Anyone running KW Clubsport Coilovers?

[Willie]

Let's just say that I've got nothing against KW but just don't like the way they just adapt older Koni stuff and sell it for exobitant prices. KW v1 (especially the non stainless version) just ain't worth the money (V2 is a bit better and V3 is good).
I only say that just for road use next time I would go for Bilstein since I like their B14 coilovers more than the KW V2 (and they age better than V2).

The question was for the clubsport version and that one is as good as it gets when someone wants a system that has to be used for combined track and road use.
In my 500+ bhp IS with supra conversion I went for tein since I wanted a system that offers 5 different setups for road and track use (that can be chosen with a single push on a button). Imho there is no system without dynamic adaptation that is good for both purposes but some might disagree (911 RS is a good example, some owners say it can be used day to day but few do since it's just plain harsch).

Downside with tein is that it's japanese and rebuilding it is no option. The good thing is I know at least eight high performance cars with this system build in and even the electrical part is flawless and stays this way for years.

If I would want something for just track use I would go just around the corner and order me a custom setup from Intraxx. Don't know what the most used brand in the uk is for track suspension but for the price of the clubsport I would have a complete Intraxx system and the setup adjusted by a pro and still have money left for a few rebuilds (in fact I had one in my former Donkervoort which did nice as a track car but was back breaking even when I went to get some fuell with the car a few miles of the track).

No disrespect Rob but having not used a KW coilovers set up and by using electronically controllable suspension you don't seen like the right person to be taking advise from.

Koni are a VERY well respected suspension company in Britian.

Without tracking a car that is set up properly a good driver would not find the limits of the KW kit and see the benefits of a kit twice the price of it, ie Intrax.

 

[Cuprarob112]

Where did you read that I didn't have Kw coilovers. My Cupra R mk1 had a custom made kw setup (much alike the V3). My current daily driver has V2 installed. My first posting in this threath did say I own a kw set but would go for Bilstein if I'd do it again.

And about Koni, I used to do some work for this dutch firm and know what they are/where capable off (although lately they seem to have lost track by designing some stuff that can't cope with faster cars). I did have a 306 Gti with a koni yellow sportkit that handled extremely well.

Only thing I said was that kw is using older koni technology, adapting it a bit and selling the stuff at an extremely high price (but that said this goes more for the cheaper kits an probably not for the clubsport version discussed here).

 

[Poverty]

I'm gonna get a kw rep on here

 

[RobH]

Im pretty sure if kw were ripping off old koni gear and selling it on for a higher price people would know on here or other forums paticuly the golf forum.

Theres nothing between them in my eyes and certainly not when used on a daily drive i would be happy with either kw v3, clubsports or the b16's.

 

[Al]

Found out tonight that the Clubsport kit come with no warranty as they are a competition kit so they are out.

Also swapped plugs out tonight for new OEM plugs and so far so good. Swapped Bosch for Bosch - I thought I had NGK jobbies but turns out I don't. There are 3 sets of plugs that could have been used on my engine number, so Bosch plugs have issues too it seems. Oh, and no internal oil leaks to the coilpacks or plugs that I can see

 

[Poverty]

Agreed to what rob has said!

the kw equivelant to the bilstein b16's are the kw v2s no?

 

[Cuprarob112]

KW V3 is more like Biltstein B16 Pss10 (might be wise to stay away from older versions these had a few problems).
The V3 do have a bit more tricks and setting can be seperately adjusted

Good thing about both firms is you pay for perfect service and they really test their equipment on cars before they bring it to the market (an IS250 of a friend had a custom made set by Kw and was in for a week, after that the kit came available to the market).

As said the B16 is perfect for a car that is used as a daily driver that now and than is used for trackdays. It's easy to setup and a single adjustment wheel allow for a simple setup. Every adjustment seems logical and most will only feel the car gets stiffer/less stiff since the multiple setup combinations are made by a pro (single turn on the wheel does the trick).

V3 is a bit more advanced has multiple setup possibilties (springs come from Eibach and are really good) but if you do, you have to know what the consequenses are and if seen/felt some bad examples after owner fiddling with the setup.


In the end you get what you pay for and most of the guys I know buy an expensive kit full off tricks. They have it installed and setup once and never touch it again. In that case and it's for road use a B14 might be a better option.