KW3 vs TC Kline smart design

[Orb]

Originally Posted by aus

So what's the main difference between the KW ClubSports and V3?

High quality linear springs, camber plates and usaully stiffer rebound dampening. The clubsport are basiclly a hybird v3 so thye share the same internals.

Orb

[m_parade]

Originally Posted by Orb

It is a good question. Both are evenly matched but there are few things that might sway me.

First the TC Kline requires camber plates so add 550.00+ to the price. At this point we might as well consider the KW Clubsport against the TC Kline.

• Camber Plates: TC camber plates are fixed perches which are a really bad design and they will get noisy in weeks. The KW camber plates are a well design ball and thrust bearing camber plates from an engineering perspective and they are noise free which is not same harshness free. Most importantly, the KW’s have the correct stack height. The unique feature in KW plates is it allows for radial compliance at the thrust bearing which reduces binding.
• Valving: Both dampers are very capable but KW does get the win on their high speed compression damping…this system can be compared Moton or a like. The KW might feel a bit smother over the rough stuff for day to day driving but the Koni’s can be setup the same with some effort.
• Spring: Both systems can use mostly anyway spring rate you want. Just because you have KW doesn’t mean you’re stuck with what you get in any way as they have a very large tuning range. KW 61 mm race springs are bar none the top in the industry and comparable to Swift springs (I can’t say that about KW v3 springs however). The TC VVS springs are okay but not the best. The nice thing about TC setup you are not locked into any configuration.


This might be how I would take the systems:


KW Clubsport:

• Change the front spring rate to 400 lb/in

TC:

• KW or GC camber plates
• Swift spring and thrust sheets. Rates: F 400 lb/in R: 800 lb/in
• KW EDC suppression system if needed.


For me the camber plates are the deal breaker. If I was lazy I got for the KW and order the extra spring fro 160.00. The TC system requires more sourcing but would be worth it. Price is a wash since they are so close in the end.

I didn’t recommend any one system but maybe this helps.

Orb

Excuse my ignorance. But shouldnt you have stiffer spring in the front because of the engine?

[jah29]

Originally Posted by m_parade

Excuse my ignorance. But shouldnt you have stiffer spring in the front because of the engine?

Front and rear wheel rates should be compared, not spring rates. The wheel rate is the effective spring rate at the tire that results from the actual spring rate and the geometric location of the spring. The e90/92/93/82 models have the rear spring in a location that provides a lot less leverage than the front and therefore require much high spring rates in the rear.

[STALKER]

GC will eventually release something. I would wait. I had GC coils with their camber plates on my e46 M3 and they were great.

I will most likely go Moton on the e9X M3 though, their new package is going to be amazing.

[Green///Hell]

Moton kit is out already but a little higher price point than both of OP's options
They're coming in at $4k and still leaving out the rear mounts and camber plates

[TUNEDM3]

Originally Posted by Panda///Monic

Moton kit is out already but a little higher price point than both of OP's options
They're coming in at $4k and still leaving out the rear mounts and camber plates

Where did you see it for 4k? I thought bimmerworld was the only one carrying it and are looking for 4700.

[Orb]

Originally Posted by m_parade

Excuse my ignorance. But shouldnt you have stiffer spring in the front because of the engine?

The front is stiffer when you look at wheel spring rate.

Orb

[aus]

Originally Posted by TUNEDM3

Where did you see it for 4k? I thought bimmerworld was the only one carrying it and are looking for 4700.

http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/...t=products.asp



Orb, what's the spring rates of the KW's? Since you said you would change them out if you went with KW's.

[1cleanm6]

i had jic coils on my e46 m and they were truly AMAZING.....i thought better then my buddys m with kw2's.

Check out JIC

[Orb]

Originally Posted by aus

http://store.bimmerworld.com/shared/...t=products.asp



Orb, what's the spring rates of the KW's? Since you said you would change them out if you went with KW's.

In would get the Clubsport and order KW 70 N/mm x 170 mm (400 lb/in x 8”) springs. I'm actually running a 200 mm long front spring with 3 N/mm x 80 mm helper spring (compresses to 12 mm). I went with this setup since I will be working within the linear range of the spring even at full travel. The 170 mm long spring barley cuts it for full travel.

The 400 lb/in front and 800 lb/in rear has proven to be a good setup for e90/e92 with the stock M3 roll bars.



Orb

[aus]

Thanks again Orb.

What would you choose between the V3's vs. the TCK True Match system, which is single adjustable, but you can choose your spring rates.

[gixxer_kidd]

Originally Posted by Orb

In would get the Clubsport and order KW 70 N/mm x 170 mm (400 lb/in x 8”) springs. I'm actually running a 200 mm long front spring with 3 N/mm x 80 mm helper spring (compresses to 12 mm). I went with this setup since I will be working within the linear range of the spring even at full travel. The 170 mm long spring barley cuts it for full travel.

The 400 lb/in front and 800 lb/in rear has proven to be a good setup for e90/e92 with the stock M3 roll bars.



Orb

How is the ride quality compared to stock? I know since it's adjustment you can set it as hard or as soft as you want, but on the softer setting is it better or worse than stock with EDC set in comfort? Thanks.

[Ca$hOnly]

I just got KW V3 put in my car last week. The ride quality is a little stiffer than EDC set on sport mode. The KW's are set in the medium setting. I love it, since the car is not my DD. If it was I would say the coils are too stiff.

I am a little disappointed with the height adjustability up front. I like my cars low, and the KW's do not go as low as I want. Even with the coils screwed all the way down, they do not tuck the tire.

I might have to look elsewhere when other kits come out.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by HREM3

Is this true? I was told waiting for a coilover that works with EDC is a waste of time because it's not gonna happen.

Talked with TC, EDC comptable kit is coming some point later this year. Great guy, had lunch with him during the track day.

[CSanto]

Really? I was just about to pull the trigger on V3s...
Is this true?

[Orb]

Originally Posted by aus

Thanks again Orb.

What would you choose between the V3's vs. the TCK True Match system, which is single adjustable, but you can choose your spring rates.

I would not go with single adjustable coilovers. You need compression adjustment for tuning out oversteer or understeer and it is the most important thing for ride quality. If you go with single adjustable you very limited in spring rates and at the mercy of the defaults compression dampening settings.

I set my adjustments for street and track and that it. I don’t mess around with them because one it is right.

Originally Posted by gixxer_kidd

How is the ride quality compared to stock? I know since it's adjustment you can set it as hard or as soft as you want, but on the softer setting is it better or worse than stock with EDC set in comfort? Thanks.

The ride quality is going to be based on your high speed compression damping for the most part. The damper is only a smaller part of the setup. No near enough though or effort goes into spring quality and linearity. If one deal with the friction and binding with the spring you be rewarded. My 400/900 setup feels softer and rides better than my original KW v3 setup.

Orb