KW, FK, H&R Coilovers

[OOMPH!]

Do you have camber plates yet? I'm having the same problem trying to get the front low right now, lol. I've got a plan though that's sure to work, so if you have questions feel free to ask.

Yes I have the adjustable camber. Hmmmm, what do you plan on doing? :D

[E30SPDFRK]

Well I have 1" shortened struts right now with camber plates. I cheaped out though and got Bilstein IX struts rather than Koni's and they are bottomed out on the internal bumpstop. I can't lower the adjuster much more before I hit the tire, so I'm planning on either shortening the housing another inch to get me off the bumpstops or sending my struts to Bilstein to get a shorter shaft installed.

It sits pretty even right now, just a bit high in the front. The main thing that either of my options would do for me is get me off the bumpstop and get me back some travel. I'm pretty sure that if the bumpstop wasn't there, it would sit even as is right now.



Looking back, I'm not sure how any of this helps you in any way lol. My suggestion for you is to shorten the strut some more if you are already bottomed out on your adjusters.

[stinkydriverx]

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread.
But FK is notorious for being able to absolutely slam the car their coils are on.
GC would be my next bet.
Don't even bother with that overpriced kw IMO.

[Stephen]

Well I have 1" shortened struts right now with camber plates. I cheaped out though and got Bilstein IX struts rather than Koni's and they are bottomed out on the internal bumpstop. I can't lower the adjuster much more before I hit the tire, so I'm planning on either shortening the housing another inch to get me off the bumpstops or sending my struts to Bilstein to get a shorter shaft installed.

It sits pretty even right now, just a bit high in the front. The main thing that either of my options would do for me is get me off the bumpstop and get me back some travel. I'm pretty sure that if the bumpstop wasn't there, it would sit even as is right now.

Whats an HD bumpostop like? You might be able to just shorten/ replace it for more travel.

[E30SPDFRK]

I don't know, its internal lol. I know the shafts are longer than sports. I want to get them revalved anyways though for the stiffer rates and its only another $20 to get shorter shafts put in.

[Stephen]

nice.

[Eric]

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread.
But FK is notorious for being able to absolutely slam the car their coils are on.
GC would be my next bet.
Don't even bother with that overpriced kw IMO.

haha, KW is the better quality of the 3 listed.

[nando]

what does KW use for inserts? I'd chose base on that rather than the "quality" of the other parts. you can get coilover springs and adjusters anywhere. big deal.

[Wh33lhop]

what does KW use for inserts? I'd chose base on that rather than the "quality" of the other parts. you can get coilover springs and adjusters anywhere. big deal.

+1, dampers and camber plates, in that order, would be my biggest concern in terms of "quality."

[OOMPH!]

I didn't take the time to read the whole thread.
But FK is notorious for being able to absolutely slam the car their coils are on.
GC would be my next bet.
Don't even bother with that overpriced kw IMO.

Both FK and KW have about the same travel distance, a maximum 3.14 for FK and 3.15 for KW.
FK price on ECS is $1,825
KW price on tunershop is $1,382
And I think GC is in between the both.

I was thinking about doing a E30 M3 5lug swap though and that would change everything for me :neutral:

[Tonys18t]

I've tried FK in the past and not really been happy with the quality,

Got KW on the car now and been really pleased with the whole deal, also i think the maximum drop quoted is way under estimated. i've been told by a few guys in europe that the quoted figures are under estimated dude to some kind of TUV regs.

I've used KW and Weitec (made by KW) in the past on other cars, they always a lot lower than the advertised drop. ( had KWs form Tunershop on a VW for 15 years, same set at almost max drop, never any quality issues ).

For the money i'd stick to KW, Tunershop can supply them without you having to send a core now also, free shipping too

[OOMPH!]

I've tried FK in the past and not really been happy with the quality,

Got KW on the car now and been really pleased with the whole deal, also i think the maximum drop quoted is way under estimated. i've been told by a few guys in europe that the quoted figures are under estimated dude to some kind of TUV regs.

I've used KW and Weitec (made by KW) in the past on other cars, they always a lot lower than the advertised drop. ( had KWs form Tunershop on a VW for 15 years, same set at almost max drop, never any quality issues ).

For the money i'd stick to KW, Tunershop can supply them without you having to send a core now also, free shipping too

SUPER helpful post bro! Thanks for the input! I was leaning towards KW and now I think that's the way to go.

[DREWHALL]

I always found it amazing that coming from VW to E30s, KW seemed so nonexistent. I never understood why, and no one ever seems to explain. So many people have GCs, and I understand why, but KW is a quality coilover in every other make I've seen them for. I'm just looking for something to lower my car that's decent priced and rides decent. I don't need race car suspension.

[nando]

because VW owners just want to slam their cars and look cool ;)

[DREWHALL]

I know, I have one. They're econobox cars that look cool dumped. I'm just wondering how one particular brand of coilovers can be a quality brand for one make and, I'm not calling anyone out on this, "be piles of crap" for another. It doesn't seem like half of the population on here has any experience with them. I'm just looking for a good honest review on quality/ride compared to other setups. I have H&R Ultralows on my GTI, and it rides wonderful with my car set to scrape. They're not even dampening adjustable. One guy I know bought the KWs and said they're a little too stiff. He started with H&R Race/Bilsteins. The spring rates compared to most of the GC setups I see people running are a little lower, so I don't really believe him. I guess it all comes down to personal preference.

/end Lol.