Should fitting the HR 30mm springs really have such a compromise on comfort and ride?

New shocks which are fine, its the springs that I think make it feel both very hard and pogo-like

Although maybe its partly down to the old bump stops to some degree?

it can be 1) really clunky over firm ground but also, 2) rebounds quite a bit when you go over quite a rough bit of ground

Mostly all new parts (fitted by me and a friend) maybe this is normal but just wonder what others have found on them

They are ok but the drop in height really has come from some compromise on comfort

Is it possible because we didn't alter the bump stops that this could at least cause of the "bounciness" of somewhat more uneven ground?

If so I could edit them without having to remove the suspension entirely? (I think its from the front so wondering if I can just remove the wheel drop the cover/bump stop and just cut in down in place)

Or is it just realisation that UK roads are very unforgiving on lower cars

Sounds like your dampers don't match your new spring rates. Stiffer springs need more damping to control the movement. Even if you have new dampers it won't stop you're problem if they don't have enough damping for your springs.

i thought they were designed to be used with standard shocks ?

From reading reviews, this is the reason I went for the eibach pro kit over the h&r's.

Nope, it was in fact the bump stops (full marks to me then!)

It was basically maxing out the suspension, it had settled probably to the point there wasnt the travel to work properly

I don't know why I didn't do it, I guess the guide wasn't insistant enough for me to take notice, or because it wasn't mentioned in the Haynes.

I've trimmed 2cm or thereabouts off the bump stops (with the suspension left in place) I can tell you it has made a world of difference. The H&R are now much better

Can't comment on the harsh ground til I get to a big drop in road surfaces, but as far as just most surfaces its 100% better

Maybe some of the experiences with H&R are like this - down to poor fitting etc or not replacing all the items possible?

I didn't skimp on replacing any parts on the front, everything replacement more or less got replaced.

Note this would have affected Eibach fitment just as well as anything