After trying to find follow-up threads on KW coilover owners (specific V2's if possible), I've come short.
Trying to get info on KW V2 long-term reviews on how they've been and holding up for individuals.

Am leaning to grab a set myself for my R55 JCW.

- Erik

 

Put 30K on them in my RSX. Perfect.

 

So... I'm basically seeing that mainly "cheaper" coils are picked?

- Erik

 

Depends on what you want to do with them. Some really cheap coils are mainly for looks and are not that good.

 

Yea, if you want to actually drive on them, you want the quality of a KW or Bilstein. A few others. I avoid anything made in China. You suspension ( and life) should not be trusted to poor metal, cheap welding, and who knows what else.

 

Use them for what they are meant for, corner balancing, and proper suspension geometry for road worthiness.

With you there 100%.

- Erik

 

And you think cheap coils can do this effectively??

Most people don't need or do corner balance and most people find it difficult to dial in a suspension properly.

 

No, just the opposite. I was counterpointing that cheap coilovers could not do that.

Correct, that's why I've been finding little to nothing in terms of people actually putting some usable real-world data / specifications.
I'm literally on a quest to change that and use it to my advantage for such set-ups.

- Erik

 

Why did you choose KWs as a starting point?

 

Actually, it's widdled down from a grouping of H&R, Bilstein, and others through reading, contacting vendors / manufacturers.
KW's are one of the few in the similar price range that have damping adjustability; that is a must for myself.

I've had Koni's in the past and KW is very close in construction and have TUV approval.
And because there's no current Koni choice in coils for the R55/R56/R57 platform.

- Erik

 

That's been a problem I've been noticing in the Mini crowd. :(

There's a few people that really care about functional suspension upgrades, but most just want a drop.

I have a lot of experience with KW on other platforms. Good solid coilover, though I'd look into the TSW revalved and resprung KW's, which are now available through WayMotorWorks. Standard KW's are good but they play it safe with a too soft rear at the expense of handling/balance.

In terms of longevity they're great.

- Andrew

 

Second what Andrew said.

 

Third what Andrew said.

 

That is the nature of this forum. When I describe what the car feels like with different settings, you do not get a reply.

I just started to run coils, Eibach multi-pro R1, on the track so I am starting to gather some seat of the pants info on the adjustments. But I ran the stock shocks and springs for over two years on the track and found them to be fine.

Many people want the car to adjust to their driving but I think a driver also needs to adjust to the car. You have to drive the best you can with what you have.

 

^ Agreed

I wish more vendors took more time to explain why their parts work with the science to back it up. Knowing a little bit about suspension, I look at a lot of popular parts here and just shake my head. Perhaps that's why there isn't as much tech talk from vendors here on suspension....i suspect a lot of it is over their heads (with the exception of TSW). It's actually not a mystical black art though. There really needs to be more data AND the proper explanations with them so it's not just a lot of guessing and looking at pictures of drops yo.

On the other hand, a lot of power tech goes over my head but it still seems like there is a decent amount of tech talk for that stuff.

- Andrew

 

Totally agree. I think the vendor marketing has a lot to do with popularity and not necessary how the parts will function or perform.

If you are in the novice and intermediate 1 groups, most stock parts are fine (as you said, put track pads on). My old racing instuctor from Skippy would not let me put ANY go faster parts on the car till I drive within 1-2% of his times. And that took a really long time. Basically, many parts can mask the communication the car has with you.

Many people like knowing that they have coils or a racing suspension on their cars but unfortunately in most cases, they will not be able to make full use of it.

In suspension mods, there is an art and a science to it. You have your measurements, etc. and you have your driving. For example, I like oversteer, especially TTO and to a lesser extent TBO, so I tune my suspension for that. Some drivers like to stay planted on all fours, so they tune their suspension for that.

 

Andrew, thanks; this is what kind of info I was looking for.

And that's a drag; because I'm waiting for someone / company / magazine / tuner to test parts and pick-em-apart. Coming from a different european auto-brand and making new headway in the Mini community, I'm blown away by flagrent false cliams and blind opinions of component usage + quality. I'm really hoping to shead new light on some of the R55 suspension specs when I fully divulge into the build this winter.

- Erik

 

How do you intend to do this? What is your methodology?

 

Documentation; from start (OEM) to installation, to several different settings.
Will be first weighing all corners first to see OEM distribution before tackling any lowered or raised ride heights.

Then may have Colorado State's motorsports program (graduated from such) help assist and determine proper roll-centers, control arm angle and such.

- Erik

 

please please please measure bump and droop travel of the stock suspension and your new set-up. including bumpstop length.

also see if you can get the motion ratio of the rear (i have an R53, not sure if it's different).

Really happy you're doing this...awesome.

- Andrew

 

Andrew, will do; my list of things to document:

Platform
- curb weight [DONE! 10/23/2010]
- weight distribution [DONE! 10/23/2010]
- weight on each wheel / spring preload [DONE! 10/23/2010]

OEM Strut System
- bump travel on all four corners
- droop travel on all four corners
- ride height static (at curb weight, full fuel tank) on all four corners [DONE! 10/29/2010]
- motion ratio

Aftermarket Coils
- bump travel on all four corners
- droop travel on all four corners
- available range of ride height static (at curb weight, full fuel tank) on all four corners

I'm open to suggestions on what, if any, other information people are wanting.

- Erik

 

excellent! do you have access to a shock dyno?

- Andrew

 

I *think* the university has still has one; it was there when I left in 2006.
Don't know if it's still in operation or if it's even feasible to get a set on there with tangible results.

- Erik

 

I would like to see what information you get. Thanks for taking the time.

 

No worries. Would be nice to have a dyno of the stock shocks and/or the KW's but I know that can cost some cash usually.

Keep us posted.

- Andrew