[schach23]

Guys,

My goal is actually to improve the ride of the car. To floaty, especially on my snow's. Secondary would like a small drop to remove that xdrive gap.

The sonic tuning coilovers have had some revisions and look pretty nice. I guess the difference for me the ability for dampening. The V1's don't have that and per my research would have to get into the V3 which is out of my price range.

Are those of you with the latest sonic tuning coilovers happy overall? I am looking for real world day to day driving reviews, not reviews that just tell me it the car isn't low enough. That's not what I am looking for. I don't want a slammed vehicle.

Other option would be eibach/H&R springs and koni yellows which I think would be the same price as the sonic tuning set so I think the drop adjustability would point me toward the coilover setup. I have read more people say the ride is harsh with the KW V1's.

So thoughts guys?

Thanks

Scott

[anthony.]

kw is a brand that has been out for over 25 years. They are made for almost all vehicles, and carry one of the best warranties. They are also German made and designed. They are equipped and sponsors of many real race cars.

when people talk quality suspension, KW, Bilstein, Koni, H&R, Tokico, are at the top. Then you have your Tein, Eibach, etc..

Then theres Ksport, Stance, Sonic Tuning, BC.. ETC.

after that, it gets a bit scary.. JOM, Raceland, etc.. "real budget coilovers.."

If money isn't an issue and your looking for QUALITY, with minimal headaches and almost always perfect fitment issues.. KW is a NO BRAINER..

Sonic tuning is more of a budget coilover that will look good, but wont perform like KW will. Sure it will get the job done, however personally on my BMW i would go with whats proven to be a top quality setup.

[DoctoRx]

Originally Posted by anthony.

If money isn't an issue and your looking for QUALITY, with minimal headaches and almost always perfect fitment issues.. KW is a NO BRAINER..

Sonic tuning is more of a budget coilover that will look good, but wont perform like KW will. Sure it will get the job done, however personally on my BMW i would go with whats proven to be a top quality setup.

If I remember correctly, the development for S3 was on par with some of those same "top brands" the only difference was they opted sourced the parts and assembled them in house. Also, the S3 coilover system doesn't have any fitment issues - there was ONE issue that someone had when he installed them at home and that issue was resolved.

Personally OP, both will give you the end result you're going for as far as handling improvement. The deciding factors will be price, peace of mind, and how far you're looking to drop. The S3 setup is cheaper but doesn't come with lifetime warranty like KW (though they will cover defective parts outside of their warranty period). Also the S3 fronts are shortened. This also allows you to go lower without voiding the warranty if you go outside of the recommended range for KW. This may be something to keep in mind depending on what your roads are like because it can be harsher for bumps (i.e. craters in the road in Cleveland). I've been running them all winter (I'm also on non RFTs) and can say that the overall ride impression feels smooth, but if you hit a big crater or a pothole that you're not expecting, you'll be quickly reminded that the suspension's not from the factory.

[Bigboost_E92]

I personally have the KW V1's and am very satisfied. Height and dampening are great. Not too soft and not too stiff. The amount of R&D that went into KW's FAR surpasses that of sonic tuning. Also, doesn't anyone find it odd that availability of the sonic S3 coil overs is so scarce? Pre order doesn't sit well with me. Also what good is a 1 year warranty? I'm not a fan of anodized steel either, I much prefer stainless steel for sake of anti corrosion and anti rust. Kw's are stainless steel.

[schach23]

Thanks for the thoughts.

[Jacblack]

The v1 doesn't have adjustable dampening or pillow top mounts like the S3. I do not believe the S3 is inferior to the v1 simply because of name of the brand. We should be encouraging more companies to make quality parts for an aging chassis. It's almost the same as Broadway static and fortune auto. The names were not as big as some of the other brands, despite the fact they make an outstanding product, but as more and more people did research they've come to respect them.

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by schach23

Guys,

My goal is actually to improve the ride of the car. To floaty, especially on my snow's. Secondary would like a small drop to remove that xdrive gap.

The sonic tuning coilovers have had some revisions and look pretty nice. I guess the difference for me the ability for dampening. The V1's don't have that and per my research would have to get into the V3 which is out of my price range.

Are those of you with the latest sonic tuning coilovers happy overall? I am looking for real world day to day driving reviews, not reviews that just tell me it the car isn't low enough. That's not what I am looking for. I don't want a slammed vehicle.

Other option would be eibach/H&R springs and koni yellows which I think would be the same price as the sonic tuning set so I think the drop adjustability would point me toward the coilover setup. I have read more people say the ride is harsh with the KW V1's.

So thoughts guys?

Thanks

Scott

Scott,

Best way is to take a ride in one of our customer's car with S3 and compare it to the KW, we do have few members with the S3 installed located in the OH area.

Originally Posted by DoctoRx

If I remember correctly, the development for S3 was on par with some of those same "top brands" the only difference was they opted sourced the parts and assembled them in house. Also, the S3 coilover system doesn't have any fitment issues - there was ONE issue that someone had when he installed them at home and that issue was resolved.

Personally OP, both will give you the end result you're going for as far as handling improvement. The deciding factors will be price, peace of mind, and how far you're looking to drop. The S3 setup is cheaper but doesn't come with lifetime warranty like KW (though they will cover defective parts outside of their warranty period). Also the S3 fronts are shortened. This also allows you to go lower without voiding the warranty if you go outside of the recommended range for KW. This may be something to keep in mind depending on what your roads are like because it can be harsher for bumps (i.e. craters in the road in Cleveland). I've been running them all winter (I'm also on non RFTs) and can say that the overall ride impression feels smooth, but if you hit a big crater or a pothole that you're not expecting, you'll be quickly reminded that the suspension's not from the factory.

Thanks for the feedback!

Originally Posted by Bigboost_E92

I personally have the KW V1's and am very satisfied. Height and dampening are great. Not too soft and not too stiff. The amount of R&D that went into KW's FAR surpasses that of sonic tuning. Also, doesn't anyone find it odd that availability of the sonic S3 coil overs is so scarce? Pre order doesn't sit well with me. Also what good is a 1 year warranty? I'm not a fan of anodized steel either, I much prefer stainless steel for sake of anti corrosion and anti rust. Kw's are stainless steel.

Thanks for the comparison.

We are a KW distributor, and the V1 V3 XI coil is a great add-on to the community.

With four different revisions of the S3 XI coilover in the past two years.
Could have just shorten the strut and the spring like most of the companies , but we did not take the short cut.

Our product is very different from the KW. Ours uses linear spring vs the KW with progressive spring. S3 maintains the ride quality without shorten the suspension travel.

The monotube is completely stainless steel with black coating, all of the lower shock tower are either anodized aluminum or powder-coated, top hat and adjustment collars are anodized aluminum which makes it rust and weather proof.

If it means anything our coils includes life time structure which is the same as KW. As well, we don't have limitation on the height range for the warranty to be valid.

We have been on this board since 2009, by far we haven't had any issues regarding to warranty.

Currently, the XI is a new program; we simply cant keep it on the shelf. This will be adjusted once we figure out the market demand.

For those that are wondering we do have couple sets of the S3 in stock ready to ship for XI platform.

Originally Posted by Jacblack

The v1 doesn't have adjustable dampening or pillow top mounts like the S3. I do not believe the S3 is inferior to the v1 simply because of name of the brand. We should be encouraging more companies to make quality parts for an aging chassis. It's almost the same as Broadway static and fortune auto. The names were not as big as some of the other brands, despite the fact they make an outstanding product, but as more and more people did research they've come to respect them.

Thanks for the kind words.

Most of us at the shop have E9x platform, and we always strive to supply quality functional products for this community.

[DoctoRx]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

Most of us at the shop have E9x platform, and we always strive to supply quality functional products for this community.

So this explains why when I pulled up the first time I thought I was at a modded BMW dealership

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by DoctoRx

So this explains why when I pulled up the first time I thought I was at a modded BMW dealership

[amr_e90]

I have s3s on my xi with the front all the way down and the ride is so so , alot better then my h&r springs on stock shocks for sure . It Takes Bumps AND rides smooth . Only thing I don't like about them is the rear dampening feature it's either soft as hell or stiff as a rock can't seem to dial that in

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by amr_e90

I have s3s on my xi with the front all the way down and the ride is so so , alot better then my h&r springs on stock shocks for sure . It Takes Bumps AND rides smooth . Only thing I don't like about them is the rear dampening feature it's either soft as hell or stiff as a rock can't seem to dial that in

Do you have the new version?


give us a call, we can help you dial it in.

if your front damping setting is at the lowest, you will experience bouncy ride.

There are few things we need to check in the rear as well.

[DoctoRx]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

Do you have the new version?

give us a call, we can help you dial it in.

if your front damping setting is at the lowest, you will experience bouncy ride.

There are few things we need to check in the rear as well.

This - I have the new set. I haven't made any adjustments from when they set mine up. No issues with bounce etc - though I do get nervous on large bumps from time to time.

[amr_e90]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

Do you have the new version?


give us a call, we can help you dial it in.

if your front damping setting is at the lowest, you will experience bouncy ride.

There are few things we need to check in the rear as well.

Yes I have the newest version those same exact as pictured . I had the fronts at about 5 clicks in from the softest and it wasent to bad just wanted a little softer ride so I put them at its softest and still need to get used to it , I live in Boston so the temps here are like under 20 everyday and I know when the shocks themselves are freezing cold they are not going to be performing at its best so maybe in the spring time I will have this fully dialed in to my likings. Another question my camber plates have moved down on its own from being in the middle when I got them how do I adjust them to be centered again , loosen the four Allen bolts and ?

[Jacblack]

Originally Posted by jose_sonictuning

Thanks for the kind words.

Most of us at the shop have E9x platform, and we always strive to supply quality functional products for this community.

No problem I'm all about supporting the scene. I really want the s3 but they were always sold out lol. I may switch eventually but you guys just took all my money when I stopped by last week.

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by amr_e90

Yes I have the newest version those same exact as pictured . I had the fronts at about 5 clicks in from the softest and it wasent to bad just wanted a little softer ride so I put them at its softest and still need to get used to it , I live in Boston so the temps here are like under 20 everyday and I know when the shocks themselves are freezing cold they are not going to be performing at its best so maybe in the spring time I will have this fully dialed in to my likings. Another question my camber plates have moved down on its own from being in the middle when I got them how do I adjust them to be centered again , loosen the four Allen bolts and ?

That means your camber plate bolts are loose.
In that case, I would go back and double check on the installation.

If the orientation of the camber plate is installed incorrectly, this would cost camber/toe wear. Also, your entire shock tower is shifting while driving.

Email us as many pictures as possible to sonictuning@gmail.com, and we will have our tech look at it.

Since that part is overlooked by the tech, there may be other things that would cause issues to your install.

Originally Posted by Jacblack

No problem I'm all about supporting the scene. I really want the s3 but they were always sold out lol. I may switch eventually but you guys just took all my money when I stopped by last week.

Should have asked when were you here last week!

Currently, we have couple sets in stock ready to go.

[chepy24]

hey Jose Can you PM me some details im looking into getting some coilovers in the coming weeks and have been doing some research on what ones to go with

[TSRxi]

I am about to install these in my e90 335xi. There is no arrow pointing to the direction of orientation for the mounts on these. Now given you want more caster range going to adjust for negative camber I can sort of figure it the direction to mount them. but anyone have a picture. NOt super happy with customer support. Called in the AM no call back. NO instructions in the box.

anyone have a picture they can send me with the orientation of the mounts.

[BMWrush17]

jose_sonictuning Nice looking setup. So this removes the front rake on xdrive, but does not reduce suspension travel?

[jose_sonictuning]

Originally Posted by TSRxi

I am about to install these in my e90 335xi. There is no arrow pointing to the direction of orientation for the mounts on these. Now given you want more caster range going to adjust for negative camber I can sort of figure it the direction to mount them. but anyone have a picture. NOt super happy with customer support. Called in the AM no call back. NO instructions in the box.

anyone have a picture they can send me with the orientation of the mounts.

Replied!

Originally Posted by BMWrush17

jose_sonictuning Nice looking setup. So this removes the front rake on xdrive, but does not reduce suspension travel?

Depending on how low you want to go, anything lower than 1.5 inches on the front will require shorten the suspension travel.

[BMDoublYou]

Just ordered a set with the free s3 upgrade, cant wait to get these installed over the winter, anyone have a good DIY write up to follow?
Thanks!

[DoctoRx]

No DIY but the one they email you when you purchase is pretty straight forward. I had a buddy install it in his front yard (albeit, he's pretty well versed in suspensions).

[CantCatchMe]

Originally Posted by BMDoublYou

Just ordered a set with the free s3 upgrade, cant wait to get these installed over the winter, anyone have a good DIY write up to follow?
Thanks!

Post pics when you're done installing them, just curious to see how the front end sits on your car. I just bought ST's(by KW) and I'm waiting till after the winter to install them since my wheels are coming off.