KWV3 drop link problem

[john-e89]

At a bit of a loss tbh, I've fitted the KWV3 street coil over kit to the M Roady, well, the fronts so far, but the standard drop links are now 1 3/4 inches too long. I've either got the wrong KW kit, it fits perfectly however, or I've not ordered some shorter links, which I've not read anywhere you need, nor can I find any with the correct length. All I can think to do is get a set of Hotchkis ones etc for an M3, increase the thread with a die and shorten the rods to suit. What's anyone else done...?

 

[Beedub]

my clubsports came with a shorter drop link..... id assume these would need the same.... just buy any adjustable piece or get kw to send some replacements they aren't expensive. Hope this helps buddy.

 

[Ed Doe]

At a bit of a loss tbh, I've fitted the KWV3 street coil over kit to the M Roady, well, the fronts so far, but the standard drop links are now 1 3/4 inches too long. I've either got the wrong KW kit, it fits perfectly however, or I've not ordered some shorter links, which I've not read anywhere you need, nor can I find any with the correct length. All I can think to do is get a set of Hotchkis ones etc for an M3, increase the thread with a die and shorten the rods to suit. What's anyone else done...?

Sorry to hear you're having issues John.

First query - how much lower are you going? Unless the tabs are in a different position you should be OK with oe droplinks.

Other thing to check is if something like e36 links fit - they may well do and would be shorter. Otherwise I think a company called jom do adjustable droplinks. Hope that helps a bit!

 

[plenty]

Not sure if they fit KW but BC coilovers also use shorter links which you can likely obtain from BC.

Also these: https://www.stanceduk.com/products/stance-short-shortened-front-drop-links-for-bmw-z4-160mm-m10x1-5-dl11

And these: https://www.spring-loaded.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=RoadNutz%7EFront%7EAdjustable%7EDrop%7ELinks%7Efor%7EBMW%7EZ4%7ECoupe%7E%28E86%29%7E3.0si%7E%2F%7EM%7E%7E03%2F2006-2009

And these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROSPORT-ADJUSTABLE-DROP-LINKS-ANTI-ROLL-BAR-LINKS-BMW-Z4-E85/183968502738?pageci=cc3ea7a5-a2a6-4a0b-9bd8-cc71dda6c522&epid=25032778418&redirect=mobile

 

[john-e89]

At a bit of a loss tbh, I've fitted the KWV3 street coil over kit to the M Roady, well, the fronts so far, but the standard drop links are now 1 3/4 inches too long. I've either got the wrong KW kit, it fits perfectly however, or I've not ordered some shorter links, which I've not read anywhere you need, nor can I find any with the correct length. All I can think to do is get a set of Hotchkis ones etc for an M3, increase the thread with a die and shorten the rods to suit. What's anyone else done...?

Sorry to hear you're having issues John.

First query - how much lower are you going? Unless the tabs are in a different position you should be OK with oe droplinks.

Other thing to check is if something like e36 links fit - they may well do and would be shorter. Otherwise I think a company called jom do adjustable droplinks. Hope that helps a bit!

At the moment I've set them to the same as my 35i that has them as a starting point Ed, which is 10mm higher than KW set them at. Hotchkis say M3 links go from 275-305mm, which I think is too long, I'm guessing I need approx 240mm if my setting of the ride height is fairly correct.

 

[john-e89]

Not sure if they fit KW but BC coilovers also use shorter links which you can likely obtain from BC.

Also these: https://www.stanceduk.com/products/stance-short-shortened-front-drop-links-for-bmw-z4-160mm-m10x1-5-dl11

And these: https://www.spring-loaded.co.uk/proddetail.php?prod=RoadNutz%7EFront%7EAdjustable%7EDrop%7ELinks%7Efor%7EBMW%7EZ4%7ECoupe%7E%28E86%29%7E3.0si%7E%2F%7EM%7E%7E03%2F2006-2009

And these: https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/PROSPORT-ADJUSTABLE-DROP-LINKS-ANTI-ROLL-BAR-LINKS-BMW-Z4-E85/183968502738?pageci=cc3ea7a5-a2a6-4a0b-9bd8-cc71dda6c522&epid=25032778418&redirect=mobile

Those pro sports would be perfect IF i have my ride height roughly correct Plenty. Top man, many thanks.

 

[john-e89]

Cheeky pic

 

[john-e89]

my clubsports came with a shorter drop link..... id assume these would need the same.... just buy any adjustable piece or get kw to send some replacements they aren't expensive. Hope this helps buddy.

Cheers Byron...see you later in the year for some ppf'ing.

 

[InterlagosMC]

At a bit of a loss tbh, I've fitted the KWV3 street coil over kit to the M Roady, well, the fronts so far, but the standard drop links are now 1 3/4 inches too long. I've either got the wrong KW kit, it fits perfectly however, or I've not ordered some shorter links, which I've not read anywhere you need, nor can I find any with the correct length. All I can think to do is get a set of Hotchkis ones etc for an M3, increase the thread with a die and shorten the rods to suit. What's anyone else done...?

What drop links did you decide on in the end and do you recall what the length was that you needed?

I’m looking at getting some kw v3 coilovers and have also purchased H&R anti roll bars but can’t find what length drop links to go for.

Thanks

 

[Argenta]

The KW V3 kit comes with the KW droplinks? At least mine did

 

[InterlagosMC]

The KW V3 kit comes with the KW droplinks? At least mine did

Thanks for the reply, do you know what length they sent in the kit, I spoke to KW and they said the ones in the kit are 180mm but that seems like a huge difference when standard are 270mm. I also spoke with driftworks who said that kw use standard height drop links with the v3 coilovers. All I want to know is a height range so I can get adjustable links within said range.

I’m in the process of ordering new suspension parts in the hope of fitting all at once but this is proving difficult :?

 

[Argenta]

Mine were similar to OEM in length but did clear everything.

 

[InterlagosMC]

Mine were similar to OEM in length but did clear everything.

okay that sounds positive, thanks

 

[BMWZ4MC]

At a bit of a loss tbh, I've fitted the KWV3 street coil over kit to the M Roady, well, the fronts so far, but the standard drop links are now 1 3/4 inches too long. I've either got the wrong KW kit, it fits perfectly however, or I've not ordered some shorter links, which I've not read anywhere you need, nor can I find any with the correct length. All I can think to do is get a set of Hotchkis ones etc for an M3, increase the thread with a die and shorten the rods to suit. What's anyone else done...?

What drop links did you decide on in the end and do you recall what the length was that you needed?

I’m looking at getting some kw v3 coilovers and have also purchased H&R anti roll bars but can’t find what length drop links to go for.

Thanks

When I fitted Clubsports with H&R ARBs I had to buy alternative adjustable drop links to make them compatible. It was almost a decade ago though, so I cannot recall the specifics.

 

[InterlagosMC]

Thanks for the reply, from my understanding the clubsports have a different Mount tab position to the v3 setup which again changes the lengths, I just can’t find a definitive answer annoyingly, will just have to wait until I’m fitting it all and then check for myself.

 

[BMWZ4MC]

You could try emailing Alan Hook at KW. He might be able to find the answers you require. He was very helpful I had a leaking damper in 2020.

[email protected]

 

[InterlagosMC]

You could try emailing Alan Hook at KW. He might be able to find the answers you require. He was very helpful I had a leaking damper in 2020.

[email protected]

Great I’ll give it a go, when I called I spoke to two different people at kw on the phone and neither of them were sure what I was asking.

Thanks

 

[john-e89]

Thanks for the reply, from my understanding the clubsports have a different Mount tab position to the v3 setup which again changes the lengths, I just can’t find a definitive answer annoyingly, will just have to wait until I’m fitting it all and then check for myself.

Sorry for the delay in replying Inter. No idea if you’re sorted but basically when you buy a set of KW’s, what you need to do is turn the foam packaging inserts over and the drop links are under there…..I know I know….

 

[craig3.2]

Thanks for the reply, from my understanding the clubsports have a different Mount tab position to the v3 setup which again changes the lengths, I just can’t find a definitive answer annoyingly, will just have to wait until I’m fitting it all and then check for myself.

Sorry for the delay in replying Inter. No idea if you’re sorted but basically when you buy a set of KW’s, what you need to do is turn the foam packaging inserts over and the drop links are under there…..I know I know….

So you're all sorted,John
Cars mods are coming on well. Some nice APs there

 

[InterlagosMC]

Thanks for the reply, from my understanding the clubsports have a different Mount tab position to the v3 setup which again changes the lengths, I just can’t find a definitive answer annoyingly, will just have to wait until I’m fitting it all and then check for myself.

Sorry for the delay in replying Inter. No idea if you’re sorted but basically when you buy a set of KW’s, what you need to do is turn the foam packaging inserts over and the drop links are under there…..I know I know….

Ironically the set arrived this afternoon and I didn’t even see the links in there until I saw your comment, in answer to my original question the links they send are 235mm long for anyone else who may have this same issue, time to send the ones I ordered back and get some shorter links