Springs vs coilovers

CSanto · 04-21-2009, 12:21 PM

I'm looking to lower the stance of my car. I think the stance is one of the most important mods, however I also think keeping factory ride quality is very important as well.

This is going to be a strictly street setup and If the car gets tracked it will be on occasion.

I have heard that the Kw v3s keep that OEM ride quality while also improving handling.

Is it worth it to invest the extra money into coils, or should I just stick with springs?

Can anyone with kws provide some reviews?

J08M3 · 04-21-2009, 12:22 PM

How low are you looking to go?

I only wanted a subtle drop so I went with just springs.

Ca$hOnly · 04-21-2009, 12:38 PM

Do you have EDC? How low do you want to go?

Please provide some more details.

SV Concepts III · 04-21-2009, 01:06 PM

If you are concerned about ride quality, Coilovers are a good investment so you can control the compression and rebound on the shocks. If you have EDC, you can just go with springs however you are limited to the factory shock settings. With KWs, you have a wide range of adjustment over how the car will ride and handle. With that said, even at its softest setting, the KWs will be firmer than stock so you should expect some increase in stiffness when upgrading.

CSanto · 04-21-2009, 01:26 PM

I do have EDC, and I dont want to go too low, but I would like the option to.

KonigsTiger · 04-21-2009, 01:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nick@Jlevi SW

If you are concerned about ride quality, Coilovers are a good investment so you can control the compression and rebound on the shocks. If you have EDC, you can just go with springs however you are limited to the factory shock settings. With KWs, you have a wide range of adjustment over how the car will ride and handle. With that said, even at its softest setting, the KWs will be firmer than stock so you should expect some increase in stiffness when upgrading.

Well said Nick!

Ca$hOnly · 04-21-2009, 02:00 PM

If you want to keep your EDC, you're going to have to do springs. If you don't care about losing EDC, go with coils.

Blip Bavarian · 04-21-2009, 03:31 PM

do any of the coil setups avaliable have a setting that would be close to stock comfort?? which setup allows for the softest ride?

i know the clubsports are stiffer overall than the v3.....etc.

MrHarris · 04-22-2009, 06:38 PM

Regular V3 has the ability to give you a setup very close to stock comfort.

cupspeed · 04-23-2009, 03:38 AM

Had H&R Springs which was not to my liking. EDC seemed like a great option to have but after playing with the different settings, it made driving the car unpredictable as the valving/response with 2 dots became too stiff which made the car jumpy.

Did many hours of research (maybe days), thought about what I really wanted out of a suspension and realized that one great setting is much better than having variation which could get me in trouble. A great suspension everyday is like being married to a supermodel that has natural beauty and is there for me all the time. While the stock EDC suspension is like a girl I thought was pretty from far away, is bearable when I meet her and at the end of the night - I think she can improve but wonder if better is out there. The KW is more than what I wanted to spend but after getting involved, I have no regrets plus am very proud that I manned up.

MrHarris · 04-23-2009, 05:21 AM

I assume handling is noticeably improved with the V3s? Are they the regular V3's or clubsports? What stiffness setting you at on the v3s?

makots · 04-23-2009, 05:53 AM

I'm have a set of clubsports on order and will be here next week. I could let you know how the clubsports are in about a week!

CSanto · 04-23-2009, 09:14 AM

I feel as though once I man up, and do this I will be very happy as well. As it is I turn my car on and hit the m button so I don't mess around with suspension settings anyway. I would prefer it to be one. good. setting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by cupspeed

Had H&R Springs which was not to my liking. EDC seemed like a great option to have but after playing with the different settings, it made driving the car unpredictable as the valving/response with 2 dots became too stiff which made the car jumpy.

Did many hours of research (maybe days), thought about what I really wanted out of a suspension and realized that one great setting is much better than having variation which could get me in trouble. A great suspension everyday is like being married to a supermodel that has natural beauty and is there for me all the time. While the stock EDC suspension is like a girl I thought was pretty from far away, is bearable when I meet her and at the end of the night - I think she can improve but wonder if better is out there. The KW is more than what I wanted to spend but after getting involved, I have no regrets plus am very proud that I manned up.

SV Concepts III · 04-23-2009, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I assume handling is noticeably improved with the V3s? Are they the regular V3's or clubsports? What stiffness setting you at on the v3s?

V3s are separate from the club sports. Handling will undoubtedly be improved over stock with the V3s, even at their softest rebound and compression settings.

gixxer_kidd · 04-23-2009, 03:46 PM

I'm interested to know how much stiffer the club sports (softest setting) are compared to the V3 (softest setting) compared to stock.

As everyone else mentioned, having options is great with the EDC, but the more I drive my car the more I notice I don't touch the EDC button and most of the time it's in comfort.

cupspeed · 04-23-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrHarris

I assume handling is noticeably improved with the V3s? Are they the regular V3's or clubsports? What stiffness setting you at on the v3s?

Absolutely.

Street - Variant 3

Suggested settings from the factory + 1 turn for rebound, compression is the same.

ROADKING36 · 04-30-2009, 06:41 PM

What are the best springs if the H and R's are not that great?
Thanks,
Chris

CSanto · 05-01-2009, 09:01 AM

I'm assuming H&Rs are stiffer and more bouncy than coilovers in their street setting.
Am I correct?

Green-Eggs · 05-01-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HREM3

I'm assuming H&Rs are stiffer and more bouncy than coilovers in their street setting.
Am I correct?

Sounds right to me.

HP Autosport · 05-05-2009, 10:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blip Bavarian

do any of the coil setups avaliable have a setting that would be close to stock comfort?? which setup allows for the softest ride?

i know the clubsports are stiffer overall than the v3.....etc.

Yes, you are right. The Clubsports are 508F and 800R, the V3 is only 285F and 630R. The V3 is too soft for any performance type of driving. If you are tracking the car, you really want to Clubsports, but reduce the front spring rate a bit, 508F is a bit much.

04-21-2009, 12:21 PM	#1
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	Springs vs coilovers I'm looking to lower the stance of my car. I think the stance is one of the most important mods, however I also think keeping factory ride quality is very important as well. This is going to be a strictly street setup and If the car gets tracked it will be on occasion. I have heard that the Kw v3s keep that OEM ride quality while also improving handling. Is it worth it to invest the extra money into coils, or should I just stick with springs? Can anyone with kws provide some reviews?
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04-21-2009, 12:22 PM	#2
J08M3 Major General 285 Rep 6,007 Posts Drives: 2011 M3 COUPE Join Date: May 2008 Location: NEW YORK iTrader: (8)	How low are you looking to go? I only wanted a subtle drop so I went with just springs. __________________
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04-21-2009, 12:38 PM	#3
Ca$hOnly Major 47 Rep 1,077 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: In ur fridge, eatin ur foodz iTrader: (5)	Do you have EDC? How low do you want to go? Please provide some more details. __________________
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04-21-2009, 01:06 PM	#4
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 374 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	If you are concerned about ride quality, Coilovers are a good investment so you can control the compression and rebound on the shocks. If you have EDC, you can just go with springs however you are limited to the factory shock settings. With KWs, you have a wide range of adjustment over how the car will ride and handle. With that said, even at its softest setting, the KWs will be firmer than stock so you should expect some increase in stiffness when upgrading.
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04-21-2009, 01:26 PM	#5
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	I do have EDC, and I dont want to go too low, but I would like the option to.
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04-21-2009, 02:00 PM	#7
Ca$hOnly Major 47 Rep 1,077 Posts Drives: E92 M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: In ur fridge, eatin ur foodz iTrader: (5)	If you want to keep your EDC, you're going to have to do springs. If you don't care about losing EDC, go with coils. __________________
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04-21-2009, 03:31 PM	#8
Blip Bavarian salivator 38 Rep 539 Posts Drives: 16 GT4, 14 X5 V8 & 91 E30 LS1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: El Paso, Texas iTrader: (0)	do any of the coil setups avaliable have a setting that would be close to stock comfort?? which setup allows for the softest ride? i know the clubsports are stiffer overall than the v3.....etc.
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04-22-2009, 06:38 PM	#9
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,026 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	Regular V3 has the ability to give you a setup very close to stock comfort. __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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04-23-2009, 03:38 AM	#10
cupspeed Second Lieutenant 12 Rep 277 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Los Angeles iTrader: (0)	Had H&R Springs which was not to my liking. EDC seemed like a great option to have but after playing with the different settings, it made driving the car unpredictable as the valving/response with 2 dots became too stiff which made the car jumpy. Did many hours of research (maybe days), thought about what I really wanted out of a suspension and realized that one great setting is much better than having variation which could get me in trouble. A great suspension everyday is like being married to a supermodel that has natural beauty and is there for me all the time. While the stock EDC suspension is like a girl I thought was pretty from far away, is bearable when I meet her and at the end of the night - I think she can improve but wonder if better is out there. The KW is more than what I wanted to spend but after getting involved, I have no regrets plus am very proud that I manned up. __________________ RD Sport Pulley, afe dry filter, KW V3
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04-23-2009, 05:21 AM	#11
MrHarris yodog 197 Rep 5,026 Posts Drives: '86 Corolla Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Diamond Bar, Ca iTrader: (5) Garage List 2009 BMW [10.00]	I assume handling is noticeably improved with the V3s? Are they the regular V3's or clubsports? What stiffness setting you at on the v3s? __________________ 2009 E92 M3 \| Alpine White \| Black Extended \| Advan RS \| Turner Test Pipes \| Dinan Axle-Back \| OETuning \| Eibach Springs \| UUC SSK \| VRS Front Lip \| VRS Type I Diffuser \| Matte Black \| RPi Scoops \| MS Filter \| Yokohama AD08 \| F1 Pinnacle Special Thanks: Gintani \| OETuning \| eAs
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04-23-2009, 05:53 AM	#12
makots First Lieutenant 49 Rep 341 Posts Drives: '08 e92 M3 AW 6MT Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Boston, MA iTrader: (2)	I'm have a set of clubsports on order and will be here next week. I could let you know how the clubsports are in about a week! __________________ 2008 AW/BLK M3 6MT / Eisenmann Race / H&R / HID Angels / 3D Front & Rear Lip / UUC SSK / TE37 / Turner Pulleys / 4.10FD & 2 Clutch Salisbury Diff / Escort 9500ci
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04-23-2009, 03:46 PM	#15
gixxer_kidd Major 81 Rep 1,461 Posts Drives: e92 m3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Northern VA iTrader: (18) Garage List 2008 m3 [10.00]	I'm interested to know how much stiffer the club sports (softest setting) are compared to the V3 (softest setting) compared to stock. As everyone else mentioned, having options is great with the EDC, but the more I drive my car the more I notice I don't touch the EDC button and most of the time it's in comfort.
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04-30-2009, 06:41 PM	#17
ROADKING36 Second Lieutenant 50 Rep 257 Posts Drives: wanted 09 M3 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Maryland iTrader: (0)	What are the best springs if the H and R's are not that great? Thanks, Chris
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05-01-2009, 09:01 AM	#18
CSanto Brigadier General 636 Rep 3,039 Posts Drives: 2015 BSM/SO M3 Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: New York iTrader: (3)	I'm assuming H&Rs are stiffer and more bouncy than coilovers in their street setting. Am I correct?
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