The H&R 50490-2 is a Sport lowering spring set for the BMW E92 328i coupe, listed for 2007 through 2013 model years. It replaces the factory coil springs at all four corners to lower the stance and reduce the wheel-arch gap without the cost of a coilover system. Owners on user forums who run this coupe often name the reduced fender gap as their main reason for buying, and they report the change is most visible on cars with stock 17-inch-class wheels and spacers.
Against stock suspension, this set mainly changes stance and how the car settles through corners. Owners on user forums note that the gain over the factory springs is smaller on cars already equipped with the sport suspension package, so buyers should confirm which suspension their coupe has before ordering. Owners also warn that the soft factory shocks on non-sport cars tend to wear out sooner once the car sits lower, so budget for shocks at the same time. Measure wheel clearance after the springs are in, since forum members who installed spacers first found they had to re-measure. For a street-focused E92 328i coupe seeking lowering springs, a set like this is the practical middle ground between factory height and a full coilover build.
Owners on user forums generally recommend replacing the shocks at the same time. They report that factory shocks on non-sport-package cars are softer and wear out faster once the car is lowered. Owners on sport-package cars have found the spring change less demanding on the dampers.
Owners on user forums report that the manufacturer recommends replacing the nuts and bolts removed during a spring swap, so new hardware is a sensible addition to the job.
Owners on user forums describe the rear as the simpler side. The front requires spring compressors and careful handling of the strut and control arm. Forum members advise using quality compressors, and one owner said a dealer or shop quoted a labor cost that was close to the price of the springs themselves.
Owners on user forums describe this as a moderate DIY job that typically takes a few hours for a first-timer, with the rear being the easier side. You will need a floor jack, jack stands, a good set of spring compressors, and metric sockets in the 10mm to 21mm range. Common gotchas include removing the front sway bar link (a 17mm bolt that should be persuaded out rather than forced), disconnecting the control arm sensor wire and any exhaust hangers that block access on the driver's side, and handling the 21mm control arm bolt, which is tricky to start on reassembly. Forum members recommend marking the washers and bolt head with a marker to keep the offset flange aligned, and lubricating the strut bushing so it slides into the new spring seat. Install the springs before measuring for wheel spacers, and check that the spring slots line up before reassembly.
