The pad don't really provide much compensation, just a few mm at best, since they were designed to compensate for the weight of optional accessories (sunroofs, a/c systems). Lowering with the Eibach will shorten the stroke distance of the Sportline shocks and wear them faster. As for stiffness, it's like asking if something is too spicy or not spicy enough. The Eibachs are stiffer than stock, but not as stiff as the H&R seems to be the concensus.