H&R Springs Availability

[Rey]

Talked with folks at TireRack. H&R springs are listed for sale, but are currently unavailable. The tech-rep at TireRack said the projected delay of several months is an indicator that the springs are still in development.

H&R is a German mfg. and manufactures springs in accordance with German law, which requires an intensive certification process of aftermarket parts. Eibach is also German. What this means is that these springs are not casually engineered.

TireRack has an interesting comparison road test between a stock BMW, a BMW with H&R and a Eibach BMW. It appears from this test that H&R are a bit more track oriented than Eibach; and the H&R seem to drop the chassis a bit more than Eibach.

I have had three cars with Eibach springs and sway bars: a '96 Infiniti Q45, a 2002 PT Cruiser and a '05 Cadillac CTS-V. Liked the performance enhancement of all but the Caddy. The Caddy resulted in a rough choppy ride, so I reinstalled the stock springs but kept the Eibach sway bars. Otherwise, I have found the Eibachs to be a worthwhile improvement. But I am a driver who leans more towards the sport spectrum.

 

[Disaster]

Liked the performance enhancement of all but the Caddy. The Caddy resulted in a rough choppy ride, so I reinstalled the stock springs but kept the Eibach sway bars. Otherwise, I have found the Eibachs to be a worthwhile improvement. But I am a driver who leans more towards the sport spectrum.

The problem is the Genesis is already oversprung and underdamped. This is why some people experience porpoising on rough roads...the springs hit resonance with the road and the shocks do not provide enough damping. The car would be better served by stiffer shocks. It might even ride better...aka, handle better with softer springs...which might not overpower the shocks and therefore it would get less wheel bounce....and be more "settled."

By the way, I replaced my Avalon springs with Vogtland. They are another German manufacturer. Excellent springs and HUGE improvement over the mushy Avalon Suspension. Coupled the springs with Tokico air blues...which were about 25% stiffer than the stock struts. Wish Tokico made struts for the Genesis.

 

[Rey]

Don't assume that H&R springs will be firmer. We really know nothing about their spring rates. My observation of other applications is that H&R likes progressive springs - springs that are compliant on very small bumbs and then much firmer at full compression.

 

[Disaster]

Most auto springs have a bit of progression to them. I expect the H&R springs are for lowering the car. This necessitates them being stiffer. I've never seen lowering springs that are softer...even when very progressive. But, hey, I'm open to hearing reviews. I just won't be first in line to buy them.