Lazurus

I'm not sure what is meant "even wheel gap over a level ride height"? But not unexpectedly the thread has turned into the seemingly never ending debate over "coilovers Vs lowering springs". While the X73 ROW setup you initially asked about also used Bilstein dampers that can ( again ) be most closely approximated by using the "newer" B8's with the H&R "sport" ( or similar ) springs. From all I can tell they are virtually one and the same, although a "lower" ride height will result from using the "H&R's" from the X73's -10mm - -20mm depending ROW v US. ( I think I have that right - but close, either way )

The "closest" you can get to a similarly set up suspension to the now no longer available factory "X73" suspension is the Bilstein B8's and lowering springs. That's just the way it is. Whether that's the "right" setup for you? Is up to you alone and there is no debate.

Shock Absorber - Bilstein B8 Performance Plus - Rear Left or Right

Part #: 24-029940-M712

$259.00

Shock Absorber - Bilstein B8 Performance Plus - Front Left or Right

Part #: 22-046130-M712

$289.00

Product Details

Porsche H&R Sport Spring Set - Porsche 996 Turbo. H&R Part#: HR-29385

The current price of a set of H&R "sport" lowering springs is about $425/$450 +/-. So, all in - That's a perfectly usable $1500.00 suspension refresh that will suit many if not most people, that drive their cars on the street, even with occasional "dual duty". So, unless you change your mind and opt for a coilover setup or the other choices you cited? This is optimal to answer what your original query asked, and it sure "inexpensively" beats the stock setup IMHO.

e90076

You’re correct about it turning into a springs vs coils debate. I appreciate everyone’s inputs and I get the trade offs, but my driver for the X73 or ROW was to get a set-up tuned to work together by Porsche. I recognize the coils are tuned to work together as well but I don’t have a local installer that can finely tune the compression and rebound. I’ll have to give it some more thought.

What I mean by even wheel gap…the front has more wheel gap than the rear so the H&Rs seem to lower the front more than the rear. The resulting wheel gap then looks even but rake is added to the car. I’d really like to find a set up that lowers .75 to 1 inch all around.

Bernard IV

You're over thinking this. I have track tuned Feals with Eibach sways and rear toe arms. The setup is amazing.

e90076

Guess I’m picky.

docwyte

I feel the H&R's lower the car too much, especially in the front. You lose bump travel and the handling and ride suffer because of that. I don't like a super low car as I like to drive them, that's where coilovers really shine, you can set the ride height exactly where you want. The Bilstein PSS10's are excellent street coilovers, I had the PSS9's for several years and really liked them. I only removed them because a more track oriented setup popped up locally, very lightly used.

vtec_

did/do you have any issues with your bilsten coilovers and the PSM/ABS issue regarding the abs wire being stretched out and the connection going bad?

do you think dropping the car at or close to an inch would prevent this from happening?

docwyte

No. All that stuff stays at the same static height as stock...