Help me decide: KW V3 vs KW V3 Clubsport
 

Hello, here I am with another indecision since the last post I created about suspensions.
Since I want to order the coilovers next month the deadline to make a decision is approaching, last post I was settled on the V3cs but I obtained new information that may shift the decision.


So, the new information I have:

KW V3: Front 4K-200mm spring / Rear: 5K-200mm spring

KW V3 Clubsport: Front: 6K-170mm spring /Rear: 7K -170mm spring


Both coilovers also feature a helper spring and valving to match.
Both can be revalved and rebuilt according to KW Europe
The clubsport top mounts can be bought and installed into the standard V3.


This means that the total cost of the setup (incl. shipping) will be:
V3 + CS Mounts = 2776 €
V3CS = 3492€

A total difference of 716€


Now, facts about the planned build route:
- Coilovers will be professionally installed with corner balancing and alignment.
- The car will be, eventually, on 18" with 235 Eagle F1.
- Although I still haven't made my mind yet, I am considering also installing them alongside with SPL RLCA.



My use case:
-Car is daily driver (Location Europe: lot of cobblestone roads in sh*t condition)
-Car sees the track infrequently (1-4 times a year)

-Car sees a lot (weekly, sometimes multiple times a week) spirited canyon runs and backroad fun.

My goals are (sorted by priority)
1- Improve handling and overall car behavior both on track and on my canyon runs (I understand that this is heavily tune dependent).
2- Retain or improve ride quality and comfort (I don't want to drive an S class, but I also don't want to feel like the car is about to fall apart every time I ride on cobblestone road)
3- Achieve a 0.78" - 1" drop for looks (20mm to 25mm)



Based on these, I am asking the internet to decide how I will spend my money :thumbup:.

Neither. RCE Yellows and B6s.
Unless drop is actually #1 on that list then the non clubsports.

If it helps you, I have KW Clubsport with 7kg / 8kg custom springs, for the city I wish it was a little softer, but it is not a very hard suspension, and on the track it works very well.

Nor do I think you are wrong with a normal V3.

Your drop means you'll want the CS spring rates to not bottom out.

Achieving those three goals simultaneously is awfully difficult. Keep your expectations low in that regard.

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Hello, I am locked on the KW because they feature the required certification for the car to be road legal here.

I see that you are based in Spain,we are neighbors by a few hundred KMs.
How does the suspension handle in cobblestone roads?

I am an idiot and somehow managed to screw the conversion from mm to inches. What I actually want is to lower it 20mm to 25mm or 0.787 inches to 0.984 inches. Does that change anything in your answer?

Don't break my heart like that :brokenheart:

KW V3 with 5k/6k rates and OEM top mounts would be my recommendation. Or just the front camber plates if you want more than -2.2 degrees camber in front.

I'm on a similar set up right now with KW based coilovers and it's very good. I live in Baltimore city and the next street over from me is cobblestone. The roads are really bad here too. This set up is the right balance for me and how I use my car right now. About 20mm lower and comfort is important to me.

- Andrew

In Paris I had to stop and adjust the suspension because it was terrible😅

Yes

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V3 with slightly higher spring rates.

Thanks for the answers guys! What exactly is the point of retaining OEM top mounts? Reliability? Noise? Wont it make the adjustment window more narrow?

Regarding the spring rate, so the plan is to order the KW V3 and swap the springs from the rear coil to the front and buy this for the rears:
https://i.imgur.com/TskuR5t.png


I believe this setup conforms to the setup you guys suggested.

OEM top mounts just improve comfort and will be quiet. The KW camber plates are pretty good in that regard, but nothing will be as good as OEM.

You could also use the Pedders top mounts that are like OEM but add camber and caster.

Yes 60-200 will work great.
Edit: 60-170 is better.

- Andrew

Based on your stated use case, it is for comfort.

Hey man, did you end up mounting that setup? Can you share your impressions? I think about doing the same, or even going 5/7 or 6/7, with the KW v3.

@Racecomp Engineering if you don't mind my question :D what length of springs should I choose? You recommend 60-200, but I saw that KW CS have originally 170 instead of 200.
The oem top mounts vs KW CS top mounts would make any difference in the length decision?

PS - I would love to go for RCE suspensions, but Im in EU and we have huge overprice due to importing and taxes