H&R finally makes the right springs for your 318iS

[AWDBOB]

If you've ever owned a '91 318i/iS, you have likely realized that H&R never made the correct spring for the application. In fact, H&R has had holes all over their E30 spring lineup, leaving many folks frustrated, unable to buy the exact spring for their application.

I was talking to a guy about springs for his 318, and he said nah I got the exact right springs for my '91 318, and looked it up and apparently H&R added a few of springs to fill the voids in their catalog, unbeknownst to me.

The last number in the main p/n, aka "5040x" designates 4 vs 6cyl now, for the most part. I assume it always did, but we didn't have the pleasure of following the rule, as the correct springs often didn't exist.

So now they offer:

50404 - true sport for 90-91 318iS
50406 - true sport for 6cyl e30s
50404-55 - OE sports for 6cyl e30s (but for some reason still have 4cyl designation in the p/n)
50404-77 - super sports for 90-91 318iS
50406-77 - super sports for 6cyl e30s
50404-88 - race springs which they claim are for "all e30s" (but for some reason still have 4cyl designation in the p/n)

So the gap has been filled! IDK why I am so jazzed by this, but I sure am. For the longest time, folks have been buying any number of springs for their 90-91 m42 cars, without there ever being the perfect option. H&R used to claim the 6cyl OE sports were the correct sport springs for the 90-91 318 but after fitting them onto my 318 I realized it's good, but not a perfect match.

[reelizmpro]

Then there's the convertible specific springs as well. Originally, H&R Race springs were an E30 M3 application only which explains the 4 cylinder designation. The quoted drop of 1.6F and 1.5R refers to the M3 being lowered that much. The M3 already being about an inch lower means installing H&R Race on a 325i lowers it approx 2.6" F (probably more since 6 cylinder) and 2.5"R. The drop is even more dramatic on the heavier 325i convertible.

[AWDBOB]

Then there's the convertible specific springs as well. Originally, H&R Race springs were an E30 M3 application only which explains the 4 cylinder designation. The quoted drop of 1.6F and 1.5R refers to the M3 being lowered that much. The M3 already being about an inch lower means installing H&R Race on a 325i lowers it approx 2.6" F (probably more since 6 cylinder) and 2.5"R. The drop is even more dramatic on the heavier 325i convertible.

Good call, regarding the origin of the race spring being m3 specific. That makes sense there. And I assume the 50404-55 is designated as such because they claimed initially that if used on a 318iS, it was the "sport spring" even though the application wasn't totally correct.

And yes, I left out iX and vert springs, as those have always been correct as far as I can remember.

[MaCheFai]

Wait, I thought they didn't produce springs for a 318 convertible? Got a number for those?

Good call, regarding the origin of the race spring being m3 specific. That makes sense there. And I assume the 50404-55 is designated as such because they claimed initially that if used on a 318iS, it was the "sport spring" even though the application wasn't totally correct.

And yes, I left out iX and vert springs, as those have always been correct as far as I can remember.

[reelizmpro]

You may want to call H&R directly to see if they recommend their 325i convertible spring for the M42 318iC...which would be my guess.

[digger]

do they have the spring rates and "drop" for each option?

[MaCheFai]

I did, and they do not recommend them. They said they're only recommended for the 325iC. I'm assuming because of the engine weight difference.

You may want to call H&R directly to see if they recommend their 325i convertible spring for the M42 318iC...which would be my guess.