KW Height Adjustable Spring kit review

[Hoopumpers]

I have a 2013 F10 M5, which has been running 100% stock suspension since purchase in late 2012.

I've wanted to drop the car for aesthetics but was unwilling to do so with H&R springs (the only choice on the market at the time), as I personally feel that performance is lost using that setup. The rebound of the H&R springs is very bouncy IMO.

Finally KW has come to market with their own spring kit. This package has the added benefit of completely height adjustable springs, so you can dial in the cosmetic drop to your preference. The adjustable system ranges in drop from 0.2"-1.2" in the front, and 0.2"-1.0" in the rear.

I used macht schnell spacers of 10mm on all four corners with stock 20" 343M wheels.

Lastly, I upgraded the stock sway bars to the BMW Competition Package sway bars (27% stiffer)

Results:

Cosmetics -
As you would expect the results are great. I may lower the front a bit more later. Very nice to have the flexibility to do so.

Performance -
I'm extremely pleased with the feel of the springs. It's nearly identical to stock in ride quality. I drive in Sport Plus suspension almost all of the time (unless I have passengers), and I'm rather shocked to say that with the KW setup, the ride in sport plus has actually improved a bit. It feels slightly more progressive. In combination with the sway bar upgrade, the car handles significantly better. Turn in is sharper and the car corners flatter. I don't feel any of the bounciness I experienced with the H&R springs.

One negative is that the difference between EDC settings (comfort, sport, sport plus) now seems less noticeable. Comfort does feel a bit stiffer. And sport plus feels a bit more progressive. At least this is my perception. Since I never drive in comfort, this is of little concern to me.

These springs are more expensive than alternatives from H&R and Eibach (which I've never experienced), but I am super pleased with the results. A no brainer if you ask me

Special thanks to Nate and IND for getting the kit out to me last second on a Friday. And to HG Motorsports for an extremely professional, fast and quality install.

I'll post more/better pics soon.

[RPiM5]

[mstmng]

Originally Posted by RPiM5

i know how it feels when u run through potholes and get flat
but i thought u have your pills ready for those moments in your life

OP pls post more pics from "profile" view, when you can

[Hoopumpers]

Couple more shots - fronts actually look fine here. On a slight decline though

[bobs619]

Good choice OP

[Vic55]

Rob well done--- I think the spring rates of the KW are more to your liking than the H&R's. How much are they again?

[Hoopumpers]

Thanks Vic. List is ~$1100

[Nate@IND]

Looking good thanks again

[M54ccibo]

Can't wait to see how these handle in person. But then again, saying that it is better than OEM is almost reason to drop the $ on them now.

BTW, looks great

[remmib]

Great looking drop, I guess it's more or less at it's lowest setting.

[Mbdurham17]

Looks great very nice

[pochesq]

Looks awesome Rob. Thanks for the write up.

[Stryatch]

Did you need spacers for any reason?

[Hoopumpers]

Originally Posted by Stryatch

Did you need spacers for any reason?

Appearance. Just a more aggressive looking stance.

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by Hoopumpers

Performance -
I'm extremely pleased with the feel of the springs. It's nearly identical to stock in ride quality. I drive in Sport Plus suspension almost all of the time (unless I have passengers), and I'm rather shocked to say that with the KW setup, the ride in sport plus has actually improved a bit. It feels slightly more progressive. In combination with the sway bar upgrade, the car handles significantly better. Turn in is sharper and the car corners flatter. I don't feel any of the bounciness I experienced with the H&R springs.

One negative is that the difference between EDC settings (comfort, sport, sport plus) now seems less noticeable. Comfort does feel a bit stiffer. And sport plus feels a bit more progressive. At least this is my perception. Since I never drive in comfort, this is of little concern to me.

I've also changed to the CP sways and like the added stiffness for turn in. Even with the stock springs it's much better. I was hoping the KW HAS kit would have slightly stiffer spring rates than stock to enhance performance on the track, but not be too severe for street driving. Have you had the opportunity to push the car hard on the street to get a feel for higher speed cornering ability with the KW springs? Also, with the limited camber adjustment available in the suspension, do you just live with the added negative camber the lowered stance dictates? Did your install shop do an alignment after their work? I'm trying to decide if I should wait for the Dinan kit to be released, or get the KW kit now. I doubt anyone else will enter the suspension market for the F10 M5. I called Ohlins but they indicated our car is not on their radar unless much more demand develops. Thanks for your post and the information.

[Hoopumpers]

Since I modded both the sways and springs at the same time, it's difficult to say. I have driven the car very hard and was impressed with cornering. A significant improvement.

HG did an alignment and camber actually remained very close to stock. I will post the alignment details when I can (on mobile right now).

Another negative I've now detected is that with the tighter suspension, the slop/play in the non-LCI steering is more noticeable. I find myself wanting to drive in sport steering now (prefer comfort), but it really doesn't help much.

Has anyone retrofit any CP or LCI components to improve steering feel? Especially on center?

I drove a LCI M5 and it was in fact improved.

[Used2be]

Originally Posted by Hoopumpers

HG did an alignment and camber actually remained very close to stock. I will post the alignment details when I can (on mobile right now).

Another negative I've now detected is that with the tighter suspension, the slop/play in the non-LCI steering is more noticeable. I find myself wanting to drive in sport steering now (prefer comfort), but it really doesn't help much.

I drove a LCI M5 and it was in fact improved.

That's good to hear, and I wouldn't mind a touch more negative camber anyway. Perhaps with your Porsche experience you're more sensitive to the steering. I've found I just leave mine in Sport for both street and track so my responses will stay the same for feedback. With just the sway bars installed I haven't noticed any change in steering feel, but I don't have that refined a feel for it anyway.

It seems like the KW HAS will be fine for my uses and I'll go ahead and get it now. My car wants a slight drop for looks anyway, and if it handles as well or better than it does now, all to the good. Thanks for the report.

[boots]

Congrats and your car looks good with that stance. Sounds like a good product. I've been using hr on mine for a long time now. Your ride height looks just right. Well if you went from stock to hr to kw your review is greatly valued and helps us all. Thanks.

[LACSTER]

Time for some wheels Rob

[runningthingz]

Nice write up Rob. Car looks much better w/ that setup. What did HG charge you for the install?

I just ordered the KW V3 kit and front & rear CP sway bars.

[Jairomvp]

Bostons_Finest_

[5onu]

Car looks amazing. Do you know if the springs will void the warranty as my F10 is a 2014 model with warranty and 5 year servicing pack?