best place for Kw V3's?
- Thread starter z4mcc
- Start date
z4mcc said:
I’m considering these at the moment as well. 4 cheapest I’ve found so far:
https://www.mstyle.co.uk/kw-variant-3-coilover-kit-for-z4-m-3-2-e85-roadster-and-coupe.html
£1940
https://www.carnoisseur.com/products/details/kw-variant-3-coilover-kit-to-fit-bmw-z4-35220034
£1950
https://russellroadracing.co.uk/products/kw-coilover-v3-m-z4-e85-e86-coupe-roadster-35220034
£1950
https://balancemotorsport.co.uk/kw-variant-3-inox-coilovers-bmw-z4-m-m85-m-roadster-m-coupe-m-roadster-m-coupe-04-06-35220034-1520.html
£1960
RedUn said:I've used balance motorsports over the years to buy KWs, they seem to be fairly competitive
Can you tell me if I need to run spacers to fit the V3’s? Running wider wheels and worried if spacers are needed on standard 224’s then I’m never going to be able to fit V3’s without a lot of messing around
Give Julian a ring at balance motorsports he'll normally do you a few quid more off
Spacers are needed with V3s and oem 224s, I don't know exactly what size but I'd imagine something like a 10mm (it's detailed on here somewhere)
If you want top mounts as well you might as well go for the CS, that's what I run, much prefer the linear spring setup, also more clearance as the springs are a smaller diameter.
Spacers are needed with V3s and oem 224s, I don't know exactly what size but I'd imagine something like a 10mm (it's detailed on here somewhere)
If you want top mounts as well you might as well go for the CS, that's what I run, much prefer the linear spring setup, also more clearance as the springs are a smaller diameter.
z4mcc said:
You’re not going to get a decisive answer on that. Very subjective. Everyone has different ideas of tolerable. I think the stock suspension is tolerable. Then I take someone out in it, that’s never sat in a Z & most are baffled as to how I can live with it.
My 2 cents, from what I’ve read, is it’ll be very similar to stock in terms of comfort (if you can use that word in reference to Z’s). Maybe a bit noisier & slightly stiffer over bumps, as it’s tracked focused but not unbearable. However if you’re going to only do a few track days a year & do 80-90% mileage on the roads I reckon the standard V3’s will be fine. It’s mainly experienced track drivers that say “it just isn’t good enough.” You’ve got a range of adjustments so surely you can tighten things up enough for it to be a lot of fun on track. But if you’re chasing those seconds or tenths off a lap, then maybe go clubsport.
Another thing to bear in mind (double check this because I’ve only read it & not looked into it as I’m not looking at club sports) is the club sports don’t come with a warranty as they’re track focused parts, whereas the standard V3’s do have a 2 or 5 year guarantee, I’m sure someone will correct me if I’m wrong.
As Mos said its very much dependant on the person.z4mcc said:
I think they are fine, they are just as silent as normal KWs, I run them relatively firm but they are really well damped.
The main difference to the V3s if the linear springs and top mounts on the front. They aren't some race suspension that needs rebuilding frequently and will corrode into dust at the sight of a wet road
RedUn said:…They aren't some race suspension that needs rebuilding frequently and will corrode into dust at the sight of a wet road…z4mcc said:
I had a leaking Club Sport rear damper at about 35k miles (a large proportion of which were hard track miles). However, it wasn’t long after my Zed arrived in Aus having spent three months on a boat from England, so I cannot be sure that the suspension hadn’t experienced unusual loads from rough seas.
z4mcc said:
Hey Chris
Thought I’d let you know as you’re considering the V3’s. Julian at balance motorsport gave me a discount code that brought the kit down to £1903 inc postage. Called the others on that list I posted above and no one could offer anything off. So does appear to be the best deal we can get at this time. Delivery times are increasing week by week though. Last week when I enquired it was a 3 week wait. Today when I’ve ordered it’s now a 5 week wait. So wouldn’t hang about too long. Email [email protected] if you decide to go ahead.
Hey beedub,
Come across your posts loads when I was researching, on here & Zpost. I’ve seen you say a few times that the V3’s are just way too soft. Even if you dialled them up for maximum stiffness did this not make them firm enough for you? Is your driving just road or a lot of track as well? I went for the V3’s because I’ve got no plans to track it.
Any recommendations for my setup with V3’s in regards to mounts & bushings? Going for the limiter kit and not PU RTABs. Only had one experience with PU bushings and I hated them. Far too stiff. But other people do swear by them.
What’s the big brake kit you & redun have fitted? Callipers look great! Love the Aeros with that vinyl!
Come across your posts loads when I was researching, on here & Zpost. I’ve seen you say a few times that the V3’s are just way too soft. Even if you dialled them up for maximum stiffness did this not make them firm enough for you? Is your driving just road or a lot of track as well? I went for the V3’s because I’ve got no plans to track it.
Any recommendations for my setup with V3’s in regards to mounts & bushings? Going for the limiter kit and not PU RTABs. Only had one experience with PU bushings and I hated them. Far too stiff. But other people do swear by them.
What’s the big brake kit you & redun have fitted? Callipers look great! Love the Aeros with that vinyl!
Beedub said:
Anyone had any experience of these? https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/E46-E36-3-Series-and-Z4-Rear-Trailing-Arm-Bearing-Kit.html
So my aim is to tighten the car up but I don’t want to comprise NVH, it’s just about tolerable as is. RTABs seem to be a main area to tighten the car up but I’m not sure whether to go with the bimmerworld bearing kit or meyle bushes with limiters?
Then there’s drop links, ARB bushes & the ARBs themselves. Not sure how far to go given it’s a car I use everyday? I just want it to feel planted. Don’t want to sh#t myself everytime I go beyond 100.
Going to do a front end bush refresh at RBM in a couple of weeks. Pretty much set on meyle bushes on all of these. Mistake? Better options?
Simon 3.2M
Senior member
A bit more Imola V3 action for you - transformed my car and there is zero clunking or banging and they smooth the road out beautifully.
Mos6689 said:Beedub said:
Anyone had any experience of these? https://www.bimmerworld.com/Suspension-Steering/E46-E36-3-Series-and-Z4-Rear-Trailing-Arm-Bearing-Kit.html
So my aim is to tighten the car up but I don’t want to comprise NVH, it’s just about tolerable as is. RTABs seem to be a main area to tighten the car up but I’m not sure whether to go with the bimmerworld bearing kit or meyle bushes with limiters?
Then there’s drop links, ARB bushes & the ARBs themselves. Not sure how far to go given it’s a car I use everyday? I just want it to feel planted. Don’t want to sh#t myself everytime I go beyond 100.
Going to do a front end bush refresh at RBM in a couple of weeks. Pretty much set on meyle bushes on all of these. Mistake? Better options?
If your not tracking not sure why you’d bother with ARB’s, expensive RTAB bushings etc. Just keep standard stuff, don’t forget most of your bushes will be well worn by now so just refreshing them with standard will make a big difference.
Standard brakes I would say are also fine for roads with the right fluid and pad. Unless you want the BBK look of course! Again, track a different matter but if your not doing that it sounds like you going OTT and sacrificing comfort, up to you of course.
TLDR, I would personally stick with OEM stuff for road.
Where are you finding these roads you can regularly go above 100?!
