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      02-20-2011, 09:33 AM   #1
Peter@VMRWheels
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KW V3 Coilover Install on '11 E92 w/ EDC (WARNING: Many Pics)

I wanted to share with everyone pictures from a recent suspension install. This would be the third set of KW Coilovers I've purchased. I've had KW's on my prior vehicles and was very satisfied with the results. My M3 is equipped with the EDC option and so I opted for the Macht Schnell EDC Module (to silence the annoying EDC error).

The coilovers were installed over at European Auto Source, and they were gracious enough to allow me to snap detailed photos of the installation process. I've also snapped some pictures of the OEM Competition Package suspension for those interested in seeing them up close.

I noticed that a lot of vendors do not have close up pictures of an actual coilover set for the E92 M3 and so... As soon as the coilovers arrived, I brought it straight into the photo studio to shoot some closeups. for those of you who have not seen V3's up close, you'll see them here

Ok, I'll let pictures do the talking now. Enjoy!

The box straight off the truck, UPS label and everything.


Box Opening- As you can see, the coilovers are intricately packaged.


All the vital parts are properly protected prior to shipping.





Pictures of the coilovers....



Rear Height Adjustment


Front Dampers- The adjustment location is at the bottom of the coilover, meaning that you do not have to remove the entire damper from the vehicle just to adjust dampening.




Quick pics of the car prior to lowering.




Front Suspension

OEM Spring/Shock before removal


This *should* be the headlight sensor... don't forget to loosen this component... expensive part to replace!



The OEM Spring/Shock assembly coming out.


Don't forget to use a spring compressor


Assembly


Installed






Rear Suspension

Rear Suspension prior to removal.


Stripping the trunk down...




Removing the OEM suspension from the rear



Assembly w/ KW's




Macht Schnell EDC Module is installed inside the trunk just above the battery compartment.




OEM Parts

This is what the OEM EDC controller looks like for the front.


OEM Competition Shocks (Rear)


OEM Springs/Shocks (Front)


OEM vs KW Comparison Pics






Pics of car After Installation (Before height adjustment)


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      02-20-2011, 10:19 AM   #2
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very nice post, car looks good
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      02-20-2011, 10:38 AM   #3
Sean@PYSpeed.com
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Looking good! You have to run the best on the best car.
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      02-20-2011, 10:51 AM   #4
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Great write-up. Thank you for posting all those quality photos.
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      02-20-2011, 10:54 AM   #5
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Very nice write up. Thanks for taking your time and taking some good pics too!
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      02-20-2011, 10:55 AM   #6
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Thanks for the pics!~
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      02-20-2011, 11:07 AM   #7
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thanks for sharing, can you post pics of the car after the height adjustment?
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      02-20-2011, 12:57 PM   #8
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The EDC module only needs to be plugged in in the trunk? Nothing for the front?
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      02-20-2011, 12:57 PM   #9
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Great write up Peter!
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      02-20-2011, 01:16 PM   #10
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Pictures turned out great! Appreciate the mention in the article.

Quote:
Originally Posted by rldzhao View Post
The EDC module only needs to be plugged in in the trunk? Nothing for the front?
Only 1 module is required for the vehicle.

The KW modules require one at each rear shock, with a 3rd module pigtailed under the hood. While the trunk modules are rarely seen, IMHO the underhood one is a bit unsightly to the eyes.

The Macht Schnell module is installed in the rear at the EDC-K module in the passenger side behind the trunk liner - hidden from view as well as completely transparent from diagnostic equipment. A mini USB port is also integrated if there are any software changes implemented in the near future from BMW.

Also with the KW swap, we finally now have a set of OEM EDC vs EDC ZCP shocks/springs we can now finally compare for reference.
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      02-20-2011, 01:30 PM   #11
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^looking forward to some pictures.
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      02-20-2011, 02:43 PM   #12
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Nice peter!
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      02-20-2011, 11:17 PM   #13
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thanks for the pictures!
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      02-21-2011, 01:44 AM   #14
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Thanks for the explanation of the difference between the KW modules and the Macht Schnell module. I was wondering why it was used instead of the KW factory modules.
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      02-21-2011, 03:16 AM   #15
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Congrats youll enjoy it!

Make sure to corner balance
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      02-27-2011, 02:07 AM   #16
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great pics

am I crazy though.. or does your car look lower pre-KW install?



vs:

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      02-27-2011, 02:16 AM   #17
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I have to admit that I did not take very detailed closeups of the car before and after lowering, and it *might* have been confused, the pictures. HOWEVER... The car does have competition suspension (~ 1/2" lower than non zcp) AND I didn't lower it very much more after that... Finally.... car did go thru 2 rounds of height adjustment after the install was done. One before I left the shop, and a second one after I put a few hundred miles on it.

So don't take the before/after car pics as the standard of what the KW can do. This one is just to show the step by step installation
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      02-27-2011, 10:13 PM   #18
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Peter@VMRWheels View Post
I have to admit that I did not take very detailed closeups of the car before and after lowering, and it *might* have been confused, the pictures. HOWEVER... The car does have competition suspension (~ 1/2" lower than non zcp) AND I didn't lower it very much more after that... Finally.... car did go thru 2 rounds of height adjustment after the install was done. One before I left the shop, and a second one after I put a few hundred miles on it.

So don't take the before/after car pics as the standard of what the KW can do. This one is just to show the step by step installation
Got it :P

Just thought maybe I was going crazy or something lol
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      02-27-2011, 11:44 PM   #19
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Nice writeup and pics,
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      03-02-2011, 01:48 PM   #20
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Nice to see you on here, Peter! I still remember the huge help you were to me years back on e46fanatics when I had to find 18" wheels that were compatible with my Vorsteiner-Brembo BBK.

I enjoyed reading your post here and appreciate the pics you took and posted as well.

One question I have that you might be able to answer for me, and I asked this question in a separate thread... I have the KW V2 coilovers currently on my 323i... any idea whether these will fit on an E92 M3? I plan on moving up to that vehicle by the end of this summer, so I'm trying to see if I can still make use of my current V2 coilovers or if I'll have to sell those and buy something compatible with the E92 M3.

Thanks,
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      03-02-2011, 01:57 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Navin323i View Post
I have the KW V2 coilovers currently on my 323i... any idea whether these will fit on an E92 M3?

Nope

you'll need to sell them and buy a set designed for the m3
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      03-15-2011, 10:42 PM   #22
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Peter, great write up, awesome pictures, and info.
I am trying to understand how the emulator works with the factory electronics...especially with the ZCP option where the damping is continuously adjusting for all 3 modes...what is the impact of installing the emulator on the other 'tied-in' electronics like DSC?...
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