KW Sleeve Over Install

Tobbep · 05-25-2012, 10:14 PM

I just came back from Houston where I had the KW Sleeve Over kit installed by Richard@M-World. He is a great guy with a tremendous amount of knowledge.

I want to thank Richard for making this possible as I had to drive down from San Antonio in the morning and back home as soon as he was done.

I have included some pictures. I even included a picture of a Clubsport 3-way Setup for another customer that I was drooling over...

Enjoy...

markjord · 05-27-2012, 08:11 AM

Great pics. Thanks for taking the time to post. How many hours for the install? I want to check my shop's quote.

Tobbep · 05-27-2012, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjord

Great pics. Thanks for taking the time to post. How many hours for the install? I want to check my shop's quote.

The install took about 3 to 3 1/2 hours. Not including the wheel alignment.

CSanto · 05-27-2012, 10:16 AM

Driving impressions? Is it comfortable? any bounciness that users have gotten with other springs? (H&R for example)

Tobbep · 05-27-2012, 01:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

Driving impressions? Is it comfortable? any bounciness that users have gotten with other springs? (H&R for example)

This is a hard one as I don't have any experience with the other ones. I can definitely feel the difference when it comes to comfort and noise. It feels stiffer and hence transmits more noise into the cabin. I'm a fairly picky person so noticed it right away. I also had some vibrations with my steering wheel at 70 - 80mph.

Richard was very nice and he meet up with me to take a look. We removed the wheel spacers and took it for a drive and the vibrations were still there. Not as much as with the spacers but still there. We even looked at the tires as they were overinflated. We reduced the psi just in case.

Driving back home the vibrations were still there. They came and went throughout the drive.

I'm wondering if the stiffer suspension might be transferring more road noise which is then picked up by the steering wheel? I guess it could also be the wheels not being balanced properly.

I'm no expert so I'm not sure what the cause could be.

Besides that, I do like the look of the M3 with the new stance. The only thing is that I think the right rear looks too low compared to the left rear. These are KW settings so this is the way it is supposed to be. I guess looks does not go hand in hand with functionality sometimes.

Overall I'm happy with the setup.

CSanto · 05-27-2012, 07:32 PM

This is definitely a little of what I'm afraid of. I know I'll love the new look but a harsher ride, road noise and a vibration at 80 is not something I'm willing to sacrifice for looks

markjord · 05-28-2012, 05:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

This is definitely a little of what I'm afraid of. I know I'll love the new look but a harsher ride, road noise and a vibration at 80 is not something I'm willing to sacrifice for looks

I agree. That gives me cause to hesitate in pulling the trigger. Other members report no such problems though. My suspicion therefore falls on the install.

Tobbep · 05-28-2012, 09:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjord

I agree. That gives me cause to hesitate in pulling the trigger. Other members report no such problems though. My suspicion therefore falls on the install.

My first instinct was the alignment but I don't know. The main thing is that there was no shaking with the stock setup. Three things were done. Suspension, wheel spacers, and alignment. We removed the spacers and the shaking was still there, which leaves suspension and alignment. Out of the last two variables I would lean towards the alignment. Maybe the wheel spacers amplify the overall vibrations? I'm not sure.

This is just a guess on my part as I don't have the means to double check this.

markjord · 05-28-2012, 09:57 AM

That's a blow. I hope you get it sorted. Certainly I had no issues with the MS spacers. It doesn't feel any different. You've got me a bit worried about the springs though. What's your next move? Re-align or get someone else to re-check the spring fitting? Might be worth seeing what kind of support you can get from KW?

CSanto · 05-28-2012, 10:29 AM

Yes please report back with you findings.

porshah · 05-28-2012, 08:48 PM

Looks great.

Hopefully getting mine installed this week.

Not jack your thread, but I was wondering if it is possible to just replace the front and leave the back alone? I like the height of the back, just want to lower the front a little.

Tobbep · 05-28-2012, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Looks great.

Hopefully getting mine installed this week.

Not jack your thread, but I was wondering if it is possible to just replace the front and leave the back alone? I like the height of the back, just want to lower the front a little.

It is my understanding that by not lowering the back with the front you will upset the overall balance of the M3. I wanted to raise the back (I think it looks too low) but was told that this will upset the front. I guess you need to lower or raise both in order to maintain balance.

I'm not an expert by any means so please take what I say with a grain of salt. I'm trying to learn this stuff as well...

edu09 · 05-29-2012, 12:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjord

I agree. That gives me cause to hesitate in pulling the trigger. Other members report no such problems though. My suspicion therefore falls on the install.

I dont have such problems with my kit, no steering vibrations or bouncing issues at all, a bit stiffer yes but still very comfortable
You should get an alignment after installing this kit

Tobbep · 05-29-2012, 05:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edu09

I dont have such problems with my kit, no steering vibrations or bouncing issues at all, a bit stiffer yes but still very comfortable
You should get an alignment after installing this kit

I got an alignment right after the install. The problem is that was in Houston and I'm in San Antonio. I realized the vibrations driving back. It just makes it hard for me to go back and double check.

In my mind the problem has to be the alignment. The car was perfect driving down to Houston. The only thing done was suspension, spacers, and alignment. We tried the car without spacers and the vibration was still there. This leaves the suspension and alignment. It is not like the alignment guys takes the car for a drive to double check their work.

I really don't think that the wheels are off balance (weights fell off etc) as they were perfect driving down to Houston.

I'm not sure what to do next. I don't wan't to take it in to the dealership which will cause another massive headache. Any suggestions?

WERKE · 05-29-2012, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Looks great.

Hopefully getting mine installed this week.

Not jack your thread, but I was wondering if it is possible to just replace the front and leave the back alone? I like the height of the back, just want to lower the front a little.

+1

markjord · 05-30-2012, 05:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by WERKE

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Looks great.

Hopefully getting mine installed this week.

Not jack your thread, but I was wondering if it is possible to just replace the front and leave the back alone? I like the height of the back, just want to lower the front a little.

+1

Spot on. The back looks fine at stock height. The front doesn't.

Tobbep · 05-30-2012, 12:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by markjord

Spot on. The back looks fine at stock height. The front doesn't.

I'm not sure if it is beneficial to lower the front without the back. I'm assuming you will offset the balance of the car which is never a good thing.

porshah · 05-30-2012, 01:50 PM

Just spoke to an authorized KW installer. It's definitely not advisable to just change fronts.

porshah · 05-30-2012, 01:54 PM

Btw, 6.7 hours for install sound right?

tlp · 05-30-2012, 02:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by porshah

Btw, 6.7 hours for install sound right?

That seems excessive. I took my time and it was less than 4 hrs.

THE TECH · 05-30-2012, 02:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tlp

That seems excessive. I took my time and it was less than 4 hrs.

You take any pics of your car with them on yet? How low did you end up going?

Z K · 05-30-2012, 02:16 PM

I've noticed an slight increase in road noise with the KW sleeve kit but no vibrations through the steering wheel. Sometimes it'll transmit a rumbling sound when you go over washboard-like road surfaces but it isn't felt through the steering wheel. I'd say look at the wheel alignment.

As for ride height.. you can't measure height by just measuring the collar. You need to put the car on the ground with the wheels on to get the height and then adjust the collars individually to get it right. Mine was off a good 1/2 inch from left to right despite the collars having the same adjustments all around. I think coilovers would be better in this aspect. Never had any uneven height problems before with coilovers.

05-25-2012, 10:14 PM	#1
Tobbep Private First Class Drives: 2010 BMW M3 Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: El Paso, TX Posts: 156 iTrader: (0)	KW Sleeve Over Install I just came back from Houston where I had the KW Sleeve Over kit installed by Richard@M-World. He is a great guy with a tremendous amount of knowledge. I want to thank Richard for making this possible as I had to drive down from San Antonio in the morning and back home as soon as he was done. I have included some pictures. I even included a picture of a Clubsport 3-way Setup for another customer that I was drooling over... Enjoy... Attached Images __________________ 2010 BMW M3 Coupe Alpine White - DCT
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05-27-2012, 08:11 AM	#2
markjord Second Lieutenant Drives: M3 E92 2007 Jerez Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wellingborough Posts: 267 iTrader: (0)	Great pics. Thanks for taking the time to post. How many hours for the install? I want to check my shop's quote.

05-27-2012, 10:16 AM	#4
CSanto Major Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 1,363 iTrader: (1)	Driving impressions? Is it comfortable? any bounciness that users have gotten with other springs? (H&R for example)

05-27-2012, 07:32 PM	#6
CSanto Major Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 1,363 iTrader: (1)	This is definitely a little of what I'm afraid of. I know I'll love the new look but a harsher ride, road noise and a vibration at 80 is not something I'm willing to sacrifice for looks

05-28-2012, 09:57 AM	#9
markjord Second Lieutenant Drives: M3 E92 2007 Jerez Black Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Wellingborough Posts: 267 iTrader: (0)	That's a blow. I hope you get it sorted. Certainly I had no issues with the MS spacers. It doesn't feel any different. You've got me a bit worried about the springs though. What's your next move? Re-align or get someone else to re-check the spring fitting? Might be worth seeing what kind of support you can get from KW?

05-28-2012, 10:29 AM	#10
CSanto Major Drives: 2009 E92 M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York Posts: 1,363 iTrader: (1)	Yes please report back with you findings.

05-28-2012, 08:48 PM	#11
porshah First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 397 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Looks great. Hopefully getting mine installed this week. Not jack your thread, but I was wondering if it is possible to just replace the front and leave the back alone? I like the height of the back, just want to lower the front a little.

05-30-2012, 01:50 PM	#18
porshah First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 397 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Just spoke to an authorized KW installer. It's definitely not advisable to just change fronts.

05-30-2012, 01:54 PM	#19
porshah First Lieutenant Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: NJ Posts: 397 iTrader: (5) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [0.00]	Btw, 6.7 hours for install sound right?

05-30-2012, 02:16 PM	#22
Z K Major Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: San Francisco Posts: 1,292 iTrader: (2) Garage List 2008 BMW E90 M3 [0.00]	I've noticed an slight increase in road noise with the KW sleeve kit but no vibrations through the steering wheel. Sometimes it'll transmit a rumbling sound when you go over washboard-like road surfaces but it isn't felt through the steering wheel. I'd say look at the wheel alignment. As for ride height.. you can't measure height by just measuring the collar. You need to put the car on the ground with the wheels on to get the height and then adjust the collars individually to get it right. Mine was off a good 1/2 inch from left to right despite the collars having the same adjustments all around. I think coilovers would be better in this aspect. Never had any uneven height problems before with coilovers.