[N55Nick]

I received a couple of messages from members asking me about the KW V1s vs. H&R. Here is the response I've been sending:

PLEASE DO NOT GET THE H&R SPRINGS. It was the worst summer, to the point where I didn't enjoy driving the car. The drop isn't the problem, its the shocks. Stock shocks are not made for the drop, they don't have enough travel room. Every manhole cover, tiny bump on the road, the car would hit the bump stops (feels like a sledge hammer). Here is a good analogy hopefully:

You have a 1 foot thick mattress on the floor to absorb your fall. You decide to chop it in half so it's now only 6" thick. It will hurt if you fall on it now. However if you had replaced the entire mattress with one that is 6" thick but with a better material, you now have a thinner mattress but with a better absorbing ability. Not sure if that makes sense.

It was so bad that my wife was begging me to get the coil-overs because she hated riding in my car, and she doesn't give a crap about cars or spending money on them.

I paid about 4 hours (@125$) to install the springs. And about 6 hours to install the coil-overs. I should have gone straight for the coil-overs.

H&R springs were about $400-500. KW V1s were $1700

On a scale of 1 to 10, 10 being very harsh, the V1s are about a 3. Sporty enough but very forgiving. Car rides lower than with the H&R but no comprise in ride quality. I got the KWs because they are stainless steal and should survive the Canadian winters better than others. It's been a month now and I'm still amazed by them. I love driving the car again. Winter should be fun. 400ft/lb, xDrive

Anyways, best of luck

-Nick

[Sal335i]

Thats another reason why I got Rear Wheel Drive! & I live in NYC

[btbossman]

DHP is a must, But I still wouldn't mind coils, just don't drive enough to really merit them. Car looks great though OP!

[N55Nick]

Originally Posted by zen0s

hey N55Nick, which brand of spacers did you go with? I was thinking BMS, just wasn't sure if that's good or not... (I'm total newbie :P)

H&R Spacers:
12mm spacers in the front
20mm spacers in the back

Bolts:
14x1.25x43mm H&R WheelBolt (x10)
14x1.25x50mm H&R WheelBolt (x10)

[963mw]

Originally Posted by N55Nick

12mm front
20mm back

The F32 allows for the 20mm back, although i think people recommend 15mm max for F30

I want to get wheel spacers too, any pros & cons in your opinion?

[N55Nick]

Originally Posted by nickhelou

I want to get wheel spacers too, any pros & cons in your opinion?

I've been using them for over a year. No problems at all; no vibrations, no uneven wear. I use them for my winter and summer wheel setups.

[963mw]

Originally Posted by N55Nick

I've been using them for over a year. No problems at all; no vibrations, no uneven wear. I use them for my winter and summer wheel setups.

And how are your KW's so far?

[N55Nick]

Originally Posted by nickhelou

And how are your KW's so far?

Amazing. Prefect for daily driving. This is how the car should have come stock.

[Sayzar]

Originally Posted by N55Nick

Amazing. Prefect for daily driving. This is how the car should have come stock.

looking to getting the same set up- thank you for the info

[N55Nick]

Originally Posted by Sayzar

looking to getting the same set up- thank you for the info

They are still great, 2 winters now, no problems and still loving the ride.

[Sayzar]

Originally Posted by N55Nick

They are still great, 2 winters now, no problems and still loving the ride.

great info - I am in New Jersey where our winter are not so nice

[sball]

OP,

I have the same car and went through the same problems with H&R sport springs.
Car was crashing on small holes all the time.
I finally got KW street comforts installed last week. the drop was minimal, only .5" front and back but I'm still experiencing the same crashing in the front when going over any type of pothole.

I'm new to coil overs but bought the KW SC for their adjustability with height and dampening.
Any suggestions for the set-up to fix the dampening on these?

thanks,
Steve

[subieworx]

Another great budget coiler option for the xi is the Bilstein B14. I have had them on my 328 for about a month after having the H&R springs for about 3 months. I hated the H&R springs and love the Bilsteins.