Experience with KW V2s?

[M3TA5IN]

Any of you guys have experience with KW V2s? I am thinking of this set up for the car, will be mostly daily driven with the occasional track runs.

Thanks

[danewilson77]

Eli has them and loves them. This will be my next set.

You won't be disappointed.

[M3TA5IN]

Thanks Mr. Wilson. Do you know if they are hard to install/adjust yourself? I would think the valving would need to be adjusted by a shop, what about height adjustment though?

[danewilson77]

Adjusting ride height is a breeze. I can go from slammed to stock (on my FK's) in about 30-45 minutes.

Valving is typically adjusted using a specially provided tool used in the top of the coilover. Usually the front dampening can be adjusted easily....whareas the rear is what you set it on during install. On mine...to adjust rear dampening..I would have to pull the shock, adjust, and re-install.

Ride height is adjustable using this collar (purple).....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/146916_x800.jpg

Using this wrench....

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/146909_x800.jpg

Then the dampening up front is adjustable with a tool that is inserted in the top (which changes the valving) - Where I have the green dot placed.

http://i1015.photobucket.com/albums/af278/nicee46/Maintenance%20and%20Misc/146917_x600-3.jpg

[mimalmo]

Dane's right, I have them on my car. I've had them for about 2 years now and can say that the car handles better and is smoother than stock. I would buy them again in a heartbeat.

[C Withers Media]

Adjusting ride height is a breeze. Turn collars towards bottom of strut until collars cannot be turned anymore. Loctite. Done.

Fixed...

[Smilez]

bimmerlifestyle bought some v1 and loved them. v2 are only better :D

[M3TA5IN]

bimmerlifestyle bought some v1 and loved them. v2 are only better :D

I was looking at the V1s too, the only difference is the valve adjustment right? I thought being able to adjust the valves would be better for track use.

[mimalmo]

V2's allow you to also adjust the rebound damping. V1's are preset from factory and are not adjustable.


http://www.kw-suspension.com/us/kw_product_range.php?MainPage=coilover

[Marcus-SanDiego]

I had the KW V2s on my 335. Loved them. I endorse the product.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7177.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7196.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7204.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7294.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7191.jpg

End result:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/Photo%20shoot%20June%2013%202010/MarksE92010-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/Photo%20shoot%20June%2013%202010/MarksE920441-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7315.jpg

And some fun ones:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7250.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v125/marcussandiego/IMG_7251.jpg

[M3TA5IN]

mmm, me likey Marcus, and I very rarely enjoy white cars. That looks niceeee though mang!

[Marcus-SanDiego]

It's all about accessorizing. :biggrin

[danewilson77]

Adjusting ride height is a breeze. Turn collars towards bottom of strut until collars cannot be turned anymore. Spot weld. Done.



Fixed...

Fixed again. Nicely played CaSeY.

[murph]

Valving is typically adjusted using a specially provided tool used in the top of the coilover. Usually the front dampening can be adjusted easily....whareas the rear is what you set it on during install. On mine...to adjust rear dampening..I would have to pull the shock, adjust, and re-install.

Ugh, I hope the KW's are cheap, that sounds like a royal PITA.

I'd probably go PSS9 for an aggressive adjustable street setup, or AST 4100 for just a bit more.

[mimalmo]

Not really. The rear shock is pretty easy to remove on an E46.

KW V2's can be had for around $1,500 right now.

[murph]

Oh jesus, I just looked at the prices, definitely go AST! Or if that's just out of your price range, the Bilstein PSS will be higher quality for lower price with easier adjustment.

[murph]

KW V2's can be had for around $1,500 right now.

ECS Tuning listed the price at $1900, is there somewhere cheaper?

[mimalmo]

Modbargains seems to have the lowest prices.

[mimalmo]

Whoops, sorry - that price is for the V1's. Sheesh, I only paid $1,400 for my KW V2's.

[murph]

And I guess I could contribute something to the thread other than bashing... For your use, I'd probably recommend some Eibach Pro-Kit or H&R Race with some Koni FSD or Bilstein sport shocks and some H&R swaybars.

My ZHP came with Eibach Pro-kit springs from the P.O. and I was really impressed. Just a bit firmer, just a bit lower, but controlled body roll well. I'll definitely continue to run them during the winter.

The Koni FSDs get good reviews for being comfortable but firm, and the Bilsteins are higher quality, though may be a bit rougher ride than the FSDs. The H&R swaybars will help reduce roll without causing much reduction in ride comfort. I'd recommend the Hotchkis bars as they're lighter and stiffer, but the H&R bars have teflon lined bushings that never make noise or need to be greased, which is nice in a DD.

Next step up would be the Bilstein PSS, then I'd look at AST after that. I love my ASTs. =]

[Marcus-SanDiego]

Murph, nice come back. Did a little bashing early on but you came on strong in the second post.

Well done.

[trancenation]

for the kw v2''s is the adjustment collar made of metal or is it plastic because it seems as if it is plastic on the first page of this thread.