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2010 2011 BMW 5 Series Forum F10 F10 Technical Topics Wheels / Tires / Suspension / Brakes Any experience with KW Variant 3?
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      12-12-2017, 02:30 PM   #1
ChiNorm
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Any experience with KW Variant 3?

After adding stiffer sway bars, I am still looking at better suspension options for my '13 535xi.

My problem is Chicago's really nasty pavement. Even an M5 front bar ties the two wheels too much together and defeats the independent suspension. Hit a pothole and the whole car shakes. Every bit of broken pavement or expansion joint is passed directly to the interior. On decent roads or the highway the handling is much improved though I can still feel the flabby OEM springs when pushed hard thru a turn.

Reading the info on this kit suggests that both a soft response to broken pavement and a firm response to spring compression can be dialed in due to the high degree of adjust ability of the shocks.

Anyone have any real world experience?

Thanks.
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      12-13-2017, 09:10 AM   #2
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+1 for first hand experience...
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      12-22-2017, 09:37 AM   #3
ChiNorm
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I ordered the kit today, delivery in several weeks. Will report back once they are installed.
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      12-22-2017, 11:02 AM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiNorm View Post
I ordered the kit today, delivery in several weeks. Will report back once they are installed.
Where you order from and how much it come out to?
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      12-22-2017, 03:04 PM   #5
ChiNorm
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Tire Rack, about $2300.00
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      01-10-2018, 10:16 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ChiNorm View Post
I ordered the kit today, delivery in several weeks. Will report back once they are installed.
Sub'd for a review
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      01-11-2018, 09:40 AM   #7
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Install will hopefully be done next week.
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      01-20-2018, 09:51 AM   #8
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The KW V3s are now on the car, initial results are very good.

I now have some spare sway bars if anyone is looking. Priced at about 1/2 of list price. Eibach front and rear bars, $200 for the pair, plus shipping.
BMW M5 front bar, $160 plus shipping.
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      01-21-2018, 08:57 AM   #9
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+1 for a driving video...
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      01-22-2018, 09:36 AM   #10
ChiNorm
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I took it out on the expressway today for the first time, OMG. The steering feel is much improved and much more direct. The same thing for the brakes, like a layer of foam has been removed.

On ramps are very impressive, there is no body roll and the car goes exactly where pointed. No apparent understeer on a descending radius on ramp that creates real problems for most cars when trying to put power down.

Words like 'transformative' come to mind driving the thing. The handling is just unreal.

On wet roads and winter tires no less.
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      01-22-2018, 04:27 PM   #11
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That's a pretty good review - I've not driven the 535xi for any length of time (mine is a 550xi, so heavier).

You say the V3 took away the feeling of "foam" - that would be a huge improvement for this platform.

A few questions -
Did you install yourself?
Do you have the M-Sport package?
Does you car have EDC (comfort +, comfort, Sport, Sport +) and does that still work after the V3 install?
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      01-23-2018, 09:37 AM   #12
ChiNorm
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Quote:
Originally Posted by exylyr View Post
That's a pretty good review - I've not driven the 535xi for any length of time (mine is a 550xi, so heavier).

You say the V3 took away the feeling of "foam" - that would be a huge improvement for this platform.

A few questions -
Did you install yourself?
Do you have the M-Sport package?
Does you car have EDC (comfort +, comfort, Sport, Sport +) and does that still work after the V3 install?
***
No, had IM I have used for 30 years do the work. He is impressed with this product too.

No, base suspension.

No EDC, but if I did there are add ons from KW to work with EDC. I also think you need a slightly different kit with a different part #. Check out the KW website for info.
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      03-19-2018, 10:51 PM   #13
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Video!
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      03-20-2018, 08:57 AM   #14
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I have a 2011 535i xDrive with KW Variant 3 coilovers, installed by my BMW dealer about a year ago. I am absolutely delighted with the performance improvement over stock, and particularly over the H&R lowering springs I had previously put in. Handles the worst potholes without bottoming out, and never floats.

My KW kit did not have electronic damping control, so KW included a feedback loop wire to prevent the system from throwing EDC failure codes. That feature has proven to be less than optimal -- have had to repair the wiring on three corners so far.

Anyone who wants the H&R's PM me -- free, you pay shipping (from Toronto, Canada).
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      03-20-2018, 09:59 AM   #15
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To those that have installed the V3:

Is it possible with the KW V3 to get near stock ride height? I'm just not really into the slammed look, and not interested in scraping the curb of my driveway which my car does already (slightly).
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      03-20-2018, 11:40 AM   #16
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Quote:
Originally Posted by scotthureau View Post
To those that have installed the V3:

Is it possible with the KW V3 to get near stock ride height? I'm just not really into the slammed look, and not interested in scraping the curb of my driveway which my car does already (slightly).
Ride height is completely user selectable.
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      03-20-2018, 04:18 PM   #17
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Errowen View Post
I have a 2011 535i xDrive with KW Variant 3 coilovers, installed by my BMW dealer about a year ago. I am absolutely delighted with the performance improvement over stock, and particularly over the H&R lowering springs I had previously put in. Handles the worst potholes without bottoming out, and never floats.

My KW kit did not have electronic damping control, so KW included a feedback loop wire to prevent the system from throwing EDC failure codes. That feature has proven to be less than optimal -- have had to repair the wiring on three corners so far.

Anyone who wants the H&R's PM me -- free, you pay shipping (from Toronto, Canada).
So, the KW’s avoid the crashing sound over potholes and sharp edges?
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      03-22-2018, 07:13 PM   #18
ChiNorm
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Yes. While I am still adjusting mine, the ride is very nice. I also ditched the run flats. Theoretically, you could tune the V3s for run flats I guess.
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      03-23-2018, 08:25 AM   #19
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So if you wanted to go one click softer for each of the two adjustments per shock, how long would that take and what is involved? Is it a 30 minute job?
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      03-23-2018, 10:25 AM   #20
ChiNorm
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To adjust the bump settings on the top of the shock an allen wrench is used to turn a bolt in the shock. Less than 10 seconds for the front shocks, just pull off a cover and make the change. The rear shocks require removing the rear speakers, which is less than 10 minutes per side after practice.

The compression settings on the shock bottoms are almost as easy, the rear fitting is easily accessed, again about 10 seconds per side. Access to the fronts is more difficult without a lift but appears possible. I am waiting for warmer weather to try this, else I wait for my IM to get an open lift. I may break down and get a couple of ramps if I can't get under the car in front.

The adjustments are going slow for me because I drive for about a week after each change before making another. I want a good understanding of what each change brings.

Part of tuning for bad roads involves the compression settings for the response to the car coming down on the shock after being lifted by the bump.

At the moment, the ride and handling are excellent with the promise of some further improvement.
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      03-23-2018, 01:07 PM   #21
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thakid22 View Post
So, the KW’s avoid the crashing sound over potholes and sharp edges?
Absolutely. I'm not sure I can explain in words the transformation from the H&R's: the suspension in the 535i is simply outstanding. I fear nothing! with possible exception of wife.

Ride height set at 1 inch drop in the front and 1.2 inch in the rear - slightly less on both ends than KW suggests as base setting, but snow gets deep here. Adjustable damping set at 3 (KW calls it "Comfort") expecting I might have to turn it up harder, but haven't had to: the car handles potholes and ridges without full-compression, never floats, and has that amazing utterly connected "4 wheels glued to the pavement every millisecond" feel that I was craving.
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      03-23-2018, 01:29 PM   #22
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Errowen View Post
Absolutely. I'm not sure I can explain in words the transformation from the H&R's: the suspension in the 535i is simply outstanding. I fear nothing! with possible exception of wife.

Ride height set at 1 inch drop in the front and 1.2 inch in the rear - slightly less on both ends than KW suggests as base setting, but snow gets deep here. Adjustable damping set at 3 (KW calls it "Comfort") expecting I might have to turn it up harder, but haven't had to: the car handles potholes and ridges without full-compression, never floats, and has that amazing utterly connected "4 wheels glued to the pavement every millisecond" feel that I was craving.
You make me want to expedite my KW v3 plan
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