction is listed in the notes on the product page. If your shocks have high mileage, read can you use stock shocks with lowering springs? before deciding. For Tein, the EnduraPro + S.Tech pairing is the matched option.
What about road approval?
If you register your car in Germany, or in another country that inspects suspension changes, check the approval document supplied for your specific application before fitting. Eibach Pro-Kit and Sportline come with German approval documents for most applications. Approval for other springs varies by car, so confirm it for your registration country.
Which should you choose?
Choose Eibach if:
- You drive a European car — the range is far deeper there
- You want the mildest, most comfortable drop (Pro-Kit)
- You need a documented approval for German roads
Choose Tein S.Tech if:
- You drive a Japanese performance car or a Tesla Model 3 / Model Y
- Eibach does not list your car, or you want Tein's spring paired with Tein dampers
- You want a moderate, sporty drop without changing to coilovers
Find springs for your car
Use the vehicle selector at the top of the page to see every spring that fits your car, or browse Eibach Pro-Kit, Eibach Sportline and Tein S.Tech. For the full ranges, see the Eibach ranges guide, the Tein ranges guide and Pro-Kit vs Sportline.
