KW V3 Coilovers Released for FR-S / BRZ

[oneday]

Originally Posted by DRACHENV6

though I dont know anything about suspension, my first impression is that they're quick to release a product. I sure hope that R&D went into these and that there are proven benefits to justify the price.

No cookie-cutter aftermarket parts for please.

KW had very early access to the car and they did the design and product development on the coilovers that are on the Greddy car that was making the rounds six months ago. They didn't just slap a kit together and call it done. That is also why the V3s are the first to the market--they had been working on them for a long time...they'll come out with V1/V2 applications once they get the tuning down.

[Racecomp Engineering]

We'll be taking an in-depth and hands on look at these soon.

- Andrew

[blu_]

Originally Posted by oneday

I put coilovers on a Miata that cost 115% what I spent on the entire car.
I just bought coilovers for an M3 that cost 25% of what I bought the car for.

Shrug.

If you just want a set of coilovers to slam your car and get get hellaflush, buy hellacheap garbage...if you want suspension that actually delivers performance and reliability you have to pay for it.

Basically this. Anything that msrp's much under 2k isn't something I would consider. Unlike some people in this thread I think ast and kw offer good quality products in the 2k price range. But obviously if you spend more you get what you pay for. Cheap 1k coilovers might feel sportier but that's just because of the jacked up spring rates.

[RYU]

No offense gents but the you-get-what-you-for argument doesn't always apply. If a company is able to manage operations better they can reduce costs and provide a better, cheaper product, at a high quality. There are a lot of companies that are heavy and fat.

Take a look at the BRZ/FRS for example. Most are comparing this car to have the performance levels of more expensive sports cars. Are you really getting what you're paying for or are you getting more? What about a Jaguar? Do you really get what you pay for if you buy one of their cars?

All i'm saying is.. do your due diligence. If KW or (Insert next best brand here) suits your needs then great. You're willing to pay the price for what you consider to be a better product. It doesn't mean there are other cheaper offerings that cannot fulfill or sometimes exceeds your requirements. Sometimes you get more than what you pay for.

I'm going to unsubscribe now before everyone hates me more than they already do

[blu_]

Well the coils you sighted as being cheap alternatives are total crap IMO :P

[RiskyTrousers]

Does anyone have experience with the KW Clubsport kit? Seems to be more track oriented than the VX lineup, a little pricier too, around $2500.

I might wait for these, any word if they're developing a set for the FR-S/BRZ?

[fatoni]

Originally Posted by blu_

Basically this. Anything that msrp's much under 2k isn't something I would consider. Unlike some people in this thread I think ast and kw offer good quality products in the 2k price range. But obviously if you spend more you get what you pay for. Cheap 1k coilovers might feel sportier but that's just because of the jacked up spring rates.

i think it is worth noting that there is some cost difference from expensive to cheap cars as far as the aftermarket is concerned. while it might not be proportional to the cost of the cars i think it is important that companies are not out to make a good product. they are out to make a profit. a good product is a great tool to make profit but it isnt the point

[Racecomp Engineering]

Originally Posted by RiskyTrousers

Does anyone have experience with the KW Clubsport kit? Seems to be more track oriented than the VX lineup, a little pricier too, around $2500.

I might wait for these, any word if they're developing a set for the FR-S/BRZ?

They're indeed a little more track oriented with a small tradeoff in ride quality. Regular V3's are often valved and sprung a little more conservatively in the rear for a little more safe understeer and better ride. We used clubsports as the basis of our RCE Tarmac 2 coilovers for 2008+ Impreza STI.

Myles in the office has run them and just about every iteration of KW's on his personal cars. We've also run the Competition 2 ways and some other neat stuff you don't see everyday from them.

- Andrew

[blu_]

Originally Posted by fatoni

i think it is worth noting that there is some cost difference from expensive to cheap cars as far as the aftermarket is concerned. while it might not be proportional to the cost of the cars i think it is important that companies are not out to make a good product. they are out to make a profit. a good product is a great tool to make profit but it isnt the point

We can debate the subtleties, but my main point was that $1k coilovers have very little R&D, have universally shared parts that dramatically comprimise their performance (hence the crappy travel of all of them), and from what I have heard have poor quality control. Also, as far as businesses being out there to make money, for vendors the profit margin on cheap coils is a lot more than the more expensive ones. This is one reason vendors stock and push them. From that standpoint I think there is an argument to be made that there is more disinformation out there about their performance being acceptable.

[RYU]

Originally Posted by blu_

Well the coils you sighted as being cheap alternatives are total crap IMO :P

Originally Posted by blu_

We can debate the subtleties, but my main point was that $1k coilovers have very little R&D, have universally shared parts that dramatically comprimise their performance (hence the crappy travel of all of them), and from what I have heard have poor quality control. Also, as far as businesses being out there to make money, the profit margin on cheap coils is a lot more than the more expensive ones. This is one reason vendors stock and push them. From that standpoint I think there is an argument to be made that there is more disinformation out there about their performance being acceptable.

You are certainly entitled to your opinion.

[blu_]

The 2nd quote doesn't really have much in teh way of opinions.

[RYU]

Originally Posted by blu_

The 2nd quote doesn't really have much in teh way of opinions.

Well, we could go on for days so i'll respectfully bow out of this conversation.

Good luck!

[blu_]

Gotta love forum wars

Until we meet again...

[RYU]

Who said anything about a war... I've been on forums far too long my friend.

The mods should delete all of these for being

Sorry everyone.