///KW Suspension Factory Tour Photo Journal///

deemo319 · 03-17-2016, 11:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zackforever

Which one is the best between KW and Ohlins?

That's what I was just going to ask, but you already posed the question.

greekcs · 03-17-2016, 11:25 AM

Had a set on my E46 M3. Quality was top notch.

Alan l. · 03-17-2016, 12:27 PM

Great write up and thanks for sharing

One question that I've always wondered was do these suspension companies actually go out and test what spring rates/shock valving is actually an improvement for the car they are about to release a kit for? Its one thing to just make a kit physically fit a car but the other half of the equation is does the car actually handle better? Is the ride quality still acceptable? Its not just directed towards KW but also spring manufacturers like H&R and Eibach etc... BMW spent hours upon hours at the track to figure out whats the best balance for the car. For something like a M car I would be slightly more hesitant to just rip out the standard suspension and thrown in aftermarket stuff if its not thoroughly tested.

Yeineken · 03-17-2016, 12:48 PM

Can you go back and get more shots of the 1M safety car.

SMC23 · 03-17-2016, 12:53 PM

Curious, how long do the KWs normally last over OEM suspensions?

As a comparison, I drove my e90 to 175,000km before needing to replace the original suspension. Will likely look at this setup once the time comes again on my new 340i

VCP · 03-17-2016, 01:02 PM

Unreal!!

myszano1 · 03-17-2016, 01:31 PM

Simple amazing! !!

Bosozoku · 03-17-2016, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

... BMW spent hours upon hours at the track to figure out whats the best balance for the car. For something like a M car I would be slightly more hesitant to just rip out the standard suspension and thrown in aftermarket stuff if its not thoroughly tested. ...

Agree, but isn't it true that the M Performance suspension kit(s) is/are made by KW?
And therefore BMW has tested the KW OEM-ed M Performance system very thoroughly.

For example, the M2 M Performance suspension kit:

Vs. the KW Clubsport 3-way coilovers:

The KW system has external reservoirs, and there is a 2nd spring on each, but the basic designs are quite similar.
So maybe the KW-branded systems have similar or identical balance.

raysspl · 03-17-2016, 03:04 PM

Definitely an awesome photo journal

E_D_H · 03-18-2016, 12:42 AM

Got a kick out of the purple and yellow facade and I-beams. Imagine driving through a tiny little village and seeing that.

SLOWER · 03-18-2016, 07:22 AM

Awesome read. I am anxiously awaiting the V1 for 340i xDrive.

chief · 03-18-2016, 11:27 AM

Very cool story and tour! Thanks for sharing with all of us!

Curt2000 · 03-18-2016, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gevoooon

Great write up and pics. Thanks a lot! Nice colour theme there... purple and yellow!

Quote:

Originally Posted by FuriousLucy

Excellent and thanks again. Question - does K&W make a product that works with EDC in an F8x M, or is the EDC disabled?

No, not yet

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zackforever

Which one is the best between KW and Ohlins?

You know my vote, BMW uses KW a lot in their race cars too

M Vier · 03-19-2016, 10:47 PM

Great coverage. Thank you for sharing

b1mmr · 03-21-2016, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zackforever

Which one is the best between KW and Ohlins?

Why? Why in this thread man..

Great write up op

b1mmr · 03-21-2016, 06:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Great write up and thanks for sharing

One question that I've always wondered was do these suspension companies actually go out and test what spring rates/shock valving is actually an improvement for the car they are about to release a kit for? Its one thing to just make a kit physically fit a car but the other half of the equation is does the car actually handle better? Is the ride quality still acceptable? Its not just directed towards KW but also spring manufacturers like H&R and Eibach etc... BMW spent hours upon hours at the track to figure out whats the best balance for the car. For something like a M car I would be slightly more hesitant to just rip out the standard suspension and thrown in aftermarket stuff if its not thoroughly tested.

Weird I drive an XI and it feels like they threw the most haggard springs they could find on there lol.. Hours on hours... Where do I apply?

XYR03 · 03-22-2016, 04:26 PM

Thats definitely a assemble and ship portion of the company but whos making the actual shocks and springs?

Jay-K · 03-23-2016, 01:48 AM

Amazing facility,
sick!
thanks for sharing

Curt2000 · 03-26-2016, 01:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deemo319

That's what I was just going to ask, but you already posed the question.

BMW made the decision to run KW on their race cars, seems like a good endorsement to me!

Quote:

Originally Posted by greekcs

Had a set on my E46 M3. Quality was top notch.

Curt2000 · 07-12-2016, 09:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alan l.

Great write up and thanks for sharing

One question that I've always wondered was do these suspension companies actually go out and test what spring rates/shock valving is actually an improvement for the car they are about to release a kit for? Its one thing to just make a kit physically fit a car but the other half of the equation is does the car actually handle better? Is the ride quality still acceptable? Its not just directed towards KW but also spring manufacturers like H&R and Eibach etc... BMW spent hours upon hours at the track to figure out whats the best balance for the car. For something like a M car I would be slightly more hesitant to just rip out the standard suspension and thrown in aftermarket stuff if its not thoroughly tested.

I think their vibration analysis rig does just that, they have it down to a science, every chassis is characterized in their facility.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Yeineken

Can you go back and get more shots of the 1M safety car.

Ahh sorry I wish I had more photos!

trustbran · 07-13-2016, 08:29 AM

Sweet visit, thanks for sharing with us!!

-Brandon

MovingChicane · 07-13-2016, 09:13 AM

Great story and photos - thanks for sharing!

Q: Who does make the "outsourced" springs for the KW kit? (Someone else local to them or are they bringing springs in from someone like H&R or similar)......

03-17-2016, 11:25 AM	#24
greekcs Major 773 Rep 1,113 Posts Drives: 2020 M340i xDrive Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Long Island, NY iTrader: (0)	Had a set on my E46 M3. Quality was top notch. __________________ 2003 11/02 Steel Gray Metallic on Red M3 - SMGII - VF570 - SUPERSPRINT - KW - BBS - CSL ROOF SOLD 2015 09/14 Alpine White on Red 435i xDrive MPPK - Expensive black vinyl with special lettering. SOLD 2020 12/19 Mineral Gray Metallic on Black Vinyl interior M340i xDrive
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03-17-2016, 12:27 PM	#25
Alan l. Major General 5428 Rep 8,801 Posts Drives: 2020 F95 X5M Competition Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: United States iTrader: (9)	Great write up and thanks for sharing One question that I've always wondered was do these suspension companies actually go out and test what spring rates/shock valving is actually an improvement for the car they are about to release a kit for? Its one thing to just make a kit physically fit a car but the other half of the equation is does the car actually handle better? Is the ride quality still acceptable? Its not just directed towards KW but also spring manufacturers like H&R and Eibach etc... BMW spent hours upon hours at the track to figure out whats the best balance for the car. For something like a M car I would be slightly more hesitant to just rip out the standard suspension and thrown in aftermarket stuff if its not thoroughly tested. __________________
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03-17-2016, 12:48 PM	#26
Yeineken Colonel 1299 Rep 2,093 Posts Drives: '11 135i M Sport Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Delmarva Peninsula iTrader: (3) Garage List '11 135i [8.20] '16 Ford Hatchback [0.00] '15 X5 [10.00]	Can you go back and get more shots of the 1M safety car. __________________ Pyrat Clone
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03-17-2016, 12:53 PM	#27
SMC23 Lieutenant 179 Rep 518 Posts Drives: Subaru XTrek / X5 40e Join Date: May 2005 Location: ON iTrader: (0)	Curious, how long do the KWs normally last over OEM suspensions? As a comparison, I drove my e90 to 175,000km before needing to replace the original suspension. Will likely look at this setup once the time comes again on my new 340i
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03-17-2016, 01:02 PM	#28
VCP Colonel 1390 Rep 2,336 Posts Drives: M4GTS BSM/F90comp/BSM M2CS Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Canada iTrader: (0)	Unreal!!
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03-17-2016, 01:31 PM	#29
myszano1 Private 19 Rep 93 Posts Drives: f30 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: uk iTrader: (0)	Simple amazing! !!
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03-17-2016, 03:04 PM	#31
raysspl Brigadier General 992 Rep 3,001 Posts Drives: walking, bicycle, & bus Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: SoCal iTrader: (0)	Definitely an awesome photo journal __________________ re
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03-18-2016, 12:42 AM	#32
E_D_H Enlisted Member 33 Rep 39 Posts Drives: E46 M3, F31 Join Date: Feb 2016 Location: Ohio iTrader: (0)	Got a kick out of the purple and yellow facade and I-beams. Imagine driving through a tiny little village and seeing that.
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03-18-2016, 07:22 AM	#33
SLOWER Lieutenant Colonel 309 Rep 1,733 Posts Drives: 2003 M3 Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: MA iTrader: (8) Garage List 2024 BMW X5 M60i [0.00] 2003 M3 Convertible [0.00]	Awesome read. I am anxiously awaiting the V1 for 340i xDrive.
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03-18-2016, 11:27 AM	#34
chief Captain 208 Rep 651 Posts Drives: 2008 Melbourne Red M3 Coupe Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Riverside, California iTrader: (1) Garage List 2008 BMW M3 [9.51]	Very cool story and tour! Thanks for sharing with all of us!
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03-19-2016, 10:47 PM	#36
M Vier Private First Class 51 Rep 144 Posts Drives: M4 Join Date: May 2014 Location: Boston to Jeddah iTrader: (0)	Great coverage. Thank you for sharing __________________ ///M4 /// 6MT /// Alpine White /// Sakhir Orange
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03-22-2016, 04:26 PM	#39
XYR03 Lieutenant Colonel 123 Rep 1,675 Posts Drives: Cayman S Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Charlotte, NC iTrader: (6)	Thats definitely a assemble and ship portion of the company but whos making the actual shocks and springs? __________________ [SIGPIC]2015-Cayman S (Can't leave bimmerpost) 2009-E92 M3 2005-E46 M3 1998-E36 M3 2007-E92 328i[/SIGPIC]
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03-23-2016, 01:48 AM	#40
Jay-K Brigadier General 384 Rep 3,450 Posts Drives: Slow Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: LA iTrader: (0)	Amazing facility, sick! thanks for sharing __________________ "Well, there's a straight-six engine at the front, a manual gearbox in the middle and drive goes to the back. That's Page 1, Chapter 1 from the petrosexual handbook" - JC
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07-13-2016, 08:29 AM	#43
trustbran Lieutenant 319 Rep 473 Posts Drives: 2009 M3 Join Date: Sep 2015 Location: Guam, Hawaii, SF iTrader: (2)	Sweet visit, thanks for sharing with us!! -Brandon
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07-13-2016, 09:13 AM	#44
MovingChicane Been there and back... 110 Rep 142 Posts Drives: Four inc. a '21 M2C Join Date: May 2016 Location: SoCal. iTrader: (0)	Great story and photos - thanks for sharing! Q: Who does make the "outsourced" springs for the KW kit? (Someone else local to them or are they bringing springs in from someone like H&R or similar)......
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