KW Clubsport or OHLIN R&T: Help me Decide

[kitw]

I've had KW v3, KW clubsports and Ohlins. I bought Ohlins for my 5th m3. The Kw clubsports are much worse, in terms of responsiveness and grip, and the stupid front springs drastically limit the width of the front wheel/tire you can run.

[M3ANMACHINE]

I love my Clubsports. Perfectly liveable on the street and I DD my e90.

Also, idk why people are complaining about wide wheels not fitting in front. Add a 5mm spacer to an 18x10 +25 with 275 tire and it'll clear fine.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by Malek@MRF

While the Ohlins are a great suspension, they are not on the same level as the KW Clubsport coilover for track duty.

Once setup correctly, the CS ride very well and daily drivable without a doubt.

What compression/rebound settings do you recommend for street, malek?

[hgmotorsports]

I think this is the best way to break it down…

KW CS
+ Adjustability (track setups)
+ Warranty
- Harshness of twin-tube design

Ohlins R&T
+ DFV (Dual Flow Valve technology for daily driving)
+ Progressive Dampening (every 3 clicks rebound is figuratively adding 1 click compression)
+ Monotube design
- Not a lot of adjustability

If this is a daily driven car (especially for the east coast) in which comfort is a priority, which still being able to have fun and enjoyable track days, I would 100% go with the Ohlins. If this is a car that is secondary car, or a car in which you do time trials and want to get into suspension setups and dialing in, then the KWs are the route you should take.

Really all personal opinion, but you won't get the best of both worlds from either suspension. My opinion is go for the Ohlins and then if you ever are thinning of going to a super good setup go AST, JRZ, or Ohlin TTX.

Hope that helped a little.

-Mike

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by kitw

I've had KW v3, KW clubsports and Ohlins. I bought Ohlins for my 5th m3. The Kw clubsports are much worse, in terms of responsiveness and grip, and the stupid front springs drastically limit the width of the front wheel/tire you can run.

Thanks for chiming in, as it's particularly important to hear feedback from someone who has dedicated seat time in both, or in your case all 3 variables. I am aware of the V-spring make up of the KW, which has posed problem for guys when looking to run aggressive track spec'd setups. I assume you are favoring the Ohlin to the other KW setups you have run?

Originally Posted by hgmotorsports

I think this is the best way to break it down…

KW CS
+ Adjustability (track setups)
+ Warranty
- Harshness of twin-tube design

Ohlins R&T
+ DFV (Dual Flow Valve technology for daily driving)
+ Progressive Dampening (every 3 clicks rebound is figuratively adding 1 click compression)
+ Monotube design
- Not a lot of adjustability

If this is a daily driven car (especially for the east coast) in which comfort is a priority, which still being able to have fun and enjoyable track days, I would 100% go with the Ohlins. If this is a car that is secondary car, or a car in which you do time trials and want to get into suspension setups and dialing in, then the KWs are the route you should take.

Really all personal opinion, but you won't get the best of both worlds from either suspension. My opinion is go for the Ohlins and then if you ever are thinning of going to a super good setup go AST, JRZ, or Ohlin TTX.

Hope that helped a little.

-Mike

Very clear, and my thought process exactly. When you say "not alot of adjustability" you are referring to separate compression/rebound settings?

[Malek@MRF]

Originally Posted by M3ANMACHINE

I love my Clubsports. Perfectly liveable on the street and I DD my e90.

Also, idk why people are complaining about wide wheels not fitting in front. Add a 5mm spacer to an 18x10 +25 with 275 tire and it'll clear fine.

With high lateral loads, you will find that it has a tendency of still making contact with the rim/tire. On normal day to day driving, it isn't so much of a problem.

[tom @ eas]

Mike pretty much nailed it, pretty much depends on street or track being top priority on OhlinsRT/KWCS.

As for JRZ, I haven't seen a disappointed owner yet, the systems are simply awesome. The RS1s would be a good contender for the Clubsports within the same price range.

We offer all 3, feel free to contact me directly if you have any questions.

[skiborsy]

Originally Posted by hgmotorsports

KW CS
+ Adjustability (track setups)
+ Warranty
- Harshness of twin-tube design

No warranty on Clubsports, per KW: http://www.kw-store.com/products/kw-...rt-kit-19.html (click "Warranty"). Ohlins says two year warranty but doesn't say what it covers that I've found on the web.

[M3Captain]

I would say go for a ride in a vehicle with both suspension setups and make the call then.

[TheKosherStogie]

I've driven both. So has tightie and mcorsa and str8flexin.

KW Clubsport is a better track suspension.

The ohlins are softer and smoother. If u want a comfy ride then maybe this.

I daily drove my clubsports and they were fine for me.

But there is no comparison on the track. All the above will agree. In fact tightie sold his ohlins for clubsports. Mcorsa was disappointed with the ohlins. Found them not much better than stock(springs and camber plates). on the track

[hgmotorsports]

Originally Posted by Exclusivs

Very clear, and my thought process exactly. When you say "not alot of adjustability" you are referring to separate compression/rebound settings?

Yes, I should have been a little more specific. Just the difference between having 2 separate adjusters compared to 1 adjuster that adjusts both rebound and compression.

Originally Posted by skiborsy

No warranty on Clubsports, per KW: http://www.kw-store.com/products/kw-...rt-kit-19.html (click "Warranty"). Ohlins says two year warranty but doesn't say what it covers that I've found on the web.

My apologies, kind of rushed that section of my response. I will check with Ohlins tomorrow about their warranty; I am curious now.

-Mike

[Groundpilot]

So OP, which set up did you decide to go with?
So far Poll results show 19-10 for Ohlin R&T.
I just found out(2 days ago) that both of my front EDC dampers are shot, and from ACM recommandation(very reputable shop), i chose Ohlins. I was leaning towards MCS, but decided to go with Ohlins. They are being installed as we speak, i will report back with my review after i take my car to WGI this summer.

[M3ANMACHINE]

Originally Posted by hgmotorsports

Yes, I should have been a little more specific. Just the difference between having 2 separate adjusters compared to 1 adjuster that adjusts both rebound and compression.



My apologies, kind of rushed that section of my response. I will check with Ohlins tomorrow about their warranty; I am curious now.

-Mike

They claim to not offer a warranty on the clubsports because they are meant for racing use. I'm 100% sure of this

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by M3Captain

I would say go for a ride in a vehicle with both suspension setups and make the call then.

That isn't the easiest thing to arrange, as at the same time it's hard for someone to make a "True" choice, without having driven in both. I agree, it would be the ideal way to do it, just not easy. Don't think a ride in someones car, could help me determine the suspension I want to run either. It would only be accurate to drive both cars, and I'm sure not many M3 owners willingly hand their keys over, I know I wouldn't!

Originally Posted by TheKosherStogie

I've driven both. So has tightie and mcorsa and str8flexin.

KW Clubsport is a better track suspension.

The ohlins are softer and smoother. If u want a comfy ride then maybe this.

I daily drove my clubsports and they were fine for me.

But there is no comparison on the track. All the above will agree. In fact tightie sold his ohlins for clubsports. Mcorsa was disappointed with the ohlins. Found them not much better than stock(springs and camber plates). on the track

Great info, appreciate you chiming in. I like the option of swift spring conversion to stiffen things up, if needed. At this point, I'm not looking to enter time trials, or shave seconds off lap times. More or less looking for a comfortable street setup (where car spends majority of time) with the option of a capable track setup as well. Sounds like Ohlins are my calling.

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

So OP, which set up did you decide to go with?
So far Poll results show 19-10 for Ohlin R&T.
I just found out(2 days ago) that both of my front EDC dampers are shot, and from ACM recommandation(very reputable shop), i chose Ohlins. I was leaning towards MCS, but decided to go with Ohlins. They are being installed as we speak, i will report back with my review after i take my car to WGI this summer.

Glad to hear that, post a review before summer! At this point, I'm leaning more toward the Ohlin setup. Judging by the poll results, and feedback from members in this thread, and on the board, I don't think you can go wrong.

[TheKosherStogie]

^ if thats what you're looking for you will love the ohlins. Its an easy choice then. Haven't felt a better street coil over thats sporty enough for the track.

the Kw CS is a track coil over thats good enough for the street. opposites in a sense

[Groundpilot]

Bumping this thread because i think spring rate of Ohlins R&T supplied springs looks very strange to me. Front-343lbs/in, Rear-400lbs/in.
400 for the rear . That is a lot less than stock. I know, we are comparing different systems with different damper valvings, but isnt 400lb too soft for such a heavy car as e9x m3?

[Beedub]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Bumping this thread because i think spring rate of Ohlins R&T supplied springs looks very strange to me. Front-343lbs/in, Rear-400lbs/in.
400 for the rear . That is a lot less than stock. I know, we are comparing different systems with different damper valvings, but isnt 400lb too soft for such a heavy car as e9x m3?

IDK some racing teams like TCK like to use a softer spring and let the valving do the work.... makes sense if you ask me, don't be fooled into thinking super stiff springs = awesome performance, their are lots of variables...

[Semi-Poor]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Bumping this thread because i think spring rate of Ohlins R&T supplied springs looks very strange to me. Front-343lbs/in, Rear-400lbs/in.
400 for the rear . That is a lot less than stock. I know, we are comparing different systems with different damper valvings, but isnt 400lb too soft for such a heavy car as e9x m3?

Ohlins R&T are 343 front and 686 rear, stiffer than stock on both counts.

[Groundpilot]

Semi-Poor, you are right. I was looking at technical specifications on **********s web, and they have it 400lbs/in for rear m3 springs..
I am glad i was wrong, because we just installed this system on my m3, and i would be really pissed.
343 F 686 R sounds good to me

[Semi-Poor]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Semi-Poor, you are right. I was looking at technical specifications on **********s web, and they have it 400lbs/in for rear m3 springs..
I am glad i was wrong, because we just installed this system on my m3, and i would be really pissed.
343 F 686 R sounds good to me

No worries mine been on couple weeks, think you will happy, I know I am.

[BarryC]

I really like my KWCS - one of my favorites on this car. I was running a 19" wheel with Yoko AD08R and I thought the ride was pretty brittle (felt like run flats in terms of harshness). It was still more forgiving than a GTR or Fiat Abarth with lowering springs (owned both). Switched to the Mich PSS and the ride is pretty nice. Even my wife doesn't mind it. Her biggest compliant now is not being able to breathe during hard acceleration! bc

[Exclusivs]

Originally Posted by Groundpilot

Semi-Poor, you are right. I was looking at technical specifications on **********s web, and they have it 400lbs/in for rear m3 springs..
I am glad i was wrong, because we just installed this system on my m3, and i would be really pissed.
343 F 686 R sounds good to me

Any seat time/driving impressions since install?

Originally Posted by BarryC

I really like my KWCS - one of my favorites on this car. I was running a 19" wheel with Yoko AD08R and I thought the ride was pretty brittle (felt like run flats in terms of harshness). It was still more forgiving than a GTR or Fiat Abarth with lowering springs (owned both). Switched to the Mich PSS and the ride is pretty nice. Even my wife doesn't mind it. Her biggest compliant now is not being able to breathe during hard acceleration! bc

Barry, you on 2-way or 3-way?