What's considered a smooth ride is really subjective -- to my taste, the stock suspension is mushy and I don't find that comfortable. The VPD front progressive springs start out as the same rate as the stock springs, so they're just fine going over tar strips or small bumps. The more they compress, the stiffer they get, of course.

With lowering springs like that, your choice of readily-available shocks is limited to Bilstein or Koni. I love Bilsteins. Others think they're too stiff, but I find they're very smooth when used with urethane bushings.