The H&R 50490-3 is a full set of progressive sport coil springs for the two-door E92 BMW 335i and 335is Coupe. This spring set is specifically made for the 2-door Coupe models of the 335i, E92 chassis, which was offered in model years 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012, and 2013. Each spring is made in Germany from 54SiCr6 steel and shot peened. Owners who want a firmer, lower setup than stock but still want a car that is livable every day will find that balance here. The spring rate is firmer than the OE Sport spring but comfortable enough for daily use. The springs also lower the car's center of gravity, which helps reduce body roll in corners.
Compared with a cheaper no-name lowering kit, this H&R set comes from the H&R ISO 9001 certified engineering and manufacturing facility in Germany. For buyers searching for a 335i coupe progressive lowering spring or E92 335is RWD sport springs, this kit suits a street car that also sees occasional track days. Sport springs are an excellent choice for street and occasional track use. Keep in mind that the H&R 50490-3 installation is most often done as a front-strut and rear-spring job, so plan for the time it takes.
The manufacturer advises that alignment should be checked after any ride height change, and that the factory service manual guidelines should be followed to get as close to factory specs as possible.
The manufacturer recommends measuring ride height before and after installation, from the center of the axle to the lip of the fender, and using the lowering measurements on the included technical sheet.
Owners on user forums report that lowering springs on cars with soft non-sport dampers can wear out the shocks or struts faster, so many replace them alongside the springs.
Front installation is the harder job. Owners on user forums say the front struts need a proper strut-type spring compressor, a torque wrench, and a jack, and that the strut should be pulled top-first out of the fender with a helper, so the fender does not get scratched. The rear springs are generally considered the easier side, and one owner notes that a spring compressor is not needed to reinstall the rear springs. Be careful not to push the lower control arm down too far during reassembly, and watch the factory sensor linkage near the control arm. Per the manufacturer, the spring orientation follows the stock springs: if both ends look the same, the closer-coil end goes up; if they differ, match the factory orientation. Expect a few hours for a first-timer.
