MK5 Golf GTI
All Things Mk5 => Modifications & Technical Area => Performance Modifications => Topic started by: JackG on December 13, 2011, 10:13:01 am
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Hi guys
Shortly I'll be buying a new suspension set up for my Eddie (2008 DSG)
Would like bilstein B12 but have thought I'd like to be able to adjust the height :popcornsoda: although I'm not into all this "slam it and space it out look"
KW automotive always gets good reviews but do they justify the cost? I know bilstein are really really good hence why I'd like the B12 kit but it's just the fixed height that makes me not 100%
I'd like the kw V2 but they seem to cost over 1k (in dollars that is as I can't find a uk price on there site)
If there worth the £££ then I'll go for the KW V2 coilovers but id like some views on weather the extra £££ would be worth the jump from the B12's
Other suspension mods will include
Lightweight brakes
Alloy hubs and arms
WALK
Polly bush front ARB
Eibach or autotech rear ARB
All I'm looking for really is great handling
Thanks again
Jack
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Hello Jack, intresting, i have been looking at the same myself so will watch this thread to see peoples opinions....
ATB
Steve
:happy2:
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Hello Jack, intresting, i have been looking at the same myself so will watch this thread to see peoples opinions....
ATB
Steve
:happy2:
It's a minefield :fighting2: I'm leaning towards KW at the moment tho :drinking:
Jack
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I have had KW V3 for 2 years and cannot recommend them, here's why:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251)
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from what i have read they are both very good kits and i think i have heard just as many people recommend kw as bilstein. So in this case i think what its going to come down to is would you pay the extra ££ for the ability to adjust?
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had them on ine 2 years with no hassle
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from what i have read they are both very good kits and i think i have heard just as many people recommend kw as bilstein. So in this case i think what its going to come down to is would you pay the extra ££ for the ability to adjust?
Only way to adjust the compression and rebound on the KW V3 is by removing the shocks, you can adjust the Bilstein while they are fitted to the car. :smiley:
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from what i have read they are both very good kits and i think i have heard just as many people recommend kw as bilstein. So in this case i think what its going to come down to is would you pay the extra ££ for the ability to adjust?
Only way to adjust the compression and rebound on the KW V3 is by removing the shocks, you can adjust the Bilstein while they are fitted to the car. :smiley:
forgive me if im wrong, i thought he was comparing the b12 setup which is just a strut isnt it? with no ability to adjust height? I might be wrong though...
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I highly recommend KW not only are the parts quality but their after service was impressive.
I had a problem with a set of coilovers on a B5 S4 so I contacted their tech support team. They asked for a few photos which I provided and I received next day a brand new set free of charge to correct the problem.
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I have had KW V3 for 2 years and cannot recommend them, here's why:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251)
Did you contact them about this issue?
I agree that its a strange material to use for an adjusting ring. My B5 ones were made out of an alloy.
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I have had KW V3 for 2 years and cannot recommend them, here's why:
http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251 (http://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/index.php/topic,7823.msg406251.html#msg406251)
Very interesting read! Seems to me that bilstein are far ahead of KW in terms of build quality! If there ahead in build quality then there performance must be even better :popcornsoda:
Thank you DanishMK5 :smiley:
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perfect example of how one bad review can lose customers! :scared:
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perfect example of how one bad review can lose customers! :scared:
Good point, don't you agree that it seems a bit silly to make the one part that will need to have weight pulled on out of plastic is a bit "poor"?
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very true, what i would do is ring KW or a KW supplier, because PAZZ had some on his b5 and they had a alloy adjuster, potentially a improvement they made on all of them now?
Not sure if he contacts KW either, i have heard very good things about their after sales service too!
I suppose it depends how bad you want them to adjust? I personally dont think the blisteins go low enough, not that im a "if your not scrubbing your not dubbin" kinda guy.
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very true, what i would do is ring KW or a KW supplier, because PAZZ had some on his b5 and they had a alloy adjuster, potentially a improvement they made on all of them now?
Not sure if he contacts KW either, i have heard very good things about their after sales service too!
I suppose it depends how bad you want them to adjust? I personally dont think the blisteins go low enough, not that im a "if your not scrubbing your not dubbin" kinda guy.
That's a good point, good after sales is hard to come buy today too!
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contact damian at DPM performance. no-nonsense, honest opinion and he'll sort you a good price :happy2:
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very happy with the b12 kit on mine, unless you are taking car on track why adjust
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pohrani.com%2Ff%2F2b%2FFu%2F1cuvEJ62%2Fimg0874.jpg&hash=b01b6e51d3bcf9617a8a815153a38258c76b2955)
KW for me every time :drinking:
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Can you get them serviced? (KW that is)
Think I may go for the B14 kit, all I'm interested in is handling, I want to drop to about 35mm and then when I'm bored I may go to about 45mm! I live in Malvern hills so being low.....is a no go :signLOL:
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(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.pohrani.com%2Ff%2F2b%2FFu%2F1cuvEJ62%2Fimg0874.jpg&hash=b01b6e51d3bcf9617a8a815153a38258c76b2955)
KW for me every time :drinking:
Still that picture shows what i am on about, fiberreinforced adjustment of height, with a tiny pinol screw to fixate it. It's just a very bad design for a suspension part. If you regularly service and maintain the suspension it might be okay, but for day to day driving all year round and with fatigue in the fiberreinforced adjustment ring, you are bound for trouble IMO, of course.
Bilstein on the other hand has two alloy rings on each leg and a hole for the adjustment tool, instead of the system KW uses where the tool can slip down with the slightest effort.
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi715.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww160%2Fjakethemoss%2FIMG_0953.jpg&hash=0b332e1e326b7c7463181ce37d4762c1b11269d9)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi715.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww160%2Fjakethemoss%2FIMG_0952.jpg&hash=680035b24fd1bb67ca748670d5116802b09c5414)
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi715.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fww160%2Fjakethemoss%2FBilstein-PSS9-S3.jpg&hash=0fb1679fd67e193e67af0128780b7a727776a454)
No doubt they make great suspension KW but why do things different just for the sake of it???n :confused:
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There sexy :notworthy:
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KW kits are great but when I fit coilovers to my S3 I will be fitting Bilsteins. The quality of the dampers is superb :)
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Bilsteins again for me. I had Eibach Coilovers on first and the dampers were KW and I ate through the dampers, both sets of dampers I had on went just outside warranty :sad1:
Moved to Bilsteins and they were much better and lasted too. I am now in a different car and have gone for Bilstein again based on how good they were first time around and once again love them :happy2:
BTW I am on B16's :smiley:
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I have done over 40k on my v3 and other than a snapped spring that was an easy fix never had a problem with them and by undoing the little screw that holds the height adjusters mine still adjust very easy and have never chewed up the adjusters like Danish did.
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Would like bilstein B12 but have thought I'd like to be able to adjust the height ...
I know bilstein are really really good hence why I'd like the B12 kit but it's just the fixed height that makes me not 100%
Jack, so why don't you go for a Bilstein B14 coilover?
It's almost as cheap as a 'fixed' B12. :smiley:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bilstein.de%2Fuploads%2Fpics%2FB14_09.jpg&hash=125bd818ad6b01cc7c72b0385e115344c26ec415)
http://www.bilstein.de/en/products/sport-and-threaded-ride-high-adjustable-kits/bilstein-b14.html
:happy2:
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Do the B16's come with the adjustable top mounts? Thats a huge advantage of the KW Clubsports for me. Im on KW V2's at min and been great so far (only done 1 track day on them tho.)
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Would like bilstein B12 but have thought I'd like to be able to adjust the height ...
I know bilstein are really really good hence why I'd like the B12 kit but it's just the fixed height that makes me not 100%
Jack, so why don't you go for a Bilstein B14 coilover?
It's almost as cheap as a 'fixed' B12. :smiley:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bilstein.de%2Fuploads%2Fpics%2FB14_09.jpg&hash=125bd818ad6b01cc7c72b0385e115344c26ec415)
http://www.bilstein.de/en/products/sport-and-threaded-ride-high-adjustable-kits/bilstein-b14.html
:happy2:
Thanks buddy! I've been talking to GNJ motorsport and I've gone for the B14 kit as it can be adjusted....may also just say thanks for all the advice from you guys!! :drinking: it's great to honest views without it kicking off like it normally does on other forums!
Will order these just after Xmas with a WALK and rear ARB
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Do the B16's come with the adjustable top mounts?
Thats a huge advantage of the KW Clubsports for me.
Im on KW V2's at min and been great so far (only done 1 track day on them tho.)
No, but if I'd need adjustable top mounts I'd give these a try:
(https://www.mk5golfgti.co.uk/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fperformanceshock.com%2Fpopup_image%2FpID%2F1397&hash=67b846ef59e21b5bcde1fddfcc962de5b8181e5d)
http://performanceshock.com/--c-41_139/ccpmkv
Jack, when fitting your new suspension go for the RS3/TT top mounts
(slightly stiffer than OEM Mk.V) and both front and rear ARBs.
KW Clubsports are great and ''more trackable'', but ride comfort isn't
it's strength and it's also expensive. Advantage: you can vary the linear
springs in a range someway 30 % softer or stiffer.
If I had a Clubsport I'd have a look for alloy rings to fit. I'd order rings
from Bilstein, Eibach and H&R to try them.
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Clubsport cannot be compared to B16... KW3 is the equivalent of B16. If you want to compare the Clubsport with something Bilstein does you should check the Bilstein products made for motorsport (non TUV, just lke the Clubsport). :drinking:
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I've been running on KW V3's for about 3 years without any problems and they fit well with my whole suspension package. I don't need to adjust them and if I did I would get VW Racing to do it for me because I don't know enough about finding that sweet spot (on cars! Girls is a different matter!).
Having said that, if buying again I would probably buy Bilstein. It's a bit like whether you prefer a Canon pro to a Nikon pro camera. Both are very good.
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(non TUV, just lke the Clubsport). :drinking:
KW Clubsport is TÜV approved, Rex. :smiley:
So it's the most track ready suspension kit for Mk.V/VI, A3, Cupra or TT.
For street only I'd prefer Bilstein or Sachs though.
http://www.sachsperformance.com/Sachs-Performance-Coilover-Suspension/VW:::3221_3284.html
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When these are fitted weather it be KW or bilstein does anyone get any knocking noises? Or a noise when you turn the wheel?
What's KW club sport then? Is that another term for V3's?
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(non TUV, just lke the Clubsport). :drinking:
KW Clubsport is TÜV approved, Rex. :smiley:
My bad :drinking:
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When these are fitted weather it be KW or bilstein does anyone get any knocking noises? Or a noise when you turn the wheel?
Some have, most don't. Sachs Performance is quiet as well.
What's KW club sport then? Is that another term for V3's?
KW 'Clubsport' = a more track oriented version auf the 'Variante 3'
Same construction, but stiffer linear springs, shorter damper bodies
and comes (as an option) with adjustable (and solid) top mounts.