Hey members,

I really need fresh, updated opinions on which lowering spring I should get. Should I stick with the problem-free German engineered H&R springs, or should I go with the lower (.2'') Swedish made B&G brand?

Both are European, and that's a plus. Right now though, I'm on a REALLY tight budget, and I just need to know what would be best for me in the long run. I have AGXs and they're craving to be paired with either of these springs. BTW, are they both progressive?

Please help, it would be greatly appreciated!

 

I'm not bashing on HR. I might get one myself too, if I dont like the springs I have right now. HR on 4th gen makes the car look normal finally, not lowered. If thats low enough for you, go get it. I think thats low enough for me too. But they are freakin expensive man.

If you're on a really tight budget, just get some Maxspeeds man. They are cheap enough without the group deal. And if you dont like them, so what. They're only 100 bucks anyways. But that applies only if you are doing your own suspension. If you gonna pay $200 to get it done at a shop, you better know what you want!!

 

I can't say anything about the B&G's but

I just did an H&R + KYB AGX install last night(or should I say 3am this morning..) on my 1998 Max SE (Stillen RSB, FSTB, stock SE 16" rims)

It def. looks lower, esp the rear. If you don't know Max's though you'd never suspect it was lowered though. Looks like it should.

Handles great without being harsh at all... I was expecting a much harder ride. 80% less roll, 95% less dive, just great. No more speed bumps at 40mph though... They are def. progressive. On a normal, even semi-chewed up road you really can't tell the difference from SE stock much... But on big dips or sharp corners, oooooo boy.... wooohoooo!

I've got the AGX's on 2(front) 4(rear). I haven't tried any other settings until I get a good alignment today or tomorrow.

If I were you I'd get these. One plus is that it will be easier to sell when the time comes. If you've got a really lowered-looking car you're going to have a problem selling it to the average buyer.



-RMB

 

I have H&R with AGX its great. The car is noticably lowered if you are a Max guy. For others they might not think its lowered becaue it does not have a slammed look. IMHO i think it looks great. There is still a small gap about enough to stick a hand in there tightly. Id say go with the H&R

 

I had the same dilemma a week ago. I decided to go with the H&Rs (although I haven't installed them yet). My thinking...I live in NYC, and the road conditions are less than ideal. Also, I got 17s and I don't want to make the ride too rough. H&Rs are well documented. Plus, I'm not crazy about the slammed look...1.5-2 is good enough for me.

 

H&R lowers 1.4" in front and 1.3" in rear. my car now has a good looking, aggressive stance and handles very well. i could not see going any lower because the ride would be too harsh and IMHO the handling would suffer. i've never understood why someone would lower the car so much that it bounces down the road.

 

If a car bounces down the road, then that mostly means the shocks are blown.

Well, I heard B&G match (or even exceed) H&R's ride quality. Could anyone confirm this?

 

I haven't spent too much time in cars with H&Rs, but the B+Gs are definitely lower. My rear sits lower than the rear on a Max with Sprints (which are supposedly lower). I am pretty sure the B+Gs are progressive, and they really aren't too harsh either. I drive on bad roads all the time and I usually leave my settings on 2/4. I've even driven for extended periods on 4/8 without too much discomfort I will bring up the fact the front sits higher than the rear due to having a manual. The autos tend to sit level. B+Gs are on sale at shox.com for $159 so they are quite a bit cheaper than H&Rs.
-hype

 

H&R's, nough said!

 

hype, thanks a lot. I think I'm gonna get B&Gs now. And hey, ny96, you're the one who cut your H&Rs, right?

I'm just a little hesitant to do that. Your car looks great though.

 

WRONG!!.......bouncing down the road is different from wallowing down the road....

 

I agree that lower isn't always better, but we're talking about tenths of inches here. B+Gs fall much closer to H&Rs (in drop and performance) than Intrax or Sprints. I think people here tend to give the parts on their car too much credit sometimes To me I would much give a fair report and help others than try to make it seem like what I have is the best. I considered getting H&Rs for a long time, but I decided to save $100, get a slightly lower drop, and have my shocks match my springs



I'll scan some more pictures since people are always curious about B+G and AGXs.
-hype

 

Do u have a system in the trunk? or maybe alot of junk? I was thinking B&G but now i dont know, i dont want the car higher in the front, hmm

 

I do have a sub, but it only weighs 40lbs. The spare, jack, etc. are in the trunk but nothing else heavy.


I'll put up a page in a sec. Too bad my scanner still sucks.
-hype

 

Here's the rest. These are the only pictures I have so far.
http://bba01.bus.utexas.edu/Matthew.Quon/max/bg.htm
-hype

 

Do a search for posts by member "dashingmax" He's a manual & got the B&G's & decided to put spring spacers in between the rear coils to even out the look of the drop.

I decided on the Apex springs for this reason - same ride height as the B&G's, but honestly, they're a little harsh for everyday driving.

I got them knowing that though, because I plan to auto-x & race.

 

B&G's are fantastic. Great ride and Drop. I've had mine's for half a year now, no problems at all. Get B&G's, you wont be dissapointed.

 

Everyone has mentioned H&R, B&G, Intrax and Sprint, but what about Progress springs?

To all who have them, what do you think of them in comarance to the one's listed above?

Thanks,
Tom

 

Lots of accounts of sagging from what I've read so far. I think the jury's still out on Progress springs. Do a search & you'll see what I'm talking about.