Mine is not the "general opinion." I routinely build my own and test them. About 3/4 of my engine beds have provisions for coil springs, but I now just stick cork cushions in there. The spring cavities are machined in, so whoever winds up with my locomotives can add springs easily.
I can find no difference in tracking, appearance, or pulling power. My first ten or so have fully functioning sprung drivers.
My "OGR" switchers don't even have driving boxes - just U shaped slots in the frame. See early 1990s OGR.