KW Sleeve Over Kit installed with max height

Z K · 01-22-2012, 04:58 AM

I got my Sleeve Over Kit installed today. Thanks to IND for getting them to me despite an earlier shipping delay. Here's a brief initial review. I'll follow up with a more in depth review once I get some real seat time and some track time on it.

Unlike a lot of other people, I got the KW Sleeve Over Kit because I DID NOT want to lower the car very much. Besides Dinan, which is grossly overpriced, all the kits lower about 1 inch. On stock shocks, that means you'll be riding the bump stops on track or any kind of performance driving. Eibach also doesn't go as low but still goes lower than Dinan. KW's adjustability means you can set it any way you want. In my case, that means not very low.

My setting for the KW is at the MAX ride height i.e. as high as it can go. The reason behind that is less wear on the stock shocks, better handling from the increased spring rates, no worries about hitting the bump stops and an overall better street ride for my daily driver. At max height, the lowering is about 0.5 inch. KW's kit also uses shorter bump stops so it does not decrease shock travel much at this height.

Ride impressions:

It is much smoother than the stock EDC suspension set up. At any dampening setting, the ride is smoother. I think this is due to the progressive nature of the spring as it sucks up small bumps with ease. But large/sharp bumps are noticably sharper and rougher on the KW. The stock springs are more linear so it feels more direct than the KW. The KWs feel planted but have a "smoothing" effect over small road irregularities. There is also a slight increase in road noise. This is most likely due to the replacement of some rubber spring isolators with the metal adjustable spring mounts. This is probably about the same as if you had a set of full coilover suspension. It isn't bad, but NVH is definitely increased. Overall the springs feel well matched with the stock shocks.

I can't say much about handling yet. Took some quick corners and it does feel like there is less body roll. I also changed the suspension settings so that may have an effect. Camber is maxed (stock adjustments, removed pins) in front at -1.4 degrees and rears at -2 degrees. Does anyone know the actual KW spring rates?

Here are the obligatory crappy mobile phone pics.

Mmmdreamer · 01-28-2012, 11:23 AM

hey you got any pics of the car with the kw sleeves? I'm interested to see the drop versus stock.

isugoo · 01-29-2012, 05:42 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmmdreamer

hey you got any pics of the car with the kw sleeves? I'm interested to see the drop versus stock.

+1. I want to see "installed" pictures at max height with wheels on.
show us!

edu09 · 01-29-2012, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mmmdreamer

hey you got any pics of the car with the kw sleeves? I'm interested to see the drop versus stock.

I got the KW kit installed, not at max height but rather at a middle point, I still have 2 turns to max low, check it out

Z K · 01-30-2012, 12:43 PM

I'll try to get some pics later. From the looks of it, it looks like the Eibach Pro Kit or Dinan set up.

As it is, the car is scraping slightly on driveways and steep ramps and I take most ramps angled sideways to avoid scraping. I can't imagine it being any lower for a daily driver.

Z K · 01-31-2012, 12:13 AM

Here's a picture with the ride height at max.

Before when it was stock:

fatboy318 · 02-03-2012, 12:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

Here's a picture with the ride height at max.

Before when it was stock:

thx for the picture. it really helps ( i have a 4dr e90 also)

tlp · 02-03-2012, 01:27 AM

I am pretty much in the middle of the adjustment with my KW's. I have since gone down a tad in the front and slightly wider on spacers.

Old Pic.

Frostbite · 03-05-2012, 12:47 AM

How long does it take to install the kit if it's done by a shop?

tlp · 03-05-2012, 12:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrollsp

How long does it take to install the kit if it's done by a shop?

I installed it myself but would say 2-3hrs from a shop.

MiamiE93Vert · 03-05-2012, 01:05 PM

Thanks for the write up; this kit is on my wish list. When do you think you will be able to track the kit?

j2m · 03-05-2012, 01:59 PM

Looks really good! How long did it take you to do the install? Any problems you ran into? My KW sleeve kit is on the way and I am going to do the install as well.

Z K · 03-05-2012, 03:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2m

Looks really good! How long did it take you to do the install? Any problems you ran into? My KW sleeve kit is on the way and I am going to do the install as well.

I had a shop do the install. It took about 4 hours. The springs are easy to put on, the harder part was getting the shocks on and off the car. It takes longer than a spring install because you have to take the shocks out and replace the bushings with the supplied ones.

j2m · 03-05-2012, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Z K

I had a shop do the install. It took about 4 hours. The springs are easy to put on, the harder part was getting the shocks on and off the car. It takes longer than a spring install because you have to take the shocks out and replace the bushings with the supplied ones.

Great, Thanks for the info

edu09 · 03-06-2012, 11:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by j2m

Looks really good! How long did it take you to do the install? Any problems you ran into? My KW sleeve kit is on the way and I am going to do the install as well.

just make sure the indent on the base of the coil seats properly on the strut tower otherwise you will have a clunking noise while turning, I had to have mine reinstalled since the first shop didn't install them properly
check this thread I posted back then, this may help you to avoid any problems while installing it
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=619215

j2m · 03-06-2012, 11:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

just make sure the indent on the base of the coil seats properly on the strut tower otherwise you will have a clunking noise while turning, I had to have mine reinstalled since the first shop didn't install them properly
check this thread I posted back then, this may help you to avoid any problems while installing it
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=619215

Great, Thanks

Omar@VelosDesignwerks · 03-06-2012, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

just make sure the indent on the base of the coil seats properly on the strut tower otherwise you will have a clunking noise while turning, I had to have mine reinstalled since the first shop didn't install them properly
check this thread I posted back then, this may help you to avoid any problems while installing it
http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=619215

edu09 · 03-06-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omar@VelosDesignwerks

yeah, 2nd installation was made by Omar at Velos Designwerks and they solved the problem that the other shop couldnt do it!

j2m · 03-06-2012, 02:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

yeah, 2nd installation was made by Omar at Velos Designwerks and they solved the problem that the other shop couldnt do it!

Glad Designwerks was able to fix for you

but Can't believe that AA couldn't get it right.. Car looks just sick bro

What tires are you running?

edu09 · 03-06-2012, 03:26 PM

Thanks man! Twice I took my car back to AA and they kept saying that it should be a defective unit, based on their suggestion I placed the claim to IND where I bought the kit and they referred me to Omar to have it reinstalled and the problem was solved
My tires are Toyo Proxes R888, front are 265x30x19 and rear 295x30x19

tmntmn · 03-06-2012, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Omar@VelosDesignwerks

cant wait for my KW to come in! thanks again

RuthlessE90 · 03-10-2012, 06:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlp

I am pretty much in the middle of the adjustment with my KW's. I have since gone down a tad in the front and slightly wider on spacers.

Old Pic.

Hey what size spacers are you wearing and are those m359's?

01-22-2012, 04:58 AM	#1
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	KW Sleeve Over Kit installed with max height I got my Sleeve Over Kit installed today. Thanks to IND for getting them to me despite an earlier shipping delay. Here's a brief initial review. I'll follow up with a more in depth review once I get some real seat time and some track time on it. Unlike a lot of other people, I got the KW Sleeve Over Kit because I DID NOT want to lower the car very much. Besides Dinan, which is grossly overpriced, all the kits lower about 1 inch. On stock shocks, that means you'll be riding the bump stops on track or any kind of performance driving. Eibach also doesn't go as low but still goes lower than Dinan. KW's adjustability means you can set it any way you want. In my case, that means not very low. My setting for the KW is at the MAX ride height i.e. as high as it can go. The reason behind that is less wear on the stock shocks, better handling from the increased spring rates, no worries about hitting the bump stops and an overall better street ride for my daily driver. At max height, the lowering is about 0.5 inch. KW's kit also uses shorter bump stops so it does not decrease shock travel much at this height. Ride impressions: It is much smoother than the stock EDC suspension set up. At any dampening setting, the ride is smoother. I think this is due to the progressive nature of the spring as it sucks up small bumps with ease. But large/sharp bumps are noticably sharper and rougher on the KW. The stock springs are more linear so it feels more direct than the KW. The KWs feel planted but have a "smoothing" effect over small road irregularities. There is also a slight increase in road noise. This is most likely due to the replacement of some rubber spring isolators with the metal adjustable spring mounts. This is probably about the same as if you had a set of full coilover suspension. It isn't bad, but NVH is definitely increased. Overall the springs feel well matched with the stock shocks. I can't say much about handling yet. Took some quick corners and it does feel like there is less body roll. I also changed the suspension settings so that may have an effect. Camber is maxed (stock adjustments, removed pins) in front at -1.4 degrees and rears at -2 degrees. Does anyone know the actual KW spring rates? Here are the obligatory crappy mobile phone pics. Attached Images
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03-05-2012, 12:47 AM	#9
Frostbite EuroSquad Drives: Frozen Grey Edition M3 Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Vegas Posts: 562 iTrader: (0) Garage List '11 Frozen Grey Edi ... [0.50]	How long does it take to install the kit if it's done by a shop? __________________ 2011 Frozen Grey Edition M3 1 of 30 Ranz Motorsports Custom One-Off Front Bumper & Side Skirts/OE Tuning ECU & DCT Tune/MS Stage 1 Intake Kit & Pulleys/Fabspeed HFC & X-Pipe/OEM Exhaust Mod/Alekshop Front & Rear Cameras/Escort 8500ci Plus/LUX v3 AE's/BMW "Edition" Front Grills, Side Gills & Exhaust Tips/Llumar CTX & Air Blue/Xpel Stealth PPF

03-05-2012, 01:59 PM	#12
j2m Colonel Drives: '11 E92 M3 DCT Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Calgary, Ab Posts: 2,394 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2011 BMW E92 M3 [0.00]	Looks really good! How long did it take you to do the install? Any problems you ran into? My KW sleeve kit is on the way and I am going to do the install as well. __________________ 11' E92 M3 Space Grey \| DCT \| ESS VT2- 625 \| Gintani Race (valved) + Quad Res Catless X-Pipe \| KW Sleeve's \| GC Camber Plates\|Arkym Diffuser \| Vorsteiner VRS Lip \| P3 Boost Guage \| Stud Conversion PHOTO's: Click Here ESS VT2 625 PHOTOS: Click Here

03-06-2012, 03:26 PM	#20
edu09 Captain Drives: 2011 M3 E93,JB,Akra Evo Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Doral, FL Posts: 701 iTrader: (4) Garage List 2011 BMW M3 E93 [4.75]	Thanks man! Twice I took my car back to AA and they kept saying that it should be a defective unit, based on their suggestion I placed the claim to IND where I bought the kit and they referred me to Omar to have it reinstalled and the problem was solved My tires are Toyo Proxes R888, front are 265x30x19 and rear 295x30x19 __________________ 2011 M3 E93 \| Jerez Black, Black Novillo, Carbon Leather trim, M Double-clutch Transmission, Enhanced Premium Sound Sys Mods: Akrapovic Evolution Exhaust / ESS Direct Flash Tune / ADV1 wheels / KW coilover sleeve kit / OSS kit / OEM Rear Lip Spoiler / Macht Schnell Performance filter / RPI scoops / BMW Performance Black Grilles / BMW Wind Deflector / Vorsteiner Front Spoiler / JB side gills

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01-28-2012, 11:23 AM	#2
Mmmdreamer First Lieutenant Drives: 08 e90 M3 Jet Black Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Jersey City Posts: 319 iTrader: (1)	hey you got any pics of the car with the kw sleeves? I'm interested to see the drop versus stock.

01-30-2012, 12:43 PM	#5
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	I'll try to get some pics later. From the looks of it, it looks like the Eibach Pro Kit or Dinan set up. As it is, the car is scraping slightly on driveways and steep ramps and I take most ramps angled sideways to avoid scraping. I can't imagine it being any lower for a daily driver.

01-31-2012, 12:13 AM	#6
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,240 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	Here's a picture with the ride height at max. Before when it was stock:

02-03-2012, 01:27 AM	#8
tlp Lieutenant Colonel Drives: '11 e92 M3 SG/FR Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Huntington Beach, CA Posts: 1,659 iTrader: (6) Garage List 2011 BMW e92 M3 [4.55] 2003 BMW e46 M3 \| Sold [0.00] 1996 BMW e36 M3 \| Sold [0.00]	I am pretty much in the middle of the adjustment with my KW's. I have since gone down a tad in the front and slightly wider on spacers. Old Pic.

03-05-2012, 01:05 PM	#11
MiamiE93Vert Private First Class Drives: E93 M3 Convertible Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Miami, FL Posts: 199 iTrader: (0)	Thanks for the write up; this kit is on my wish list. When do you think you will be able to track the kit?