Bilstein B8 vs Bilstein Coilovers vs KW V3
Aug 13, 2017, 09:20 PM
#1
Bilstein B8 vs Bilstein Coilovers vs KW V3
So I'm trying to decide on a suspension set up.
My original plan was to go Bilstein B8 with Swift Spec R springs.
Then I found these: https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...3&autoModClar=
I also have a friend who had a set of KW V3s included with a car he bought. They need springs and not knowing the condition they would need a rebuild/revalve.
That being said, I will end up with about 12-1300 in either which way I go.
I like the idea of having adjustable ride height, but I do not want to sacrifice ride quality to achieve it.
What's everyone's thoughts and opinions on the above 3 setups?
No need to tell me to get Ohlins etc. but the service life on the Ohlins is **** and I'd like to get the car together and put many miles on it without having to tear back down for a suspension rebuild.
My original plan was to go Bilstein B8 with Swift Spec R springs.
Then I found these: https://www.tirerack.com/suspension/...3&autoModClar=
I also have a friend who had a set of KW V3s included with a car he bought. They need springs and not knowing the condition they would need a rebuild/revalve.
That being said, I will end up with about 12-1300 in either which way I go.
I like the idea of having adjustable ride height, but I do not want to sacrifice ride quality to achieve it.
What's everyone's thoughts and opinions on the above 3 setups?
No need to tell me to get Ohlins etc. but the service life on the Ohlins is **** and I'd like to get the car together and put many miles on it without having to tear back down for a suspension rebuild.
Aug 14, 2017, 10:58 AM
#3
My vote would be for bilstein b8's with gt worx springs. Unless you really want the ride height adjustability. This setup handles wonderfully and rides very nice. I've always wanted coilovers but am always hesitant to pull the trigger as I do live in the northeast and drive in winter and don't want to deal with seizing and corroding parts.
Aug 14, 2017, 11:31 AM
#4
My vote would be for bilstein b8's with gt worx springs. Unless you really want the ride height adjustability. This setup handles wonderfully and rides very nice. I've always wanted coilovers but am always hesitant to pull the trigger as I do live in the northeast and drive in winter and don't want to deal with seizing and corroding parts.
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Damian 26 (Feb 13, 2020)
Aug 16, 2017, 04:16 PM
#5
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I just bought a set of Bilstein B8s and Swift Spec-Rs for just about $1000 last month. Got the Bilsteins from AJ-USA and the Swifts from Kamispeed. Both sites were running specials at the time, so I guess timing was right. They're getting installed this Friday to replace the stock KYBs and Teins from a previous owner. I'll take before and after pictures; car will probably be raised about 0.4" but the ride will likely improve ten-folds.
Aug 16, 2017, 05:13 PM
#6
You should consider a set of Bilstein B6 HD's with some GTworx springs. Great setup for the street.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-L...VYsWBt&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-L...VYsWBt&vxp=mtr
Aug 16, 2017, 05:52 PM
#7
I just bought a set of Bilstein B8s and Swift Spec-Rs for just about $1000 last month. Got the Bilsteins from AJ-USA and the Swifts from Kamispeed. Both sites were running specials at the time, so I guess timing was right. They're getting installed this Friday to replace the stock KYBs and Teins from a previous owner. I'll take before and after pictures; car will probably be raised about 0.4" but the ride will likely improve ten-folds.
You should consider a set of Bilstein B6 HD's with some GTworx springs. Great setup for the street.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-L...VYsWBt&vxp=mtr
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Mitsubishi-L...VYsWBt&vxp=mtr
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Aug 16, 2017, 06:52 PM
#8
My experience with KW V3s:
They are considered one of their "street coilovers". As such, KW does offer rebuilds but not revalving. Places that do Rebuilds are somewhat easy to find, but RobiSpec was the last I heard doing revalving. This was a couple years ago and I can't say he still does them. If you have someone then that's awesome. Why would KW build a double-adjustable shock and not offer more support for them? No clue.
I think they are overkill for a street coilover and sub-standard for performance. Build quality is awesome, though.
Just my opinion, though. Lots of people seem to like them.
They are considered one of their "street coilovers". As such, KW does offer rebuilds but not revalving. Places that do Rebuilds are somewhat easy to find, but RobiSpec was the last I heard doing revalving. This was a couple years ago and I can't say he still does them. If you have someone then that's awesome. Why would KW build a double-adjustable shock and not offer more support for them? No clue.
I think they are overkill for a street coilover and sub-standard for performance. Build quality is awesome, though.
Just my opinion, though. Lots of people seem to like them.
Aug 16, 2017, 08:02 PM
#9
My experience with KW V3s:
They are considered one of their "street coilovers". As such, KW does offer rebuilds but not revalving. Places that do Rebuilds are somewhat easy to find, but RobiSpec was the last I heard doing revalving. This was a couple years ago and I can't say he still does them. If you have someone then that's awesome. Why would KW build a double-adjustable shock and not offer more support for them? No clue.
I think they are overkill for a street coilover and sub-standard for performance. Build quality is awesome, though.
Just my opinion, though. Lots of people seem to like them.
They are considered one of their "street coilovers". As such, KW does offer rebuilds but not revalving. Places that do Rebuilds are somewhat easy to find, but RobiSpec was the last I heard doing revalving. This was a couple years ago and I can't say he still does them. If you have someone then that's awesome. Why would KW build a double-adjustable shock and not offer more support for them? No clue.
I think they are overkill for a street coilover and sub-standard for performance. Build quality is awesome, though.
Just my opinion, though. Lots of people seem to like them.
Well KW claims that unless there is a substantial jump in spring rates, they won't need revalved. But since I don't know the actual condition I would want to at least do a rebuild.
Aug 16, 2017, 09:14 PM
#10
I'm not very good at dialing in coilovers, so I'm sure my single adjustables work better than I could have tuned the 2-ways.
If you aren't worried about specific spring rates, then it's no biggie.
Aug 16, 2017, 09:46 PM
#11
you're good on the rebuild then. Mine came with 8k front and 6k rear. I needed 8k front and 10k rear. They told me the rear couldn't support that spring rate, so I had to sell them.
I'm not very good at dialing in coilovers, so I'm sure my single adjustables work better than I could have tuned the 2-ways.
If you aren't worried about specific spring rates, then it's no biggie.
I'm not very good at dialing in coilovers, so I'm sure my single adjustables work better than I could have tuned the 2-ways.
If you aren't worried about specific spring rates, then it's no biggie.
Plus instead of having downtime taking a Coilovers off to be rebuilt I can just order a new strut, which seems like the less headache way to go.
Aug 18, 2017, 10:30 AM
#13
I had GTWorx on OEM Bilsteins. Ride was definitely more harsh than stock MR suspension but reasonably tolerable. I don't know if the B8 or B6 would ride any better. What I can say though is that Ohlins R&T are an amazing DD coilover. 8K front and rear with damping set to the light side definitely ride better than OEM Bilsteins + GTWorx. Of course its more money than what you want to spend, but IMHO, its well worth the difference in cost to get a system that both handles and rides better than any setup utilizing drop-springs.
Aug 22, 2017, 11:56 AM
#14
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As promised! It'll settle a bit, so the wheel gap will close a little more. Before the install, it had stock KYBs and Tein springs; needless to say, the shocks were in bad shape and those springs didn't help.
On incline at the shop: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByO...pIdUZYLVA4R0U/
On a more leveled surface: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By...mxvMVdvLXdRdnM
On incline at the shop: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByO...pIdUZYLVA4R0U/
On a more leveled surface: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By...mxvMVdvLXdRdnM
Last edited by Ens; Aug 22, 2017 at 12:01 PM.
Oct 21, 2018, 11:39 AM
#15
As promised! It'll settle a bit, so the wheel gap will close a little more. Before the install, it had stock KYBs and Tein springs; needless to say, the shocks were in bad shape and those springs didn't help.
On incline at the shop: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByO...pIdUZYLVA4R0U/
On a more leveled surface: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By...mxvMVdvLXdRdnM
On incline at the shop: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0ByO...pIdUZYLVA4R0U/
On a more leveled surface: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0By...mxvMVdvLXdRdnM
