[LuvMyRide]

I hate the floaty feeling of my stock suspension.. Need best most cost effective advice..

And can you get the KW's without having to drop your car??

[mike-y]

I believe the KW's have a minimum drop, so you would have to lower the car a small amount. The most cost-effective solution would be a set of koni yellow adjustable shocks, and use those with your factory springs and crank up the rebound damping. This will make a noticeable difference.

[LuvMyRide]

Correct me if Im wrong mike, but me and my body were examining the lines of the car yesterday, and it appears that in its stock condition, everything sits in teh same plain..

I want it to sit high in teh rear lower in the front.. Very boring looking right now, plus what I already stated about the floating feeling

Originally Posted by mike-y

I believe the KW's have a minimum drop, so you would have to lower the car a small amount. The most cost-effective solution would be a set of koni yellow adjustable shocks, and use those with your factory springs and crank up the rebound damping. This will make a noticeable difference.

[modbargains]

KW V3s are designed more for the daily driver / weekend track warriior driver in mind, it offers features above what the V1 or V2 can give you. To simply put:

KW V2 Features:
This system is intended for the experienced driver who requires to not only determine the individual lowering of their vehicle, but adjust the damper setting to fine tune the system to their needs. The adjustable rebound damper allows adjustment of the pitch and roll behavior of the vehicle, adapting it to one‘s own driving preferences.

- Damping technology with individually adjustable rebound
- inox-line stainless steel technology at no additional charge
- Individually height adjustable
- German TUEV-tested adjustment parameters
- High-quality components for long life
- Comprehensive documentation for ease of use
- Infinitely adjustable rebound damping

KW V3 Features additional to the V2 [in red]:
The new Variant 3 is state-of-the-art technology for the skilled and experienced driver. The separate and independent compression and rebound damping options allow a truly individual driving set-up. These unique systems with the 3 individually adjustable components, allows for adjustment of the compression of the damper in the low-speed range, while the high speed set-up, so decisive for driving comfort, has been preset by our engineers

- Independently adjustable damping technology -rebound and compression damping
- inox-line stainless steel technology at no extra charge
- Individual height adjustment
- German TUEV-tested adjustment parameters
- High-quality components for long life
- Comprehensive documentation for ease of use
- Infinitely adjustable rebound damping
- 14- level adjustable compression damping
- Unique, independently functioning damping power adjustment


In short, I recommend you the V2, with these you will be able to control the damp / rebound, without having to lower your car.

[PaulBailey@ltbmw]

KW V3 are almost as good as it gets.
Cost effective for you though. . . Not so much.
You do not need all the KW V3 has to offer.
I would suggest going with the Koni Yellow shocks and H&R Sport Springs.
It's really all that most need.
Unless you're tracking your car and plan to use your fully adjustable coilovers to their fullest, go with springs and shocks.

[mike-y]

well, I thought you didn't want to drop the car, that's why I recommended shocks only (as a cost effective solution). the konis will still stiffen up the ride, as they are valved more aggressively than stock shocks, and will control roll a lot better than stock shocks (it will feel a lot different).

but if you want custom lowering, coilovers will give you that, but at a higher price point.

btw, when are you comin' out to L.A.?

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by mike-y

well, I thought you didn't want to drop the car, that's why I recommended shocks only (as a cost effective solution). the konis will still stiffen up the ride, as they are valved more aggressively than stock shocks, and will control roll a lot better than stock shocks (it will feel a lot different).

but if you want custom lowering, coilovers will give you that, but at a higher price point.

btw, when are you comin' out to L.A.?

Dampers actually controls how fast weight is transferred. If you are referring to body roll, it is controled by springs and anti roll bars.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Dampers actually controls how fast weight is transferred. If you are referring to body roll, it is controled by springs and anti roll bars.

you are kind of splitting hairs here. springs and anti roll bars will control how much overall body roll happens. dampers help control how fast it happens. Shocks still control body roll, just a different aspect of it. You can call it weight transfer, but spring rate differentials also control how weight is transferred during body motions. And stiffer springs transfer weight faster than softer springs.

Many of the SCCA classes do not allow you to change from the stock springs. but they do allow damper changes, which can make a pretty big difference all on their own, as valving can affect the dynamics of how the spring works.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by mike-y

you are kind of splitting hairs here. springs and anti roll bars will control how much overall body roll happens. dampers help control how fast it happens. Shocks still control body roll, just a different aspect of it. You can call it weight transfer, but spring rate differentials also control how weight is transferred during body motions. And stiffer springs transfer weight faster than softer springs.

Many of the SCCA classes do not allow you to change from the stock springs. but they do allow damper changes, which can make a pretty big difference all on their own, as valving can affect the dynamics of how the spring works.

Well, I guess we can put it this way, the dampers control the body roll indirectly by controling how fast the springs moves.

I didn't see anywhere SCCA class rules were talked about here in this thread?

[PKumarM3]

Like others have said, get a shock and spring upgrade

The problem that I have with mixing and matching components is that aftermarket shocks are designed for stock springs that are NEW and not worn. Replacing one component after a while and the other corresponding components are interacting is asking for trouble.

For your needs, no reason in the KW V2 or V3. Get the V1. Get a MILD drop (nothing more than 1.5 inches). The shock and spring combination of the coilover will be wonderful.

Also buy new as the warranty of KW's is not transferrable between owners.

[mike-y]

Originally Posted by HP Autowerks

Well, I guess we can put it this way, the dampers control the body roll indirectly by controling how fast the springs moves.

I didn't see anywhere SCCA class rules were talked about here in this thread?

I was just using the SCCA rules as an example that significant improvements can be made by only changing shocks. The OP said that his car had a "floaty" feeling, which is directly related to how well the dampers are controlling the spring movement. The most "cost-effective" solution, would be to change dampers. If he has extra money to play with, then an adjustable coilover option would also be very effective.

either way, I'm sure you could help him out with whatever he chooses.

[stressdoc]

Might want to consider the BMW Performance kit.

[HP Autosport]

Originally Posted by mike-y

I was just using the SCCA rules as an example that significant improvements can be made by only changing shocks. The OP said that his car had a "floaty" feeling, which is directly related to how well the dampers are controlling the spring movement. The most "cost-effective" solution, would be to change dampers. If he has extra money to play with, then an adjustable coilover option would also be very effective.

either way, I'm sure you could help him out with whatever he chooses.

Yes, I do agree the dampers will be the best bang for his buck for controlling oscillation of springs.

If Koni's were to be used, there is sale on them right now!