KW V1 or Bilstein B14 Coilovers?

bodega_bladerunner · 09-23-2016, 06:50 PM

Hey guys

I'm about to pick up some coilovers because I'm about fed with the way the stock suspension is...it feels rough over certain bumps/roads but it doesn't have the go kart handling that comes with a rough ride.

I am torn betwen the KW V1 and the bilstein b14. I've had the KWs before on my wrx and they were great, so that's why I'm gravitating back toward them. But on the other hand, I am reading the the B14s are great too, and they can be had for a few hundred cheaper. Their main use will be on my daily driven car, that has to deal with the crappy road here and there, so sturdy and good longevity. I don't want spring/strut combo because I want a full matched system. I had the KWs for about 40k miles and they still felt great the day I sold the car. Will the Bilsteins be the same? Or will I notice the 300-400 difference I'd be saving?

What do you guys think?

sandlion · 09-24-2016, 08:29 AM

Bilstein b14 were great on my mini. going a different route on this car. (fewer mods) and did koni fsd on the 135. they are working out great, much less roll than stock. next will be RSFB.

bodega_bladerunner · 09-24-2016, 03:37 PM

bump for more opinions

swagon · 09-24-2016, 04:22 PM

There are countless threads on this, I recommend using the search button.

Bilsteins offer better ride for less money. KW's meh unless we are talking about their top-end stuff. No-brainer.

Or is it?

I would get them despite the fact that a lot of 1 Series owners in Germany report issues with clunking noises appearing after less than one year. Some have been lucky, incl. one guy here on 1addicts. You might be as well.

B12 Pro-Kit is a great bang for the buck. More reliable, too. Got them on the E91, and KW V2 on the 1er.

Dackelone · 09-24-2016, 04:30 PM

Get the Bilsteins. They last forever and are a great shock for real (pot hole)roads.

Last time I bought bilsteins I used Shox.com (they will price match or beat on-line sales). This place also has some good deals on Bilsteins... http://www.ajusa.com/Bilstein-46-180...it-acb089.html

John_01 · 09-24-2016, 08:00 PM

Many cars running B14 coilvers drop quite low on the front. That can be an issue if you don't want the car too low. The KW can allow a higher front ride height from what I have seen.

bodega_bladerunner · 09-25-2016, 10:21 PM

thanks for the feed back everyone

i've decide to get the bilsteins
along with dinan camber plates
and the turner motorsports strut/shock mount kit https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1...e82-128i-135i/

I figure the cost of all that right there will put me right at the cost of just a set of KW v1. So the bilsteins seem like a better value

09-23-2016, 06:50 PM	#1
bodega_bladerunner Lieutenant 156 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	KW V1 or Bilstein B14 Coilovers? Hey guys I'm about to pick up some coilovers because I'm about fed with the way the stock suspension is...it feels rough over certain bumps/roads but it doesn't have the go kart handling that comes with a rough ride. I am torn betwen the KW V1 and the bilstein b14. I've had the KWs before on my wrx and they were great, so that's why I'm gravitating back toward them. But on the other hand, I am reading the the B14s are great too, and they can be had for a few hundred cheaper. Their main use will be on my daily driven car, that has to deal with the crappy road here and there, so sturdy and good longevity. I don't want spring/strut combo because I want a full matched system. I had the KWs for about 40k miles and they still felt great the day I sold the car. Will the Bilsteins be the same? Or will I notice the 300-400 difference I'd be saving? What do you guys think?
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09-24-2016, 08:29 AM	#2
sandlion Private First Class 18 Rep 100 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Dallas, TX iTrader: (0)	Bilstein b14 were great on my mini. going a different route on this car. (fewer mods) and did koni fsd on the 135. they are working out great, much less roll than stock. next will be RSFB. __________________ 2011 135i DCT Space Gray Metallic \| TR Motorsports 17x8 ET40 Wheels \| Koni Yellows \| FMIC \| Charge Pipe \| MHD Stage 1 \| Riken Raptor 245/40ZR Tires
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09-24-2016, 03:37 PM	#3
bodega_bladerunner Lieutenant 156 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	bump for more opinions
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09-24-2016, 04:22 PM	#4
swagon Major General 13521 Rep 8,165 Posts Drives: F80 6MT Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: . iTrader: (0)	There are countless threads on this, I recommend using the search button. Bilsteins offer better ride for less money. KW's meh unless we are talking about their top-end stuff. No-brainer. Or is it? I would get them despite the fact that a lot of 1 Series owners in Germany report issues with clunking noises appearing after less than one year. Some have been lucky, incl. one guy here on 1addicts. You might be as well. B12 Pro-Kit is a great bang for the buck. More reliable, too. Got them on the E91, and KW V2 on the 1er. __________________
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09-24-2016, 04:30 PM	#5
Dackelone European Editor 10539 Rep 22,992 Posts Drives: N54 e82 Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Bayern, Germany iTrader: (1)	Get the Bilsteins. They last forever and are a great shock for real (pot hole)roads. Last time I bought bilsteins I used Shox.com (they will price match or beat on-line sales). This place also has some good deals on Bilsteins... http://www.ajusa.com/Bilstein-46-180...it-acb089.html __________________ Dackel's European Delivery Museum Guide
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09-24-2016, 08:00 PM	#6
John_01 Colonel 232 Rep 2,643 Posts Drives: E90 325i, E82 135i Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Sydney, Australia iTrader: (0)	Many cars running B14 coilvers drop quite low on the front. That can be an issue if you don't want the car too low. The KW can allow a higher front ride height from what I have seen.
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09-25-2016, 10:21 PM	#7
bodega_bladerunner Lieutenant 156 Rep 434 Posts Drives: 2015 M4 Join Date: Dec 2015 Location: In the moutains iTrader: (1)	thanks for the feed back everyone i've decide to get the bilsteins along with dinan camber plates and the turner motorsports strut/shock mount kit https://www.turnermotorsport.com/p-1...e82-128i-135i/ I figure the cost of all that right there will put me right at the cost of just a set of KW v1. So the bilsteins seem like a better value
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