H&R OE Springs - Bilstein Sports, HDs, or ??

[thefork]

My 1990 325i daily driver needs a suspension refresh!

I like the modest drop and stiffer ride the H&R OE's provide, but I'm not clear on what shock will work with these. Sports or HD's? Are the Koni adjustables also an option? Any pics on a late model with this setup?

[carfantiti]

you already have the springs?

[thefork]

No I do not. I'm assuming they're suitable for the ride and aesthetics I'm looking for.

[carfantiti]

I would buy my e30 m3 springs If thats what your looking for cheaper and will do what you want.but really the sport is on my car wish I went with the race h&R.I would never do the oem why bother.

[nrubenstein]

Bilstein Sports.

[Bearmw]

I think H&R designed them to work with stock dampers.

[MR 325]

Bilstein Sports are definitely NOT needed with H&R OE Sport or E30 M3 springs. I'd go with Bilstein HD.

[nrubenstein]

Bilstein Sports are definitely NOT needed with H&R OE Sport or E30 M3 springs. I'd go with Bilstein HD.

Damping is the same, the only difference is bump stop length. Given that the Sport needs the front bump stop shortened to not ride like ass with the regular sport springs, I'm not sure why you'd say they should not be used with the OE Sports.

[davem]

Damping is the same, the only difference is bump stop length. Given that the Sport needs the front bump stop shortened to not ride like ass with the regular sport springs, I'm not sure why you'd say they should not be used with the OE Sports.

what do you mean by ride like ass? it's a pretty popular set up that lots of people (including me) love, that being said I know most people don't have a lot of experience testing out various suspensions

[nrubenstein]

what do you mean by ride like ass? it's a pretty popular set up that lots of people (including me) love, that being said I know most people don't have a lot of experience testing out various suspensions

I mean that you bang off of the bump stop constantly because there just isn't enough travel.

[thefork]

I called Bilstein and H&R today and this is the info I was given regarding running Bilstein HD's and H&R OE sport springs:

Bilstein: I was told the HD's are designed to run on stock springs. When asked if I can match them with H&R OE springs he told me to call H&R. He was generally unhelpful...and sounded annoyed when I mentioned H&R.

H&R: I was told both the sport and OE sport springs are designed to run on stock dampers. He said the OE sport spring rates were the same as factory springs. This surprised me as I've seen the spring rate chart that's posted here and on other forums. The rep at H&R also skirted the issue when I asked if I can run the OE's with the Billy HD's...saying only that if it's similar to, or better than stock, then it should be okay.

I asked if H&R sold a shock/spring combo, and he mentioned the H&R Touring Cup Kit would be a sportier upgrade to my stock suspension. Unfortunately I forgot to ask H&R if they actually made the shocks or are just rebranding them.

[Ocard]

Just to update this post cause I found it while doing a search.

Bilstein wasn't very helpful and H&R stated that their oe sport, sport and super sport are all made with stock dampers in mind.

[matias9]

I called Bilstein and H&R today and this is the info I was given regarding running Bilstein HD's and H&R OE sport springs:

Bilstein: I was told the HD's are designed to run on stock springs. When asked if I can match them with H&R OE springs he told me to call H&R. He was generally unhelpful...and sounded annoyed when I mentioned H&R.

H&R: I was told both the sport and OE sport springs are designed to run on stock dampers. He said the OE sport spring rates were the same as factory springs. This surprised me as I've seen the spring rate chart that's posted here and on other forums. The rep at H&R also skirted the issue when I asked if I can run the OE's with the Billy HD's...saying only that if it's similar to, or better than stock, then it should be okay.

I asked if H&R sold a shock/spring combo, and he mentioned the H&R Touring Cup Kit would be a sportier upgrade to my stock suspension. Unfortunately I forgot to ask H&R if they actually made the shocks or are just rebranding them.

thx for share this. i was looking this information where confirms i can use the stock dampers . next step buy the springs.

[Tim-sutherland]

I have sport oe Springs and Billy hd shocks. A friend has sport oe with sports. Both look great, the hds ride nice for me and sit about a half inch higher than the sports.

Edit: I also have m3 offset control arm bushings and had to remove some of the well liner for rubbing. Went to 195/60/14 tires helped too, and now I'm clear even with 12mm spacers.