About to get a set of KW V3 -- any regrets?
05-01-2018, 04:05 PM
#1
Addict
Rennlist Member
Rennlist Member
Thread Starter
About to get a set of KW V3 -- any regrets?
Hey folks. I decided to get a set of KW V3s for my 964. I did pick up a set of lightly used Bilstein HD B6 shocks with H&R springs but decided not to install them but just to go all in.
The more I drive my GT3 and GT4, the more the poor ride quality of my 964 (with original shocks) annoys me. The 964 will only be a spirited driving street car, no track time, so I'm sure that some will say the KWs are overkill. But, the more I read about being able to adjust rebound AND compression and how others find their ability to soak bumps while still being firm, the more I think this is the route I should take...
I have monoballs and related stuff from Rennline ready to go, as well. I guess I'm trying to replicate a Singer style road suspension, which, admittedly, I haven't driven nor probably ever will.
Does anyone have regrets after installing KW V3s?
Thanks!
The more I drive my GT3 and GT4, the more the poor ride quality of my 964 (with original shocks) annoys me. The 964 will only be a spirited driving street car, no track time, so I'm sure that some will say the KWs are overkill. But, the more I read about being able to adjust rebound AND compression and how others find their ability to soak bumps while still being firm, the more I think this is the route I should take...
I have monoballs and related stuff from Rennline ready to go, as well. I guess I'm trying to replicate a Singer style road suspension, which, admittedly, I haven't driven nor probably ever will.
Does anyone have regrets after installing KW V3s?
Thanks!
05-01-2018, 05:23 PM
#3
Three Wheelin'
It's all in who is setting them up. All the adjustability in the world won't matter if you don't know how to do it. That being said, I can't imagine there is anyone who hasn't been happy with kw v3 before
05-01-2018, 07:07 PM
#4
Racer
Love mine. Feels almost as good as the RS.
Actually much softer than RS over the bumps, great rebound ride height is spot on.
Car seems to come alive in the twistys. I couldn't be happier.
Actually much softer than RS over the bumps, great rebound ride height is spot on.
Car seems to come alive in the twistys. I couldn't be happier.
05-01-2018, 11:11 PM
#6
Track Day
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Guelph
Posts: 24
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My kit came with rear monoballs and uses stock front strut bearings. I like them a lot. Played with settings when I first got them but ended up at just a bit above RS height, one click softer on front compression and rebound, one click softer on rear rebound, recommended for compression. I started with recommended settings which were pretty good. Only problem is I lost the little adjuster- I'll get another one eventually.
Obviously I don't have a good reference for other suspensions- but going from old worn out factory to these was perfect. I have zero regrets and would buy them again in a heartbeat.
Other thing is your tires will have a major impact on comfort- I run 17" but I suspect 18" wheels would be a lot harsher (contrary to Tonymission's experience).
Obviously I don't have a good reference for other suspensions- but going from old worn out factory to these was perfect. I have zero regrets and would buy them again in a heartbeat.
Other thing is your tires will have a major impact on comfort- I run 17" but I suspect 18" wheels would be a lot harsher (contrary to Tonymission's experience).
05-02-2018, 02:57 AM
#7
Rennlist Member
i have club sports. they are Ok, if I were to buy again i'd get ohlins. which i may do anyway. i am playing around with spring rates and damping settings but the car just isn't as supple with the control i expect from ohlins or jrz... do yourself a favor. don't drive a car with ohlins dampers on it you'll see what i mean.
These are the single adjustable not full race dampers. Had these on my 997RS until I swapped them to TTX doubles and well, both were fantastic. Not cheap tho, the TTX are 10k.
https://www.fvd.net/us-en/1159029640...er-plates.html
These are the single adjustable not full race dampers. Had these on my 997RS until I swapped them to TTX doubles and well, both were fantastic. Not cheap tho, the TTX are 10k.
https://www.fvd.net/us-en/1159029640...er-plates.html
Trending Topics
05-02-2018, 05:48 AM
#8
Advanced
I went from the standard, probably original, shocks to Bilstein HD/B6 and H&R springs. It was like night and day - control with suppleness. Properly set up they're great.
If you want to save money, try the Bilsteins you have and only if you don't like them go for something like the V3s or the Ohlins, but pricey.
If you want to save money, try the Bilsteins you have and only if you don't like them go for something like the V3s or the Ohlins, but pricey.
05-02-2018, 09:54 AM
#9
I run them on my 993. Drove a 964 with them and feels good too. Track, street and mountain driving. No issues. Had JRZ on my 964 too which are great but depending on your use (u stated street and fun drives) then it will be a very solid choice.
05-02-2018, 11:30 AM
#10
I should clarify, because I'm sure you're right. I changed wheels/new tires at the same time my V3s went on. So it's not like the 18s were a more comfortable ride than the 17s, just that the suspension upgrade was so significant over the worn out OEM parts that going with a bigger wheel and smaller tire profile did not fully negate the benefit brought on by the V3s.
05-02-2018, 01:45 PM
#11
Three Wheelin'
I don't like KWs - I had a bad experience with the V3 on my S2000.
If it's 80% street I'd do the Koni + H&R (I love konis, had them on many of my cars!) or something non adjustable.
As @spyerx said, Ohlins if you want to go ballsout. All the others are a compromise.
If it's 80% street I'd do the Koni + H&R (I love konis, had them on many of my cars!) or something non adjustable.
As @spyerx said, Ohlins if you want to go ballsout. All the others are a compromise.
05-03-2018, 03:19 AM
#12
GT3 player par excellence
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
Lifetime Rennlist
Member
i have kwv3 no like
i prefer jrz and mcs way better
but TTX would top them all
i prefer jrz and mcs way better
but TTX would top them all
05-03-2018, 11:57 AM
#13
Three Wheelin'
Explanation for the dislike?
Stainless bodies, manage pothole-laden city roads very well on soft settings, give excellent throttle control and over/understeer adjustment for events at higher settings. What’s not to like? Just don’t crank your ride height down to the bumpstops and wreck the compression travel.
I went through the progression of worn out stock parts, to Bilstein+H&R, then KWV3. The Bilsteins are an okay compromise especially for the price, but were a bit harsh on the street for me (felt like too much rebound damping) and a bit soft for events. Plus the bodies of them corrode and get ugly very fast. I’ve had no problems with KW. I’ve put about 15,000 miles on them over 4 years, rain, snow, autocross, city, etc.
Stainless bodies, manage pothole-laden city roads very well on soft settings, give excellent throttle control and over/understeer adjustment for events at higher settings. What’s not to like? Just don’t crank your ride height down to the bumpstops and wreck the compression travel.
I went through the progression of worn out stock parts, to Bilstein+H&R, then KWV3. The Bilsteins are an okay compromise especially for the price, but were a bit harsh on the street for me (felt like too much rebound damping) and a bit soft for events. Plus the bodies of them corrode and get ugly very fast. I’ve had no problems with KW. I’ve put about 15,000 miles on them over 4 years, rain, snow, autocross, city, etc.
05-03-2018, 12:35 PM
#14
Three Wheelin'
Explanation for the dislike?
Stainless bodies, manage pothole-laden city roads very well on soft settings, give excellent throttle control and over/understeer adjustment for events at higher settings. What’s not to like? Just don’t crank your ride height down to the bumpstops and wreck the compression travel.
Stainless bodies, manage pothole-laden city roads very well on soft settings, give excellent throttle control and over/understeer adjustment for events at higher settings. What’s not to like? Just don’t crank your ride height down to the bumpstops and wreck the compression travel.
I did not like the feel and how communicative they were on track feedback. I spent a day at the track trying to adjust them and I just could not understand what the car was doing.
Sure you may say I installed them wrong and don't know how to set them up. To me that was the experience, I am not the only one though with friends mentioning the same on their E46/S2k.
I am not saying they are bad, at all. It just that to me they did not work well.
When I used the DFVs on my Evo IX instead...ohhh man, drooling good.
Cheers
05-03-2018, 06:05 PM
#15
Rennlist Member
The real issue is dampers are somewhat subjective. The goal is control but also feel and feedback to the drive as that enhances sense of control. My experience so far is the kw are good not great when compared do a damper that is 2-3x the cost. Fair? No. But it’s what I’m used to. 100s of track days with ohlins has tattooed my sense of what i like.
Like i said i find the control good. But feeling of the damping i find harsher than I’d like. But. I’m not giving up as there is much in the setup and calibration. We are trying some things.
Fwiw I’ve driven and driven in 3-4 cars with various bilstein setups and don’t like any of them. They feel similar to me. Harsh.
Like i said i find the control good. But feeling of the damping i find harsher than I’d like. But. I’m not giving up as there is much in the setup and calibration. We are trying some things.
Fwiw I’ve driven and driven in 3-4 cars with various bilstein setups and don’t like any of them. They feel similar to me. Harsh.