[wwmiller3]

Hi,

I purchased and installed a KW V1 kit back in 2015 on my 2014 335i xDrive which, up until recently, has been working great for me. Last weekend I was swapping out summer for winter tires when I noticed that the driver's side front bump stop was in pieces at the bottom of the spring. The foam bump stop had deteriorated and split into 3 pieces; miraculously, trapped in the spring instead of falling on the road.

In spite of the specter of having to pull out the strut again to replace it (ugh), I thought I was in good hands with KW given their lifetime warranty and their self-proclaimed customer focus. Boy, was I wrong.

I filed a claim with all of the purchase info along with photos of the disintegrated bump stop, and KW promptly responded with an offer to sell me one for $16. I inquired about the warranty and they said it only covers the springs and valve bodies, in spite of the many materials that describe their lifetime warranty on the Variant 1 (and other) systems. I don't know about you, but I consider a system everything that is required for, well, the system to function.

It is true they speak elsewhere of a 1-year warranty on "accessories", to include bump stops, but I would think that would mean if you bought them standalone and not part of a "system".

Regardless here is the TL;DR version: KW does not cover their coilover kits in their entirety for unlimited miles. More to the point, they are willing to deny a claim on a defective, $16 part after you spend $1600. I get that bump stops are a wear item and, at some point, are prone if not likely to fail. What I don't get is why companies are willing to lose customers over a low-cost item relative to what they charge and, I am willing to bet, for which their profit margin is way more than $16.

Go with competitor products if you are considering KW's; I certainly will be in the future.

[Gen13 F36]

Did I read that correctly...this was installed back 2015....that is 6 yrs ago and your complaining about a bump stop. Look like a very good workmanship for lasting that long. Quality at its finest.


Did you read the limited lifetime warranty before installation?

[e90Nate]

Bump stops fail and damn you are mad they are not going to warranty a part that was installed in 2015?? dude that was nearly 7 years ago, buy the damn $16 part and save your time complaining about something trivial, I am sure if it was a major component they would have been more than happy to cover it, I have heard nothing but amazing things about KW.

[SuperLomi]

OP didn't understand the assignment.

[MacklinUSOB]

When I installed mine years ago the official procedure was actually to trim and reuse the factory bump stops. I was unaware they started shipping kits with bump stops...

[Honeybadger23]

Originally Posted by Gen13 F36

Did I read that correctly...this was installed back 2015....that is 6 yrs ago and your complaining about a bump stop. Look like a very good workmanship for lasting that long. Quality at its finest.


Did you read the limited lifetime warranty before installation?

True 6 years in a climate with 4 seasons? safe to say you got your money's worth.

[Watsey]

As above. Bump stops should be regarded as a consumable. 6-7 years is a good innings. $16 is pretty cheap for a replacement from the original manufacturer.

Nothing to see here. Move on.

[Amazinjoey]

Dude drives a 335i xDrive and complains about a $16 part that held up 7 years

[Hxngs]

Yup. Still buying KW's

[cfm56d7b]

Originally Posted by Hxngs

Yup. Still buying KW's

Still a fan of KW V3 coilovers, even if bump stops are sold separately at $16 each or 2 for $30.

[Figgs_1979]

Omg. Dude 6 years on coils is sick. KW at its finest. Although I am on B14. I think KW and Bils rule all. Unless you're going full out Ohlins. Anyhow stay safe and keep the pedal to the floor. Peace

[mashimarho]

Sorry to hear, however this seems to be quite the normal life cycle.

[gameson]

Originally Posted by wwmiller3

Hi,

I purchased and installed a KW V1 kit back in 2015 on my 2014 335i xDrive which, up until recently, has been working great for me. Last weekend I was swapping out summer for winter tires when I noticed that the driver's side front bump stop was in pieces at the bottom of the spring. The foam bump stop had deteriorated and split into 3 pieces; miraculously, trapped in the spring instead of falling on the road.

In spite of the specter of having to pull out the strut again to replace it (ugh), I thought I was in good hands with KW given their lifetime warranty and their self-proclaimed customer focus. Boy, was I wrong.

I filed a claim with all of the purchase info along with photos of the disintegrated bump stop, and KW promptly responded with an offer to sell me one for $16. I inquired about the warranty and they said it only covers the springs and valve bodies, in spite of the many materials that describe their lifetime warranty on the Variant 1 (and other) systems. I don't know about you, but I consider a system everything that is required for, well, the system to function.

It is true they speak elsewhere of a 1-year warranty on "accessories", to include bump stops, but I would think that would mean if you bought them standalone and not part of a "system".

Regardless here is the TL;DR version: KW does not cover their coilover kits in their entirety for unlimited miles. More to the point, they are willing to deny a claim on a defective, $16 part after you spend $1600. I get that bump stops are a wear item and, at some point, are prone if not likely to fail. What I don't get is why companies are willing to lose customers over a low-cost item relative to what they charge and, I am willing to bet, for which their profit margin is way more than $16.

Go with competitor products if you are considering KW's; I certainly will be in the future.

Not sure what you are babbling about, see attached straight from their website.

Bump stop has only one year warranty starting jan 1, 2011. You bought yours in 2015, that means the warranty is in full effects

Let me know when you are ready to sell your kw for another brand, i will gladly take it off your hands at a reasonable price