[thinking]

I've been researching and couldn't figure out if it's worth lowering the car? I've purchased the HAS kit and am about to get it installed, but I'm still not sure what the long-term cons of having it will be.

Have you guys faced any issues so far? In the future if I want to adjust the height (higher or lower) do I have to consider wheel alignment every time I adjust the height?

[M2siast]

Effects are unknown at this point. Because BMW offers it, it’s not a bad assumption to believe the shocks are made to withstand the different springs.

And, yes, alignment is needed after a change in height.

[aerobod]

Tyre life is likely to be one compromise if the car is lowered the not driven aggressively and/or not realigned, but if the car is used on the track you may get better tyre life than with the original height.

From an alignment perspective, have it done with the car at the most used road height, take measurements of the position of the adjustment ring or mark the threads with paint at that height. If you use this as a reference that you can easily return to, then a more aggressive drop should add camber and toe-out, which is what will help preserve the outer edges of the tyres on the track. If left in the lower position for normal road driving, then the inner shoulders of the tyres will wear out prematurely.

[mike@x-ph.com]

I have been using HAS kits for years, never had any issues or long term side effects.

[baron95]

Originally Posted by thinking

Have you guys faced any issues so far?

By issues, what do you mean? Do you mean usability issues like scraping more often, not having as much clearance for some jacks, etc....well that depends on how much you lower it. I personally would not lower it more than 25mm/1", and would prefer even slightly less, like 15-20 mm.

For reference on P-cars when you go to PASM you go 10mm/0.4" lower. Some cars that have PASM standard you go to PASM sport and lower another 10mm/0.4". So 0.8"/20mm is the max total lowering.

And then they (like GM on the C8) sell you a front end lift for $4,000, so you can raise the nose as needed to avoid scraping. LOL

On the other hand, I see slammed BMWs (2" down) driving around New York City and their disgraceful, pot hole infested streets - I don't know how they do it, but they do it.




If you are asking about long term damage to the car, so long as it is a reputable kit that is not bottoming out and exceeding the shocks compressed range, or unseating the springs on the drops, there is really nothing that can be damaged long term.

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by thinking

I've been researching and couldn't figure out if it's worth lowering the car? I've purchased the HAS kit and am about to get it installed, but I'm still not sure what the long-term cons of having it will be.

Have you guys faced any issues so far? In the future if I want to adjust the height (higher or lower) do I have to consider wheel alignment every time I adjust the height?

We've been installing HAS kits since the E9X M3, nothing to worry about It's a good intermediate level in between a fixed spring and a full coilover. The main benefit is keeping the EDC system happy.

As aerobod mentioned, you can always mark where the adjustment collars sit if you want to make incremental adjustments to your liking, but it's something that's not done often unless a signifigant change is being made (ie: different wheels or right height adjustment). Most times it's
set it and forget it.

[Chet for short]

you might get wrinkles from smiling more

[thinking]

Originally Posted by Chet for short

you might get wrinkles from smiling more

Indeed

[thinking]

Originally Posted by aerobod

Tyre life is likely to be one compromise if the car is lowered the not driven aggressively and/or not realigned, but if the car is used on the track you may get better tyre life than with the original height.

From an alignment perspective, have it done with the car at the most used road height, take measurements of the position of the adjustment ring or mark the threads with paint at that height. If you use this as a reference that you can easily return to, then a more aggressive drop should add camber and toe-out, which is what will help preserve the outer edges of the tyres on the track. If left in the lower position for normal road driving, then the inner shoulders of the tyres will wear out prematurely.

Don't really care about tires. I was more concerned about having any damage to the shock absorbers because the HAS kit springs are usually stiffer. But thanks for clearing this up

[WhiteRqbbit]

Is the HAS kit considered more visual than performance? I've seen some mixed things on its effects performance-wise. I originally wanted to go this route, and while it's more of a daily than a track car, performance matters to me. I was debating if I should stay stock until I'm ready to jump into a proper coilover such as KW v3/4 or similar. What are everyone's thoughts on this?

[tom @ eas]

Originally Posted by WhiteRqbbit

Is the HAS kit considered more visual than performance? I've seen some mixed things on its effects performance-wise. I originally wanted to go this route, and while it's more of a daily than a track car, performance matters to me. I was debating if I should stay stock until I'm ready to jump into a proper coilover such as KW v3/4 or similar. What are everyone's thoughts on this?

HAS is really nothing more than adjustable springs - you'll outgrow then quickly if you plan to track on a regular basis. The KW V3 is only slightly better, but its originally intended as a street setup also.

It really comes down to if you have any prior track experience and/or if this is a road you want to continue down, as it can be pretty addictive. If only seeing a couple of track days a year, the Ohlins R&T setups are fantastic option. For the more focused driver, the KW V4 would be a better choice or even better - the V4 Clubsport.

Feel free to PM/email me if you have any additional questions, or need recommendations.

[c1pher]

Originally Posted by mike@x-ph.com

I have been using HAS kits for years, never had any issues or long term side effects.

Other than that twitch in your eye.

[mike@x-ph.com]

Originally Posted by c1pher

Other than that twitch in your eye.

[TheDrivenGarage]

The only call out I would add is that be sure you get it installed by a good shop. There are cases of blown struts from after the install. Seems to go back to people not having the right tools and or technique when installing. If you are having a dealer install it, then you also get a warranty on the installation which could be worth it.

[thinking]

Originally Posted by TheDrivenGarage

The only call out I would add is that be sure you get it installed by a good shop. There are cases of blown struts from after the install. Seems to go back to people not having the right tools and or technique when installing. If you are having a dealer install it, then you also get a warranty on the installation which could be worth it.

Yeah that’s true. Thanks for the suggestion

[kyrix1st]

I've had mixed results with lowering springs like Eibach and H&R, but the bottom line is unless the shock valving is perfectly matched to the springs, you are not going to get significant improvement over stock ones.

MP HAS should work well as long as it does what it's advertised to do.

[TwinWhistles]

Are any ECU suspension tuning changes needed after a HAS kit is installed to let it know it's been lowered?

My local BMW independent specialist mentioned that he lowered a client's previous generation M2, and with each adjustment of the HAS kit, the ECU needed an adjustment.

[aerobod]

Originally Posted by TwinWhistles

Are any ECU suspension tuning changes needed after a HAS kit is installed to let it know it's been lowered?

My local BMW independent specialist mentioned that he lowered a client's previous generation M2, and with each adjustment of the HAS kit, the ECU needed an adjustment.

That "ECU adjustment" would only be required to calibrate the steering angle sensor / EPS after an alignment, to ensure the wheel centreline is correlated with the steering rack centre point.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by thinking

I've been researching and couldn't figure out if it's worth lowering the car? I've purchased the HAS kit and am about to get it installed, but I'm still not sure what the long-term cons of having it will be.

Have you guys faced any issues so far? In the future if I want to adjust the height (higher or lower) do I have to consider wheel alignment every time I adjust the height?

The quality of the springs and loss of spring free length over time. That translates to ride height loss.