[baltik]

I drive on some horrific roads in San Francisco and often bottom out my suspension especially when at speed - I can actually feel the subframe vibrating after the hit - does anyone else experience this and would some KW v2's solve this assuming I set them at a reasonable ride height (H&R sport height)

[S4to335]

Coilovers usually are set at lower than stock ride height..so yes..you will probably need to go really slow over parking lot speed bumps..and angle into driveways if you have coilovers. Subframe vibrating..? I wonder what you are hitting.

[baltik]

Appreciate the response, but not quite what i was asking - do people experience hard bottoming of sport suspension from potholes and road imperfections and would a coilover set at a reasonable height help cure the problem?

[toofasttooslow]

Originally Posted by baltik

Appreciate the response, but not quite what i was asking - do people experience hard bottoming of sport suspension from potholes and road imperfections and would a coilover set at a reasonable height help cure the problem?

yes and no

Yes, you can expect to bottom out with the sport setup on these cars - mine bottoms out when I go over a speed bump the wrong way. Happens with potholes too unfortunately. You could go with really stiff springs but your ride quality will go to pot and instead of your suspension taking the brunt of the impact your butt will.

[BMW F22]

There have been quite a number of people bottoming out on the coupe. I haven't heard anything about the sedan just yet. Look at the rear of an E92 coupe on the road and you'll notice that it's as if the car is only an inch off the ground.

[PAKMAN]

SF for the win!

[ohsnap]

I run kw v2's on an e90 and have yet to bottom out on harsh roads, etc. No squeeks, clanking, odd noises that some others have mentioned with coilovers. Best upgrade I have done by far. I am really happy with the handling with kw's!

[cn555ic]

thats why i will never drop my car ever again....Lesson learned for me...

[Bimmer325]

subframe vibrating? at what speed? is it constant vibration or only at cartain speed?

[baltik]

just at the point of impact - ie I am concererned i could damadge the car, that's how sharp the impact is

[stressdoc]

Bent rims are usually the only casualties. The rubber bump stops and bushings, and generally high quality material and engineering design protect against bent suspension bits and broken welds.

More suspension travel, better dampers, higher profile non-rfts will smooth out the bumps.

[jgalaxy]

Originally Posted by baltik

I drive on some horrific roads in San Francisco and often bottom out my suspension especially when at speed - I can actually feel the subframe vibrating after the hit - does anyone else experience this and would some KW v2's solve this assuming I set them at a reasonable ride height (H&R sport height)

I have the 335CXI and bottom out far too frequently, even on some small pot holes our poorly seated man hole covers. The whole car shudders. Removing the run flats helped quite a bit. Makes me affraid to push the car hard in the twisties. My only true pet peeve about this car . My Mazda 3 Sport fairs better. I'm hoping switching to KW v3 will solve most of this. A $2000 plus longshot.