Anybody know the difference in lengths on these? Is it negligible? Are the HD stiffer or the sports?:confused

HD and Sports are the same valving, length? Maybe Bilstein has a web page showing the differances.

1/2" longer shaft on the HD's. On an M3, even with stock suspension, go with the sports. Valving is the same on both.

WIll

Im running H&R springs; everything points towards getting the sports. I have heard some tales of ride height raising after a fresh Bills install. I know this isnt supossed to happen.
Anybody else get this?

Im running H&R springs; everything points towards getting the sports. I have heard some tales of ride height raising after a fresh Bills install. I know this isnt supossed to happen.
Anybody else get this?

I just completed an H&R Sport (1.25" drop)/Billie Sport installation on my E30 M3. Yes, the car will look "lifted" after the installation. I also installed new poly sway bushings at the same time. This may have contributed to the "lifted" look, as the new bushes are rather stiff compated to the OE units - possibly keeping the sway "high" until break-in is complete. Additionally, I went ahead and fitted offset strut mounts and fixed camber plates. The added negative camber will make the car look even higher, as there is much more room between the wheels and front fender (using OE ET30 baskets). I will remedy this with something in the 17X8 ET15 veriety later this season. The rear has settled-in almost completely after about a week of driving. The front has about 3/4 of an inch to settle completely. The ride is much better than stock, though I must admit both OE strut inserts were dead as well as the OE rear shocks and mounts. Give the new set-up time and you will be greatly rewarded.

Christopher

My impression was the rule of thumb is HDs for stock springs, and sports with lowering springs.

Christopher - I have a nearly identical setup on my car - H&R Sport, Bilstein Sport, Ireland sways. Mine doesn't look "lifted" at all (and didn't from the beginning), don't know what you mean by that. Sways shouldn't cause lift, I wouldn't think, there should be no preload as the car sits on the ground. What don't I understand?

See that’s exactly what im talking about. Some experience the "lift" and others don’t. I have seen some stay lifted and I don’t get it. Ill be running Aftermarket rear shock mounts and adjustable camber plates. Either way I’m going with Bilstiens; everything else is to extreme for my environment

My impression was the rule of thumb is HDs for stock springs, and sports with lowering springs.

Christopher - I have a nearly identical setup on my car - H&R Sport, Bilstein Sport, Ireland sways. Mine doesn't look "lifted" at all (and didn't from the beginning), don't know what you mean by that. Sways shouldn't cause lift, I wouldn't think, there should be no preload as the car sits on the ground. What don't I understand?

Some folks don't report the initial "lifted" look, some do (myself included). That "lift" seems to be attributed to the stiff valving/gas charge of the Billies and stiff rate of the H&R springs over the OE. This should deminish somewhat after about a month of break-in. If there is some initial "binding" of the new poly front sway bar bushings before breaking-in, this might help "hold" the more upright stance of the new strut inserts and springs. My added stack height of the camber plates and increase in negative camber may add to the appearance of increase in front ride height.

The rear shock/spring set-up has settled to where they should be. The front set-up has settled a bit, but there is some further settling to be done.

After speaking with some fellas who have installed a number of different lowering kits on a number of different chassis, the consensus is that most require a few weeks to settle-in. I will wait to see how things look in a few weeks before coming to any conclusions.

Christopher