H&R Sport Plus Springs installed on EDC E92 M3

[wrh3]

I found a slightly used set of H&R Sport Plus springs in the classifieds and installed them last week (my installation DIY guide is here: http://billswebspace.com/M3HRSpringInstallation ).

The Sport Plus springs are stiffer than the Sport springs but have the same lowering spec- H&R has relabeled the Sport Plus P/N as Race since Turner Motorsports introduced them.

The installation was EASY, only took about 2 hours and was not at all complicated- easiest spring swap I have done.

After reading some reviews on some of the forums I was expecting it to ride like the Flintstones car but surprisingly I found the ride to be about the same as stock, maybe a bit more firm but nothing drastic. I could still tell a difference between the EDC modes and the OE dampers seem to be fine with the increased spring rates.

Cornering and turn in is MUCH improved over OE I'm completely happy with the way the car drives now and how the new springs work with EDC. If I didn't have EDC I might have opted for coilovers but this is the family/wife's car so it works well enough.......

I also pulled the factory strut alignment pins and was able to get ~-1.5 degrees of camber up front, the rear is at -1.8.

[ring007]

Looks great
Did you swap bump stops to restore travel to oem specs?

[wrh3]

No, the progressive bump stops are part of the travel......the front end does not feel overly stiff when pushed hard and rebound seems fine with the OE stops. If I get more drive time and find I need it, it would only take about an hour to do both sides.

[Pearlwhitem3]

I put the same set on my four door and they're great. I didn't have to do anything afterwards. I did a alignment to be safe, but didn't have to mod anything.

[HP Autosport]

^ An alignment is always recommended when changing suspension components.

-Tyler

[09E92M34ME]

i like the stance of the HR's better than the dinan's that i went with but the hr's don't give a linear drop so i was afraid it would slightly upset the balance. looks good though.

[kitw]

Bumping this thread to see if you have any more impressions after putting some miles on the car.

I actually suspect that the stiffer spring rates of the H&Rs help keep the car off the stops. (FYI, the Sport Plus has been renamed the Race, even though they have the same lowering as the Sport.)

[Stormtroooper]

I got the same set up and love my H&R springs.

[ki__]

Bump for new photos and a new review please

[kitw]

Originally Posted by Drews M3

I got the same set up and love my H&R springs.

Do you have the H&R Race/Sport plus or the standard sport?

I think the standard sport are terrible, bouncy and squishy. I haven't ridden in a car with the Sport Plus/Race, but I actually think I might like them better as the stiffer rates may help keep the car out of the bump stops.

But, I'm more anal about this kind of stuff than most.

[wrh3]

Still like the H&R Race (Sport Plus), wouldn't go back to stock. It's my wife's DD and she has no complaints and loves the way it corners so I'm not sure why some on the forums complain about the ride

My friend drove the car before and felt that while the car was fast, it was more of a touring car (i.e. softer than he would want). After driving it with the H&Rs he was amazed at how much better the car is......and I agree. It is what the car should have come with from the factory.

[kitw]

Thanks! (btw, I used a lot of your webpages for help with various things on my Elise, thanks!)

I might have to give them a shot. Have you ever driven in CA? I'm sure the roads in GA are better...

[wrh3]

I have driven GM rental cars in CA, but not on the fun roads (not that roads would make a difference with a rental)

FWIW, after reading all the reviews about regular Sports being harsh I was somewhat apprehensive about getting the Race springs but figured for the price and the short install time I could always swap them out and sell them if I didn't like them.....sometimes you have to try a few different things before you find what you like and mods are usually pretty subjective.

[kitw]

^ yup. I've had Eibachs, Eibachs w/ e36 bumpstops and Dinan Stage 1 on my car

[wrh3]

What didn't you like about those? Too soft?

[kitw]

The Dinan stuff is great, it rides just like stock, just a tad stiffer. The Eibachs were great 90% of the time, but at least once per day, I'd hit a bump that would cause the car to crash into the stops, and the stock shocks couldn't handle the rebound from the spring + bump stop. It made it feel floaty over medium and large bumps. Also, they were soft enough to where mid corner bumps would cause the car to get well into the stops, making it very unstable.

The Dinan setup with the shaved upper mounts and shorter bump stops eliminated that... but aesthetically, I'd love the car to be lower. I suspect that the stiffer rates of the H&R Race might be the way to go, since it will help keep the car off the stops, which still not being so stiff that the stock shocks can't control them. (like they couldn't damp the Eibach spring + bumpstop)

[wrh3]

I think the OE EDC dampers work pretty well with the Race springs, I am running unmodified OE bump stops with mine and find the car to corner much flatter but don't find the ride all that harsh.

If you decide to try these out you'll have to post your review and let us know what you think and how they compare to your prior springs.

[kitw]

Originally Posted by wrh3

I think the OE EDC dampers work pretty well with the Race springs, I am running unmodified OE bump stops with mine and find the car to corner much flatter but don't find the ride all that harsh.

If you decide to try these out you'll have to post your review and let us know what you think and how they compare to your prior springs.

Does it ever feel floaty? like it doesn't have enough rebound control over slow bumps? That was what drove me nuts about the Eibachs.

[wrh3]

Just a little and not all the time in regular mode, with EDC dialed to the sport setting it's perfect to me.

[mact3333]

Interesting....I just got my car back after having the GC coil kit installed....I have to admit, I was very surprised about several things...I am going to do a write up soon....I am amazed at what a 3/4 inch drop can do for aesthetics....

[saeedg48]

looks hot.

[Maseroche]

Originally Posted by kitw

Does it ever feel floaty? like it doesn't have enough rebound control over slow bumps? That was what drove me nuts about the Eibachs.

You're right about the floatiness of the Eibachs, on certain bumps they do feel floaty. I don't mind it that much now, might have gotten used to it, but if you go to the H&R race, please comment on that issue if it has ben cured or not.