Bilstein Sport vs HD

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E9KNZ047

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Hi - some advice please..and yes :) I have searched all Bilstein related threads to seek an answer

I took an opportunity to score some Bilsteins and in ignorance did not know that there was a choice between HD and SPort
I have F4 P36 0024 HO, F46 B46 819 HO - which from previous threads suggest these are the Sport versions.

Seems that the HD are highly preferable by other E9 drivers...so I wonder have I done my dough ?.

I was not intending to get new springs as I am happy with current stance but are different springs required with Sports version ?

My car is a daily driver but gets a work out in the country often. Roads around here are very good - with this in mind will these shocks be too harsh even so - Appreciate that ride quality is very subjective but the current Boges are way way too soft, floaty.

Grateful for any advice
 
According to coupe guru Carl Nelson of La Jolla independent, the Bilstein HD shocks are preferrable to the Sports version. He states that the Sports are much too stiff for the E9 chassis and give a very harsh ride. When changing to Bilstein gas shocks from the original Boge units, it'd be a good idea to also change to a set of lowering springs as the gas shocks would actually raise the car about an inch, giving the coupe an ungainly higher stance, needless to say, not very cool looking. The lowering springs would compensate for the increased ride height. I found out this unfortunate fact years ago with my first coupe when I installed the Bilsten gas shocks on the original springs.

Bert 3.5 CSi
88 M6
 
Carl's beef with the Sports is that they stiffen the ride up too much and pound the rear tower mounts right out the top of the fenders. Both he and a number of long-time coupers on the CSR have stated this as observed fact -- not lore. The alternative is to beef up the rear tower mounts. I've heard of some folks mixing Sports (up front) and HDs at the rear, but Bilstein doesn't recommend it. Intuitively, it just sounds like a bad idea.
 
I've got sports all around, with Carl's springs (the originals), all installed about 6 years ago. I think the ride is fine, controlled but not harsh. No rear tower damage to date, but I only drive the car a few hundred miles a year.
 
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