Tired of the 507's rough ride - KW V3s to soften, new C63, or just time to sell?
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Junior Member
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 66
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2013 Audi RS5
Tired of the 507's rough ride - KW V3s to soften, new C63, or just time to sell?
Man, I am having a hard time making up my mind here. Living in downtown Atlanta is not far from living in the third world in terms of road conditions. No exaggeration ,every major road has poorly installed, uneven patches every 6 feet or so, manhole covers set 2 inches below grade and a host of other problems. After 3 years of enduring it, I just cannot take the 507's rough ride any more.
Soooooo, I went and test drove a 2018 Macan GTS. Cool car, and a much more forgiving ride, but I'm not ready to step down so much in acceleration. Even with a chip tune it just doesn't do it for me.
Yesterday I drove a 2018 C63S sedan - great car, would love to own and drive one, but I'm not sure even it will be that much better in terms of ride compliance in comfort. I don't want to spend that kind of dough and wind up more or less in the same place.
Last option - attempt installing KW V3 coilovers to their softest setting on the 507. I have searched the forums and there are some passing mentions of improved compliance, but most of the focus seems to be on getting the right drop or getting higher performance for spirited or track driving. Can anyone speak to the level of comfort achievable with these coilovers?
What other cars should I be considering if the newer C63 or coilovers won't achieve the objective?
Soooooo, I went and test drove a 2018 Macan GTS. Cool car, and a much more forgiving ride, but I'm not ready to step down so much in acceleration. Even with a chip tune it just doesn't do it for me.
Yesterday I drove a 2018 C63S sedan - great car, would love to own and drive one, but I'm not sure even it will be that much better in terms of ride compliance in comfort. I don't want to spend that kind of dough and wind up more or less in the same place.
Last option - attempt installing KW V3 coilovers to their softest setting on the 507. I have searched the forums and there are some passing mentions of improved compliance, but most of the focus seems to be on getting the right drop or getting higher performance for spirited or track driving. Can anyone speak to the level of comfort achievable with these coilovers?
What other cars should I be considering if the newer C63 or coilovers won't achieve the objective?
Member
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 151
Likes: 20
C63
If you want compliance and acceleration, a used S63 might be your best bet, followed really closely by a well configured Tesla.
Unless you are talking McLaren, compliance means decreased handling. So you'll give up some handling.
Unless you are talking McLaren, compliance means decreased handling. So you'll give up some handling.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 2,276
Likes: 409
C63 AMG
Would definitely suggest trying the KW V3's. They are a big improvement over stock in terms of ride comfort. Even if you keep the car at stock height, you will quickly realize how much "lighter" the car feels. The ride is plusher than stock ( i have my V3 dampening set moderately (more towards street comfort). I am happy with them.
Member
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 205
Likes: 38
From: Seattle, WA
2010 C63 AMG, 2010 GLK350
I'm on the KW V3 with DDC. I daily the car in the soft setting and have to say it feels comfortable. I can't compare to the OEM ride as I bought the car with the coilovers already installed, but I can confidently say that I have never considered the ride being too stiff or uncomfortable.
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Member
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 211
Likes: 44
From: Hampshire, Great Britain
W204 C63 saloon
I have also installed the KW DDC kit.
Coming from stock suspension to H&R springs and then KW DDC, I can personally say that the KW DDC coilovers, essentially KW V3 with electronic damping
On the Comfort mode setting, the ride is very much softer compared to stock suspension.
Sport mode is similar to stock and Sport plus mode is mainly for track.
Coming from stock suspension to H&R springs and then KW DDC, I can personally say that the KW DDC coilovers, essentially KW V3 with electronic damping
On the Comfort mode setting, the ride is very much softer compared to stock suspension.
Sport mode is similar to stock and Sport plus mode is mainly for track.
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Joined: Sep 2014
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From: Worldwide
2007 Mercedes E63 AMG
Anything KW would ride awesome...anything KW double adjustable will be even better. I have Variant 3's on my Audi A4 Wagon and the thing rides like a dream. I have the rebound set higher than the dampening to assist with comfort and control.
this is how i've setup my shocks.
The effective adjustment range is from 0-3 turns / 0-18 clicks open.
OEM Recommended:
Front axle ___ Rebound: 1,00 turns / 6 clicks open (66% stiff) ____ Bump: 0,75 turns open (75% stiff)
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 2,00 turns / 12 clicks open (33% stiff) ___ Bump: 1,00 turns open (66% stiff)
my setting for comfort(haven't tried)
Front axle ___ Rebound: 1,25 turns (58.3% stiff) ____ Bump: 1,25 turns open (58.3% stiff) or 1,00 turns open
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 2,00 turns (33% stiff) ___ Bump: 0,75 turns open (75% stiff)
my setting
Front axle ___ Rebound: 0,75 turns (75% stiff) ____ Bump: 0,25 turns open (91.6% stiff)
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 1,50 turns (50% stiff) ___ Bump: 0,50 turns open (85% stiff)
this is how i've setup my shocks.
The effective adjustment range is from 0-3 turns / 0-18 clicks open.
OEM Recommended:
Front axle ___ Rebound: 1,00 turns / 6 clicks open (66% stiff) ____ Bump: 0,75 turns open (75% stiff)
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 2,00 turns / 12 clicks open (33% stiff) ___ Bump: 1,00 turns open (66% stiff)
my setting for comfort(haven't tried)
Front axle ___ Rebound: 1,25 turns (58.3% stiff) ____ Bump: 1,25 turns open (58.3% stiff) or 1,00 turns open
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 2,00 turns (33% stiff) ___ Bump: 0,75 turns open (75% stiff)
my setting
Front axle ___ Rebound: 0,75 turns (75% stiff) ____ Bump: 0,25 turns open (91.6% stiff)
Rear axle ____ Rebound: 1,50 turns (50% stiff) ___ Bump: 0,50 turns open (85% stiff)
Member
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 141
Likes: 37
2012 C63
Mine are
Front -----> Bottom = 8 clicks from full hard / Top = 10 clicks from full hard
Rear ------> Bottom = 8 clicks from full hard / Top 9 clicks from full hard
Is more comfortable than OEM and still, the handling feels sporty.
Front -----> Bottom = 8 clicks from full hard / Top = 10 clicks from full hard
Rear ------> Bottom = 8 clicks from full hard / Top 9 clicks from full hard
Is more comfortable than OEM and still, the handling feels sporty.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 1,218
Likes: 315
From: Pearland, Tx
2020 AMG GTC Coupe & 2018 Macan Turbo
I've installed KW V3's on a 2009 Shelby GT500 and a 2009 BMW 650i coupe. They're okay. On the Shelby they were great. On the BMW, they lacked. Reason is this: they are not 'variable' in the sense they adjust to the road conditions. You set the compression and rebound for a particular road surface. Only on that type of surface are they any good. You change the road conditions and they cannot adjust appropriately. It's a matter of ON or OFF with KW's. Kinda depends on where you live whether they'll work for you or not.
Personally, I'd stick with OEM. I drive a '13 C63 coupe (soon to be swapped for a 2020 C63S coupe) and a Porsche Macan Turbo. Both have variable suspensions. I can't imagine going 'backwards' for a set of coilovers.
Personally, I'd stick with OEM. I drive a '13 C63 coupe (soon to be swapped for a 2020 C63S coupe) and a Porsche Macan Turbo. Both have variable suspensions. I can't imagine going 'backwards' for a set of coilovers.
Member
Joined: Nov 2018
Posts: 115
Likes: 47
2012 C63 w204 sedan
Should be able to request custom spring rates and valving on a new coilover build to make your ride however you want.
I had fortune auto coilovers with 14kg/mm front and 10kg/mm rear on my BMW for a couple of years but I grew tired of it and had the valving changed and new springs at 7kg and 5kg
I had fortune auto coilovers with 14kg/mm front and 10kg/mm rear on my BMW for a couple of years but I grew tired of it and had the valving changed and new springs at 7kg and 5kg
Senior Member
Joined: Feb 2018
Posts: 339
Likes: 108
From: Virginia USA
2016 GTs, 2014 C63 AMG and 2014 C350 Sport (wife's car, she thinks it's an AMG - shhhhhh)
If acceleration is your thing and cornering not so much.... there are some nice offerings in the Dodge SVT family 
Those cars ride like hovercrafts over the road and will give you plenty of ya-ya's when you mash the gas.
Those cars ride like hovercrafts over the road and will give you plenty of ya-ya's when you mash the gas.
MBWorld Fanatic!
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 1,625
Likes: 299
From: Houston, TX
Built 2008 G55 & one big 80 Series LandCruiser !
I'd try the KW's - loved them on all of my Audi builds ( Rs6 etc..)
if you need a better ride still or want a change look at the 2012 + E63's..... longer wheelbase and adj. suspension.... I also found on my car that tire choice did make a significant difference ... and running stockrims w/ 255/275's gave more sidewall and a nicer ride....
cheers
E
if you need a better ride still or want a change look at the 2012 + E63's..... longer wheelbase and adj. suspension.... I also found on my car that tire choice did make a significant difference ... and running stockrims w/ 255/275's gave more sidewall and a nicer ride....
cheers
E
