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KW suspension
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 8:53 pm
by TouringMatt
Non-coil over version, anyone run it, heard good/bad stuff about it?
Ta.
Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 10:25 pm
by Cotty
Mine is being fitted now, will let you know what I think in a couple of days. I am also having H&R ARB's fitted so its not just K&W strut inserts and lowered springs (60/40)

Posted: Thu Apr 27, 2006 11:38 pm
by Ant
I have two words.....
GO KART !
Paul, shes back with you tomorrow mate

Posted: Fri Apr 28, 2006 1:27 pm
by Cotty
Ant wrote:I have two words.....
GO KART !
Paul, shes back with you tomorrow mate

WOO HOO

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 3:12 pm
by Ant
Now back with its rightful owner.
I'm sure Paul will summarise more long term..
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 8:24 pm
by Cotty
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
Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 10:23 pm
by Ant
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

Posted: Sat Apr 29, 2006 11:19 pm
by Cotty
Ant wrote:Didn't want to steal your thunder Paul.
Hey your the expert

and like you say it will settle so the handling will change a little, you did have it drifting didnt you

, no worries you needed to road test it
Ant wrote: Hartges next

Yep need them refurbed then tyres and sell the BBS's
Posted: Mon May 01, 2006 11:06 am
by Cotty
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.

Re: KW suspension
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 7:45 pm
by Cotty
TouringMatt wrote:Non-coil over version, anyone run it, heard good/bad stuff about it?
Ta.
What did you do in the end. I would be interested to hear your views if you went doen the KW route.
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:19 pm
by TW166Y
paul you got pictures up yet? if so i missed them...

Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:20 pm
by TouringMatt
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
Posted: Mon Jun 26, 2006 10:43 pm
by jmc330i
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?
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 1:37 pm
by Cotty
TW166Y wrote:paul you got pictures up yet? if so i missed them...

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 down
TouringMatt wrote:
How you getting on with yours?
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 bends
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 6:57 pm
by TW166Y
Cotty180 wrote:TW166Y wrote:paul you got pictures up yet? if so i missed them...

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 down
TouringMatt wrote:
How you getting on with yours?
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 bends
I wanna see it paul.... i wanna see it

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 8:48 pm
by Cotty
TW166Y wrote: I wanna see it paul.... i wanna see it

Easy tiger ill get some pics this weekend and try and sort where to host them
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:19 pm
by jmc330i
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.
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:30 pm
by TouringMatt
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

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:54 pm
by jmc330i
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

Yeah sorry, I was getting confused (Ive been doing 12hr training shifts for a new job)
Its the 40/40 springs Id like to see, cheers mate
Does 120 pounds sound about right for the 40/40 spring kit?
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 9:58 pm
by Cotty
im bored so took a couple of pics. Didnt want to take it out of the garage as I hav ehad a couple of drinks and dont want to take a wing off putting it away

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:00 pm
by Cotty
OK rubbish pics

ill try and sort something out this weekend
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:08 pm
by TouringMatt
Does 120 pounds sound about right for the 40/40 spring kit?
I paid £125 inc delivery so yeah sounds ok

Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:15 pm
by Cotty
TouringMatt wrote: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 cheap
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:35 pm
by Ant
the lower price is just the springs Paul, no dampers dude
Posted: Tue Jun 27, 2006 10:54 pm
by Cotty
Ant wrote:the lower price is just the springs Paul, no dampers dude
Yeah i know I just wanted to show that the whole kit wanst much more than the guys were talking about for just the springs
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 3:35 pm
by TouringMatt
I was quoted £270 for the full kit inc VAT but not sure is that included postage
Some pics! Dirty car, works carpark, 5.55am - the things i do!
Pic1
Pic2
Pic3
Matt
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:03 pm
by jmc330i
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.
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 7:34 pm
by TouringMatt
Yep, they are indeed 15" MiMs on 205/50 tyres
Matt
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:08 pm
by jmc330i
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

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:45 pm
by TW166Y
Cotty180 wrote:OK rubbish pics

ill try and sort something out this weekend
lol, great pics paul, really shows off the kit

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:50 pm
by oskard
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

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 8:56 pm
by TouringMatt
jmc330i wrote: 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine

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!
I was also offered -60-40 springs but didnt want to mess with shorter shocks.
Matt
Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:12 pm
by jmc330i
TouringMatt wrote:jmc330i wrote: 4cyl springs and 6cyl engine

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!
I was also offered -60-40 springs but didnt want to mess with shorter shocks.
51mm front struts - standard touring stuff, the only difference between the 4cyl and 6cyl tourings are the front springs.
Good point about the shorter shocks. I better check if mine has standard or shorter shocks - one more thing to sort out

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:15 pm
by TouringMatt
As long as you go no lower than -40mm up front you should be ok

Posted: Wed Jun 28, 2006 9:33 pm
by jmc330i
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.