Need Help Justifying Coilovers

kyleb350 · 06-26-2009, 12:03 PM

I was planning to get the Eibach Pro Kit / Koni FSD combo and have been asking around what are good setups. A lot of people also tell me I should get coilovers with adjustable dampners. So, I looked into the KW V2, which is about $700 more.

Is it really worth it? I am looking for maybe a 1-2" drop (a tad more in the front than rear) along with having a more responsive feel for the road. I plan to attend one, maybe 2 track events per year after all is said and done. I would prefer not to have to adjust anything, unless the effort would make a big difference. This is my DD year round.

Vudoo4u2 · 06-26-2009, 12:31 PM

kyle..I went through the same questions for myself

ultimately, I couldnt justify the cost of the coils vs the eibach/pro-kit because the performance would be similar on a day to day basis, edge to the eibach/pro-kit on the daily commute b/c of its twin tube design for a bit more comfort when not being pushed...and edge to the coils on those two track days for firmness.

but what preference you have....thats all you brotha

kyleb350 · 06-26-2009, 01:30 PM

Yep. I think I am just going to do that. I was just looking to see if anyone had any compelling argument for the coilovers. My preference, though, is still the former.

SV Concepts III · 06-26-2009, 01:53 PM

If you are after a lower ride and better performance, there is no reason to do coils. The only times I recommend coils over a standard spring/shock combo is if the customer is adamant about adjustability or they track the car regularly and need the ability to dial in specific suspension settings. For most, a spring/shock combo is more than capable of offering the benefits of a coilover without the risk of configuring the suspension incorrectly.

You have to decide if you will really use the adjustability of the coilovers and if the premium is worth it. Some, like myself, prefer to have that ability but it's not entirely necessary IMO.

MuchMoore · 06-26-2009, 01:58 PM

The ride height adjustibility can prove invalueable. If you end up getting wheels later on and the offset is slightly too aggressive, just raise the car a bit. Or...if the offsets are "right", you can slam it if your taste changes. I had H&R Sports on my E46 and switched to coils, never looked back. Went coils within 6 months on the E90 and I couldnt be happier.

ModBargains.com · 06-26-2009, 02:54 PM

Well the obvious answer to the advantages of the coilovers are the ability to have matched lowering springs and shocks combined with added beneifit of adjustable ride height and spring rates.

What else can they do , well they'll typically reduce unsprung mass, suspension travel is often increased through the new arm. Plus the car can be corner balanced (weight is moved around on the car and height is adjusted until the cars cross weights are even).

With the V2 you mentioned - you'd also be able to adjust your rebound dampening, setting the shock to your liking.

iheartsole · 06-27-2009, 06:39 PM

i think its worth it you get to adjust the height/dampening to your driving needs.

Amir87 · 06-27-2009, 11:46 PM

I was in the same boat as you. H&R springs/Koni yellow were close 650-750 bucks. I decided to spend $100 more and get FK Highsport coilovers. They are only height adjustable, but that's all I wanted.

I'm 100% happy that I can adjust my ride hide according to the roads here. With springs your pretty much stuck at the height they drop it to.

Contact Supreme Power, I can bet that you will be surprised at how affordable FK coilovers are.

Vudoo4u2 · 06-28-2009, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amir87

I was in the same boat as you. H&R springs/Koni yellow were close 650-750 bucks. I decided to spend $100 more and get FK Highsport coilovers. They are only height adjustable, but that's all I wanted.

I'm 100% happy that I can adjust my ride hide according to the roads here. With springs your pretty much stuck at the height they drop it to.

Contact Supreme Power, I can bet that you will be surprised at how affordable FK coilovers are.

if he gets FK's...he has to get the stainless ones which are a bit more pricewise...chicago sucks in the winter

golfinz · 06-28-2009, 02:41 PM

Look at the FK lineup, they are significantly less than the KW. You can get a set of their dampening colivers, the silverline x, for about 1200 shipped

Craig@SupremePower · 06-28-2009, 03:09 PM

Coils are the way to go imo.. FK FTW!

06-26-2009, 12:03 PM	#1
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Need Help Justifying Coilovers I was planning to get the Eibach Pro Kit / Koni FSD combo and have been asking around what are good setups. A lot of people also tell me I should get coilovers with adjustable dampners. So, I looked into the KW V2, which is about $700 more. Is it really worth it? I am looking for maybe a 1-2" drop (a tad more in the front than rear) along with having a more responsive feel for the road. I plan to attend one, maybe 2 track events per year after all is said and done. I would prefer not to have to adjust anything, unless the effort would make a big difference. This is my DD year round.
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06-26-2009, 12:31 PM	#2
Vudoo4u2 Night Sh1ft 458 Rep 3,079 Posts Drives: F95 X5MC LCI Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: It's bobsled time iTrader: (3) Garage List 2024 BMW X5M Compet ... [0.00]	kyle..I went through the same questions for myself ultimately, I couldnt justify the cost of the coils vs the eibach/pro-kit because the performance would be similar on a day to day basis, edge to the eibach/pro-kit on the daily commute b/c of its twin tube design for a bit more comfort when not being pushed...and edge to the coils on those two track days for firmness. but what preference you have....thats all you brotha __________________ "Your first 10,000 photographs are your worst.” ― Henri Cartier-Bresson
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06-26-2009, 01:30 PM	#3
kyleb350 Brigadier General 424 Rep 4,709 Posts Drives: '21 X3MC Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Milwaukee iTrader: (6)	Yep. I think I am just going to do that. I was just looking to see if anyone had any compelling argument for the coilovers. My preference, though, is still the former.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2009, 01:53 PM	#4
SV Concepts III Lieutenant General 375 Rep 17,017 Posts Drives: BMW Duh Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Santa Clara iTrader: (13)	If you are after a lower ride and better performance, there is no reason to do coils. The only times I recommend coils over a standard spring/shock combo is if the customer is adamant about adjustability or they track the car regularly and need the ability to dial in specific suspension settings. For most, a spring/shock combo is more than capable of offering the benefits of a coilover without the risk of configuring the suspension incorrectly. You have to decide if you will really use the adjustability of the coilovers and if the premium is worth it. Some, like myself, prefer to have that ability but it's not entirely necessary IMO.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

06-26-2009, 01:58 PM	#5
MuchMoore Colonel 82 Rep 2,325 Posts Drives: 08 E90 335i Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: CenFla iTrader: (28)	The ride height adjustibility can prove invalueable. If you end up getting wheels later on and the offset is slightly too aggressive, just raise the car a bit. Or...if the offsets are "right", you can slam it if your taste changes. I had H&R Sports on my E46 and switched to coils, never looked back. Went coils within 6 months on the E90 and I couldnt be happier. __________________ \| Andrew \| M Technik \| BMW Performance \| BBS \| Forge \| V1 \| LUX \| Bilstein \| Precision-Sport \|
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06-26-2009, 02:54 PM	#6
ModBargains.com Banned 475 Rep 13,583 Posts Drives: JB E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (51)	Well the obvious answer to the advantages of the coilovers are the ability to have matched lowering springs and shocks combined with added beneifit of adjustable ride height and spring rates. What else can they do , well they'll typically reduce unsprung mass, suspension travel is often increased through the new arm. Plus the car can be corner balanced (weight is moved around on the car and height is adjusted until the cars cross weights are even). With the V2 you mentioned - you'd also be able to adjust your rebound dampening, setting the shock to your liking.
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06-27-2009, 06:39 PM	#7
iheartsole Brigadier General 85 Rep 4,929 Posts Drives: 08 335i coupe Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: San Diego iTrader: (2)	i think its worth it you get to adjust the height/dampening to your driving needs.
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06-27-2009, 11:46 PM	#8
Amir87 Gruppe Titan 262 Rep 2,839 Posts Drives: 08 E92 SG/Coral Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: NC iTrader: (37) Garage List 2008 E92 335i [10.00]	I was in the same boat as you. H&R springs/Koni yellow were close 650-750 bucks. I decided to spend $100 more and get FK Highsport coilovers. They are only height adjustable, but that's all I wanted. I'm 100% happy that I can adjust my ride hide according to the roads here. With springs your pretty much stuck at the height they drop it to. Contact Supreme Power, I can bet that you will be surprised at how affordable FK coilovers are. __________________
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06-28-2009, 02:41 PM	#10
golfinz Captain 235 Rep 759 Posts Drives: Tanzanite M3 Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: usa iTrader: (3)	Look at the FK lineup, they are significantly less than the KW. You can get a set of their dampening colivers, the silverline x, for about 1200 shipped
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06-28-2009, 03:09 PM	#11
Craig@SupremePower G.O.A.T.! 1001 Rep 74,998 Posts Drives: '18 GMC Yukon XL Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: New Jersey iTrader: (14)	Coils are the way to go imo.. FK FTW!
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