H&R Race/Bilstein Sports Install + Pics

[///Motorsport]

Okay so i got my springs the 20th of July and after a few setbacks i'm finally done on the 25th. (had to wait over the weekend for my shop to open for the front shocks to be swapped after i removed them.) here are a few pictures of the car, and once i get the front assemblies in i will take more of the car at its new, and low, stance.

shown are some new additions ot the car besides suspension, i painted all the black trim black, as well as my white deck spoiler. Also, some new Azenis.

[asubimmer]

awsome man, congrats

[Euro Nation]

pics of the car after?

[Eurospec]

pics of the car after?Ditto

[///Motorsport]

like i said... not done yet. and believe me, im just as eager to see!

[///Motorsport]

The car feels great! Not as stiff as i wanted (i wanted a race-car) but def. the best for the money. i cna feel that i need a lot of new bushings when pushed hard, and i wish the front would settle a bit more..

enough pessimism, i cant stop smiling. here are some pics...the other car is a 90 325is wqith bilstein sports and IE3s. His have settled, mine have not...both have same claimed spring rate f/r. artistic shots to come once i get a front lip spoiler....

[asubimmer]

wow I really like that drop!!

[M42boy]

I've got a hard on for that drop!
(Did I just say that?) ;)

Yeah, that is the right look. And, the spring rates are pretty much optimal for a car you take to the track but also have to drive daily. I'll be upgrading to H&R Race springs at some point.

Lookin' good ///Motorsport!!!

Are those the stock 14" BMW weaves?

[///Motorsport]

yes, stock weaves. i got 5 nice, clean ones for 100 bucks. this car TURNS. it feels really nice to have such a great handling car, feels so light and nice. i do have chattering when i understeer, due to some missing/severely worn bushings. i will replace them when i buy sway bars befoer the end of the month. i love the high speed stability of the car, bmw got their sheisse right...

[silverblades181]

wait till you get the bars.......do you have a strut bar? if not then definatly get one. THEN you'll be anxious for more corners. I only have the H&R Sport but they're perfect for the track/street.

[mikesjo]

More pics when it's settled! :). Looks good so far but hopefully it'll come down a bit more.

[///Motorsport]

yeah, hopefully. im not sure if i am gettin a strut bar. i understand their purpose, but i belive the only reason they help out race cars is because over a long period of time it keeps the towers from fubaring themselves. im doubtful it will really help turn-in. on my list are some sort of sways and nwe poly bushings throughout. open to any suggestions. what about wheel spacers, a good idea or no?

[silverblades181]

I assure you the strut bar really stiffens the front end. If you know someone who has one, just borrow it and take a ride around the block. You can really feel it. As for spacers I don't know, but if you want something to help cornering get camber plates, offset control arm bushings etc... Btw, whats the difference in rate between the H&R Race and H&R Sport, cause visually they look pretty much the same except the color and your drop seems similar to mine (although it hasn't settled yet)

[M42boy]

Turner Motorsports just called me. I had an open invoice with them for a set of H&R coil-overs. They finally came in after 6 months of waiting (in the meantime I found something else) and have since jacked the price up $500. It's now almost $2,000 for that same kit!

I told them thanks but no thanks, especially since they totally f'ed me on the last order.

Anyways, Turner has those in stock now as well as 3 pairs of H&R Race springs....
if anyone was interested.

[///Motorsport]

H&R race springs are lot different than the sports.

someone posted this before...

Spring rates:

-----------------F / R
"Stock M3 -> 140 /250
Dinan Sport -> 172/ 300
H&R Race -> 315/ 570
H&R Sport -> 185/ 380
Eibach Pro-kit -> 102/ 277
Eibach Race -> 160/ 445
Ireland Stage 3 -> 315/570"

as you can see, they are quite different, and the races are equal to the ie3s. its hard to compare with my brother's IE3s on his 325is, as his is a porky beast...

[mgold]

-----------------------F / R
Stock M3 ------> 140 /250
Eibach Pro-kit -> 102/ 277
H&R Sport -----> 185/ 380
Wow, I had considered switching to the Eibach Pro-kit, but it looks like the M3 springs I'm running have a higher spring rate. H&R sports might be my next choice.

[///Motorsport]

go Race, and never look back. IMO a harsh ride reminds me of how badass it is in the twisties..

[mgold]

I can't go too hardcore. With a cabrio it's likely going to be too hard on the already flexible chassis. If I had the hardtop then I'd get the additional rigidity that would handle race springs.

[bmwman91]

How much is the difference in drop between the H&R sport's & race's? I have had sportsin there for the past 6 years, and I acnnot give up any more ground clearance really!

[mikesjo]

Question, what rear shock mounts are you using and are you using reinforcement plates? I just realized I don't have reinforcement plates but stupid lil circular washers ><.

Is it relatively easy to put in reinforcement plates later w/o taking out the shocks and everything? Is it necessary for me to have reinforcement plates as well?

Thanks!

[bullmand]

The reinforcements I've seen (Z3 and aftermarket) fit on top of the shock tower. All you would have to do is take the nuts off, put the plate on, and put the nuts back on.

[M42boy]

go Race, and never look back. IMO a harsh ride reminds me of how badass it is in the twisties..
Rock on!!! I love a harsh ride. :D I have a feeling I'll be upgrading to H&R race come winter.

[mgold]

Rock on!!! I love a harsh ride. :D
You'll love it until you get older and your muscles and joints start to ache, then you'll appreciate a more plush (but controlled) ride ;)

[mikesjo]

The reinforcements I've seen (Z3 and aftermarket) fit on top of the shock tower. All you would have to do is take the nuts off, put the plate on, and put the nuts back on.

I don't need to do any jacking of the car right? Anyone have pics of their reinforcement in the rear?

Thanks for the response bullmand :).

[mikesjo]

Motorsport, do your rear springs bind, like the middle three coils touch each other? Cause mine are doing that.

Also, do you notice one side of your car being higher than the other? I do :S.

[asubimmer]

ummmm...the very first pic, the billys say HD on them :confused:

I thought you had sports

[D. Clay]

As I understand it, Sports have the same valving as HD's only the fronts are shorter. Bilstein does have a different part number for rear sports. HD's cost the same and the rears could be substituted. If the rears were shorter it would help the "loose spring" thingie when the car was jacked up. As far as performance there would be no difference.

[///Motorsport]

whoa, never noticed it said HD. i'll check my brothers, see if his are the same. i have two like new HDs for the front if anyone want s to buy em cheap. Pretty sure mine are sports though... i mean i ordered sports. i havent noticed the springs binding or a difference in height... the binding i could see happening but eh height not so sure... did you seat them perfectly? it takes a little effort when youre aligning them to get them right, b/c the springs are so short they have room to wiggle...

[achtungE30]

Motorsport...your pics just re-inspired me to finish putting my car back together and get my damned H&R Race/Bilstein Sports on the car...

Tonight I am a man on a mission...

Yours is lookin GREAT!!

[///Motorsport]

mine is in the shop... did a small write-up in general topics. all i want to do is drive! ahhh!