09-11-2016, 05:14 PM | #1 |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
REVIEW: KW V3 Coilover Kit for F10M5 after 40k miles
Long overdue review ...
I had the KW V3 kit on my F10M5 for about 40k miles Put the OE shocks and springs back on car before i sold it last month. Wow, what a difference. How can i put this into a short sentence ... "Best aftermarket modification for the F10 M5" In every way. - Handling = Perfect handling for a 4300 lbs car ... makes it feel 800 lbs. lighter. Cornering is a dream. Steady and confident when aggressive. Soft and compliant when in cruise mode. Perfect balance of street car and beast mode. - Comfort = Amazing difference between the OE shocks and the KW V3 shocks. Waaaay more compliant and predictable and comfortable over rough, broken roads. Its the difference between how a Toyota Corolla rides compared to a Lexus or Infinity. - Acceleration = The F10M5 power becomes more usable as weight is transfered to the rear wheels. And accelerating out of a corner becomes much more stable and predictable. - Braking = Much improved as body dive is almost eliminated. Much more confident braking. It blows my mind that any F10M5 owner is driving this car without this kit. It is a MUST HAVE for this car. Everything changes to the "Ultimate Driving Machine" It improves the car in every way: Comfort, Handling, Acceleration and Braking. Do yourself a favor and get this kit if you have this car. HOWEVER, there is definitely something to be said about proper installation of this kit. There is no big trick, but its a collection of little things that matter. And some shops have the experience and most dont. The most important is proper ride height, corner balance, alignment and finally ... correct spring to OE hats/top mounts installation. You cannot get the alignment within spec if you drop the car too low and both of those will in turn affect the handling in a negative way. Good luck and I hope this review helps. Last edited by mastek; 09-30-2016 at 11:22 AM.. |
09-11-2016, 05:27 PM | #3 |
Perennial PFC
348
Rep 1,277
Posts |
The feel of the KW shocks surprised me the most. So much more smooth, yet more controlled than stock. I almost went for the KW HAS and am so glad I didn't. If all you want is height control HAS is fine, but you're missing the best part!
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-11-2016, 08:56 PM | #4 |
First Lieutenant
42
Rep 344
Posts |
awesome post. Thanks for the info.
I'm having mine installed soon by a BMW certified tech. I don't anticipate any problems but any install tips, esp with regard to the spring/hats? |
Appreciate
0
|
09-11-2016, 11:42 PM | #5 |
Brigadier General
1792
Rep 3,210
Posts |
This is nice to hear. It really is shocking the lack of proper suspension options for this car compared to the e39 or even an e60. Two brands of coilovers, and one brand for sway bars and monoballs. That's it.
I guess as they got faster, bigger, and more comfortable, people loss the desire to turn. I took it a step further and have the club sports on order. Price for them became much more reasonable than first released. They come with linear springs and top mounts so I'm super excited about it. Next up will be the Dinan monoballs and sway bars, but I want to wait and do each of the 3 mods one at a time. Thanks again for the long term review! |
Appreciate
0
|
09-12-2016, 12:56 AM | #6 | |
Captain
65
Rep 619
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-12-2016, 02:01 PM | #8 | |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
Quote:
They are harsher for comfort and require rebuild sooner since they are more complex. But to each their own .. just my .02 |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-12-2016, 02:02 PM | #9 | |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-12-2016, 02:06 PM | #10 | |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
Quote:
The OE top mounts get used on the KW V3 kit and need to be sat correctly into place ... at the same time they have to be aligned with the mounting holes for the chassis ... its a bit tricky because you do the top hats on the spring compression machine ... then try to align to car chassis. If the installer is not paying attention to this and they lazy .. they will install them with slrings sitting in wrong position and binding. It might take a few attempts for a newb ...and for someone who knows ... they will mark the top hat so they can tell where it goes. Hard to explain ... easy to demonstrate in person. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-12-2016, 08:23 PM | #11 | |
First Lieutenant
42
Rep 344
Posts |
Quote:
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-21-2016, 01:52 PM | #12 |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
09-23-2016, 02:23 PM | #13 |
Route Runner
137
Rep 661
Posts |
Had the Eibach setup on my M5 and now have the KW has kit, i know it isnt the V3 but its leages ahead of the Eibach and the H&R setup. Especially on these terrible NYC roads
__________________
16 SMB M6 Gran Coupe
16 BS X6 X-line (wife's truck) 13 AW M5 (sold) 04 Honda Pilot (everyday car) |
Appreciate
0
|
09-30-2016, 11:27 AM | #14 | |
e36s54, e70x5d
155
Rep 1,723
Posts |
Quote:
Springs only support a chassis. Shocks do all the work to keep the wheel on the ground while absorbing impacts and dealing with weight transfer. |
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-17-2016, 07:28 PM | #15 |
Major
1134
Rep 1,094
Posts |
Great review. You simply cannot go wrong with KW and Bilstein products.
__________________
Jimmy | BMW Addict | Signature Performance Wheels | OBSESSED WITH PERFECTION | IG: Signature_BMW | Email: jimmy@signaturewheel.com
|
Appreciate
0
|
10-23-2016, 10:49 AM | #17 |
First Lieutenant
42
Rep 344
Posts |
|
Appreciate
0
|
11-10-2016, 12:20 AM | #18 |
Lieutenant General
9191
Rep 14,521
Posts |
Love my KW's!
__________________
~F90Conversion~21"3Piece Forged AvantGardeWheels~KWV1Coilovers~CQUENCE slotted/drilled rotors~GoodridgeStainlesslines~MeisterschaftQuadEx haust~Akrapovic 4"tips~VRSF DP~VRSF CP~TurboSmart BOV~K&N filter~CarbonFiberExteriorComponents~GladenAlphaCo mponents~MatchUp7BMW~Punch P300-12T~ Follow me on Instagram: lsturbointeg |
Appreciate
0
|
11-12-2020, 01:41 PM | #19 |
Lieutenant
317
Rep 564
Posts |
Digging this up to add my thoughts (thus far) on KW V3s I just had installed, after going for a post-install "test drive".
holy cow. I'm actually a bit flabbergasted thinking about why an M5 wouldn't have a suspension setup this good from the start. Can basically say "ditto" to everything the OP posted. While it was the least important category for me among the four the OP lists, I do want to say that I purposely went on a terrible road (twice) to test his comfort comment, as that was the one I was most skeptical of. No huge potholes, just a crap ton of pitting and patches, and it was a *truly* night and day difference. As a bit of an audiophile I'd say it's like listening to a bass-heavy track with a set of speakers with very tight bass control compared to a set that's mediocre. It's the same bass notes at the same volume, but so much more enjoyable, and because of the lack of distortion, doesn't actually sound nearly as loud, or have nearly the propensity for inducing headaches.
__________________
Sakhir Orange F10 M5 | KW V3s | Dinan Swaybars | Turner Monoballs | Soul Exhaust | Mishimoto Oil Cooler
Last edited by vafan13; 11-12-2020 at 01:47 PM.. |
Appreciate
0
|
11-12-2020, 01:54 PM | #20 |
Extruding Elements
517
Rep 535
Posts
Drives: 2016 BMW M5 Comp
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Florida
|
Had them on my E60 and when the time is right, will also be on the F10. Nice write up.
__________________
2022 Yukon XL AT4
2016 BMW M5 2015 Ford F250 Super Duty 2006 BMW M5 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2020, 12:47 PM | #21 |
Extruding Elements
517
Rep 535
Posts
Drives: 2016 BMW M5 Comp
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: Florida
|
You sure your in Michigan? Doubtful this was a drive on I94 or I75
__________________
2022 Yukon XL AT4
2016 BMW M5 2015 Ford F250 Super Duty 2006 BMW M5 |
Appreciate
0
|
11-13-2020, 04:17 PM | #22 | |
Lieutenant
317
Rep 564
Posts |
Quote:
I94 is actually not to bad around me, but US23 is getting pretty bad.
__________________
Sakhir Orange F10 M5 | KW V3s | Dinan Swaybars | Turner Monoballs | Soul Exhaust | Mishimoto Oil Cooler
|
|
Appreciate
0
|
Post Reply |
Bookmarks |
|
|