New KW kit for the 135i

[MVF4Rrider]

I wrote KW today here in Germany to see if they have coilover kits (V2 and V3) yet for the 135i. They responded:

"We developed a new kit for the BMW 1series E82 Coupe. The kit will be available from the middle of March."

I wrote back and asked for prices so I'll report that at some point. My price is several hundreds $$$ cheaper here in Germany than MSRP in the States.

Whereas they probably could have just used the E90 kit, KW always works the dampening individually per application based on the car's weight among other things. They really do their homework. That's why I'm sold on them. Plus the shock/strut bodies don't corrode--ever!!!

[new_one]

Thanks for the info. Balls. From what I have been reading KW has a nice setup for the BMW. Looking forward to more information for sure.

[E82tt6]

KW usually make a good kit.

[hellrotm]

Its either KW or Bilstein PSS9 for me.

[MVF4Rrider]

One thing you can be sure with KW is they really don't compromise. KW responded to me last night and said the new E82 suspension is different than the one for the E87, and that they'll have a part number assigned to it next week. Prices will be the same as the E87 kits (V2: 1289 Euros; V3: 1559 Euros--including 19% tax which I won't pay). Don't know the US MSRP prices as I'll buy them here. Differences in the two will be dampening rates for sure at a minimum. I also like KW's racing heritage. Lots of cars in Euro racing series use KW including the MINI Challenge, WTCC, and FIA GT. Ultimately, I love my KW V3s and wouldn't have anything else. Much more compliant (softer) over bumps and road irregularities than OEM and they make the car handle/corner amazingly (tight). OEM suspenison made my car wallow (L+R and up+dn) under hard braking and turn in. These shocks erased all that and are extremely confidence inspiring. Usually the lowering isn't as much as others, but I only dropped my car 25mm (range is 25~50mm for the TT). For the E82, most likely the drop range will be the same as the E87, which is 35~65mm. With KW installed, I'd drop the car the minimum again. 35mm is a lot for a road car in the real world where there are speed bumps, etc.

[atr_hugo]

Balls, couple of questions. Does KW use monotube gas dampers? And for the lazy among us, do you have a website for them?

[TP 135i]

Try this (didn't see anything for the 1 series in the US yet)
http://www.kw-suspension.com

[MVF4Rrider]

KW now has the E82 application on their German site. I checked, it's not on the US site yet (standard). Drop range in front is 30~55 and 25~55 in rear. Euro prices are 1029 for the V1, 1289 for the V2, and 1559 for the V3. I may just make this my first mod, and forget ARBs until afterwards (like I did for my TT). I may go with the V2 this time as the standard settings from factory are perfect, but still gives me some adjustibility for rebound if ever needed.

[MVF4Rrider]

...and Bilstein have 3 kits for the E82 135i: B14 PSS, B16 PSS9, and the B16 Ride Control. No prices on the German Bilstein website, buy product number for the PSS9 is GM5-B579. I'll have to compare prices for Bilstein vs. KW.

[Sciacallo]

Bilstein not have nobody kit for the one..www.Bilstein.com

[Sciacallo]

http://www.carparts-cat.com/webkat.a...2018007&ROOT=1
sorry on the German site i have see...price of request..

[redwood]

Originally Posted by atr_hugo

Balls, couple of questions. Does KW use monotube gas dampers? And for the lazy among us, do you have a website for them?

No, they are not monotubes, they are are twin tube shocks.

[Blade929]

I have PSS9's now on my E46 but I think I am going to go with KW's for the One.

[ktdw]

Does anyone have experience with the V1s? It seems that I mostly read about the V2 and V3.

I'm wondering that if the V1s are pretty much dialed in, do people really find the additional adjustibility in the V2 or V3 worth it?

[J-Sud]

from what i remember the V1's are dialed in...but dont quote me...

I have V3's on my GTI....amazing coilovers

[1ForAll]

I will be getting the V1's from Drew at Gravity Autosports. I can't wait to install these.

[Viral@ActiveAutowerke]

The KW systems have always been known to provide exceptional street and track handling. We've used them on all our cars in the past, even our older E36 cars. If anyone would like to discuss the technical aspects of the kits, shoot me a PM or call me here at extension 225 and I'll be happy to help you.

- Kirk.

[MVF4Rrider]

Originally Posted by Balls

...and Bilstein have 3 kits for the E82 135i: B14 PSS, B16 PSS9, and the B16 Ride Control. No prices on the German Bilstein website, buy product number for the PSS9 is GM5-B579. I'll have to compare prices for Bilstein vs. KW.

Price here in Germany for the PSS9 is 1,338 Euros (includes tax). Considering I don't pay tax and the exchange rate, my price is about $1630. Not bad. If I wasn't such a KW fan, I'd probably get them. That prices falls very close to the KW V2 (which is lsightly less, and I'd much prefer to have). KW rules!

[adc]

Allright, so for coilover newbies, can someone please explain the main differences between the PSS9 and equivalent KW set?

Is there a rule of thumb as to the differences in these kits? Say "Bilsteins are generally softer", or "KWs are generally lighter" or something like that?

I mean, how do you choose one over the other, without ever having driven a car so equipped?

[spdrcr]

What is the difference between a mono-tube and twin-tube shock from a performance / longevity point of view?

[Fair]

Originally Posted by spdrcr

What is the difference between a mono-tube and twin-tube shock from a performance / longevity point of view?

This being a KW thread makes it tough to get into, being that their shocks are all twin tubes and I represent a company that makes only monotubes. We've got some tech on www.AST-USA.com, of course, and you can see more tech comparisons on websites by other monotube shock makers (Bilstein, Ohlins, Penkse, Moton and others). Also just google "monotube shocks" and/or wiki searches.

Can't post much more than that on my phone from the beach.

[Orb]

Originally Posted by Fair

This being a KW thread makes it tough to get into, being that their shocks are all twin tubes and I represent a company that makes only monotubes. We've got some tech on www.AST-USA.com, of course, and you can see more tech comparisons on websites by other monotube shock makers (Bilstein, Ohlins, Penkse, Moton and others). Also just google "monotube shocks" and/or wiki searches.

Can't post much more than that on my phone from the beach.

A Little off topic but how about some camber plates that work with the stock springs. Also, I love to see someone do camber plate so that you can adjust the height to offset heavy spring preload at higher ride hights with coil overs.

Orb