[pothole]

Thanks Johnny - not sure where you are getting your numbers for the PSS9s, but I doubt they are as stiff as 450/500.

Bit disappointed at the spring rates of the H&Rs, though I kind of knew just looking at them they were pretty soft...

I'll probably go with the H&R as I do want the extra drop. I have enough experience with springs to know that you need a surprisingly big change in rate to make a dramatically different feel in practice.

On my old E36 BMW I started with stock springs and dampers that were probably around 200lbs and went through several increments before I settled on 650/550 (though bear in mind this was with adjustable dampers that were also custom valved to cope with high spring rates). People get very excited about how slightly stiffer lower springs destroy ride and dynamics, but the reality is that going from, say 200lb to 250lb doesn't make much difference, truth be told.

I also learned that it's firm damping not firm springs that make things really uncomfortable.