Eibach vs H&R / Koni vs Bilstein

[BIC_BAWS]

So by now, most of you know I've been looking for suspension - Bilstein B14 PSS. Unfortunately, there seems to be a NA-wide backorder, and won't be available until mid-July. Since I want to get at least one auto-x/track-day in this season and I have put my suspension refresh on hold since August 2017, I need to find a new option.

The car in question is a BMW e46 330ci (it's an m-sport, but doesn't matter since we're swapping suspension anyway) and my main priority was to get height adjustable suspension (HAS). While HAS would be nice, I'd eventually want to get into a M3, so sucking it up would be alright to put more in the future M3 fund.

The new criteria is:

• Must give me at most 1/4" wheel well clearance on 19s (currently rubbing w/ H&R Race)
• performance (ride properly - not bouncing around (too stiff/soft), not skipping over bumps, etc. I want to feel planted to the road.
• cost/value (must be cheaper than $1300 cad - cost of B14 PSS)
• ride quality

For shocks I've narrowed it down to Bilstein B8 or Koni Yellow. The Bilsteins are monotube and are suggested to give a harsher ride - but better damping. On the other hand, the Koni's are twintube, but everyone swears by them and they're more livable for a daily. However, this brings me to my next issue. It seems like Bilstein pairs it to the Eibach pro-line or sport-line, while the Koni pairs to the H&R sport or race/eibach pro or sport.

Specific details in spoiler.

Spoiler!

Eibach vs H&R: Both are progressive springs, which I want. Eibach is less aggressive with lowering height and performance, but H&R is the complete opposite. I want the performance without being overly slammed. I'm finding that the H&R are riding too bouncy (might also be shot shocks). For the sake of comparison, I'll be using factory non-sport suspension as a reference point. Eibach Pro-Kit lowers 1.2'" f/r and Sport-Line lowers 1.7"F, 1.5"R. H&R Sport lowers 1.4"f, 0.75"r and Race (current) lowers 2" f, 1.4"r. While I do want to reduce the #stancenation look right now, I also don't want to be a monster truck on 19s.

According to an old TireRack article (link), the H&R sport had the fastest lap time (beating Eibach by hundredths of a second) of the three (H&R Sport, Eibach Pro-Kit, Factory Non-sport), but also reduces wheel well gap to f: 1" r: 4/8" on 18" wheels. The Eibach Pro-Kit out performed the factory suspension with faster lap times of 1/2 second, but reduced wheel well gap to: f: 3/4" r: 3/8" on 18s. The article does mention that "while they [the H&R Sport] allowed the vehicle to understeer just a little more at the limit and during transitions, they also produce a little more cornering power."

The question is, given your experience and the information provided, which combination would you pick? Bilstien with H&R (Race/Sport)? Bilstein with Eibach (Prokit/SportLine)? Koni with H&R (Race/Sport)? Koni with Eibach (Prokit/SportLine)?

Thanks for reading my long post and I look forward to hearing your replies!

Edit: Also entertaining the idea of buying Function & Form Type 2 Coilovers, only $866 USD, but I feel like I'd be disappointed.

[BIC_BAWS]

Update: Looks like Bilstein in general is on backorder worldwide. So the only question is Koni + Eibach or Koni + H&R

[Dbone]

Blitzkreig just put B8's on my 996. Shaun didn't seem to have a problem getting them in.

I haven't had a serious drive with them yet, but just on the street they sure feel better than the standard Porsche sports suspension.

[Speed2K]

Did you check here? They are supposed to be the distributors but I find there pricing more than in the US, YMMV.

[BIC_BAWS]

Originally Posted by Speed2K

Did you check here? They are supposed to be the distributors but I find there pricing more than in the US, YMMV.

Yeah they're $$$ af. I could find PSS9 for 1300 cad, and they want 1800 LOL. For $1800 CAD I could buy a lot of other stuff.