Peter,

No offense taken. My camera angle probably exaggerates the wheel well gap slightly, but it is about that bad.

FWIW, my car is running the maximum spring pad thickness all the way around, 4 bump in front, three in back. Dropping down to 1 and 1 would help, the debate is how much. One bump is 8 mm thick, three is 18mm, 4 is 23mm according to a post on this forum. And the effect should be greater since the pad is halfway between the pivot point of the arm and the wheel itself (also discussed in another thread).

My struggle is spending around $250 to just change out pads w/o changing the 150k mile springs. Yet my stock springs appear to be in great shape. Going with Eibachs may be a solution as well as J.H. suggests. But that's even more money I don't wish to spend at present.

So don't necessarily go away from the HD's if they serve you functionally. Just know that they may require some complimentary cosmetic adjustments.