Would someone just tell me the truth?

nmadd · Feb 21, 2003

First, let me say that I know I should also install an aftermarket shock if I plan to install aftermarket springs. Bilstein, Koni, Eibach and FK have no applications (and no ETA on applications for that matter) for my 325xi. If you can prove me wrong, please do. I would love you to. So...

I'm still waiting on some more answers from other H&R distributors, but here are the two I've got so far:

From H&R themselves: putting our sport springs on stock shocks "will not reduce the average life of the shock." Linda @ H&R

From Turner Motorsport: while the stock shock with a stock spring may last 50,000-60,000 miles, expect a stock shock with H&R sport springs to "last 10-15K tops." Doug @ TMS

Someone please tell me which answer is closer to right.

marat III · Feb 21, 2003

i ordered the H&R sport and i was told i dont have to change the stock shocks since the lowering is .75f,.25r but if you lower more i think you will need to get aftermarket shocks. trust me i have done tons of research and asked around before i ordered them. so i dunno what your application is do you have the SP.
ask eddie at tirerack.com i THINK he can give you an honest answer

M-ONE · Feb 21, 2003

the second one

tribal azn · Feb 21, 2003

aftermarket springs will fuk up ur stock shocks.

but supposedly uuc spings will work with ur stock shocks without fuking them up. thats what rob from uuc said. thats why i got it. i hope its true

nmadd · Feb 21, 2003

marat III said:
i ordered the H&R sport and i was told i dont have to change the stock shocks since the lowering is .75f,.25r but if you lower more i think you will need to get aftermarket shocks. trust me i have done tons of research and asked around before i ordered them. so i dunno what your application is do you have the SP.

No sport package. The sport springs for my car will lower 1.2 inches front and 1.0 rear. Stock springs are a no-no, huh? I'll guess I'll probably have to go with coilovers unless I wait for awhile. :sad:

jestr · Feb 21, 2003

Why dont you go with the H&R Cup Kit? :dunno: It's a Spring/Shock Combo and its cheaper than coilovers.

RichP · Feb 21, 2003

any spring that lowers the car puts the shock out of spec, regardless of manufacturer claims; I really dunno what to recommend to you.

marat III · Feb 21, 2003

jestr said:
Why dont you go with the H&R Cup Kit? :dunno: It's a Spring/Shock Combo and its cheaper than coilovers.

jestr is right you are better off with the cupkit .
to tell ya the truth. if you ask any company that manufactures springs and ask them if the springs will blow your shocks they will say no unless it is a big drop. obviously they want to sell their product. i have a friend that has a 323ci 18 m3 wheels with the H&r race springs huuuge drop, with stock shocks. i test drove it no blows on the shock. he has 1 year already with them. some people complain that they blow out right away. my point i guess its luck.
:dunno:
but i strongly recommened if you get the sport or racing to get aftermarket absorbers. so you are more or less balanced out.
keep me posted:thumbup:

nmadd · Feb 21, 2003

jestr said:
Why dont you go with the H&R Cup Kit? :dunno: It's a Spring/Shock Combo and its cheaper than coilovers.

Originally posted by marat III
but i strongly recommened if you get the sport or racing to get aftermarket absorbers. so you are more or less balanced out.

I would if I could.
No applications for my car.

My only choices:

H&R sport springs
H&R coilovers
EDIT: and KW variant 1 coilovers

604-Bimmer · Feb 21, 2003

Same here.....kinda piss...why don't H&R makes race springs???or sth that lower our Xi more???????? The coil over cost like $2000!!!!!!I can get alot of other mods for that kinda money!!!!
too bad no cup kits.................

cRAzYgUy · Feb 21, 2003

what's the drop on the hr cup kit?

MachRc · Feb 21, 2003

what ever u do, if u run after market springs run aftermarket shocks as well. if u wanna run stock shocks..go find sp package springs or better a cup kit

marat III · Feb 21, 2003

there ya go then go for the sport springs you will get a nice drop
or save up cahs and get the coilovers. if you want what you can do is get a nice front bumper that is big enough already so whne you put the springs it will get a nice drop

i dunno why their arent any mods for xi that is one hell of a machine. i dunno the american version. but over here there is a guy that has one and he is fast as hell. their should be mods out their ya just gotta find them:thumbup:

RichP · Feb 21, 2003

you may want to just wait and go the distance with the coilover setups; im really suprised bilstein doesnt have a shock application (I assumed you looked into dinan?)

Just a note; its actually not easy to tell if shocks are blown at times, until you replace them (the ride will feel bouncy if they are worn)

IronZion · Feb 21, 2003

fairytales!

I have heard all sorts of stories..

I have ACS springs with the stock shocks from the sports package. I have had this configuration for roughly 1 year. No Problems!

I do plan to upgrade to Bilstein sports soon, but that's just because I want less bounce.

MillsBims · Feb 21, 2003

For the H&R cupkit how difficult is the install??? I'm not to mechanical and very hesitant to work on something as important as springs and shocks. Also, i have no access to a lift.

TIA,

Eric

Choson1 · Feb 21, 2003

RichP said:
any spring that lowers the car puts the shock out of spec, regardless of manufacturer claims; I really dunno what to recommend to you.

That is absolutely true. However, shocks are also designed to take more load than they actually do. Every component in a car is usually designed to tolerate higher specifications than they will face in real life. I had Intrax Sport springs on my Accord with the stock shocks. The stock shocks were not even sporty to say the least. However, that car logged over 125,000 miles with those springs, and the shocks were still holding strong when I sold the car.

With that said, I believe you can run lowering springs on the stock shocks with no problem. Especially considering the fact that xi springs give the least drop out of all the E46 models. Yes, you will get less life out of your shocks, but you will still get many years out of your stock shocks. There are members on this board who have logged over 50,000+ miles with just springs and are still going on. I am not saying don't get shocks; I do recommend them with lowering springs. However, there's no need to worry or rush about getting aftermarket shocks.

BAVARIAN323i · Feb 21, 2003

From Turner Motorsport: while the stock shock with a stock spring may last 50,000-60,000 miles, expect a stock shock with H&R sport springs to "last 10-15K tops." Doug @ TMS

[/B]

This is true

nmadd · Feb 21, 2003

RichP said:
you may want to just wait and go the distance with the coilover setups; im really suprised bilstein doesnt have a shock application (I assumed you looked into dinan?)

Nothing from Dinan either.

For those who told me to get aftermarket shocks as well, READ THE FIRST POST.

Nobody makes them. If you can prove me wrong, PLEASE DO. That would be great!

604-Bimmer said:
Same here.....kinda piss...why don't H&R makes race springs???or sth that lower our Xi more???????? The coil over cost like $2000!!!!!!I can get alot of other mods for that kinda money!!!!
too bad no cup kits.................

$1150 shipped here.

http://www.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?s=&threadid=71534

IronZion · Feb 21, 2003

Bilstein makes aftermarket sport-suspension shocks for BMW -- which are an upgrade from even the stock sport shocks. That's a fact.

Would someone just tell me the truth?

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