KW suspension
Moderator: martauto
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

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Non-coil over version, anyone run it, heard good/bad stuff about it?
Ta.
Ta.
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Ant
- Retired Team Member

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Now back with its rightful owner.
I'm sure Paul will summarise more long term..
I'm sure Paul will summarise more long term..
Product Development and Endurance for Delphi.
Original performance chips, original works not unlicensed copies
Email FTW
Original performance chips, original works not unlicensed copies
Ant you drove my car so you could give an initian impression.
I have'nt been able to drive it much today but first impressions are, its very firm. On a smooth road its fine and you dont notice any difference. But on a bad road surface it crashes into pot holes and raised man hole covers and sometimes feels a little bouncy. But im assuming it will settle down after a couple of weeks, I hope so as the back still looks a little high.
But I love it, I wanted it to handle like a go kart and as Ant says it does
. The anti roll bars help massively, it corners so hard now that without the CG Lock (tightens/locks the lap strap) it would throw me out of the seat as I ony have comfort seats.
The car corners quicker than I do so need to find some way of keeping me in the seat. Buckets are probably going a bit far, but recaro's would help and perhaps a 4 point harness but thats probably a bit OTT as well.
To be honest I dont really know much about the suspension, ie whether it was ment for the track or fast road use.
Paul
I have'nt been able to drive it much today but first impressions are, its very firm. On a smooth road its fine and you dont notice any difference. But on a bad road surface it crashes into pot holes and raised man hole covers and sometimes feels a little bouncy. But im assuming it will settle down after a couple of weeks, I hope so as the back still looks a little high.
But I love it, I wanted it to handle like a go kart and as Ant says it does
The car corners quicker than I do so need to find some way of keeping me in the seat. Buckets are probably going a bit far, but recaro's would help and perhaps a 4 point harness but thats probably a bit OTT as well.
To be honest I dont really know much about the suspension, ie whether it was ment for the track or fast road use.
Paul

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Ant
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Didn't want to steal your thunder Paul.
Handles superb though I must say
I prefer my ride a little more supple but she will setlle down another 15mm on the rear over the next week or so.
Hartges next
Handles superb though I must say
Hartges next
Product Development and Endurance for Delphi.
Original performance chips, original works not unlicensed copies
Email FTW
Original performance chips, original works not unlicensed copies
Hey your the expertAnt wrote:Didn't want to steal your thunder Paul.
Yep need them refurbed then tyres and sell the BBS'sAnt wrote: Hartges next

Just been out for a bit of a hack down some country lanes and OH MY GOD it just sticks, its like glue, I was really pushing it in the corners and couldn't unstuck it. Wheras before I might have lifted slightly im now putting my foot down and even full throttle upshifts on the exit wouldn't unstick it. 

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TouringMatt
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Hi mate,
I did indeed get the KWs, -40/40 springs only
So far i have only fitted the rears (PI's up front i think) but i think they are really good!
Far more confident through the corners, i can actually tell what the rear end is doing now, had a quality drive home from Aberystwyth yesterday through the country roads - handles weight too with no problems.
Height has settled now and it only looks fractionally higher than on the saloon springs, just wish i'd sorted them out sooner!
How you getting on with yours?
Matt
I did indeed get the KWs, -40/40 springs only
So far i have only fitted the rears (PI's up front i think) but i think they are really good!
Far more confident through the corners, i can actually tell what the rear end is doing now, had a quality drive home from Aberystwyth yesterday through the country roads - handles weight too with no problems.
Height has settled now and it only looks fractionally higher than on the saloon springs, just wish i'd sorted them out sooner!
How you getting on with yours?
Matt
I need some 6cyl springs for my touring (318i converted to 6cyl).
Do you reckon the 40/40 KW springs are worth it? I found them online for 122 pounds and the 60/40 kit for 130. (my keyboard is screwed, so I cant type the pound sign
)
Any chance of some pics of the touring with the 40/40 kit?
Do you reckon the 40/40 KW springs are worth it? I found them online for 122 pounds and the 60/40 kit for 130. (my keyboard is screwed, so I cant type the pound sign
Any chance of some pics of the touring with the 40/40 kit?
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
Not yet. Partly because I havent washed my car since the start of the hosepipe ban and partly because I was waiting until I put the 15" hartge wheels & stripes on it. Oh yes and I need a new photo accoutn as I believe Fotango is shutting downTW166Y wrote:paul you got pictures up yet? if so i missed them...
It has settled down a bit but still very stiff, if I run over a crisp packet i can tell you what flavor they are, but great fun especially with the H&R anti roll bars, it loves bendsTouringMatt wrote:
How you getting on with yours?

I wanna see it paul.... i wanna see itCotty180 wrote:Not yet. Partly because I havent washed my car since the start of the hosepipe ban and partly because I was waiting until I put the 15" hartge wheels & stripes on it. Oh yes and I need a new photo accoutn as I believe Fotango is shutting downTW166Y wrote:paul you got pictures up yet? if so i missed them...
It has settled down a bit but still very stiff, if I run over a crisp packet i can tell you what flavor they are, but great fun especially with the H&R anti roll bars, it loves bendsTouringMatt wrote:
How you getting on with yours?

Saying goodbye to 4-pot wrongness
Imageshack or Photobucket are the main ones. I use photobucket and dont have any problems.
Id like to see how low it is compared to mine, as its lowered but I dont know by how much. I think 40/40 is as low as Id want to go though.
Id like to see how low it is compared to mine, as its lowered but I dont know by how much. I think 40/40 is as low as Id want to go though.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

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Cottys is the full spring/shock -60-40 setup, mine is -40-40 on OE shocks and 205/50/15's
I'll try and get some pics tomorrow so you can see how they compare
I'll try and get some pics tomorrow so you can see how they compare
Yeah sorry, I was getting confused (Ive been doing 12hr training shifts for a new job)TouringMatt wrote:Cottys is the full spring/shock -60-40 setup, mine is -40-40 on OE shocks and 205/50/15's
I'll try and get some pics tomorrow so you can see how they compare
Its the 40/40 springs Id like to see, cheers mate
Does 120 pounds sound about right for the 40/40 spring kit?
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

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- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
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Does 120 pounds sound about right for the 40/40 spring kit?
I paid £125 inc delivery so yeah sounds ok
Just out of interest I paid £250 for my kit. The Zoner that bought it paid over £300 for the kit and was selling it for £270 but as no one wanted the kit at the time I got it cheapTouringMatt wrote:Does 120 pounds sound about right for the 40/40 spring kit?
I paid £125 inc delivery so yeah sounds ok

Excellent cheers 
Those wheels are 15" Mims? Are the tyres 205/50?
My car is lowered, but the wheels seem to fill the arches more than yours - mine are 205/55s.
Those wheels are 15" Mims? Are the tyres 205/50?
My car is lowered, but the wheels seem to fill the arches more than yours - mine are 205/55s.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

- Posts: 1188
- Joined: Mon Jan 10, 2005 11:00 pm
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Yep, they are indeed 15" MiMs on 205/50 tyres
Matt
Matt
That will be why the wheels on mine fill the arches more. Mine must be lowered about 40mm then, it looks similar to yours which is
Just need to find the money for the springs now - the front end is a bit bouncy with the 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine
Just need to find the money for the springs now - the front end is a bit bouncy with the 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
Here is a pic of my touring with 40/40 kw springs
http://www.vortex.is/oskard/images/touring/IMG_4651.JPG
I now have sold the springs but I kept the shocks...
I found the springs a little soft for my taste but they were very firm and
nice on the street. The shocks I find awesome. I had some bouncing
issues with the kw springs when driving very hard
http://www.vortex.is/oskard/images/touring/IMG_4651.JPG
I now have sold the springs but I kept the shocks...
I found the springs a little soft for my taste but they were very firm and
nice on the street. The shocks I find awesome. I had some bouncing
issues with the kw springs when driving very hard
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

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What front struts you running? I had to specify i needed springs to suit 51mm struts - could be worth remembering when/if you order them!jmc330i wrote: 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine
I was also offered -60-40 springs but didnt want to mess with shorter shocks.
Matt
51mm front struts - standard touring stuff, the only difference between the 4cyl and 6cyl tourings are the front springs.TouringMatt wrote:What front struts you running? I had to specify i needed springs to suit 51mm struts - could be worth remembering when/if you order them!jmc330i wrote: 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine
I was also offered -60-40 springs but didnt want to mess with shorter shocks.
Good point about the shorter shocks. I better check if mine has standard or shorter shocks - one more thing to sort out
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
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TouringMatt
- E30 Zone Camper

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As long as you go no lower than -40mm up front you should be ok 
Yeah, I only really want 40mm all round, I think 60/40 could be a bit much for an everyday car.
I think mine has standard shocks, but its also possible they have been changed for shorter ones - I know the springs are red, but I havent really looked at the shocks.
I think mine has standard shocks, but its also possible they have been changed for shorter ones - I know the springs are red, but I havent really looked at the shocks.
James
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v
'91 325i Sport
'93 318i touring 16v




