KW vs BMW Performance suspension

Breville · 12-02-2008, 04:42 AM

So, I've read a lot about both and am wondering if anyone went for the BMW parts first and changed to KW after? I like the idea of the KW's but need to be respectful of the $$$ at the moment. Plus I like the idea of warranty with the BMW parts.

Breville · 12-02-2008, 04:54 AM

So, Andrew at SouthernBM put me right - the KW's are only a few $$ more.. Ignore this post..

WAY · 12-02-2008, 05:21 AM

Are you after KW V2 or V3? I have a set of V2 that I bought for a friend but never installed if you are interested. It's with Andrew.

Breville · 12-02-2008, 05:39 AM

V2, Andrew & I have spoken.. Cheers.

SV Concepts III · 12-02-2008, 12:12 PM

I would spend the extra for the KW setup. I prefer the adjustability and find that KW offers better peformance for the price. Being able to dial in your own ride height and dampening settings is key IMO.

Ron@Modbargains · 12-02-2008, 02:53 PM

Well KW produces the Coilovers for the BMW race teams as well. Plus they are the #1 German Suspension company.

As to your question in regards to warranty - they provide a lifetime warranty on the suspension purchased from Authorized KW Dealers.

To view Authorized dealers, you can see them here: http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/60_D..._USA/index.php

J-Sud · 12-02-2008, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ron************

Well KW produces the Coilovers for the BMW race teams as well. Plus they are the #1 German Suspension company.

As to your question in regards to warranty - they provide a lifetime warranty on the suspension purchased from Authorized KW Dealers.

To view Authorized dealers, you can see them here: http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/60_D..._USA/index.php

I had KW V3s on my GTI and the front right strut blew after about 6 months or less....it sucked....and I would have to take it off and send it to them for warranty...which also sucks because I wouldnt be able to drive my car....

I now question there quality....kinda bitter i guess you could say, i dont really want them on my BMW

spdrcr · 12-03-2008, 05:40 AM

If you want quiet stick with the BMW performance. I have the KW Clubsport version and there is an obvious 'ssshhhh' sound in the struts under compression. I believe you'll probably get the same sound with the V2 / V3 aswell.

WAY · 12-03-2008, 06:28 AM

Not true Jeff. The reason we have that sound on ours is due to our racing top mount. V2/V3 don't have that.

BerkTechnology · 12-04-2008, 03:53 AM

Sometimes things just break......

I haven't personally run into any quality issues with KW, we've run them on lots of our customer cars & personal cars. Most of us run them here and we're all happy clams.

modbargains · 12-04-2008, 02:34 PM

For not that much more, KWs are the choice to go IMHO. As already mentioned, being about to adjust the settings to you liking is the bottom line when it comes to performance suspension.

rcracer_tx · 12-04-2008, 03:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by spdrcr

If you want quiet stick with the BMW performance. I have the KW Clubsport version and there is an obvious 'ssshhhh' sound in the struts under compression. I believe you'll probably get the same sound with the V2 / V3 aswell.

I hear that sound going over speed bumps on the stock suspension, so it's not limited to performance suspension...

stovesax08 · 12-06-2008, 02:15 PM

So I'm essentially looking for a better street setup, and I won't track the car frequently (maybe once or twice a year), but I feel like the current setup is too soft and not responsive enough (plus the understeer at the limit isn't much fun at all-which I experienced on the nurburgring). I like what I have read about the bmw performance suspension-that it sets up the car to feel like it should have stock. Is the adjustability worth the extra couple hundred dollars? Also, if KW fully warranties their parts for life, does that mean that their warranty is actually better than the bmw warranty?

modbargains · 12-08-2008, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by stovesax08

So I'm essentially looking for a better street setup, and I won't track the car frequently (maybe once or twice a year), but I feel like the current setup is too soft and not responsive enough (plus the understeer at the limit isn't much fun at all-which I experienced on the nurburgring). I like what I have read about the bmw performance suspension-that it sets up the car to feel like it should have stock. Is the adjustability worth the extra couple hundred dollars? Also, if KW fully warranties their parts for life, does that mean that their warranty is actually better than the bmw warranty?

IMO for not much more $$$ I would rather have the adjustability on hand. There is nothing like being able to set-up your suspension to your personal liking. If ordered through an authorized KW dealer, you'll get a life-time warranty which is better then a limited warranty from the factory.

akak1997 · 12-10-2008, 04:36 PM

On the KW V3, can you adjust both rebound/compression in the engine bay? or you've to crawl under the car to set compression?

Thanks

trfortin69 · 12-23-2008, 10:44 AM

will the PS work on the convertible?

SV Concepts III · 12-23-2008, 12:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by akak1997

On the KW V3, can you adjust both rebound/compression in the engine bay? or you've to crawl under the car to set compression?

Thanks

The rebound is adjustable from within the engine bay, the compression is adjusted separately.

12-02-2008, 04:42 AM	#1
Breville Scum in the sun 30 Rep 938 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe TiAg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Syndey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	KW vs BMW Performance suspension So, I've read a lot about both and am wondering if anyone went for the BMW parts first and changed to KW after? I like the idea of the KW's but need to be respectful of the $$$ at the moment. Plus I like the idea of warranty with the BMW parts. __________________ One should love animals. They are so tasty.
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12-02-2008, 04:54 AM	#2
Breville Scum in the sun 30 Rep 938 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe TiAg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Syndey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	So, Andrew at SouthernBM put me right - the KW's are only a few $$ more.. Ignore this post.. __________________ One should love animals. They are so tasty.
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12-02-2008, 05:21 AM	#3
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Are you after KW V2 or V3? I have a set of V2 that I bought for a friend but never installed if you are interested. It's with Andrew.
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12-02-2008, 05:39 AM	#4
Breville Scum in the sun 30 Rep 938 Posts Drives: 135i Coupe TiAg Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Syndey iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	V2, Andrew & I have spoken.. Cheers. __________________ One should love animals. They are so tasty.
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12-02-2008, 12:12 PM	#5
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 374 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	I would spend the extra for the KW setup. I prefer the adjustability and find that KW offers better peformance for the price. Being able to dial in your own ride height and dampening settings is key IMO.
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12-02-2008, 02:53 PM	#6
Ron@Modbargains 58 Rep 2,201 Posts Drives: 996TT/ae86 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (3)	Well KW produces the Coilovers for the BMW race teams as well. Plus they are the #1 German Suspension company. As to your question in regards to warranty - they provide a lifetime warranty on the suspension purchased from Authorized KW Dealers. To view Authorized dealers, you can see them here: http://www.kw-suspension.com/en/60_D..._USA/index.php
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12-03-2008, 05:40 AM	#8
spdrcr First Lieutenant 13 Rep 356 Posts Drives: Lotus Elise Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	If you want quiet stick with the BMW performance. I have the KW Clubsport version and there is an obvious 'ssshhhh' sound in the struts under compression. I believe you'll probably get the same sound with the V2 / V3 aswell.
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12-03-2008, 06:28 AM	#9
WAY Brigadier General 458 Rep 4,822 Posts Drives: Fast ones Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Not true Jeff. The reason we have that sound on ours is due to our racing top mount. V2/V3 don't have that.
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12-04-2008, 03:53 AM	#10
BerkTechnology Lieutenant Colonel 223 Rep 1,565 Posts Drives: Fast Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine, CA iTrader: (1)	Sometimes things just break...... I haven't personally run into any quality issues with KW, we've run them on lots of our customer cars & personal cars. Most of us run them here and we're all happy clams.
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12-04-2008, 02:34 PM	#11
modbargains Brigadier General 169 Rep 3,160 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i & 01 Toyota Avalon Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: La Habra, CA iTrader: (5)	For not that much more, KWs are the choice to go IMHO. As already mentioned, being about to adjust the settings to you liking is the bottom line when it comes to performance suspension.
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12-06-2008, 02:15 PM	#13
stovesax08 Second Lieutenant 7 Rep 269 Posts Drives: 135i, X5 45e Join Date: Feb 2008 iTrader: (0)	So I'm essentially looking for a better street setup, and I won't track the car frequently (maybe once or twice a year), but I feel like the current setup is too soft and not responsive enough (plus the understeer at the limit isn't much fun at all-which I experienced on the nurburgring). I like what I have read about the bmw performance suspension-that it sets up the car to feel like it should have stock. Is the adjustability worth the extra couple hundred dollars? Also, if KW fully warranties their parts for life, does that mean that their warranty is actually better than the bmw warranty? __________________ 135i Coupe-Manual, Montego, Lemon, HG Black, sport, premium, CA, HiFi, Ipod/USB, heated seats
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12-10-2008, 04:36 PM	#15
akak1997 Major 62 Rep 1,159 Posts Drives: BMW 135 @ 135mph Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 135i [0.00]	On the KW V3, can you adjust both rebound/compression in the engine bay? or you've to crawl under the car to set compression? Thanks
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12-23-2008, 10:44 AM	#16
trfortin69 Lieutenant 18 Rep 406 Posts Drives: 135i Convertible Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Seacost NH iTrader: (1)	convertible will the PS work on the convertible? __________________ Jet Black/Savvanah Beige - Premium Package, Cold Package, Ipod, Style 142 Winter Wheels w/ All season runflats, Style 264 Summer Wheels w/ Ventus V12 evo K110 225/40R- 18 Front 255/35R-18 Rear Prior Vehicles: 2002 Porsche Boxster, 2004 A-4 Ultra Sport Stage II software/injectors w/ stasis street sport suspension, 2006 e90 w/ sport, premium, cold.
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