KW v1, is it a waste money?

[Yvette]

My OEM strut is squeaking and I think its time for new suspension. Well, maybe I just want a coilover who knows,
I was looking for coilover and I heard someone said KW v1 for M3 is a step down?
Can someone confirm? or will I be better going with KW V3 instead?
I am type of a guy who don't bother adjusting the height.
I thought about just to go with spring only but I know I will hate it not replacing the struts.

On other hand, I don't think I need to have too extreme coilovers (ex. clubsport, ohlin etc.....) I don't want to buy something which is overkill for me.

Here is little info about me.
I occasionally have wife on passenger seat and not much passengers in the back. I like driving twisty roads.
I dont track this car, usually its for DD and I also have GLK for longer trips.
I had KW V1 on 335xi, and never touched it for 2 years. So you get the idea.

So.. anyone?

[M3Bimmer77]

Waste of money. There are appearance mods and performance mods. This is a performance mod and if you are not tracking is a wate of money. Why put money on something that you are not using? My 2 cents

[okusa]

Originally Posted by M3Bimmer77

This is a performance mod and if you are not tracking is a wate of money.

A V1 is a performance mode? Ummmm....NO. A V3 is not even trackable.

[kaede]

Originally Posted by okusa

A V1 is a performance mode? Ummmm....NO. A V3 is not even trackable.

Agree... V1 isn't exactly a performance mod. Its more for aesthetics to be honest.

V3 on the other hand provides exceptional value and performance, I have those on my NSX before and they worked wonders. Super compliant and comfortable. On the track it is much better than OEM and provides a level of confidence and controlled handling without sacrificing day to day drivability. HOWEVER, i have never used the V3 on the M3 (which is quite hefty compared to the lighter and more nimble NSX), so it can probably void its performance-intended nature.

OP, given your needs, i will just go OEM. If you must go lower, then maybe springs with oem struts? Good review for the swift springs here: (http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=869871). Also, did you get it checked out and mechanic says its the struts that are squeaking? M3 control arm bushings usually fails after 100k km ish and they develop a "knock" or "squeaky" sound. Those are cheaper to replace. Cheers!

[cenix]

Try to source some used, low mileage OE dampers in the classifieds and get some swift springs. Sounds like a decent coilover is overkill for your intended use.

[FType22]

I'm not really knowledgeable about this stuff but I was looking into sleeveover kits, it lowers the car but doesn't really change the ride quality, which is basically what it sounds like youre going for. Not sure but I think you need to use the OEM suspension for this though, so if yours is busted it might not be the perfect solution, however, the kit I was looking at was between 7-900 which is a F-load cheaper than the v3, especially, again, if it's for aesthetics.

[Z K]

The V3 is a great performance mod for the M3. Much tighter handling on track and you can feel a lot more of the road.

I have no experience with the V1 but it doesn't look like a bad product. The dampening is not adjustable though.

[m3aviator]

My v1's are outstanding. The valving is identical to v3. For sale too if you wanna know more.

[rzm3]

If you are happy with the performance of stock suspension, just get a used set of OEM dampers. There are plenty of used sets for sale.

If you want to lower, just get some Eibachs.

[FFM]

I don't think so. They lack the adjustability of the V2/3 but like mentioned the valving is the same, it's just preset. Whereas the V2 you adjust damper, with rebound altering with it, and V3's having those two independently adjustable from each other.

Worst part is the M tax, because they are quite a bit more expensive than a regular 3 series.

[m3aviator]

Originally Posted by FFM

I don't think so. They lack the adjustability of the V2/3 but like mentioned the valving is the same, it's just preset. Whereas the V2 you adjust damper, with rebound altering with it, and V3's having those two independently adjustable from each other.

Worst part is the M tax, because they are quite a bit more expensive than a regular 3 series.

The valving is the same. Just no adjustability. You can call and ask yourself. V3 is a waste of money.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by m3aviator

The valving is the same. Just no adjustability. You can call and ask yourself. V3 is a waste of money.

I wouldn't say it is a waste of money. If you want to customize how the car rides, you want the adjustability. I turn it up for the track and soften it up for daily driving. Works great.

[m3aviator]

Originally Posted by Z K

I wouldn't say it is a waste of money. If you want to customize how the car rides, you want the adjustability. I turn it up for the track and soften it up for daily driving. Works great.

V3 is a tapered progressive spring and too soft for track use. If your car sees any track time the club sports are the best bang for the buck.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by m3aviator

V3 is a tapered progressive spring and too soft for track use. If your car sees any track time the club sports are the best bang for the buck.

V3 is good for dual purpose use. I've had a good 1/2 dozen track days on the V3s and it is much better than OEM suspension. The stock shocks lack rebound so you always feel like you are disconnected and floating during fast transitions.

Club Sports have pillowball upper mounts. These always increase road noise and pillowballs wear down and make clicking/clunking sounds.

I do agree the springs should be more linear though.

[GabeS]

Yes shitty coilovers with no camber plates. lol.. there are much better coilovers out there for the same or less!
AST/Fortune Auto are 2 good ones,

[FFM]

Calls KW's valving shit, doesn't offer any other "better" examples, and is personally running a boutique set of coilover. Seems legit.

[GabeS]

Originally Posted by FFM

Calls KW's valving shit, doesn't offer any other "better" examples, and is personally running a boutique set of coilover. Seems legit.

I offered 2 good examples for less the KW's.(reading comprehension owns you)

If you want another example of better shocks, there is Ohlins for $3000 which are 10x better then KW.
I run Fortune Autos with custom valving and swift springs.(not sure what you meant with "boutique" usually boutique products are pretty nice). So Yes Fortune auto coilovers are pretty bad ass and you get way more bang for your buck and more quality.

FYI Swift Springs top guy told me KW's are shitty shocks and their springs are even worse.
Besides me already having the opinion that a coilover that doesnt come with camber plates is a rippoff, and then you still need to upgrade springs if you want the actual advertised rates.

I would prefer to run cheaper coilovers like BC/Stance with their upgraded versions then KW 1 or 3.

Why are you butt hurt? lemme guess, you run KW's because the masses say they are the coilover to run for fanbois?
You attacked my post without even reading it..

[FFM]

Lol, yeah nice ninja edit. I saw the original post, zero other options were given.

No butt hurt. Just calling it as I see it. A 3k coilover that requires maintenance for the street isn't exactly a better option in my opinion. And BC's/Stance and all the sweatshop coilovers are pretty garbage come on.

[m3aviator]

Originally Posted by FFM

Lol, yeah nice ninja edit. I saw the original post, zero other options were given.

No butt hurt. Just calling it as I see it. A 3k coilover that requires maintenance for the street isn't exactly a better option in my opinion. And BC's/Stance and all the sweatshop coilovers are pretty garbage come on.

Those "stance" coils are ok for the street but that's about it. Put those on the track and they're toast in five minutes.

[FFM]

I had BC's on my Volvo for a month before going right back to H&R's and we all know how poorly H&R's ride. One and done for me. I've also installed KSports and those were pretty horrible too.

They are just like aftermarket HID's. Great warranty, because they know they will fail, bargain price so justifies ride condition, and gets the job done I suppose. Only difference between brands is who pays more for quality control, if any.

But like I mentioned, it's a shame about the M tax. Because a V1 for like a 335 is only a few hundred more than the coilovers like BC's. In this case you are pushing closer to 2k which I think you can snag Ohlins R&T for $2200 on google shopping search.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by m3aviator

Those "stance" coils are ok for the street but that's about it. Put those on the track and they're toast in five minutes.

I'll comment on the BC coilovers. I ran BC Type BR coilovers before on a previous car. They overheated on track and went to crap for dampening. I contacted them about replacing them under warranty and they just said if it isn't leaking, they won't replace it. Total BS.

And they clunked all over the place from the pillowball upper mounts once it had a few miles on them.

Yes shitty coilovers with no camber plates. lol.. there are much better coilovers out there for the same or less!
AST/Fortune Auto are 2 good ones,

AST can not be compared to Fortune Auto... AST makes fine dampeners in house. Fortune Auto uses Taiwan made shocks and then "customize" them by putting on different springs so they can say its "assembled in the USA".

[aira]

I'll look into a used ZCP set. It'll lower it a little and give you that oem ride.