Bilstein B14 vs KW V1

halcyon_waves · 09-10-2019, 02:34 AM

After weeks of research I've narrowed it down to these two sets. I've yet to find a direct comparison for the F30 when it comes to these two coilover systems. Anyone with experience with either or both sets please chime in. Which is more comfortable, which performs better, etc. How to they compare in city driving vs on a long road trip?

My primary goal is to have a solid setup for my daily driver, a 2013 F30 M Sport 335i. I live in LA and take the occasional road trip up north (once or twice a year). The stock M Sport suspension has way too much body roll and feels too floaty, especially now at 63k miles. I suspect my shocks are pretty much donezo.

The B14's price point is enticing (as well as the overall build quality), but the V1's lifetime warranty is difficult to turn down. And correct me if I'm wrong, but the general consensus seems to be that the V1's are a little more comfortable?

Thought I'd throw this thread out there to help make my final decision!

theEZV · 09-10-2019, 09:19 AM

The V1s do tend to be on the softer side. Had them previously on my WRX. Have had a set sitting in the box for my F30 in the garage for like 3 years now, just haven't gotten around to throwing them on. Both seem to have solid reviews on this forum.

McLaren720s · 09-10-2019, 12:14 PM

The general consensus is the B14s are a bit stiffer and more planted but their support and customer service is terrible. It takes 2-3 months to get them from Germany as nobody in the US carries them in stock (at least when I was shopping around) and if you have any issues or component failures, you’ll be waiting around forever to get anything back.

I personally went with the H&R Street Performance and, while I’ve never owned any other Coilovers and can’t cross-compare, I’m very happy. They’re planted and solid compared to stock suspension, dramatically reduced body roll, and car looks great with them on while not being too uncomfortable over bumps.

FaRKle! · 09-10-2019, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by McLaren720s

I personally went with the H&R Street Performance and,

Fun fact, Bilstein is the OEM for H&R coilover dampers. For some reason H&R doesn't use the "upside down" front strut though that Bilstein does.

09-10-2019, 02:34 AM	#1
halcyon_waves Private First Class 49 Rep 135 Posts Drives: 2013 F30 335i M Sport 6MT Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Los Angeles, CA iTrader: (0)	Bilstein B14 vs KW V1 After weeks of research I've narrowed it down to these two sets. I've yet to find a direct comparison for the F30 when it comes to these two coilover systems. Anyone with experience with either or both sets please chime in. Which is more comfortable, which performs better, etc. How to they compare in city driving vs on a long road trip? My primary goal is to have a solid setup for my daily driver, a 2013 F30 M Sport 335i. I live in LA and take the occasional road trip up north (once or twice a year). The stock M Sport suspension has way too much body roll and feels too floaty, especially now at 63k miles. I suspect my shocks are pretty much donezo. The B14's price point is enticing (as well as the overall build quality), but the V1's lifetime warranty is difficult to turn down. And correct me if I'm wrong, but the general consensus seems to be that the V1's are a little more comfortable? Thought I'd throw this thread out there to help make my final decision!
	Appreciate 0 Tweet Quote

09-10-2019, 09:19 AM	#2
theEZV Lieutenant 178 Rep 463 Posts Drives: F30 335i; Looking for F80 Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Clarksburg, MD iTrader: (0)	The V1s do tend to be on the softer side. Had them previously on my WRX. Have had a set sitting in the box for my F30 in the garage for like 3 years now, just haven't gotten around to throwing them on. Both seem to have solid reviews on this forum.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

09-10-2019, 12:14 PM	#3
McLaren720s Major 1478 Rep 1,286 Posts Drives: 2024 M4 Competition X Join Date: Jun 2019 Location: Seattle iTrader: (0)	The general consensus is the B14s are a bit stiffer and more planted but their support and customer service is terrible. It takes 2-3 months to get them from Germany as nobody in the US carries them in stock (at least when I was shopping around) and if you have any issues or component failures, you’ll be waiting around forever to get anything back. I personally went with the H&R Street Performance and, while I’ve never owned any other Coilovers and can’t cross-compare, I’m very happy. They’re planted and solid compared to stock suspension, dramatically reduced body roll, and car looks great with them on while not being too uncomfortable over bumps. __________________ 2024 BMW M4 Competition XDrive - Tanzanite Blue/Kyalami Orange - AST HAS - RaceChip Last edited by McLaren720s; 09-10-2019 at 01:18 PM..
	Appreciate 0 Quote