H&R spring question?

For those of you who lowered the car by installing springs only. 1. how is the ride? 2. what is the handling chariteristic? oversteer or understeer? Want the car lower the ROW m030 set up, but don't know if I want to go the expanse of full Coil-Overs. Peter

It really depends on whether or not you currently have the 030 (North American) optional suspension. Here is the deal: 1) non-030 shocks with H&R springs- good ride height (about 26" from the ground to the top of the wheel well) lowering front and rear (more on C4 cars versus C2 cars for some reason) with minimal "bobbing" and rebound (the trick is to make sure that you cut the stock bump-stops by about one inch), good ride quality 2) North American 030 shocks with H&R springs- about the same ride height as above but much better control of the shocks and very, very little "bobbing and bouncing" and very good ride quality without the need to cut bump-stops 3) X74 shocks and H&R springs- my current setup. Great control and a bit lower than the above setups. The X74 shocks are made for Porsche by Bilstein (as are the other ones) but I believe are the same as aftermarket Bilsteins. 4) Coilovers (H&R)- had them on my last car and loved them. I hope that this helps.

By the way, I just want to add a few more personal observations (I'll probably get famed for some of these opinions): 1- When I said the X74 Bilsteins are just like the aftermarket Bilsteins, I meant that they are probably identical to the Bilsteins Sport shocks that can be purchased aftermarket 2- I haven't seen a 996 with ROW (Rest of the World) 030 suspension that created a height that most are happy with. The reduction in height is very, very little compared to North American 030 but I do agree that the handling is better mostly due to softer compression front shocks and siffer rear shocks that remove the understeer. 3- In my comment #1 in the previous post, I mention height difference between C4 cars and C2 cars. For some reason, C4 cars with H&R springs sit a bit lower in the front than C2 cars 4- Eibach Pro-Kit springs will lower the rear of the car more than the front so if you don't mind the "dragging *** stance", theyre fine. 5- Lastly, I have personally noted that these cars are very alignment sensitive and there are many arguements and discussions around what is best. What I can say is that even with very aggressive negative camber, these cars still drive like a dream. Oh by the way, check out the www.pca.org under technical articles. There is a very informative (and somewhat boring at times) write-up on the differences of 030, ROW030, H&R and alignment specs. Check out my car pics at imagestation or in another post named "my car pics, finally" to see height of X74 and H&R springs. Sorry for the extra long post.

Thanks Alon: I have a C4Cab and can't seem to find X74 shocks made for my car. With your current set-up. Does it under or oversteer when you push it really hard? Thanks for your input. Peter

Why can't you dinf X74 parts for your car? Have you checked with Carnewal? Anyhow, by the time you're done spending all of that money on the X74, you'll be btter off getting the H&R springs either with your shocks or just buy aftermarket Bilstein Sport shocks and you'll love it. I have managed to dial out any factory understeer built into my car but then again, I am using H&R's GT3 sway bars and their adjustability helps to achieve neutrality and oversteer (if desired) when pushed hard. A good set of springs and shocks and the right alignment will cure you of any factory understeer.

Alon: On Gert's site. He states that the X74 is only for Coupe, not convertible. Peter

Strange. Anyhow, like I said earlier, the Bilstein and H&R combo (purchased aftermarket, not OEM X74 Bilsteins) would be a bteer deal.

Peter, I have H&R springs with the stock dampers. You're welcome to get a ride in mine at our track day. I am planning on installing coilovers (because I think they are the best), but I can honestly say that the springs alone feel pretty comfortable. I drove to Monterey with my wife and 3 month old baby and no one complained about the ride quality. As far as performance, I drove two stock C2's before mine (mine came with the springs) and the springs seemed to really improve cornering and body roll. Sway bars would help even more with body roll. Go with coilovers....that way, you'll never have any regrets. Jake

I have to say that my coilovers were actually more comfortable over sharp bumps than my current setup. If you have the means, go coilovers.