[JG_Coupe88]

After much research and back and forth with myself; I don't just daily my car, I track and autocross several times a year and I'm at a point where stock M sport is the thing holding me back from improving, way too much roll also.

Update; my order was changed from V2's to V3's and I appreciate having compression adjustment in addition to rebound. I use my car in enough HPDE's were I felt It was worth it.

On to my impressions; first thing I can say is I was surprised as to how compliant the ride felt with the out of the box settings. I could certain feel imperfections on the road much better and the certain stiffness increase was felt but it was not bad at all. I may even stiffen it a little more. The road feel much improved. Body roll very very minimal now. The nose dive with hard breaking is very minimal as well. Car just feels great. Much sharper turn in it feels like. Now that I've driven it in the city a little more, I can definitely tell I'm quite a bit lower but still comfortable enough for me.

The day I got them installed I took the LONG way back to San Diego; hit Palomar Mountain, Julian, and even mistakenly took a detour which led us through a crazy 20+ minutes of straight hairpins(I love that!). The car responded so well. The girlfriend hopped in the driver's seat to row some gears and said she didn't feel the car being harsh so it passes that test for me. 6 hours and over 300 miles to get to back to San Diego with a massive grin in what otherwise would have been 2 hours stuck in traffic. Pictures below.

[kern417]

I bought some used V1s from a forum member and so far no complaints. I went to readjust one side and the collar seized and actually the notches on the collar broke when using the wrench when it got stuck. I'm not sure what happened but hoping some pb blaster/wd40 frees it up. The locking collar design is somewhat weird though, being plastic instead of aluminum and it uses a set screw instead of an opposite-locking collar underneath.

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by kern417

I bought some used V1s from a forum member and so far no complaints. I went to readjust one side and the collar seized and actually the notches on the collar broke when using the wrench when it got stuck. I'm not sure what happened but hoping some pb blaster/wd40 frees it up. The locking collar design is somewhat weird though, being plastic instead of aluminum and it uses a set screw instead of an opposite-locking collar underneath.

Thanks for the response. Hope you get that loosened up. That's an odd design choice, I'll ask my vendor about that on my incoming set. How's the V1 been feeling for your daily driving? Any open track days or any other events and thoughts on that? From my understanding the preset V1 dampers setting is the out of the box setting for the V2's, which is supposed to be the mid point between stiffest and most comfortable.

[s3ri3s1]

I bought a new set of V1s, and I put anti-seize on the threads. I had an old set of PSS10s that locked up on me after a few years, so I figured this would help.

[kern417]

Originally Posted by JG_Coupe88

Thanks for the response. Hope you get that loosened up. That's an odd design choice, I'll ask my vendor about that on my incoming set. How's the V1 been feeling for your daily driving? Any open track days or any other events and thoughts on that? From my understanding the preset V1 dampers setting is the out of the box setting for the V2's, which is supposed to be the mid point between stiffest and most comfortable.

The feel great. Planted but compliant. I have no intention of tracking the car but I drive it pretty hard and take turns fast. No complaints other than the rears gaining a crazy amount of camber from lowering the car. I really wanted more camber up front so may opt for some camber adjustable control arm bushings so there isn't as big of a difference between the front and back.

Originally Posted by s3ri3s1

I bought a new set of V1s, and I put anti-seize on the threads. I had an old set of PSS10s that locked up on me after a few years, so I figured this would help.

I really know better and should have done the same thing. It was fine when I first put it on so stuff must have just got in there over time. That's solid advice for anyone putting on a new set.

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by s3ri3s1

I bought a new set of V1s, and I put anti-seize on the threads. I had an old set of PSS10s that locked up on me after a few years, so I figured this would help.

Good advice, thanks. I'll do the same. How are you liking your v1's?

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by kern417

The feel great. Planted but compliant. I have no intention of tracking the car but I drive it pretty hard and take turns fast. No complaints other than the rears gaining a crazy amount of camber from lowering the car. I really wanted more camber up front so may opt for some camber adjustable control arm bushings so there isn't as big of a difference between the front and back.



I really know better and should have done the same thing. It was fine when I first put it on so stuff must have just got in there over time. That's solid advice for anyone putting on a new set.

I see, good feedback. I don't plan on having mine near the lowest height setting but to find a nice balance for my needs. Can't wait for that wheel gap to be gone.

[s3ri3s1]

Originally Posted by JG_Coupe88

Good advice, thanks. I'll do the same. How are you liking your v1's?

Not bad, I kinda wished I would have gone with the V2s to have some adjustability. Then again, I would probably have said I should have gone with the V3s!

They are more comfortable than the M Sport suspension with 50k miles on them, but I have heard a few times on a hard bump a metallic clang. It only seems to be when I hit something hard and going fast.

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by s3ri3s1

Not bad, I kinda wished I would have gone with the V2s to have some adjustability. Then again, I would probably have said I should have gone with the V3s!

They are more comfortable than the M Sport suspension with 50k miles on them, but I have heard a few times on a hard bump a metallic clang. It only seems to be when I hit something hard and going fast.

Haha I feel you, that mod bug is real bad. I keep doing things then say I'm set for a little while before the next mod. Next thing you know it's something every month lol.

Glad to hear that it's comfortable, my M adaptive suspension has 56k on it. Wonder if that sound is the top mounts. Can't wait to have it on. Once I leave the shop that day I'm going to take the long way back down to San Diego by hitting up the mountains.

[MacklinUSOB]

Been driving on my V2's since April and I am more than satisfied with them. I also track and autox my car often so I decided to splurge up to the V2s. Together with lightweight wheels and PS4S, the handling has far exceeded my expectations, so has the comfort. I've always preferred compliance over harshness and that is exactly what you get with KW. Each instructor I've had in the car have said they have excellent body control. I have yet to touch the adjustment from the stock 9/16 clicks, although I am thinking about adding a couple of clicks up front and a few in the rear for my next track day at the end of the month. Paired with the F80 control arms it is exceptionally well balanced. I reliably chase down much higher HP cars in corners and get the point by onto the straight carrying way more speed than they can.

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by MacklinUSOB

Been driving on my V2's since April and I am more than satisfied with them. I also track and autox my car often so I decided to splurge up to the V2s. Together with lightweight wheels and PS4S, the handling has far exceeded my expectations, so has the comfort. I've always preferred compliance over harshness and that is exactly what you get with KW. Each instructor I've had in the car have said they have excellent body control. I have yet to touch the adjustment from the stock 9/16 clicks, although I am thinking about adding a couple of clicks up front and a few in the rear for my next track day at the end of the month. Paired with the F80 control arms it is exceptionally well balanced. I reliably chase down much higher HP cars in corners and get the point by onto the straight carrying way more speed than they can.

Yes!! Thank you for that, I was hoping to read something like this! All of that makes me happy about the decision to drop that money. I will have it on on the 25th and I can't wait. Did you come to a ride height that worked for you for both daily and track or you change it often? Feel free to add a pic of how it's sitting if you want .

[MacklinUSOB]

Originally Posted by JG_Coupe88

Yes!! Thank you for that, I was hoping to read something like this! All of that makes me happy about the decision to drop that money. I will have it on on the 25th and I can't wait. Did you come to a ride height that worked for you for both daily and track or you change it often? Feel free to add a pic of how it's sitting if you want .

Of course, I hope you enjoy them as much as I have. Definitely post some pictures once you've got it all set!

So as far as ride height goes, when I first had them installed I had them set a good bit lower than I do now. When I had my control arms installed I had them raised to make sure I had no rubbing, but mostly because my driveway has a nasty lip at the end that is getting even worse. They are set close to maximum height now. Here's a picture from my last track day:



Feel free to check out my thread in the Track/Autox board for more:
BMW CCA @ Lime Rock Park 062218 https://f30.bimmerpost.com/forums/sh....php?t=1510443

[JG_Coupe88]

The car looks great! I definitely properly drive my car so I'm positive I will enjoy it! Many thanks for the Pic and feedback! Open track days, by far my favorite I will be checking the thread out. And I definitely will post some pics with along with some thoughts, it'll be on my car on the 25th, the soonest my schedule allows.

[SoCal_NSX]

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by SoCal_NSX

Lol, the coilovers are on the way. This will definitely be updated with pics!

[Logicoeur]

Dirty coilover threads are easily cleaned with a wire brush and some brake cleaner.

To keep the adjustment easy through harsh winters use Boeshield T9 (white lithium spray). Used this on my old car had no issues with the collars moving. Sprays on easy and doesn't drip. Gets solid pretty quick.


Also nice to hear the V2s are nice. For this car, I want to try out some PSS10s, but could easily end up with V2, or V3s. I drive hard l,and plan to hit some HPDEs next season. This season I'm wrapped up in my wedding

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by Logicoeur

Dirty coilover threads are easily cleaned with a wire brush and some brake cleaner.

To keep the adjustment easy through harsh winters use Boeshield T9 (white lithium spray). Used this on my old car had no issues with the collars moving. Sprays on easy and doesn't drip. Gets solid pretty quick.


Also nice to hear the V2s are nice. For this car I want to try pit some pss10s but could easily end up with V2 or V3s. I drive hard and plan to hit some HPDEs next season. This season I'm wrapped up in my wedding

Good tips, I'll look into it when I get them, though we don't get harsh winters in San Diego . I'll provide more feedback and pics when I have em on to help you decide. And congratulations!

[manghong]

I just had my coilovers (ST XA, it was told it has the exact same spec as the KW V2 with different body materials only) installed earlier this month.

Comfortable ride for daily use (maybe 30% stiffer than the sport suspension that i had on my car previously). I am running F8/16 R7/16 clicks at the moment, might turn up a little to F9/16 R8/16 clicks to get a firmer ride once I have run-in after the coilovers.

[JG_Coupe88]

Originally Posted by manghong

I just had my coilovers (ST XA, it was told it has the exact same spec as the KW V2 with different body materials only) installed earlier this month.

Comfortable ride for daily use (maybe 30% stiffer than the sport suspension that i had on my car previously). I am running F8/16 R7/16 clicks at the moment, might turn up a little to F9/16 R8/16 clicks to get a firmer ride once I have run-in after the coilovers.

Good to hear it's working out! I should have a similar experience. I'll probably start out with the middle default out of the box settings then after a while figure out what I want. 6 more days and I'll have it on! Thanks for the feedback!

[manghong]

Looking forward to your update, btw it is easy to adjust the damper setting for the front. But for the rear, you will have the take the shock off in order to access the adjustment knob

[JG_Coupe88]

After getting good time in driving, I have updated my original post with impressions and pictures!

[manghong]

congratulation on your V3 purchase, might take some time to play around and fine tune the compress and rebound setting after fully running in.