Coilover confusion!

[bullwinkle]

Ok so I'm new to the E30 and need a bit of advice. I'm looking at changing to coilovers but am hearing and reading conflicting reports so, are they difficult to fit (318is) and what problems will I face in doing so.
Secondly, I am REALLY confused as to which kit to fit. Heard plenty about the GAZ set-up but would be curious to hear from folks opinion about the KW (variant 2) and any other kits that you guys are using.
Car will be used on the road with the only track work being either Cadwell or 'that' place in the Eifel region of Germany. I'm happy to sacrifice comfort for a sharp handling car.
Any and all help greatly appreciated.

[JimmyC]

Fit straight on, very easy, you just need to make allowance on the spacing on the breather side

For a trackday car GAZ will be more than adequate, suits most of the PBMW field and the front running M3's in TTRS

We have a couple of drivers on KW and have only heard good things about them too

[bullwinkle]

Thanks JimmyC - I've read/heard that the reat turrets need some modifying as they are not man-enough for the job. Will I need to strengthen these up or is it just a myth?

[JimmyC]

IMO its just a myth, we have cars that have raced for 4 seasons without any strengthening, if you're worried though its an easy job to strengthen them

[harry_p]

i think the rear turret issue depends on the surface you're likey to be driving on and for how many miles. i would guess that a lot of road miles are more likelyto induce stress cracks than occasional track use.

other than running over curbs you don't get the constant fatigue hammering of poorly surfaced, potholed, cateyed, ridged, expansion jointed typical b-roads.

for a car that's likely to spend most of it's time on the road would probably go for a kw setup which keeps the standard rear spring location, if it doesnt do many miles, and spends the majority of those it does do on the track then i'd be more tempted to go for an all round coilover setup, but i'd probably add a rear strut brace and some basic strengthening to help spread the load

[bullwinkle]

Does that mean the KW's use coilovers front and stock set-up at the rear? The reason I was considering coilovers was the abillity to change the ride height. I'd be interested to hear from anyone who has used the KW set-up as this was my preferred route.

[89pgy]

KW's set up is the same as H&R and the rear are height adjustable by a threaded spacer plate that sits at the top of the rear spring ,which can be turned to adj height.

[JimmyC]

GAZ also offer a kit that uses the rear sprint platforms with an adjustable telescope

and for the front the do a cheaper top adjustable coilover more suited to raod use with the occasional trackday