Suspension and wheels

Well I guess it was only a matter of time, I could no longer resist the urge to go lower. I have tried reasoning that it is more comfortable to ride high on the standard set up, speed bumps aren't an issue, I could use the money on another mod, err... what else? Reasons to go lower: better handling, better stance, get under lower barriers, less step up into van, ok the last few are a bit weak. Bottom line is I want it lower, I know its not really logical.

Over the past few months I have done plently of research. I am going to pay to have the work done so I only want to do it once. I have had lowering springs on several cars and my T4, the ride is generally quite hard, the height is not adjustable but they are an affordable option.
I have never had coilovers, they are height adjustable and most have adjustable shocks as well. I expect though that once you have it set up you leave it that way. Here are some of the coilover options:

• Prosport/JOM, aren't a great deal more expensive than springs, the ride height is adjustable but shocks aren't, that may be ok but it may not. 
• VMaxx/CMC, these seem reasonable value and are generally well reviewed.
• H&R/Eibach etc much more expensive but probably the best.

I have gone for CMC, mid range, fully adjustable, well reviewed. Here they are before fitment.

Next the wheels, I have refurbished my 16'' steels and they look ok but the tyres are skinny and they have a huge profile (16/205/65). Again I have tried to resist changing but if I am going lower I have to change the wheels right? Besides at the moment the 16'' have plently of tread so I should get something for them to offset the cost of new wheels.

I rather like 18'' alloys, don't want anything bigger and with budget tyres they are affordable new, there are second hand options occasionally but they tend to look used so you have to factor in a refurb. I also like the OEM T32 17'' steel wheels, these come up secondhand sometimes or nearly new occasionally when they are swapped out for big alloys. If they need a refurb I could do steels myself.

So the search began, over the past few months I have been scouring the web and have ended up with a set of 17'' steels sourced from a new van, they are fitted with 235/55/17 Dunlop Sports and have done 108 miles on the road. I have resisted putting these on until I have had the suspension sorted.