panski

Hi fellas, I'm thinking about upgrading my '98 C2 Tip suspensiallon w/ KW Variant 3, installed for $3K. That's mucho mulla and curious if it's worth the money.

The city roads in Jakarta is notorious w/ small potholes and creases, and often in 50-60 mph cruising sometimes loose grounding over those silly holes.. The KW set is said to have multiple settings suitable for these kinds of surface, plus of course track-worthy. Any thoughts? Thanks

philooo

why are you considering KW instead of the notorious PSS10 ?

From what I understand the PSS9 or PSS10 are relatively comfortable. But I can't tell from personal experience. I still have stock suspension on mine and consider very seriously the PSS10.

panski

Hi Philooo, I do consider the PS10, though much more expensive, but it's just availability issue. Importing takes 2-3 weeks. The KW is priced $400 lower and ready to install Just need more assurance from someone who has KW V3 installed...

Dharn55

WOW! In Jakarta the KW is less than the PSS10? Here in the states the PSS10 for a C2 is about $400 less than the KW and for my C4 the PSS10 is almost $1,000 less than the KW.

ROK

the bilsteins pss9s/10s are much better quality

panski

Dharn55, dunno why, I assume, the dealer has a few KW3 sets for clearance..

and ROK, I gather the rests agree w/ your preference...

Appreciate the inputs fellas

redridge

Is the car a DD? and a few track days here and there.... KW3 are more track orientated and PSSX are more street than track... If you set the KW3 high enough and set the rebound to a softer setting you should be good.... I usually set my PSS9 to a stiffer ride on the street, but you are right, Ive been to Jakarta and we dont have potholes like you guys have.

ROK

Red,

I could be wrong here, but I've had the chance to speak with an indy P-car specialist who is a regular in the pits as one of the support engineers for sponsored 911s on West Coast tracks...

The KW3s are no more track oriented than the PSSX series. They're both wholly designed for street use. You can certainly use them for the track, but their design is for public roads.

You need to spend some serious dough to really set yourself apart (we're talking $2K a corner here - Motons, etc)

When you take a look at the components of the shock bodies, parts, material etc between the KW3 and PSSXs, he says it's pretty damn clear where Bilstein's R&D and experience outdoes KW.

Now we may be splitting hairs because we are talking street use, but I know where my money went.

panski

Well, this is getting more interesting..

redridge, yes the car is my DD, surprised to know you've been in town..on business I presume? We've got plenty small potholes and creases/bumps. The stock ones are fine (car have only 14K miles), but sometimes I feel I loose some footings going over the small bumps/creases over 50-60 mph. However, I find the stock ride height is just PERFECT...

I do plan to take it to track on maybe once/month..just waiting for my 'bra' to arrive

KW3V3...PSS10...KW3V3...PSS10...KW3V3...PSS10...

chsu74

KWs are very well respected in Europe and they have an excellent R&D facility. Bilsteins are able to sell at a cheaper price probably because they can realize the economies of scale with shipping their complete line of products into the USA better than KWs.

You can't go wrong with either. I would go with the one that is cheaper in Indonesia.

panski

Wise one, thanks for the input chsu74

Dervish

I have to strongly disagree with you here. KW have way more track focus than PSS series. Just look at the Manthey cup cars, if anyone knows 911 racing it's these guys and who do they use?, that's right KW. So much so that they actually tweak the internal valves slightly and sell them as Manthey KWs.
Also take a look at the construction. KW do alot of R&D into anti-corrosion materials, a big winner for European countries.

I did alot of research on this topic, I wanted a track focused set up and the KW V3 came out a winner over the PSS series. If you're driving street then the majority recommend PSS but if you ever consider tracking I'd 110% recommend KW everytime....

FD Motorsports

I'd agree with Dervish... though there are a couple or three (depending on the fitment) versions of KW kits available.

The V3s are the closest comparison to PSS10s and are slightly more than PSS10s (in North America).

The biggest difference in performance is the valving AND the fact that KW V3s have adjustable rebound AND compression.
This can be very useful both on track and off.

EDIT: to clarify, PSS10s only have adjustable compression.

Coincidentally, we are installing V3s for someone today.

panski

Dervish, appreciate the input and Manthey racing does sound convincing..even for wannabe trackie like me and..

FD, it is precisely the 3rd/rebound setting that got my juice going.

Now, a long-time forum member has offered me a slight-used set of KW V3 for a fraction of the price....so shall I cut a deal or should go for new??

Thanks again for valuable input

chsu74

How many miles on the set and age of the suspension?