05-09-2018, 04:28 PM | #1 |
Lieutenant
94
Rep 412
Posts |
KW Rep Says KW V3 and BMW M Perf Coil are different?
Hey all,
It was my understanding from reading through posts that the KW V3 coilers and the BMW M perf coils were essentially the same thing (Rebranded KW) and the only different being that the KW V3 allowed you to go lower than the BMW M perf. heres an email i got with a rep at KW "The BMW M coils have components manufactured by KW, but it is not valved internally, or adjustable in the same fashion. OEMs will ALWAYS request a more conservative set up to appeal to a wider audience of drivers (including M2 drivers). The magnetic ride control does offer some flexibility with respect to feel, but not close to the same range, should you choose to dial in the kit more to your personal liking, especially for spirited highway driving or track use. A V3 direct from KW represents the ultimate in adjustability." ------------- can anyone provide input on this? |
05-09-2018, 10:38 PM | #3 | |
Second Lieutenant
137
Rep 223
Posts |
Quote:
Read the fine print and decide for yourself since some information is proprietary and will not be disclosed. The attachment is for the MPS. Last edited by OGM2; 05-09-2018 at 11:03 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
2
AndrewC198910903.50 Sungillest101.50 |
05-10-2018, 09:26 AM | #5 |
Major
689
Rep 1,339
Posts |
I believe this was covered in the past.
They are eventually same hardware but setup is different. As the rep told you, they tend to go more conservative to MP coilover than their V3. All manufacturer has to worry about their warranty when it comes to their OE parts installed by their mechanics so they would definitely want to avoid aggressive setting that can bring more problem back to them later on. Their adjustable variances are different. V3 gives you more wider range. |
Appreciate
1
AndrewC198910903.50 |
05-10-2018, 09:55 AM | #7 |
Banned
756
Rep 2,149
Posts |
I don't think that's a question, because why does it matter if they're both relatively the same price? Go with KW since it has more adjustability, unless you're concerned about BMW warranty. Which I don't think you should be concerned, because KW has it's own warranty. And find a good third party mechanic to install the KW and I'm sure they'll even give you free suspension adjustments until you figure out the best setting, or explain what all the adjustments do and how they affect the car so you can adjust it yourself.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2018, 11:45 AM | #8 | |
Colonel
2080
Rep 2,999
Posts |
Quote:
And this not a knock against KW I'm sure they make a great product but obviously cannot dedicate the resource (time, money and people) to each and every car variant like a manufacturer will. As was shown by they kit changes. First it was...here use the M3/M4 kit the suspensions are similar...then in what a little less than a year later they introduced a slightly tweaked M2 variant, which was *guessing* based on customer feedback. I'm not part of KW's development team nor do I want to be. Why do I need to figure out the best adjustment BMW already did that and tested it. Last edited by omasou; 05-10-2018 at 04:09 PM.. |
|
Appreciate
1
jetbill196.50 |
05-10-2018, 01:30 PM | #9 |
Captain
319
Rep 660
Posts |
Just from personal experience running the MPS - it goes as low as I want it and has adjustable compression/rebound. Works great on the street and track (although I just leave it in my track setting, I got used to the bumpiness).
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2018, 02:41 PM | #10 |
Banned
844
Rep 1,962
Posts |
The valving on the dampers may differ, but physically, the difference is down to the springs and spring seats. KW grinds the seating faces flat (and uses shorter main springs with helpers on the rear), but BMW does not.
|
Appreciate
2
omasou2079.50 AndrewC198910903.50 |
05-10-2018, 03:12 PM | #12 |
Lieutenant
94
Rep 412
Posts |
Well ive been getting PMs from vendors and stuff saying that the BMW M perf coils are actually rebrand KW V2s, not V3s, is the difference between those two just HEIGHT adjustability? i dont care about going low, i actually want to stay around stock height maybe drop it 1/2 - 3/4 of an inch. my main focus is on the quality/durability and the performance aspect if someone can help me with that. I have already read the other threads concerning the KW vs M perf but it got diluted with comparisons with the Clubsports.
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2018, 04:51 PM | #14 | |
Banned
844
Rep 1,962
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-10-2018, 08:22 PM | #15 | |
Second Lieutenant
137
Rep 223
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
1
gsrbri559.50 |
05-12-2018, 11:10 PM | #16 |
Brigadier General
1622
Rep 3,402
Posts |
Like any product selection the first question you should ask yourself if what your goals are. If you just want to lower your car and aren't going to the track it probably doesn't matter much which of these versions you choose. If your going to the track then you want the most adjustability. Not sure I would buy what the sales person is telling you about valving etc. At the end of the day KW makes more money selling you their product than using BMW as a middleman. My guess is 95% or more won't know the difference between the products if blind tested. You will likely be happy either way.
|
05-17-2018, 10:27 AM | #17 | |
Lieutenant
560
Rep 570
Posts |
Quote:
If you're not going to the racetrack, you can fine tune for your perfect street ride/handling. If you are tracking your car - you can tune for your ideal street set-up and then tune for the racetrack after experimenting. Even track-to-track if you have the time/energy. BMW has engineered compromise into the units to provide warranty and a more general appeal, but only the drawings/specs (which we will never get) will tell the story. Not sure you can go wrong with either MPS or V3, but I went with Ohlins due to their reputation, quality, and excellent tech support to ensure I got the units best for my needs (i went with R&T) |
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2018, 01:26 AM | #18 | |
Captain
319
Rep 660
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2018, 08:31 AM | #19 |
Lieutenant
560
Rep 570
Posts |
Also, do the MPS or the KW use a combined height adjuster w/spring preload or a separate system? I liked the Ohlins R&T because you can adjust them independently (although preload will affect height, also)
|
Appreciate
0
|
05-18-2018, 12:24 PM | #20 |
Banned
844
Rep 1,962
Posts |
Strictly speaking, the preload will just change the part of the damper stroke the suspension travel uses - it has no other effect.
The main benefit of the separately adjustable ride height therefore is the ability to keep the damper in the desired part of its stroke regardless of the spring rate you're using while maintaining a target ride height. To put it another way, if you're not switching springs on a regular basis, the separate height adjustment on the Ohlins means that it's possible to go lower without running out of damper travel, but if you are trying that you're probably running out of suspension travel and ground clearance. HTH |
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
|
|