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Are these better than Bilsteins.
Do they corrode,is the ride harsh ?
Where can i get the best deal on them ?
Has anybody already got them on a Blobeye ?
Kw don't corrode as much a blistien, no.
They are German Made and have a better long lasting life cycle.
It's one of the reasons I went kw. You won't go wrong.
I have the clubsports, but I haven't tested them yet as car not finished, but can't wait.
I have V1's on my E36 M3, very comfortable. And they are stainless steel as well. It's the other KW based brands that only have galvanized steel if I'm not wrong (I have used plenty of those too).
Had V3s on my Hawk spec c and are very good. If your not using the adjustment and it's gonna be used on the road 90% of the time it's probably a waste tbh, they are very track focused. Swapped mine out for shocks and spring for road use, much better.
Dave you do about the same road miles as me and I do a few track days a year. They will be good for what you do. Get them set up right and adjust for the track
I have no experience of Bilsteins but I'd highly recommend the KW V3s.
I went for KW V3s about 3.5 years ago and you can set them up however you like.
Mine were supplied by Indigo GT in Tredegar who were running an offer at the time that included fitting and re-adjusting once they'd settled.
Since I've had them fitted I've adjusted the ride height once, the compression (strut bottom) about 6 times and the rebound (strut top) 103 times (yes, I anally record every setting change).
I don't do track work instead I commute, tip run and hoon and after my initial and rather lengthy experimentation phase when they were new I now alter the rebound according to circumstances, want and mood.
The only downside is that KW don't provide a compression adjustment tool for easily tweaking the strut bottom adjuster without having to ramp the car. The bottom adjusters are exposed to road dirt and grime and can stick in place. A small pronged adjuster bar would save sore fingers and copious amounts of swearing.
The struts do not rust and are as shiny as ever. The only part showing(surface) rust are the yellow-coated springs as the plastic coating eventually fatigues and splits.
I have no experience of Bilsteins but I'd highly recommend the KW V3s.
I went for KW V3s about 3.5 years ago and you can set them up however you like.
Mine were supplied by Indigo GT in Tredegar who were running an offer at the time that included fitting and re-adjusting once they'd settled.
Since I've had them fitted I've adjusted the ride height once, the compression (strut bottom) about 6 times and the rebound (strut top) 103 times (yes, I anally record every setting change).
I don't do track work instead I commute, tip run and hoon and after my initial and rather lengthy experimentation phase when they were new I now alter the rebound according to circumstances, want and mood.
The only downside is that KW don't provide a compression adjustment tool for easily tweaking the strut bottom adjuster without having to ramp the car. The bottom adjusters are exposed to road dirt and grime and can stick in place. A small pronged adjuster bar would save sore fingers and copious amounts of swearing.
The struts do not rust and are as shiny as ever. The only part showing(surface) rust are the yellow-coated springs as the plastic coating eventually fatigues and splits.
Great feedback SWSam
What ride height did you settle on?
Do you get any 'crashing' over sudden compressions/bumps?
What mileage have they covered over your 3.5 year partnership?
Cheers
Edit: BTW - are these on your WRX bugeye wagon?
Last edited by bonesetter; 23 July 2018 at 03:04 PM.
Ride height after re-adjustment following the initial 'Drag-Racers-R-Us' set up: Wheel centre to arch: Front: 365 Rear: 355.
No crashing. However I run 1 notch softer compression (bottom) than the 'out of the box' recommended setting to cope with our 'third world country' roads.
As I write I've done bang on 20K miles on the KW V3s.
Yes, it's my old WRX bugeye wagon though she's a bit quicker (and a lot more solid body-wise) these days.
What the retail on these? 2k ish? + fitting and setup, so what £2500 all in?
Be interesting to see how they compare to the likes of teins/meister etc that are 50% the cost.
Teins & Meister's are in a lower budget range. You've got to keen to spend big (2K+) on dampers/coils etc and let's face it a lot of older scoobies are only worth twice that
That's why BC's and the like are appealing despite their shortcomings
They are quality items. I fondled a V3 unit at the motorsport NEC show and it smacked of solid quality
Apart from B14's which were totally awful I have only tried Eibach (Superstreets?) coilovers which were fine, otherwise I have always preferred a fixed perch and spring arrangement, but given Subaru's stock KYB short mileage failings, I am leaning more and more to the KW's
Afaik, in Germany you can't have aftermarket suspension, but I believe you can have kw as they are tut or something tested and acceptable.
As Germany is strict for mot/tuv test out there. (Not 100% sure if my post is exactly factual).
Can't beat kw for all round effectiveness for track and road.
… You've got to keen to spend big (2K+) on dampers/coils etc... …
Or be seriously keen on suspension ****.
I paid £1,500 for mine with free fitting and about £185 for the alignment and a couple of my top mounts were worn so there was extra to pay.
This was 3+years ago though.
Still it's worth having a call around for prices. There may be deals to be had.
I paid £1,500 for mine with free fitting and about £185 for the alignment and a couple of my top mounts were worn so there was extra to pay.
This was 3+years ago though.
Still it's worth having a call around for prices. There may be deals to be had.
Oooh blimey, now that has got me in a sweat
They do look very nice - did you put anything on the threads prior to fitting? (to stop any potential seize)
The V3's have a separate reservoir - I had forgotten that
1500 is such a no brainer
I would love to experience them in-car. I'm 'round your neck of the woods from time to time...?
I have tried a few places and they keep coming out at £1980.
Are there any offers out there ?
Never really see any offers on kw tbh, try kam racing or raw automotive (think it's Ross who works there and mention my name for him to sort price), or there's sprinting hare who's started selling kw but his prices look a bit silly lol.
The difference I noticed in fitting mine straight away was how long the perch was when fitting rears compared to crap tiens I took off which were cocking its leg and giving me no traction until car settled which slowed me down out of corners (dccd full open 35/65) I cannot see that happening with these.
The difference I noticed in fitting mine straight away was how long the perch was when fitting rears compared to crap tiens I took off which were cocking its leg and giving me no traction until car settled which slowed me down out of corners (dccd full open 35/65) I cannot see that happening with these.
I am doing Prescott drivers day 19th September and with the amount of work Ryan has lined up he doesn’t think he would be able to get it finished in time.So it looks like this will be done over the winter.
So I will be keeping an eye �� out for any bargains in the meantime.
Had V3s on my Hawk spec c and are very good. If your not using the adjustment and it's gonna be used on the road 90% of the time it's probably a waste tbh, they are very track focused. Swapped mine out for shocks and spring for road use, much better.
^This.
Compliance and roll (not too much, not too little) are the key to grip on a road car.
V3 were tuned on the Nurburgring - that is not representative of road use.
21 July 2018, 04:23 PM
