Another KW v2 review

[philaf_666]

When I first test drove the 135i, I said to myself "Put a good suspension on it and you got an amazing car". I must say I owned a WRX STI 06 a the time, so suspension of the 135i felt very soft with a lot of body roll, especially while hard cornering.

First thing I did when I bought my 135i, I ordered the KW v2.

My first setting was about 50% stiff (both front and rear). The ride was only a bit stiffer, but the body roll and floating effect was almost gone. I was very happy but still felt it could be stiffer. I really like to feel the road.

I then decide to see what would look a lot more stiff. So I cranked it the its max and came back two clicks (0.25 turn), both front and rear again.

I don't know if that's because I was used to the very stiff ride of my STI, but this setting felt PERFECT. It's almost as hard as the 06 STI but with a much more quality feel.

The car is much more stable during cornering, body roll is a thing of the past and I felt much more confident at high speed.

I first had the idea of changing the sway bars, but I don't feel the car needs it with this setting. Of course, I'm talking street use, not track use.

Now I got a get rid of the RF tires...

[Breville]

Thanks for the write up, I am thinking about the KWv2's and have had the same thoughts as you. Cheers cobber!

[infinitekidM2C]

Nice review...im about to install my kw v2's also... Are you going to post a pic of your lowered 1 in the aftermarket photo comp? i wanna see how low you've gone

[arok]

I'm still waiting to install mine.. soon I will have a review

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

When I first test drove the 135i, I said to myself "Put a good suspension on it and you got an amazing car". I must say I owned a WRX STI 06 a the time, so suspension of the 135i felt very soft with a lot of body roll, especially while hard cornering.

First thing I did when I bought my 135i, I ordered the KW v2.

My first setting was about 50% stiff (both front and rear). The ride was only a bit stiffer, but the body roll and floating effect was almost gone. I was very happy but still felt it could be stiffer. I really like to feel the road.

I then decide to see what would look a lot more stiff. So I cranked it the its max and came back two clicks (0.25 turn), both front and rear again.

I don't know if that's because I was used to the very stiff ride of my STI, but this setting felt PERFECT. It's almost as hard as the 06 STI but with a much more quality feel.

The car is much more stable during cornering, body roll is a thing of the past and I felt much more confident at high speed.

I first had the idea of changing the sway bars, but I don't feel the car needs it with this setting. Of course, I'm talking street use, not track use.

Now I got a get rid of the RF tires...

Congrats on your new purchase and welcome to the forum. KW is a quility brand and you answered my only questions holding me back from buying them about ride stiffness. thanks

[Chewyjr15]

link to where they can be purchased?

[rcracer_tx]

Originally Posted by Chewyjr15

link to where they can be purchased?

They can be purchased at...

http://www.jlevistreetwerks.com

or

http://www.**********s.com

[WAY]

What is the minimum ride height reduction with this suspension? I have a set that is just sitting there waiting to be installed on my friend's car but he is afraid that it will lower the car too much.

Btw, I have recently noticed that some of the top performance cars are starting to use KW. The mad AMG SL65 black series is one, as is the Grumpet Apollo. Is KW a good brand? Absolutely!

[My135]

I am glad to hear that this set-up alone will get rid of the body roll without the help of a new set of sway bar upgrade. How much did you pay for the install? Curious mind wanted to know. Thanks.

[stovesax08]

Originally Posted by WAY

What is the minimum ride height reduction with this suspension? I have a set that is just sitting there waiting to be installed on my friend's car but he is afraid that it will lower the car too much.

+1

[adrean8j]

What is the real difference between V2's and V1's on the street?

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by WAY

What is the minimum ride height reduction with this suspension? I have a set that is just sitting there waiting to be installed on my friend's car but he is afraid that it will lower the car too much.

Btw, I have recently noticed that some of the top performance cars are starting to use KW. The mad AMG SL65 black series is one, as is the Grumpet Apollo. Is KW a good brand? Absolutely!

I'm not sure about the exact height reduction, but I'd say it was lowered by 3/4 to 1 inch. It's winter here in Canada so it's set at the higher I could go.

I'll drop it 1/2 more in summer.

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by My135

I am glad to hear that this set-up alone will get rid of the body roll without the help of a new set of sway bar upgrade. How much did you pay for the install? Curious mind wanted to know. Thanks.

I went to my BMW dealer and they charged me 4.5 hours even if it took them 7 hours... I was quite happy with that.

So it cost me around $CA500

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

What is the real difference between V2's and V1's on the street?

I think the v1 is set by default at about 50% stiff. The v2 wil let you play from 0% to 100%.

I would have been happy with v1, but I must say I'm glad I could go stiffer as I did (I went at about 90%). I love to feel the road and I hate when the car leans too much during cornering...

[adrean8j]

Originally Posted by philaf_666

I went to my BMW dealer and they charged me 4.5 hours even if it took them 7 hours... I was quite happy with that.

So it cost me around $CA500

You went to the dealer and they installed it? I thought the dealers would only install OEM approved parts when it comes to things like this. Will your warranty still be in effect?

[philaf_666]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

You went to the dealer and they installed it? I thought the dealers would only install OEM approved parts when it comes to things like this. Will your warranty still be in effect?

The guarantee will be affected for the suspension parts only. But that's not because they installed but rather because it's a performance lowered suspension so all the other parts of the suspension will suffer from that.

It's a new dealer so maybe they were more inclined to install aftermarket parts...

[adrean8j]

^^^Interesting...I fully expect my warranty on suspension components to be voided once I add my V1's.

[modbargains]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

What is the real difference between V2's and V1's on the street?

The real difference is in the adjustability of the V2 over the V1. As already mentioned the V1 are a set valved from the factory and only allows you to adjust the height.

As opposed to the V2 which allows you to adjust the damp settings and height also. Street wise you can adjust the damp to however soft or hard you want depending on how you like your ride.

[adrean8j]

Ok great info Roger! I think V1's are good enough for me...dont really want the 100% stiff ride, but I do want to tighten it up just a little and to have adjustable ride height.

[modbargains]

Originally Posted by adrean8j

Ok great info Roger! I think V1's are good enough for me...dont really want the 100% stiff ride, but I do want to tighten it up just a little and to have adjustable ride height.

No problem, anything I can do to help out just let me know :thumbup:

[My135]

So, how stiff is the V1 pre-set at? 50% or 100% of V2 maximum stiffness?

[Jack (LA)]

Love my KW V2's -- totally transformed the car for the better. IMHO, ride quality and handling both improved and the adjustability is a big plus. The aesthetic change wasn't a bad side benefit either. :thumbup: