Two reports of Bilsteins being noisy in this thread alone, makes me question making such an expensive swap

 

Never got any noise from mine at all

 

Yeah,Had to have both rear's rebuilt by Bilstein and the passenger side is knocking again.

 

Have you considered KW Variant 3's?
I run KW Clubsport's on my daily drive with STI Grp N rear top mounts and all bushings replaced with STI pillow ***** and they are silent, no knocks, rattles or anything.
Excellent build quality, and very smooth.

 

Whats the ride like on the KW's? Have you had a chance to compare to other brands?

 

I currently run dampers and springs. The only coilovers I'd be interested in using would be kw's

Joe

 

I'd describe the KW Clubsport's as firm but very smooth. I have them mounted to Whiteline Com C front top mounts and STI Grp N rears.
I'd say the KW V3's are an ideal fast road set up that's capable on track.
I've also tried Exe-tc and BC's although the BC's weren't on my Impreza.
IMO if you want to transform the handling characteristics of your Impreza you need to get rid of the soft rubber bushings in the lateral links and trailing arms.
The STI pillow ball links make a huge difference to how the car responds.

 

As I have drop a message, the MeisterR GT1 coilovers could be another contender.

Easy to use 1-way adjustable mono-tube damper, build in the UK with CNC aluminium internals.
Performance will be right up there against the best such as Ohlins DFV, and cheaper too at only £1550 delivered.

Big Claim? I know.
But at the same time I can stand behind that claim, as the GT1 suspension is technically advance far beyond what you would normally find within this price range.

Jerrick

 

Hi All, despite all my talk about wanting a simplified setup... I got giddy on eBay last night and ended up winning a set of KW Variant 3s with OEM top mounts for £495...

They look to want a refurb, so need to price that up on Monday.

Hopefully quieter than my current setup thanks to rubber rear mounts, spoke to Chevron quickly today and Simon says they should be a vast improvement over my current set up once rebuilt.

I need banning from eBay, especially after beer.

 

You giddy kipper!

Sounds like you got a decent but mate, eBay is a nightmare on a good day let alone after a drink! Jim spoken to you about tomorrow ?

Joe

 

Yes mate, I shall be there

 

Weather permitting of course.

 

Oh yeah, don't want to get your inner arches wet!!

 

Finally someone who understands

Get some pics up of this suspension anyway!

 

When it arrives... eBay pics weren't great.

Fitted my gauges today though.... kinda. They're not plumbed into anything yet

 

Fonzey I also had my eye on the KW's on ebay

But you got there before me! Could you give us a review once they are on your car?

I've had Bc's before and realised quickly they were not for me.

Most likely will be going for the KW v3 in the summer.

 

I was the only bidder, so you didn't try hard enough

Still apprehensive to see what state they will be in, a full rebuild on each four will set me back another £500 or so. Still makes these cheap though to be fair!

 

A newly fettled set of KW V3's will be superb (& leagues ahead of most others)

 

http://bit.ly/1arXcV7
You tempted Kyle?

 

They look fun - wonder what ride height they give?

 

Knew you'd like them bonesetter

 

I thought I would wait till there was only 30 seconds left and put a sneaky bid in but got distracted and the auction finished!

 

What would your max bid have been out of interest? PM me if you prefer :P

 

My max bid would only have been £600, as would have needed to buy top mounts too, plus the cost of refurbishment, which I didnt enquire about the cost.

I have driven one Impreza for 20 miles with the KW's, dont think it was long enough to get a feel of they are like day to day, but I was definately impressed.

 

Wow, our bidding war would have been a dead heat then :P

I got the coilovers today, some damage to one of the rears on a collar which surrounds the piston - doesn't look like a costly part, but what do I know?!

Will get them off to KW ASAP.

 

Hopefully it wont cost too much to repair, looking forward to your thoughts on them.

Have a feeling you will like them, we seem to have similar taste as our car's are exactly the same

 

wow, this was at 868 the other day and it ended at 2,688! fkin ****!

 

You will need just new collars and they cost just £18 from KW,but I would replace all collars,if they're seized,if not then good,if yes then you will need to unseize them,if you want to remove collar,its pain in **** job,but will worth it,have run them on CTR and we are love them

Jura

 

Thanks Jura, its not actually a spring perch collar but a smaller metal one that goes around the piston itself, presumably sealing it in place.

 

If you mean this what is on below picture then its spring perch



They're cheap and you can buy them easily,which I can't say about the other makers


Jura