H&R OE Sport Question

I have a 1990 325is and have refreshed most of my suspension which includes KYBs (I know not the greatest, but some people seem to think they are OK). The only thing I haven't done is lower the car. I am looking for improved handling and reduced wheel gap but don't need to go real low. Read through many threads and still have a few questions on springs. Someone local has a set of used H&R OE Sport springs for a good price. From what I can tell from the spring chart from r3v (I added info in red) the only difference between the OE Sports and Sports is the drop which is approx a difference of 0.3 inches.

Questions/Opinions... Will handling improvements for the OE Sports be similar except for the difference in the 0.3" lower center of gravity? If I am going to pay to have this work down should I upgrade the struts/shocks at the same time? I know that the Sports should go with Bilstein sports but what struts/shocks are best with OE Sports?

Spring------------------------Front(lb/in.)-------------Rear(lb/in.)

Stock 325i-----------------------106------------------------245
Stock 325is----------------------118------------------------265
H&R OE Sport (50404-55)--------180------------------------380 Drop F-1" R-1"
H&R Sport (50406?)--------------180------------------------380 Drop F-1.3" R-1.3"
H&R Sport (29664)---------------200------------------------285 Drop F-1.3" R-1.3"
H&R Race (50404-88)------------315------------------------ 570 Drop F-1.6" R-1.5"

From the H&R website it says the H&R Sport (29664) are for 84/85 318i

Here's how the car sits now on 15" Ronal LS wheels with Falken ZIEX 205/55 front and 225/50 rear tires. Changed the rear stabilizer bar to new 14.5" when I did the suspension refresh, front bar is stock with new bushings and links. Recently purchased RyanG splitter but have not installed yet.

Well most of these guys would say buy H&R race so the sports would be good. Should look much better too.

Thanks for your input! I added the the stock spring rates and info for the H&R Race springs.

I think the race springs would be too stiff for my daily driver. Really trying to get input/opinions on difference between OE Sports and Sports.

You are mistaken

KYBs (I know not the greatest, but some people seem to think they are OK)

Kyaba have a strong R&D department in europe, producing excellent parts
KYB run alongside DeCarbon & Koni shocks in the Dakar
The ex guru (a friend of mine) at KYB is now the guru at Bilstein.

Then again K&B makes OEM shocks, sports shocks & race shocks.
Some are speed sensitive, but most are position sensitive.
I would go with your part number & see what you got and if they will still work in a different position i.e. lowered car.

H&R is good for your application & since they come from Germany, you should be able to find out from them if your KYB's will work with them

We have H&R race springs with Bilstein Sports..

Great handling... not too stiff... Great look.. no issues with 15 X 7 wheels..

Ours came that way from the PO.... wouldn't change a thing...

I just put the kyb GR2's on the front and rear of my car with tokico lowering springs.. Drives and rides nice. In a hard corner they give way but only because I have stock sway bars.

H&R Race are totally doable for daily duty. At some point you may find the Sport is not aggressive enough...

Good input, thanks. I know that either the Sports or Races paired with the right struts/shocks would be good.

Does anyone have experience with the OE Sports? I can get the used set for about $150 and paired with the KYBs I already have I could be done at a reasonable cost. What I worry about with this set up is will I get enough drop. RealOEM list 4 different front springs for coupes/sedans and 4 different front springs for verts. Coupes/sedans had 2 options for rear and verts had only one option. When companies list amount of drop its hard to tell the reference point since there were so many spring and body style options. My car looks about as low as a stock car got so I am not sure I will get the full advertised drop.

Anyway I am still waiting to finish my taxes and to see what happens with sequestration. As federal worker I may be getting furloughed 22 days for the rests of the year. This will impact my decision on whether to do something soon or wait until next year.

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