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      12-23-2013, 06:19 PM   #1
M3ANMACHINE
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Post Average KW Clubsport Rebuild Time

Hey guys,

Curious what the average rebuild mileage for a set of KW Clubsports for the E9x Chassis would be... I have seen a couple dampers with leaks/rebuilds at around 20k miles, and some even sooner.

So I am wondering about how many miles everyone has on their kits, and more importantly if anyone has had to have their dampers rebuild, and if so, what mileage?

I know that the Koni dampers that TCK uses have a pretty long lifespan of up to 100k miles, and am wondering if the KW's are similar?

Obviously, I am aware that this is dependent on a variety of factors, but I am looking for an average here, and not an exact mileage.

FWIW: I'm in a debate of whether to purchase a set of KW CS or TCKlines...

Thanks!
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      12-23-2013, 07:58 PM   #2
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Not sure if this applies to the clubsports but the KW reps told me the V3s don't need to be rebuilt until 100K+ miles or if they start to leak, etc.
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      12-23-2013, 09:52 PM   #3
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W Cole
Not sure if this applies to the clubsports but the KW reps told me the V3s don't need to be rebuilt until 100K+ miles or if they start to leak, etc.
Thanks for the info. The lack of warranty on the CS leads me to think that they probably don't have the longevity of the other KW's with warranties...
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      12-23-2013, 11:00 PM   #4
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Would like to know this as well and what are the signs that they need a rebuild.
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      12-24-2013, 08:54 AM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by W Cole View Post
Not sure if this applies to the clubsports but the KW reps told me the V3s don't need to be rebuilt until 100K+ miles or if they start to leak, etc.
That would be great news as I've been hearing 60k is around the time to rebuild the v3's. Was it a telephone rep that told you?
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      12-24-2013, 11:19 AM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a burrito View Post
That would be great news as I've been hearing 60k is around the time to rebuild the v3's. Was it a telephone rep that told you?
The clubsport and the motorsport kit do not have warranty. The V3s do and from my understanding, its lifetime (someone correct me otherwise?). But the warranty will NOT transfer to the next owner.

I had the V3 rebuilt (one of them started to leak) on my STi under warranty.

When we had the custom Motorsport kit built for the E36 M3 (really cool, they send you a sheet with weight, tire choice etc. before they build a kit for you in Europe), it obviously didn't come with warranty as its used on the track.

Hope this helps.

Regards,

Lutfy
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      12-24-2013, 09:01 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by a burrito View Post
That would be great news as I've been hearing 60k is around the time to rebuild the v3's. Was it a telephone rep that told you?
This was from two of the guys at the KW booth at bimmerfest.
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      12-26-2013, 09:36 PM   #8
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Bump! Anyone who's rebuilt their clubsports???
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      12-27-2013, 10:24 AM   #9
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I would be interested to know this as well....I'm one lazy SOB and long rebuild intervals is definitely a want.
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      12-27-2013, 03:33 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE View Post
Thanks for the info. The lack of warranty on the CS leads me to think that they probably don't have the longevity of the other KW's with warranties...
The ClubSport dampers are sold with the expectation that they will be used on a race track, and so a warranty is not offered due to the potentially unpredictable conditions of racing. The internal materials and construction between ClubSport and V3 are the same, and their potential for durability is similar. The intended use is simply drastically different, and so the approach on warranty coverage is different.

Failure rate really does depend on use, whether the damper is a Koni, KW, Ohlins, Moton, etc... Difficult conditions can damage a damper more quickly than a clean and low stress operating environment.

With that said, many of IND's Portfolio projects have had ClubSports installed since 2009, and have not rebuilt with many miles of mixed street/track use.

Our Gold Rush Portfolio car is one of the earlier applications of the KW ClubSport kit that I can recall. This car still has the original suspension kit installed with no drop in performance:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278609



Additionally, not all failed dampers behave the same way. While some will leak fluid and show visible signs of failure, other dampers in need of a rebuild will exhibit only subtle differences in behavior, that are most easily detected on a shock dyno. Unfortunately most street/track enthusiasts will not remove their suspension yearly for an inspection and dyno, so typically the "needs a rebuild" qualifier refers to an essentially catastrophic failure.


I know none of the above is a clear, easy to understand numerical answer, but unfortunately when it comes to damper wear on street cars that do not see regular damper service intervals there is a bit of a grey area.
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      12-30-2013, 12:53 PM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ilia@IND View Post
The ClubSport dampers are sold with the expectation that they will be used on a race track, and so a warranty is not offered due to the potentially unpredictable conditions of racing. The internal materials and construction between ClubSport and V3 are the same, and their potential for durability is similar. The intended use is simply drastically different, and so the approach on warranty coverage is different.

Failure rate really does depend on use, whether the damper is a Koni, KW, Ohlins, Moton, etc... Difficult conditions can damage a damper more quickly than a clean and low stress operating environment.

With that said, many of IND's Portfolio projects have had ClubSports installed since 2009, and have not rebuilt with many miles of mixed street/track use.

Our Gold Rush Portfolio car is one of the earlier applications of the KW ClubSport kit that I can recall. This car still has the original suspension kit installed with no drop in performance:

http://www.m3post.com/forums/showthread.php?t=278609



Additionally, not all failed dampers behave the same way. While some will leak fluid and show visible signs of failure, other dampers in need of a rebuild will exhibit only subtle differences in behavior, that are most easily detected on a shock dyno. Unfortunately most street/track enthusiasts will not remove their suspension yearly for an inspection and dyno, so typically the "needs a rebuild" qualifier refers to an essentially catastrophic failure.


I know none of the above is a clear, easy to understand numerical answer, but unfortunately when it comes to damper wear on street cars that do not see regular damper service intervals there is a bit of a grey area.
I appreciate the detailed reply. I wasn't expecting a totally clear answer, but this did clear a lot up for me.

Any idea how many miles the "gold rush" build car has on the suspension so far?

Thanks!
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      01-02-2014, 04:48 PM   #12
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I would suggest rebuilding your coil overs every 40k or so if you track more than 8 times a year. This becomes especially important if you find yourself going in dirt or other areas where your dampeners might be compromised. I have been in a car before a rebuild and after and I definitely could tell the difference. It's also somewhat subjective: I might notice more of a difference than the next person.

I know racing teams do it every couple of years, which I think could be overkill for us common-folks. If you really are looking to keep your valves clean and in great working condition, I wouldn't go more than 4 years without a rebuild.

Hope that helps.

-Mike
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      09-28-2017, 01:28 AM   #13
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I wanted to ask, how do the clubsports handle Canadian winters that have heavy salt?
Are they made specifically only for the track and not for daily use?

Please advise.
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      01-17-2019, 03:38 PM   #14
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Would it be recommended to replace the sway bar end links at the time of each re-build?
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      01-17-2019, 05:23 PM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
Would it be recommended to replace the sway bar end links at the time of each re-build?
I wouldn't think you need to unless you really beat up the car.
The sway bar links are pretty damn solid.

I would recommend SPL sway bar end links, those things would probably outlive the car.
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      01-17-2019, 05:30 PM   #16
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I'm buying the KW CS used and don't know the condition until I see them. I am trying to replace everything up there while I'm in there. Anything else to replace? I have changed the control arm bushings already.
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      01-18-2019, 02:43 AM   #17
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Kw cs endlinks constantly bend
I bent 2
Just get the bimmerworld endlinks size 10-11.5
And send it
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      01-19-2019, 10:39 AM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
I'm buying the KW CS used and don't know the condition until I see them. I am trying to replace everything up there while I'm in there. Anything else to replace? I have changed the control arm bushings already.
You buying without seeing? damn dude... make sure the top mounts move but make sure its stiff (you need both hands to work it). If the top mount spins around loose then the spherical bearing is shot.
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      01-21-2019, 10:31 AM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GORDON.M3 View Post
You buying without seeing? damn dude... make sure the top mounts move but make sure its stiff (you need both hands to work it). If the top mount spins around loose then the spherical bearing is shot.
Going to send them to get rebuilt before they go on the car.
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      01-21-2019, 12:25 PM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MPower7 View Post
Going to send them to get rebuilt before they go on the car.
KW won't rebuild the top mount, it's a complete part replacement.
I tried this with my Clubsports.
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      01-22-2019, 11:07 AM   #21
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I got a set of Clubsports i took off because of 2-3 leaking shocks. My car came with them and also had different springs other than the ones that come with the kit.

I am looking at rebuilding all the shocks and buying new springs.

Would also love to her about the lead time anyone has experienced for this. Also is it worth it?
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      01-22-2019, 11:35 AM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GO-RAN View Post
I got a set of Clubsports i took off because of 2-3 leaking shocks. My car came with them and also had different springs other than the ones that come with the kit.

I am looking at rebuilding all the shocks and buying new springs.

Would also love to her about the lead time anyone has experienced for this. Also is it worth it?
This is what I received from KW, "The average rebuild is around $135-180 per coilover with a turnaround time of 2-3 weeks once we receive them."
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