Looking for some first-hand opinions on kw v3s vs clubsports

[seblove]

Hey all, I'm ready to upgrade my suspension. I've done a decent amount of research and it seems like there are only a few of us here that run clubsports and there's very little info regarding that kit on a b7 rs4, with v3s being the more popular option. Has anyone experienced both? My dad's 996 turbo has pss9s, which I like for that car, but it gets slightly bouncy on rough roads and at times I wish it were firmer. I'm assuming the firmness on that setup will be comparable to a v3 kit on factory settings, so I'm curious if I'd get more out of the firmer clubsport coilovers. The car will be tracked ~5 times a year, but also act as a DD in South Bay (smooth roads for the most part) and sometimes in downtown LA...

I generally enjoy sporty feeling cars, even if i'm just rolling around the city, and rarely do I have anyone other than my girlfriend in the car so I'm not too concerned about brutalizing passengers with a harsh ride. Would appreciate some opinions on whether or not I should shell out the extra cash for the clubsports. I'm sure I'd be happy with the v3s as well. The extra height drop on the v3s doesn't really matter to me, I'll have a modest drop no matter what. Finally, I do plan on supercharging down the line, and I'd imagine the firm suspension will shine with the added hp.

On a side note, why are kw kits so much cheaper at fr.sport.com than anywhere else I've looked? http://www.frsport.com/KW-ClubSport-...uUZxoChaLw_wcB EDIT: Dead link, looks like they took down this page a day after posting...

Am I missing something?

Thanks in advance!!

[denis silva]

I only used the kwv3 on my cars so i cant say anything about the other brand, but u can set as pretty much as you want , and i LOVE MY SET UP:)


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[sideshowbob]

I can say that i love the clubsports personally. My wife is/was used to the sportier ride but when these were installed she didnt even notice.... untill i took a corner! :)

[65vetteC6]

I spoke to KW about this and they suggested the V3 unless the car was dedicated to the track. Ive have V3's on my last 3 cars and have never felt the need to turn them all the way up in stiffness, I also haven't tracked those car though.

[forbiddenbeat]

I'll be *that* guy and not directly answer your question, but I can't speak highly enough about the Raceline TTX Ohlins from PSI. I've had KW V3's on another car, and these are on a completely different level from KW, Bilstein, etc. If you plan on supercharging and tracking, I'd pony up the extra $2k and get Ohlins.

[Mr.Wrong]

I'll be *that* guy and not directly answer your question, but I can't speak highly enough about the Raceline TTX Ohlins from PSI. I've had KW V3's on another car, and these are on a completely different level from KW, Bilstein, etc. If you plan on supercharging and tracking, I'd pony up the extra $2k and get Ohlins.

IMHO that's the best available outthere for this platform I've only heard nothing but positive about them.

[denis silva]

But the i think they cost almost 4k$ right?


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[Mr.Wrong]

But the i think they cost almost 4k$ right?


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Last time I looked, closer to 6 lol

[forbiddenbeat]

But the i think they cost almost 4k$ right?


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$5700, so yah, twice the price. But if one is planning on adding a $15k supercharger kit and tracking the car, spending another $2500 to get a real-deal suspension upgrade is worth it IMO.

[Peter1.8t]

The Ohlin's TTX36 3-way adjustables on my RS4 are girlfriend approved for comfort, while providing ample stiffness and dampening when you start to push it. I might mess with the settings to add a little more upfront.

I have stasis motorsports on my b5 s4 and they are noticeably louder than the TTX. Still a phenomenal suspension kit, but don't have the same adjustability as the newer kit. Also running stiffer springs on these so it rides a little harder than the rs4.

Supercharger is also girlfriend approved if you go that route

[JimmyBones]

I have K&W Clubsports on my B6 S4 and have driven a few other B6 S4s with the normal K&W V3s. There is a definite difference. The Clubsports are more aggressive and I could feel a difference. Originally I left my Clubsports at the suggested settings of Rebound front 6 clicks/rear 12 clicks open and Bump front 5 clicks/rear 6 clicks open. I have since changed them by opening everything 3 clicks more to smooth out the ride a little bit. My S4 has every spherical bearing control arm and sway bar end link that 034 Motorsport sells along with new rear OEM lower control arms/tie arms so the rest of my suspension is already really stiff. Also have the Hotchkis big RS4 rear sway bar too. I may not have a RS4 but I have just about everything possible to do to my B6 S4 that a RS4 could do suspension wise.

The PSI TTX Ohlins are really nice but they are hellishly expensive at like $5,645 for the two way adjustable ones or $7,145 for the three way adjustable ones (on PSI's website). They came out a few months after I got my K&W Clubsports and I paid $2,750 for my Clubsports. Which isn't bad considering they list for $3,129.99 on K&W's website. Also your link for fr.sport.com didn't work for me.

[komseh]

I'll just comment on the FRsport price... It was legit, but I got my preferred vendor to price match them. I wasn't sure about FRsport as a company so I just went with a KW vendor I trust. Looks like FRsport has taken the product down now though.

[seblove]

I'll just comment on the FRsport price... It was legit, but I got my preferred vendor to price match them. I wasn't sure about FRsport as a company so I just went with a KW vendor I trust. Looks like FRsport has taken the product down now though.

RIP the best deal i could find... they took down the v3s too, I won't even speculate as to the timing.

Those Ohlins look fantastic. I guess the whole "here and now" allure to modding within a budget had me convinced I was gonna go with KW, but on second thought I'll hold out and save up for the better option. My DRC is doing just fine for now so it's a win-win. I freaking love this forum when we aren't dick-swinging about superchargers and aftermarket brand loyalties. Thanks for all the great input guys.

[denis silva]

Jezzz almot 6k$,no thank you!:) i helped one of my friends get a set of brand new KWV3 for 2100$ shipped to his house:)


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[ryanhmusic]

I freaking love this forum when we aren't dick-swinging about superchargers and aftermarket brand loyalties.

+1

Also the Ohlins are amazing but don't they require a rebuild every 25k miles or something?

[MugelloB7RS4]

+1

Also the Ohlins are amazing but don't they require a rebuild every 25k miles or something?

This is what scared me away from Ohlins. There's no question they're a great suspension, but I didn't want the downtime to rebuild them every so often.

I went with the KW V3 and I'm now going through my third winter with snow/salt and crap and they're still great. For me, I made the right choice. Depending on what you use your car for, you might be able to justify the rebuilds and downtime.

[seblove]

This is what scared me away from Ohlins. There's no question they're a great suspension, but I didn't want the downtime to rebuild them every so often.

I went with the KW V3 and I'm now going through my third winter with snow/salt and crap and they're still great. For me, I made the right choice. Depending on what you use your car for, you might be able to justify the rebuilds and downtime.

Hmm so KW suggests 60k rebuild intervals for street use and Ohlins a little less than half of that. I'm okay with the downtime, apparently you can remove the coilovers and mail them in for rebuilds - takes a week. 25k is also a long time given that it's taken me over a year to log 6k miles (i work from home).

We'll see, maybe I'll get impatient and pull the trigger on some KWs - Denis, you're my guy if/when that time comes

[Peter1.8t]

Hmm so KW suggests 60k rebuild intervals for street use and Ohlins a little less than half of that. I'm okay with the downtime, apparently you can remove the coilovers and mail them in for rebuilds - takes a week. 25k is also a long time given that it's taken me over a year to log 6k miles (i work from home).

We'll see, maybe I'll get impatient and pull the trigger on some KWs - Denis, you're my guy if/when that time comes

The Ohlin's on my b5s4 I've logged about 80k miles. They are finally showing some signs that they need a rebuild, although they still perform very well. I'm not sure how many miles are on the RS4's Ohlins. Per, the previous owner, has a spreadsheet of all the mods and maintenance so I can double check on the milage, regardless, they are an amazing piece of suspension. My only advice is not to ride in a car that has them or you will want them.

KWv3's are on my friends RS4. After riding in it a lot, and driving it once I think they are a very very good option for these cars. Really you won't be disappointed with any option you choose, but see if there are any other local RS4 owners in your area that could give you a ride on some different options.