AutoX coil-overs what should i get?
 

I am torn between coil-overs. i cant decide AST or KW.

I have friends that will never buy KW ever again because they didnt like how they did (they were on a 05 WRX).

on the other hand Sam Strano was a very strong supporter of AST stuff but now will have nothing to do with them.

ME not using either brands before i have no experience to compare.

So curious what you guys thing

AST or KW

I've had both. Currently have AST coilovers on my Miata, and AST shocks on my Mustang, in the past I've had KW coilovers on an ACR Neon that I autocrossed. Not having been on either on a BRZ/FRS, if I were to spend my own money (and I may be in a year or two), I'd probably go with the AST coilovers. AFAIK though, there is only one set in the country, and I haven't heard any firm dates on when the ASTs will be readily available. The KWs are available right now, and a lot of places have them.

That's a REALLY vague statement, did they explain in more detail why they didn't like them? Was it a mechanical issue? Were they not happy with the performance?

My only real frame of reference comes from autocross, but I can assure you that one of the fastest, best-handling cars I've driven was on plain, off-the-shelf KW V3s. Once you get them dialed in right, they are dumb easy to go fast on, and are really compliant on the street. Not too expensive, either. They aren't a full-on race shock like Moton or JRZ, but they are certainly more than enough for 90% of people.

My experience with AST has been mixed. I owned a set of remote-res 5200s for an Evo, and while they were fine when I had them, the person I sold them to had to replace a front strut and both rear canisters inside of 7000 miles. The performance was good, but honestly no better than what can be had out of V3s.

I hate the stock spring rates the KWs ship with. Always seem to soft for me on track. Especially on my s2000. They were great until I started getting faster. The adjustments don't mean anything unless you are actually going to adjust them.

That being said, I'll be getting some AST 4150s for my FR-S.

You know, every championship I've won has been on shocks that many consider to be "nothing fancy". I've tried others, including AST's and you know what? I'm back to Koni's on the Corvette, and have KW's on my FR-S.

Also in all the years I ran and won ESP (where spring changes can be done), I always ran softer setups than anyone else... and I won. I don't believe the KW rates are radically too soft, though I do stiffen the front and soften the rear a touch both.

The KW's on my car are the first set I've owned personally. I've been thrilled with them. I've also had to swap busted AST's on my 2011 Mustang @ the ProFinale for my Koni's and that was after they went back to AST 2 other times for other issues. So yeah, that's one reason I won't have anything to do with them.

Now, this is the sucky part because it never come off well, but in the end the proof is in the pudding. Two of the responses here are from National Champions. Both very much like the KW's, and both have had big money shocks on other cars.

Please understand that my reason for saying this is very simple. There can be lots of arguing about what in theory is better and all that. But in the end, the idea is what works, right???? How do you prove what works? :)