H&R Springs on SH-AWD - review/opinion
01-15-2013, 07:18 PM
#1
Drifting
Thread Starter
H&R Springs on SH-AWD - review/opinion
I recently installed a set of H&R springs on my 2009 TL SH-AWD.
I just wanted to offer up my thoughts/opinions in case others are considering the same mod and wanted to get real world observations from AZ members.
I had an Acura RL previously, which I also put H&Rs on and had good results with that car - so I opted to do the same with my TL. I saw some pics of other people who had put on H&R and I liked the drop.
My goal is to maintain everyday driveability, but to improve cornering, and to get a nice dropped look, but not look "slammed". Mission accomplished.
IMO, the ride is great. I almost can't tell that there are springs on the car in terms of how it feels in day to day driving. Cruising on city streets or the freeway, I think it rides virtually the same as it did before the install. *Maybe* it is slightly bumpier on poor pavement, but I really think the ride is virtually unchanged from stock. My wife recently went for a ride and she says she thinks it feels a "little bit" bumpier, although she said ti wasn't objectionable. FWIW - if you are at all concerned with ride quality - you should have zero reservations about putting these on your car. it rides great.
Handling - much improved. I can feel the car is flatter in turns and can go through turns at a higher speed. I can still feel some body roll - it's not like the car is a go cart - but without a doubt - the car handles noticeably better. Turn in feels better as well. It's hard to put any kind of measurement on "how" much better it feels - but it is enough that I definitely notice it. I always felt the TL SH-AWD was a very good handling car stock, but now it's even better.
Looks - I am not looking to be so far slammed that my wheels are tucked up inside my wheel wells.. I Just want the car to get rid of that 4X4 look and have the fender gap reduced. The drop it gives is great. The car looks 100X better with the mild drop these springs provide.
Overall - I'm very pleased. The investment is not much. These retail for $220 or so at Tire RAck. I got lucky and found mine used on Craigslisft for half that.
I paid $150 to install them, and then $70 to get my car aligned.
I know many people will say that it's better to do coilovers, or that I will eventually want to upgrade... for now, I"m totally happy with my springs. If/when I have shocks go out - I will assess if I want to upgrade to Teins or just replace stock shocks. As my car has only about 30k miles.. and I"m not botoming out over speed bumps.. I bet my shocks will last a while... I know plenty of people who have run H&Rs on stock shocks with no problmes for years..
I just wanted to offer up my thoughts/opinions in case others are considering the same mod and wanted to get real world observations from AZ members.
I had an Acura RL previously, which I also put H&Rs on and had good results with that car - so I opted to do the same with my TL. I saw some pics of other people who had put on H&R and I liked the drop.
My goal is to maintain everyday driveability, but to improve cornering, and to get a nice dropped look, but not look "slammed". Mission accomplished.
IMO, the ride is great. I almost can't tell that there are springs on the car in terms of how it feels in day to day driving. Cruising on city streets or the freeway, I think it rides virtually the same as it did before the install. *Maybe* it is slightly bumpier on poor pavement, but I really think the ride is virtually unchanged from stock. My wife recently went for a ride and she says she thinks it feels a "little bit" bumpier, although she said ti wasn't objectionable. FWIW - if you are at all concerned with ride quality - you should have zero reservations about putting these on your car. it rides great.
Handling - much improved. I can feel the car is flatter in turns and can go through turns at a higher speed. I can still feel some body roll - it's not like the car is a go cart - but without a doubt - the car handles noticeably better. Turn in feels better as well. It's hard to put any kind of measurement on "how" much better it feels - but it is enough that I definitely notice it. I always felt the TL SH-AWD was a very good handling car stock, but now it's even better.
Looks - I am not looking to be so far slammed that my wheels are tucked up inside my wheel wells.. I Just want the car to get rid of that 4X4 look and have the fender gap reduced. The drop it gives is great. The car looks 100X better with the mild drop these springs provide.
Overall - I'm very pleased. The investment is not much. These retail for $220 or so at Tire RAck. I got lucky and found mine used on Craigslisft for half that.
I paid $150 to install them, and then $70 to get my car aligned.I know many people will say that it's better to do coilovers, or that I will eventually want to upgrade... for now, I"m totally happy with my springs. If/when I have shocks go out - I will assess if I want to upgrade to Teins or just replace stock shocks. As my car has only about 30k miles.. and I"m not botoming out over speed bumps.. I bet my shocks will last a while... I know plenty of people who have run H&Rs on stock shocks with no problmes for years..
The following 4 users liked this post by 23109VC:
AcuraGene (02-14-2014),
itsryanftw (01-16-2013),
Limelight (01-16-2013),
yungdreadlionTL (03-10-2013)
01-16-2013, 08:27 AM
#5
Thank you for this - I'm hoping to do this in the spring so I appreciate the detailed review and would love to see more pics!
01-16-2013, 11:35 PM
#7
Team Owner
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Well said...I like my H&R's too. You got a great price on yours!
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01-17-2013, 06:43 PM
#8
Cruisin'
thanx for your oppinion. im looking to do the same
I recently installed a set of H&R springs on my 2009 TL SH-AWD.
I just wanted to offer up my thoughts/opinions in case others are considering the same mod and wanted to get real world observations from AZ members.
I had an Acura RL previously, which I also put H&Rs on and had good results with that car - so I opted to do the same with my TL. I saw some pics of other people who had put on H&R and I liked the drop.
My goal is to maintain everyday driveability, but to improve cornering, and to get a nice dropped look, but not look "slammed". Mission accomplished.
IMO, the ride is great. I almost can't tell that there are springs on the car in terms of how it feels in day to day driving. Cruising on city streets or the freeway, I think it rides virtually the same as it did before the install. *Maybe* it is slightly bumpier on poor pavement, but I really think the ride is virtually unchanged from stock. My wife recently went for a ride and she says she thinks it feels a "little bit" bumpier, although she said ti wasn't objectionable. FWIW - if you are at all concerned with ride quality - you should have zero reservations about putting these on your car. it rides great.
Handling - much improved. I can feel the car is flatter in turns and can go through turns at a higher speed. I can still feel some body roll - it's not like the car is a go cart - but without a doubt - the car handles noticeably better. Turn in feels better as well. It's hard to put any kind of measurement on "how" much better it feels - but it is enough that I definitely notice it. I always felt the TL SH-AWD was a very good handling car stock, but now it's even better.
Looks - I am not looking to be so far slammed that my wheels are tucked up inside my wheel wells.. I Just want the car to get rid of that 4X4 look and have the fender gap reduced. The drop it gives is great. The car looks 100X better with the mild drop these springs provide.
Overall - I'm very pleased. The investment is not much. These retail for $220 or so at Tire RAck. I got lucky and found mine used on Craigslisft for half that. I paid $150 to install them, and then $70 to get my car aligned.
I know many people will say that it's better to do coilovers, or that I will eventually want to upgrade... for now, I"m totally happy with my springs. If/when I have shocks go out - I will assess if I want to upgrade to Teins or just replace stock shocks. As my car has only about 30k miles.. and I"m not botoming out over speed bumps.. I bet my shocks will last a while... I know plenty of people who have run H&Rs on stock shocks with no problmes for years..
I just wanted to offer up my thoughts/opinions in case others are considering the same mod and wanted to get real world observations from AZ members.
I had an Acura RL previously, which I also put H&Rs on and had good results with that car - so I opted to do the same with my TL. I saw some pics of other people who had put on H&R and I liked the drop.
My goal is to maintain everyday driveability, but to improve cornering, and to get a nice dropped look, but not look "slammed". Mission accomplished.
IMO, the ride is great. I almost can't tell that there are springs on the car in terms of how it feels in day to day driving. Cruising on city streets or the freeway, I think it rides virtually the same as it did before the install. *Maybe* it is slightly bumpier on poor pavement, but I really think the ride is virtually unchanged from stock. My wife recently went for a ride and she says she thinks it feels a "little bit" bumpier, although she said ti wasn't objectionable. FWIW - if you are at all concerned with ride quality - you should have zero reservations about putting these on your car. it rides great.
Handling - much improved. I can feel the car is flatter in turns and can go through turns at a higher speed. I can still feel some body roll - it's not like the car is a go cart - but without a doubt - the car handles noticeably better. Turn in feels better as well. It's hard to put any kind of measurement on "how" much better it feels - but it is enough that I definitely notice it. I always felt the TL SH-AWD was a very good handling car stock, but now it's even better.
Looks - I am not looking to be so far slammed that my wheels are tucked up inside my wheel wells.. I Just want the car to get rid of that 4X4 look and have the fender gap reduced. The drop it gives is great. The car looks 100X better with the mild drop these springs provide.
Overall - I'm very pleased. The investment is not much. These retail for $220 or so at Tire RAck. I got lucky and found mine used on Craigslisft for half that.
I paid $150 to install them, and then $70 to get my car aligned.I know many people will say that it's better to do coilovers, or that I will eventually want to upgrade... for now, I"m totally happy with my springs. If/when I have shocks go out - I will assess if I want to upgrade to Teins or just replace stock shocks. As my car has only about 30k miles.. and I"m not botoming out over speed bumps.. I bet my shocks will last a while... I know plenty of people who have run H&Rs on stock shocks with no problmes for years..
01-17-2013, 07:45 PM
#9
6G TLX-S
Did you get a chance to measure roughly how much does the H&R spring drop the car ?
01-17-2013, 08:36 PM
#10
OP,not trying to hijack your thread,i am just posting this link for members to get an idea since i did before and after shots.
https://acurazine.com/forums/showthr...=832308&page=7
01-21-2013, 08:10 AM
#11
Advanced
Nice write up. Just my decision. A little easier. I had full coils on 03 accord and they cost 1600. I never got the full user out of them so it was a waste of money. The way I installed the way they stayed for years. Never adjusted height or dampening. Now this time around on my tl I was debating for springs only but wasn't sure. For few hundred bucks its simple math
01-22-2013, 09:42 AM
#14
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ressling (07-08-2014)
02-01-2013, 11:32 AM
#17
Intermediate
Nice review and comments from other owners. I think a lot of TL owners (like myself) are on the fence about which direction to go with the suspension. I'm leaning towards the H&R springs myself to keep drivability, but I don't want to regret the purchase and wish I had gone with coilovers. This was helpful.
03-04-2013, 09:33 AM
#18
Advanced
Hey guys.
I had coils on my 03 accord and yes they are nice but I never adjusted them after installing so in reality the money wasn't worth it. Springs would've done just fine. I'm leaning towards springs now for my 09 tl awd. I feel that coils are good if you track your car want to change up settings for the weekend and what not.
This is my opinion only.
Oh ya. The drop looks nice. Like the elite wheels aswell.
I had coils on my 03 accord and yes they are nice but I never adjusted them after installing so in reality the money wasn't worth it. Springs would've done just fine. I'm leaning towards springs now for my 09 tl awd. I feel that coils are good if you track your car want to change up settings for the weekend and what not.
This is my opinion only.
Oh ya. The drop looks nice. Like the elite wheels aswell.
Last edited by 09tl3.7; 03-04-2013 at 09:37 AM.
03-04-2013, 05:06 PM
#19
1st Gear
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Camber Kit for rear 2012 TL SH-AWD
I am new to this website , I have a 2012 TL SH-AWD that i lowered with H&R springs, one dealer told me that a rear camber kit would actually raise the rear about 1/2 inch ? Has anybody else heard this as well ?
03-05-2013, 12:29 AM
#21
Good job and nice review. I can actually use your advice and everyone else who has reply here. I've been thinking of doing the Tein ss with EDFC on my 2012 TL SH-AWD. After reading your thread it makes me want to save money and go with the HR springs being that my car/suspension is so new. I live in Manhattan & the roads are not good at all.. I'm going to go with 20 inch Vossen..
03-06-2013, 08:43 AM
#24
Advanced
teins ss ride the same with or without the edfc but they will be more firm then stock shocks and H & R s but the point is that our cars stock ride really well and putting springs will only change the look of the car. Again coils are great if you use them to its potential ie changing height and dampening, i never did on my 03 accord thus i came to the conclusion, for me, that coils are a waste of my money. the way i installed my coils on my old car they stayed even for the Canadian winter with a front lip. heres a pic of my old car with tein flex from a tsx
03-06-2013, 10:42 AM
#25
It depends on your budget and what you want. If you want ride height adjustment and damping adjustment you would want coilovers; if you want a set ride height lowering and a sportier ride then you want lowering springs.
03-10-2013, 11:19 PM
#26
9th Gear
pretty interesting. I just picked up a 09 sh awd and was wondering if i would regret just going with the springs (seeing that I live in NY). Think I might do this im a month or two.
03-11-2013, 10:38 AM
#27
I have the H&R springs, and I normally drive in an area (downtown and coastal Long Beach) that has really bumpy roads. I can definitely feel the difference. On newer and smoother roads, I can't feel the difference between H&R and stock, except when I turn, and the handling is awesome. I'm happy with the ride height, and also happy that I didn't need an alignment and camber kit.
A part of me wishes that I had gone with the Tein SS's, but the H&R springs are inexpensive, and even more so with a self-install. (Hardest part was unhooking the rear seat... everything else was straightforward.)
I figure that I'll change over to Tein SS once my shocks blow out. I'm kind of yearning to feel the difference in ride at different settings, esp on bumpy roads.
A part of me wishes that I had gone with the Tein SS's, but the H&R springs are inexpensive, and even more so with a self-install. (Hardest part was unhooking the rear seat... everything else was straightforward.)
I figure that I'll change over to Tein SS once my shocks blow out. I'm kind of yearning to feel the difference in ride at different settings, esp on bumpy roads.
04-10-2013, 04:53 PM
#31
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I just wanted to add that I was going to do coilovers but I decided to go with springs and install them myself.
I have to agree with the thread starter, perfect amount of drop and I don't feel like the ride is worse. Maybe, maybe a little stiffer but really it could be just subjective. I am quite happy with the mod.
I have to agree with the thread starter, perfect amount of drop and I don't feel like the ride is worse. Maybe, maybe a little stiffer but really it could be just subjective. I am quite happy with the mod.
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irischloealeck (04-11-2013)
04-19-2013, 02:59 PM
#37
02-08-2014, 08:07 PM
#38
Resident Dingo
Sorry to go gravedigging here.. but I'm curious if you all are having to buy rear camber kits with the H&R springs? Or are you all able to get the alignment in spec with these springs?
Any info is appreciated. Thank you!
Any info is appreciated. Thank you!
02-08-2014, 11:35 PM
#39
Drifting
Thread Starter
I didn't buy any rear camber kit and everything is fine. I had my car aligned afterward and I don't honestly recall if my specs were 100% within spec...but the car drives totally smooth / tracks straight...
no complaints.
no complaints.
