Would you go kw v3 or bilstein b16??

 

Personally, I'd go with the B16 because of PASM integration.

Can't beat that for a street car IMO. If it was a track car and you wanted the same adjustability as V3's, I'd go Ohlins.

 

Neither. KW Clubsport.

 

For a street car, I am totally thrilled with my GMG springs with Bilstein B8 sport damptronic struts/shocks. They ride well, work with PASM, give better control and look great.

 

well I already ordered the KW I wish they did not put the misleading pasm compatible on the kw v3 i gotta find a way to get refund and get the bilstein... I have a cab and I will probably track it once or twice I am a street racer anyway thats where I like driving with lts of variables and a bit of thrill

 

You should as indeed this is false, misleading marketing info. I am sure if they do not, this would be good case for the BBB.
https://www.bbb.org/consumer-complai...nt/get-started

 

TechARTs are working well for me. I think they are a variant of the Bilstein B16s.

 

yes they are... does it have two modes can you adjust them? could you please give me a more in depth review of the techarts thanx...

is it better than stock btw? and by how much...

 

Yup. Works like the Bilsteins. Two modes via the suspension button on the console in your car.

Definitely way better than stock. Soft setting is a little stiffer than stock hard setting. Hard setting is definitely better for more aggressive driving. Rode in my friend's car with the KW V3s. The KWs definitely feel more mechanical.

How much better? I'd say huge improvement. Stock suspension, in my opinion, sucks. Good for commuting. Comfortable. But if you even wanna go a little faster in corners, the car moves way too much. There is even way too much squatting when you floor the pedal. That being said, my car has upgraded sways, LCAs, droplinks, rear links and toe links and it handles completely differently from stock. Harsher for sure and more road noise, but tolerable, and in my opinion, necessary handling for a sports car.

Definitely not a good review compared with the other guys on this forum, but I hope this helps.

 

Would you mind being more detailed in comparing the KW to the Bilstein?

Here is the actual situation... I purchased the KW V3 thru CEC MIAMI, my car is there in the shop waiting for my decision on whether to install it or not.

I recently found out that KW was misleading in the marketing of their product by having a PASM compatible and non-PASM compatible. Nevertheless the pasm compatible is a delete where as the lesser version non-PASM gives faulty codes... fkin garbage and very misleading.

Unfortunately for me, CEC is telling me KW will take it back but charge me a 15% restock fee... CEC will not take the it although I specifically asked them if it was going to be fully compatible with PASM, they are telling me sorry bro we did not know... go figure

In the midst of all this, GMP performance posted a thread promoting the sale of the fully compatible bilstein for 35% off retail price. On top of being much cheaper than the KW which I paid 3800$ they are fully compatible.

I have a 2010 pdk turbo cab , I street race and will probably never track it because I dont have time and because that's not why I bought it for.

Furthermore, CEC is telling me that the KW has more adjustability and that the bilstein will be stuck between only two modes and they told me "what if you dont like those two modes... than what?"

I need help here guys making a decision , what should I do...?

 

Alexo, given you are not tracking the car I would go Bilstein. BUT, have confidence that which ever way you go you'll be happy. They are both great systems, you can't go wrong either way. Less hassle will be just putting on the KW, but on the fly flexibility is the B.

Few thoughts and opinions:
- Since you're not tracking the car, having the flexibility to push a button in your car and change the suspension feel will be great to have (B).
- The adjustability of the KW is when you're setting up the suspension and is not likely something you would do for each individual drive. It's more of a one time "dial it in" setup and keep it there. I don't know how hard it is to change the suspension setting of the KW (people much smarter than me should chime in), but it's definitely a mechanical change to your setup manually rather than electronically controlled (but only 2 settings of soft and firm) like in the B.
- I have a modified version of the Bilstein (made by TPC) and the roads I drive on fluctuate between choppy and smooth, so I always find myself changing between soft and firm settings on the fly. But given that, the soft and firm settings are not night and day different, to me it feels like a small tweak in firming the car up between those settings.
- you have a great car and both choices are top of their game, and will improve the ride (and look) of your turbo. Best of luck with the final decision.

 

CEC is willing to adjust it forever whenever I want.

Thats my problem Depending on which highway or street I must switch between smooth or stiff ... If im racing around town I keep it tight on the highway I like to have it soft. I am just worried the one size fits all wont accomodate me depending on the roads.

Anyone with the KW wanna pitch in? is it smooth enough to cruise around with a girl?

because with the stock suspension on sport mode its horrible its so bumpy ... I really hope the KW isnt like that at all times.

 

Hi alexo. I'm in the same delima like u. Driving a turbo S coupe. I use it for spirited B roads drives on weekends & probably track it 2x a year.
Stock suspension doesn't feel good at all. With pasm turned on, the suspension just feels harder & less comfortable but doesn't seems to improve the cornering handling ability. It's also very unstable at highspeed.
I've been thinking about bilstein since it's compatible with pasm. However, I'm currently in Germany. I visited the kw factory in fitchenberg. I'm now truly convinced that v3 is perfect for daily street use. I was also thinking of getting the 3way clubsports but wAs advise against unless I do alot of tracking & use semi slicks such as pilot sports cup.
The ppl at kws advise me to use the default setting from facotry ... Just adjust the bump/compression for Performance & rebound setting for comfort level.
I will install my v3 after I'm back from my holidays in germany. Will give some feedback
But others, pls share if u have any personal hands on experience
Thank you

 

Personally, I like the flexibility of the Bilsteins/TechARTs for my family. With all my mods, my wife does complain the car is too harsh and the softer suspension setting does help diminish the complains.

Minus the wife, the PASM button does come in handy once in a while, but I really don't think I will miss it if I had the KWs as I always drive with it on hard when I'm alone.

If I had to try to describe a difference, I felt the KWs were more "mechanical" (and "raw"), meaning you can really "feel" the suspension move. The TechARTs seem to feel less this way. More "refined". Again, both good. Just a different feeling. I am always curious to feel KWs properly set up for my car.

It really is a tough decision. If I had to do it all over again, I'd have a tough time deciding. But, the good news is I don't believe you can go wrong with either.

Questions I would ask myself if I had to decide:
(1) Am I capable of setting up a suspension, meaning explain clearly what I want? And, do I wish to spend time setting up the suspension correctly? Yes - KW. No - Bilstein (basically plug and play).
(2) Would I need the PASM button for my passenger? I doubt you will miss it if it were just yourself.
(3) What kinda feel do I want? Raw / Mechanical - KW. Refined - Bilsteins.

From what I read, sounds like you'd "prefer" the Bilsteins.

 

Yes. Definitely.

Totally. Running the stock suspension is truly "wasting" the car.

Definitely no problem. Stock you feel "seasick". KW / Bilsteins, you lose this and gain a little stiffness. I like the tradeoff. More importantly, you'll love your car with KW / Bilsteins when you get on twisties.