Lowering springs vs Coilovers (H&R vs KW V3)

jimmy330xi · 01-14-2008, 12:33 PM

Hey guys, I will be getting rims for my car soon and want to match them with suspension. What are the ups and downs of getting just lowering springs or coilovers. V3's or H&R for an xi car. Your thoughts.

jimmy330xi · 01-14-2008, 08:51 PM

I was just looking for more stuff and came across the H&R coilover set for xi. The price is about 500 less than KW. Which one you think is better? I don't really track a lot, what are the advantages of any of them Which one offers the best quality for your money. Is it worth the extra $$$$$ for the V3's. Or can I just go with Lowering springs and get decent looks, performance and ride quality?

BoostedBMW · 01-14-2008, 09:33 PM

If you don't track your car then you probably don't need to go with KW V3's since you won't need that much adjustability. I also think that too many things to adjust will also probably hurt your setup more than help it if you don't know how to set it up properly. Also, I don't see how you can even compare springs and stock struts to KW V3's or even V1's for that matter.

Look at it this way... H&R springs on your stock struts will most likely hurt your handling, and coilovers will improve it. With that said, I haven't heard too many good things about H&R coilovers, but I have also never used them so I can't say. I just installed a set of KW V2's and I would recommend either going with them or a set of bilsteins (pss9 or the new pss10 that are coming out soon). Everyone who has KWs and Bilsteins seems to have been happy with their purchase.

jimmy330xi · 01-14-2008, 09:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostedBMW

If you don't track your car then you probably don't need to go with KW V3's since you won't need that much adjustability. I also think that too many things to adjust will also probably hurt your setup more than help it if you don't know how to set it up properly. Also, I don't see how you can even compare springs and stock struts to KW V3's or even V1's for that matter.

Look at it this way... H&R springs on your stock struts will most likely hurt your handling, and coilovers will improve it. With that said, I haven't heard too many good things about H&R coilovers, but I have also never used them so I can't say. I just installed a set of KW V2's and I would recommend either going with them or a set of bilsteins (pss9 or the new pss10 that are coming out soon). Everyone who has KWs and Bilsteins seems to have been happy with their purchase.

The only problem I face with KW is that the only available set up for xi cars is the V3's, not that I need all that adjustability, and I agree that if I dont know how to adjust them it might hurt the set up, but is more a matter of a lack of choices. I have read great reviews about the KW's, not so much about the H&R. I wont take those V3's to the extent of their potential but is the best thing available for xi models so far and I dont want to buy anything else and regret it later just to end up buying the expensive ones later.

BoostedBMW · 01-14-2008, 09:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy330xi

The only problem I face with KW is that the only available set up for xi cars is the V3's, not that I need all that adjustability, and I agree that if I dont know how to adjust them it might hurt the set up, but is more a matter of a lack of choices. I have read great reviews about the KW's, not so much about the H&R. I wont take those V3's to the extent of their potential but is the best thing available for xi models so far and I dont want to buy anything else and regret it later just to end up buying the expensive ones later.

Oh, I see. I'm sorry, I didn't know that they were the only model available for the xi. I wonder if there are any plans to offer V1 or V2's for that car. What about bilstein, do they offer anything?

AwLegacyGT · 01-14-2008, 11:11 PM

V3's tried and true.

MAZINGER · 01-14-2008, 11:34 PM

What is part number for KW V3 for 2007 328xi? My friend is having a hard time looking for the number!

Thanks.

jimmy330xi · 01-14-2008, 11:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoostedBMW

Oh, I see. I'm sorry, I didn't know that they were the only model available for the xi. I wonder if there are any plans to offer V1 or V2's for that car. What about bilstein, do they offer anything?

I just found a bilstein kit. It runs around $1,700 and doen't feature damping adjustability. Is Bilstein that much better?

Bart@AUTOcouture · 01-24-2008, 11:26 PM

Where can you buy the H&R for $500 less that KW??

brtnrdr1x · 01-26-2008, 06:14 AM

a coilover system will be best over new springs/shocks. if you want to lower your car and have a decent drive that's not $$$$ you can go with say h&r sport springs & koni yellow springs..but that will not compare to the kw v3 or h&r coilovers..if your spending a good 500-1000$ more for coilovers obviously your going to get a better quality & feel/ride. personally i am planning to do either the kw v3's or the h&r's within the next couple months when winter leaves, but i'm kind of leaning towards the h&r's...i guess that's me, i do read around and haven't found anything really negative about each.

jimmy330xi · 01-26-2008, 11:32 AM

^ I don't have a lot of experience with suspension and I really don't feel like experimenting with some expensive V3's and mess with them too much. I would prefer the V2's but they are not avail for xi. Anyways, I think I might just go for lowering springs. I am more inclined now on spending the money on a Yamaha R1 instead of mods for my car. I think a sportsbike and a mildly modded car can bring more smiles to my face than just a lot of money dumped into just a car. That's just how I feel now. I am ordering the bike next week.

VERSUS · 01-26-2008, 01:59 PM

Is H&R coil for the xi available now ??

uberschnell · 01-27-2008, 08:49 PM

Aside from adjustability, coilovers will NOT necessarily give you a better ride. It depends on what you want. In fact KONI FSD's provide a better balance of ride comfort and performance then most any coil-over set up.

MichTa73 · 01-29-2008, 04:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jimmy330xi

Hey guys, I will be getting rims for my car soon and want to match them with suspension. What are the ups and downs of getting just lowering springs or coilovers. V3's or H&R for an xi car. Your thoughts.

What did you end up getting? I am in the same boat. I think my OEM shocks are ready to be replaced after a year on H&R sports, but I don't want to spend $$$$ on a coilover set for features/performance I don't need. I am just looking for a comfortable ride.

89andy · 01-29-2008, 07:55 PM

how long have you installed your H&R sports MichTa? I'm scared of installing it and the shocks blowing out after a year. I still have more than 2 years to go in my lease @@

sg335 · 01-29-2008, 11:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Magna3

Aside from adjustability, coilovers will NOT necessarily give you a better ride. It depends on what you want. In fact KONI FSD's provide a better balance of ride comfort and performance then most any coil-over set up.

I agree. If you want coilovers, the H&R's will be a good choice for you and the most compliant ride, but only buy them if you want a particular ride height you can't get with the other non coilover suspensions. The FSD's are a very good choice if the ride height suits you.

Ron@Modbargains · 01-30-2008, 12:51 AM

I always let my customers know the drawbacks of doing just a spring - and seriously I get a ton of calls on now they want shocks to compliment it. We were backordered on the koni's for awhile, and I had 5 sets come in (past week) now we're down to 3 or 2 last I checked. For the xi however there are no koni's.

That being said - most inexpensive way to get a drop is with H&R springs for an xi.

Now officially only the KW V3 xi is supported for the 335xi model.

That being said, I belive we were the first to put on H&R coilovers on rldzhao's car, because yes it will work on the xi model. However they dont officially support it. the H&Rs are a soft ride - not adjustable in terms of the shock, just the ride height. But they do a great job and great quality.

The V3's are going to give you full adjustability, basically its the best of the best.

01-14-2008, 12:33 PM	#1
jimmy330xi Captain 57 Rep 615 Posts Drives: '06 330xI, '04 YZF R1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	Lowering springs vs Coilovers (H&R vs KW V3) Hey guys, I will be getting rims for my car soon and want to match them with suspension. What are the ups and downs of getting just lowering springs or coilovers. V3's or H&R for an xi car. Your thoughts. __________________ '06 330Xi, '04 CBR600RR, '04 YZF-R1, '06CBR600RR, '10 S1000RR M-tech, Injen, Hamann, Remus, KW, Breyton Last edited by jimmy330xi; 01-14-2008 at 08:54 PM..
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01-14-2008, 08:51 PM	#2
jimmy330xi Captain 57 Rep 615 Posts Drives: '06 330xI, '04 YZF R1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	H&R or KW V3 I was just looking for more stuff and came across the H&R coilover set for xi. The price is about 500 less than KW. Which one you think is better? I don't really track a lot, what are the advantages of any of them Which one offers the best quality for your money. Is it worth the extra $$$$$ for the V3's. Or can I just go with Lowering springs and get decent looks, performance and ride quality? Attached Images __________________ '06 330Xi, '04 CBR600RR, '04 YZF-R1, '06CBR600RR, '10 S1000RR M-tech, Injen, Hamann, Remus, KW, Breyton
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01-14-2008, 09:33 PM	#3
BoostedBMW Moderator 132 Rep 6,775 Posts Drives: TiAg E92 335 Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Raleigh, NC iTrader: (14) Garage List 2003 S2000 [0.00]	If you don't track your car then you probably don't need to go with KW V3's since you won't need that much adjustability. I also think that too many things to adjust will also probably hurt your setup more than help it if you don't know how to set it up properly. Also, I don't see how you can even compare springs and stock struts to KW V3's or even V1's for that matter. Look at it this way... H&R springs on your stock struts will most likely hurt your handling, and coilovers will improve it. With that said, I haven't heard too many good things about H&R coilovers, but I have also never used them so I can't say. I just installed a set of KW V2's and I would recommend either going with them or a set of bilsteins (pss9 or the new pss10 that are coming out soon). Everyone who has KWs and Bilsteins seems to have been happy with their purchase. __________________ -Michael. Berlina Black S2000 CR is now in the garage l 19" Rial Daytona Race l KW V2 l Eisenhaus Race Exhaust l
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01-14-2008, 11:11 PM	#6
AwLegacyGT Private First Class 7 Rep 132 Posts Drives: 2007 328xi Sedan Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Yarmouth, Maine iTrader: (0)	V3's tried and true. __________________ 07 E90 328xi 6MT Sparkling Graphite/Sport/Xenon/KW V3/Blacklines
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01-14-2008, 11:34 PM	#7
MAZINGER Lieutenant 39 Rep 549 Posts Drives: 2008 E92 335i Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada iTrader: (2)	What is part number for KW V3 for 2007 328xi? My friend is having a hard time looking for the number! Thanks.
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01-24-2008, 11:26 PM	#9
Bart@AUTOcouture 1006 Rep 4,619 Posts Drives: F95X5M \| E46M3 \| E92M3 \| E60M5 Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: South Florida iTrader: (5)	Where can you buy the H&R for $500 less that KW??
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01-26-2008, 06:14 AM	#10
brtnrdr1x Private First Class 4 Rep 130 Posts Drives: by u w/ the finger ;) Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Morris, NJ iTrader: (0)	a coilover system will be best over new springs/shocks. if you want to lower your car and have a decent drive that's not $$$$ you can go with say h&r sport springs & koni yellow springs..but that will not compare to the kw v3 or h&r coilovers..if your spending a good 500-1000$ more for coilovers obviously your going to get a better quality & feel/ride. personally i am planning to do either the kw v3's or the h&r's within the next couple months when winter leaves, but i'm kind of leaning towards the h&r's...i guess that's me, i do read around and haven't found anything really negative about each. __________________ 335 in a couple years...Lexus IS modddeddd for now. MODS: 5% tint / JUN-TW roof spoiler / 8000K Oracle xenon(lows) / 3000K JDM Luminics fogs / Smoked tails / Full LED interior;puddles;back-ups
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01-26-2008, 11:32 AM	#11
jimmy330xi Captain 57 Rep 615 Posts Drives: '06 330xI, '04 YZF R1 Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Germany iTrader: (1)	^ I don't have a lot of experience with suspension and I really don't feel like experimenting with some expensive V3's and mess with them too much. I would prefer the V2's but they are not avail for xi. Anyways, I think I might just go for lowering springs. I am more inclined now on spending the money on a Yamaha R1 instead of mods for my car. I think a sportsbike and a mildly modded car can bring more smiles to my face than just a lot of money dumped into just a car. That's just how I feel now. I am ordering the bike next week. __________________ '06 330Xi, '04 CBR600RR, '04 YZF-R1, '06CBR600RR, '10 S1000RR M-tech, Injen, Hamann, Remus, KW, Breyton
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01-26-2008, 01:59 PM	#12
VERSUS Private 3 Rep 61 Posts Drives: 2008 X5 4.8i Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: VANCOUVER B.C iTrader: (0)	Is H&R coil for the xi available now ?? Last edited by VERSUS; 01-26-2008 at 01:59 PM.. Reason: forgot to put the xi on
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01-27-2008, 08:49 PM	#13
uberschnell Brigadier General 674 Rep 4,080 Posts Drives: Wide Body 1 Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Bay Area iTrader: (48)	Aside from adjustability, coilovers will NOT necessarily give you a better ride. It depends on what you want. In fact KONI FSD's provide a better balance of ride comfort and performance then most any coil-over set up.
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01-29-2008, 07:55 PM	#15
89andy First Lieutenant 15 Rep 354 Posts Drives: E92 328xi Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Vancouver, BC iTrader: (0)	how long have you installed your H&R sports MichTa? I'm scared of installing it and the shocks blowing out after a year. I still have more than 2 years to go in my lease @@ __________________ 2007 E92 328xi sapphire black / black leatherette / step / premium / iDrive / sport seat / pdc / GP thunder angels / 35% tint / matte black grille / 6000k hid fog / 6000k D1S / led license plate / painted reflectors / m3 spoiler
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01-30-2008, 12:51 AM	#17
Ron@Modbargains 58 Rep 2,201 Posts Drives: 996TT/ae86 Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: 1721 E. Lambert Rd #C, La Habra, CA 90631 iTrader: (3)	I always let my customers know the drawbacks of doing just a spring - and seriously I get a ton of calls on now they want shocks to compliment it. We were backordered on the koni's for awhile, and I had 5 sets come in (past week) now we're down to 3 or 2 last I checked. For the xi however there are no koni's. That being said - most inexpensive way to get a drop is with H&R springs for an xi. Now officially only the KW V3 xi is supported for the 335xi model. That being said, I belive we were the first to put on H&R coilovers on rldzhao's car, because yes it will work on the xi model. However they dont officially support it. the H&Rs are a soft ride - not adjustable in terms of the shock, just the ride height. But they do a great job and great quality. The V3's are going to give you full adjustability, basically its the best of the best.
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