KW variant V1 coilovers
#1
Member
Thread Starter
KW variant V1 coilovers
Can anyone comment on this kit.. In terms of ride quality, handling and clearance issues.. I'm looking at purchasing this kit within the next couple weeks so just need to know on what others think.. I've got a 19x8.5 rim with +30 offset up front with a 235/35/19.. Just need to know how low can I go before I start rubbing ..
Thanks
Thanks
#4
Member
Thread Starter
Lol yes you probably have but I just want to make sure 100% and on this exact kit not the Bilstein or koni or V2... $245O is what it's gonna cost me total with labour .. We get absolutely raped dry here for pricing and it's not something that you can just return.. I just don't want to be dissapointed that wen I fit it I'm gonna run into issues such as rubbing and the hole clearance issue because spacers are not an option. Otherwise I'll be cursing for sure lol I was hoping to have it lowered 45mm at front and 45mm at rear
#5
Member
Thread Starter
Here it will cost me $500 more and I'm sure the installer will rape me with the fitting price as it's more time and work to fine tune.. The distributor recommended the v1 kit as I only use my car as a daily and it does not go on the track and I just want it a touch lower than what I already have. Plus my H&R springs with stock shocks combo is killing me at the moment
#6
MBWorld Fanatic!
Here it will cost me $500 more and I'm sure the installer will rape me with the fitting price as it's more time and work to fine tune.. The distributor recommended the v1 kit as I only use my car as a daily and it does not go on the track and I just want it a touch lower than what I already have. Plus my H&R springs with stock shocks combo is killing me at the moment
What is wrong with that?
#7
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: Witness Protection Program
Posts: 1,314
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes
on
2 Posts
06 CLK350 -SOLD! 2010 Cadillac SRX Premium Turbo
I have that H&R setup with the stock stuff and it is fine. I have probably put nearly 20k miles on it with no issues. Last week while having that strut nut tightened back down I posted on, I had the guy at the shop check each strut and shock. All checked out good in his professional opinion.
Trending Topics
#8
Member
Thread Starter
I don't know about you guys but my ride is quite rough so I think my shocks might be wearing out.. I know that stock shocks and lowered springs are a bad combo and will wear out the shocks faster and I'm just not happy with the ride.. I jump in my dads a207 e500 cabriolet and it feels a million times smoother compared to mine.. I know once you lower the car it will never feel like factory but I know that I can definitely go for a better setup than what I have now. Every bump and ditch the car just drops firmly
#10
MBWorld Fanatic!
#12
Member
Thread Starter
Yeah it's pretty stupid here... They badge the update clk 500 and new e class cabriolet as a 500 when really it should be a 550 coz it has te 285kw 5.5 engine... I feel like rebadging with taking out one zero and putting on a 5 to make it 550 but then it would look out of place here so i can't win lol
#14
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2009 CLK550
In my opinion I would go with the V2s. Might be worth it to have the ability to adjust your damper settings. When I first installed the V2s they were set a bit stiff so I softened them, but when people sat in the back or if I had stuff in the trunk I would get rubbing issues, so I stiffened the back. It's nice to have the option to adjust your damper setting according to your local roads.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
#15
Member
Thread Starter
In my opinion I would go with the V2s. Might be worth it to have the ability to adjust your damper settings. When I first installed the V2s they were set a bit stiff so I softened them, but when people sat in the back or if I had stuff in the trunk I would get rubbing issues, so I stiffened the back. It's nice to have the option to adjust your damper setting according to your local roads.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
#16
MBWorld Fanatic!
As for the spacers did you need them to clear the coilovers? I have 19x9.5 on the rear and it's just clearing with a +35 offset.. As for the front I've got a 19x8.5 rim with +30 offset and still has space.. I just don't want to get the coilovers and then only be able to lower it another 5 -10 mm because it will rub on the spring and spacers aren't an option for me. Would just getting sport shocks be the better option along with my H&R springs..
I'm 99.9% sure you will need spacers for the front to clear the springs perch. Mine rub and too stiff for my taste even on the softness setting. I got rid of that junk after two weeks. I love my Eibach springs and Bilstein sport struts/shocks.
#17
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks for the info. Personally I don't think an extra 5-100 mm is worth it if it's gonna make my car ride like a go cart.. Looks like coilovers will be a no no I'll just consider either koni sport shocks or the Bilstein b8 sports shocks to match with my H&R springs.. From what I've read you have the b6 hd Bilstein shocks? When you say Bilstein struts/shocks are they separate pieces or are they all part of the kit when you buy them.. Also curious to ask is the ride fine with your eibach springs and the b6 HD kit because I was told that the b8 shocks should be used as it's a lowering spring
#18
Newbie
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: SF Bay Area
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
2009 CLK550
Depends on how low you want to drop the car. To get my one finger gap and no rub I had to add the 10mm spacers. Without the spacers I probably had around a 2 finger gap with no rub in the front. Obviously I still rub against that splash guard/inner fender when I make wide turns. Rear, I had no issues. I added the 10mm spacers in the rear to get it flush.
I have 19x8.5 in the front and 19x10 in the rear. Not sure on the offset since they were custom made. Made the huge mistake of not getting a more aggressive offset from the start so I wouldn't need to get spacers/waste money/add weight. Also the tires you run make a bit of a difference (not much).
I have 19x8.5 in the front and 19x10 in the rear. Not sure on the offset since they were custom made. Made the huge mistake of not getting a more aggressive offset from the start so I wouldn't need to get spacers/waste money/add weight. Also the tires you run make a bit of a difference (not much).
#19
Member
Thread Starter
Depends on how low you want to drop the car. To get my one finger gap and no rub I had to add the 10mm spacers. Without the spacers I probably had around a 2 finger gap with no rub in the front. Obviously I still rub against that splash guard/inner fender when I make wide turns. Rear, I had no issues. I added the 10mm spacers in the rear to get it flush.
I have 19x8.5 in the front and 19x10 in the rear. Not sure on the offset since they were custom made. Made the huge mistake of not getting a more aggressive offset from the start so I wouldn't need to get spacers/waste money/add weight. Also the tires you run make a bit of a difference (not much).
I have 19x8.5 in the front and 19x10 in the rear. Not sure on the offset since they were custom made. Made the huge mistake of not getting a more aggressive offset from the start so I wouldn't need to get spacers/waste money/add weight. Also the tires you run make a bit of a difference (not much).
Just weird with the H&R how the back sits nicely and the front just doesn't lower as much..
#20
MBWorld Fanatic!
In my opinion I would go with the V2s. Might be worth it to have the ability to adjust your damper settings. When I first installed the V2s they were set a bit stiff so I softened them, but when people sat in the back or if I had stuff in the trunk I would get rubbing issues, so I stiffened the back. It's nice to have the option to adjust your damper setting according to your local roads.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
With V1s you don't have the option to set your damper setting and may have to adjust your ride height to compensate. I have 19s, 10mm spacers all around, and about a finger gap. It's pretty hard to go any lower.
Thanks for the info. Personally I don't think an extra 5-100 mm is worth it if it's gonna make my car ride like a go cart.. Looks like coilovers will be a no no I'll just consider either koni sport shocks or the Bilstein b8 sports shocks to match with my H&R springs.. From what I've read you have the b6 hd Bilstein shocks? When you say Bilstein struts/shocks are they separate pieces or are they all part of the kit when you buy them.. Also curious to ask is the ride fine with your eibach springs and the b6 HD kit because I was told that the b8 shocks should be used as it's a lowering spring
Yeah at the moment my car has a one finger gap on the passenger side and just under a two finger gap on the drivers side... Still too loose for my liking lol I would prefer if it it would be less than a finger gap... In other words I would've preferred it to be pretty tight and have to struggle to fit a finger in.. By the way I'm still talking about the fender gap here lol not trying to be dirty haha..I think this applies to many other subjects lol but thats a whole other story..
Just weird with the H&R how the back sits nicely and the front just doesn't lower as much..
Just weird with the H&R how the back sits nicely and the front just doesn't lower as much..
#21
Member
Thread Starter
Thanks I think I've come down to just choosing the koni shocks or Bilstein B8 shocks.. Another member mentioned that his H&R /Koni combo is good so might just go for that setup..
#23
MBWorld Fanatic!
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: A Canadian in Dubai, United Arab Emirates
Posts: 4,748
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
'05 C200K SS, '05 Kleemann CLK500K, '08 Hummer H3 & '92 Z34 5sp (track car in Canada)
#24
i have a v1 on mine... comparing to the H&R coil(cant remember which one) that i have before the h&r is more soft... and the kw v1 is more hard... its feel that the car have more grip than the H&R... i have issue with the rear rubbing most of the time. since there is no finger gap in the rear...