H&R sport e90 review

[patsbimmer1]

I'm probably a little late to this party but I thought I'd share my experience with everyone about my H&R sport springs on my 2011 e90 on non-edc struts. My car has about 74k miles on the stock suspension and I've had it since about 60k miles. I enjoyed the way the car rode before and didn't want to dive into coilovers yet although that's been my go to in the past. I did the install myself and it took me about 2 hours. I also modified the front strut mounts and used E36 bump stops as per the advice of previous threads I read.

The install is easy if you've ever done springs before and modifying the strut mounts is also pretty Straight forward with a grinder,air compressor and a micrometer. I also installed ECS tuning extended lug bolts and 13mm rear/15mm front spacers with 25535r19 275/35R19 PSS. First impression I was very impressed with the ride quality! It's slightly stiffer than stock but I believe that most people who don't drive it every day wouldn't tell the difference. There was a little rubbing over large dips but that's since disappeared. I have about 1000miles on them now and now that they've settled the drop is about 1 1/4" front and rear. The stance is absolutely perfect! I have fallen in love all over again with the look of the car! Because of how good it looks I'm actually considering just replacing the struts and shocks when the time comes.

[KhanhyeEast]

Nice! That stance looks great!

[drivetolive]

So simple, yet so perfect!

Is the trim around your windows, including the pillars separating the doors, painted black? I always thought these pieces were matte black.

[BayE30]

Originally Posted by drivetolive

So simple, yet so perfect!

Is the trim around your windows, including the pillars separating the doors, painted black? I always thought these pieces were matte black.

Some are gloss black, my 2011 e90m3 also has gloss black around the windows amd pillar trims.

[s14_kev]

Both of mine have gloss black pillars / trim.

Btw OP, drop looks perfect!!

[drivetolive]

Interesting, my 08 E90 has the matte black. I wonder whether this was a LCI change?

[s14_kev]

Originally Posted by drivetolive

Interesting, my 08 E90 has the matte black. I wonder whether this was a LCI change?

Mines an 08

[6ixSpd]

Looks great! It's by far the best non-coilover suspension mod you can do on these cars. I still can't believe springs + these supplemental modifications actually work: no issues with shock travel, no rough ride quality, just a tight stiffer and feels more dialed in as it should've been from the factory.

Never before has a springs + stock shock combo ever rode well on any BMW I've had.

I love it.

[patsbimmer1]

Originally Posted by drivetolive

So simple, yet so perfect!

Is the trim around your windows, including the pillars separating the doors, painted black? I always thought these pieces were matte black.

Thanks! The trim is gloss all the way around and I guess I never noticed it was any different than any other M3... Now I'm curious where that change happened!

[patsbimmer1]

Originally Posted by 6ixSpd

Looks great! It's by far the best non-coilover suspension mod you can do on these cars. I still can't believe springs + these supplemental modifications actually work: no issues with shock travel, no rough ride quality, just a tight stiffer and feels more dialed in as it should've been from the factory.

Never before has a springs + stock shock combo ever rode well on any BMW I've had.

I love it.

You are so right! I've had Eibachs and H&R on various other cars and always switch to a coilover because it was just never quite right. A 3 year old and 3 week old have tied up my funds this year so once again I thought this would tide me over until I can buy a decent set of coilovers but this set up is so good I'm seriously thinking I won't need coilovers to satisfy my desire. Now if it would stop snowing in Wisconsin I could put a few more miles on it...

[6ixSpd]

The gloss black trim was an option known as "High Gloss Shadowline" on both E90/E92. Standard trim is matte black.

[Powashiftin]

Originally Posted by patsbimmer1

I'm probably a little late to this party but I thought I'd share my experience with everyone about my H&R sport springs on my 2011 e90 on non-edc struts. My car has about 74k miles on the stock suspension and I've had it since about 60k miles. I enjoyed the way the car rode before and didn't want to dive into coilovers yet although that's been my go to in the past. I did the install myself and it took me about 2 hours. I also modified the front strut mounts and used E36 bump stops as per the advice of previous threads I read.

The install is easy if you've ever done springs before and modifying the strut mounts is also pretty Straight forward with a grinder,air compressor and a micrometer. I also installed ECS tuning extended lug bolts and 13mm rear/15mm front spacers with 25535r19 275/35R19 PSS. First impression I was very impressed with the ride quality! It's slightly stiffer than stock but I believe that most people who don't drive it every day wouldn't tell the difference. There was a little rubbing over large dips but that's since disappeared. I have about 1000miles on them now and now that they've settled the drop is about 1 1/4" front and rear. The stance is absolutely perfect! I have fallen in love all over again with the look of the car! Because of how good it looks I'm actually considering just replacing the struts and shocks when the time comes.

Looks great. What's the modification to the strut mounts ? Care to share ?

[ghostofsenna]

Do you rub? I've seen a mark on my rear sidewall with these springs and no spacers. Perhaps I had a full cabin...

I am thinking about a 12fr/10r spacers, but fearful of rubbing.

[patsbimmer1]

Originally Posted by Powashiftin

Looks great. What's the modification to the strut mounts ? Care to share ?

Thanks! I first learned about the modification here https://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=423572 about using the e36 bump stops and grinding the strut mount guide to increase travel. I did some more research and I couldn't find a really good pictorial as to what or how much to trim but I have a bit of professional wrenching experience and a few ASE certs so I knew i'd figure it out once I got in there. Once I popped the strut mount off I saw the guide that supports the strut rod and figured out that that's what is being trimmed down. I grabbed my die grinder and shaved off about 1/8" of material from the metal guide. The point of grinding that down and using the e36 bump stop is to increase the amount of travel the strut rod has to increase stability by not unexpectedly bottoming out the strut. In my opinion it worked. It's the best spring/OEM strut combo I've ever driven.

Originally Posted by ghostofsenna

Do you rub? I've seen a mark on my rear sidewall with these springs and no spacers. Perhaps I had a full cabin...

I am thinking about a 12fr/10r spacers, but fearful of rubbing.

My passenger rear has rubbed a couple times but it's certainly not consistent and I know has more to do with running the 13mm spacer and 275 rear tire than the springs. I love the way the set up looks too much to change it so I may end up slightly rolling the fender if it persists or becomes worse. I haven't run the car full of adults mainly because I have two car seats in the back but 1 adult and a toddler in the driver rear position didn't cause a noticeable increase in rub.

[Montaver]

How much suspension travel is left in the rear? Did you change the rear top mounts?

[patsbimmer1]

Originally Posted by Montaver

How much suspension travel is left in the rear? Did you change the rear top mounts?

From what I have read there's no need to make any modifications to the rear with just springs because of the amount of travel already available in the stock shocks. I did not measure the rod length before and after the spring install.

[Drifter2090]

Looks amazing! I just picked up a set if H&R springs for my non edc E90 M3 as well, I also just picked up the E36 bump stops after reading that thread last week.

I was worried it wouldn't be low enough but after seeing your post it looks perfect!

Did you end up deleting the rear rubber pad as well? I was thinking of skipping that step.

I am also planning 18f 15r spacers, I have 245/265 on my 220m

[patsbimmer1]

Originally Posted by Drifter2090

Looks amazing! I just picked up a set if H&R springs for my non edc E90 M3 as well, I also just picked up the E36 bump stops after reading that thread last week.

I was worried it wouldn't be low enough but after seeing your post it looks perfect!

Did you end up deleting the rear rubber pad as well? I was thinking of skipping that step.

I am also planning 18f 15r spacers, I have 245/265 on my 220m

Thank you! I did not delete the rear pads quite honestly because I forgot to buy the reinforced rubber hose. It's something I will do eventually once I have some free time again just because my right rear was worn. I had my first cars and coffee event this past weekend with the car and received a ton of compliments on the stance. I also had my wife and two kids in the car for the first time on Sunday and received the best compliment yet from my wife when she said "You didn't ruin this one. It feels like it did before."

[Drifter2090]

Originally Posted by patsbimmer1

Thank you! I did not delete the rear pads quite honestly because I forgot to buy the reinforced rubber hose. It's something I will do eventually once I have some free time again just because my right rear was worn. I had my first cars and coffee event this past weekend with the car and received a ton of compliments on the stance. I also had my wife and two kids in the car for the first time on Sunday and received the best compliment yet from my wife when she said "You didn't ruin this one. It feels like it did before."

I might just not do it since it will get rid of some of the rake.

That's funny! I had KW V2's on my E92 that were very low and my girlfriend hated it, she told me not to ruin the new one haha

[pbonsalb]

I recommend the deansbimmer flat panel undertray to go with the H&R Sport springs. It will restore the clearance taken away by the shorter springs.

[patsbimmer1]

I've put a few more miles on and still love these springs. I sprung () for some new tires as well recently and had a chance to get some pictures in the daylight-ish. Pictures were taken about 12 hours and 50 miles apart. I kept the same size 275/35r19-255/35r19 fitment but went with Pirelli P Zero to replace my Pilot Super Sports. Tires have been great so far!

[mapster37]

car looks great! ill post pics of mine as soon as the 359's are installed