KW Variant 3

[emperorjordan]

Anybody here running them? I am about to pull the trigger just wondering thoughts or things learned or if anybody thinks there is a better option out there for a road race car in the same price range.

They were used on the BDX Mustangs if anybody is familiar with them, and they performed really well, and I know Paul Brown used them on the 05 body american iron car he raced.

 

[Sky Render]

I have heard lots of good things about those coilovers, but I don't know any Mustangs with them.

 

[Sam Strano]

KW is a line I sell. We've had pretty good luck with V3's overall. One of the things I don't love is that they refuse to tell anyone the rear spring rates, but that's not a big deal because rear springs are easy to get and cheap to buy.

Of all the coil-overs I have the V3's are the best bang for the buck (don't read that as "cheapest"). H&R's don't off you any damping adjustment where these are double adjustable--and independently so.

I also carry the ClubSport version as well (well, I can get them as required I'd fire myself if I kept a set of those here as it's not a big mover).

 

[emperorjordan]

spring rates would be my next question, but that will take some dialing in.

I appreciate the input guys.

 

[Tay]

I'm getting the Variant 3's installed next week on my 2011 GT, along with Sam's swaybars.. I will let you know how they are. My dad had KW's on his 2005 Viper and they were great. My brother has the Variant 1's on his 2011 Audi A4 and loves them. They are said to ride better than stock. I will post pics as soon as I get the car back.

 

[Tay]

KW is a line I sell. We've had pretty good luck with V3's overall. One of the things I don't love is that they refuse to tell anyone the rear spring rates, but that's not a big deal because rear springs are easy to get and cheap to buy.

Of all the coil-overs I have the V3's are the best bang for the buck (don't read that as "cheapest"). H&R's don't off you any damping adjustment where these are double adjustable--and independently so.

I also carry the ClubSport version as well (well, I can get them as required I'd fire myself if I kept a set of those here as it's not a big mover).

Sam,

What are the difference's between the Variant 3's and the ClubSport's?

 

[Sam Strano]

Valving differences, the ClubSports come with camber plates.... iirc the springs might be a little different too.

 

[Sky Render]

Aren't the Clubsports supposed to be a track-only suspension?

 

[Random Asshole]

KW clubsports are not for the meak or the cheap. At least when using the stock springs that come with them. (F/R: 570/340)

 

[Kris_H]

We just did KW V3's on our '12 and it rides and looks amazing. The change in driving/handling from stock is night and day but the car still rides incredibly smooth. We've got the car set fairly low (on par with Eibach Sportlines) and we haven't had any trouble or discomfort while driving. The install was also pretty straightforward. Our tech had them installed in about 3 hours and that was with stops to take pics of the installation.

I've got a set of V3's on my E60 M5 as well and can't say enough good things about them. While KW's may not be the cheapest option out there, it really is true that you get what you pay for!

 

[Kris_H]

Here's some suspension porn for you.

 

[Sky Render]

KW is German? I didn't know that.

 

[DRock]

yea buddy. German engineering

 

[Kris_H]

Yeah, KW is a German-made brand which is always nice. They're owned by (or distributed by, at least) Bell Tech here on the west coast too.

 

[Sky Render]

I probably should have known that since their company name is KW Suspension Gmbh.

 

[Sam Strano]

KW owns ST and BellTech, not the other way 'round.

 

[ArizonaGT]

The V3s use a progressive rate spring????

 

[corruptor]

Doesn't look like it. Those look like helper springs in the pics.

 

[Sam Strano]

Rears are progressive. Note how the spring is shaped like a cone, the change in diameter causes a change in rate. And KW lists the rears as "P" in their catalog as well with a front rate of 400 as I recall.

 

[ArizonaGT]

Here is what a non-progressive spring looks like on some KWs*:

*Bonus dog content included!