KW Street Comfort review + some new wheels/tires

[nthusiastt]

Had some stuff done to the Q7 Friday and wanted to share my experience.

Suspension: KW Street comfort.
I went from the stock spring suspension over to the KW Street. I battled between a few different suspension choices but ultimately settled on the KW Street comfort when speaking to KW-USA and they shared that the ride quality was really nice on these. That was a priority since this is a family hauler, my wife will drive and is lugging around the kids. As a side note, they said they used the same shock body as the V3. A bit confused, I asked if there was any reason to go with the V3 if the street comfort used the same shock and he said it must have been an error in their database. Needless to say, I was pleasantly surprised when they arrived and had separate reservoirs and independent rebound and compression dampening.

If you're buying these in the US, nobody has them in stock. Expect to wait 2-3 weeks. I called a lot of places to check pricing and Works Concepts is the cheapest. The guy has an ebay store and sold the full setup to me for 1650$ shipped.

Wheels: AC Forged 22x10.5 / 22x12

<Omitted>

Tires: Pirelli zero 295/30 front & 335/25 rear
Pretty much the only option here. I thought about the Vredestein Ultrac Vorti's but ended up just going with the Pirelli's due to having a tough time finding these in stock. I was concerned about a couple things with this tire. #1, road noise but the road noise hasn't been bad (I only have about 300 miles on this setup so far, so take that with a grain of salt). I zero'd out toe and pulled the camber in to about 1deg front and rear to help with tire wear since I'd like to get 15-20k out of this setup. It follows the road more but small price to pay in my mind.


Review: So, everything was done at once and my impression of the KW is about as good as it can get. The stock suspension is jarring compared to the smoothness of the KW. I even left the bump/rebound adjustments at their out of the box configuration per the advise of KW. It has a bit more body roll than the stock suspension, but it's so much more supple and smooth. My first impression was I must be low on tire pressure since I'm running a 25 sidewall. I checked and I'm on 40psi. I don't know what to say other than the setup far exceeded my expectations. Wife loves it, easier for the kids to get in and out of and satisfies my mod bug fora short period :) .. Next mods, I'm thinking about going with custom Downpipe and exhaust + malone tune, maybe larger injectors or bigger turbo. I dunno. We'll see.





A shot of the rig without suspension. I put 2 of them on and then took them off immediately lol.

A picture of the suspension with separated reservoirs with independent rebound and compression dampening.

[sschwar2]

Looks awesome! What did you do to black out the chrome?

[RAudi Driver]

Don't our cars com with airbags?

[jragan]

Don't our cars com with airbags?

Only the ones with that option installed. Most don't.

[nthusiastt]

Don't our cars com with airbags?

Some of them do but it's extremely uncommon. I looked for one with the airmatic suspension just to see if it rode better than the traditional spring suspension but never found one local to me so I have no personal experience with them. Ultimately I'm really happy I didn't go airmatic because I've read mixed reviews on them and the KW ride is so lovely. If anyone is local/in Washington you're welcome to take a ride in it.

Looks awesome! What did you do to black out the chrome?

Thanks! The trim came blacked out, I believe it's a package from the factory.

[Chris@EPL]

Judging from the stock wheels looks like a Ti package

[BENI_BOY]

you and I are the same person I swear lol...Widebody avants and q7's for the wife.

Great review though!!

[nthusiastt]

^ Seriously dude .. I saw you were selling the nice dash and door trim. Was really thinking about it but the install has me a bit gun-shy.

[BENI_BOY]

^ Seriously dude .. I saw you were selling the nice dash and door trim. Was really thinking about it but the install has me a bit gun-shy.

According to the pervious owner he said its very easy to remove a q7 dash! do you still have the avant?

[Jupiteraudi]

Nice review Nthusiastt,

Funny you guys mention the WB Avant and Q7. I sold my B7 S4 and bought a TDI Q7. I still have my Avant but it's not a WB.

I'm curious about your comments regarding a Malone Tune as well as the exhaust. My Q will be treated to a set of V3's very soon.

[Chris@EPL]

A buddy of mine (Tom the owner) is a Malone dealer and doing a special right now at Panzer Performance
https://www.facebook.com/PanzerPerformance/

Tell him Chris with the 16V sent you he will know.

[Jupiteraudi]

Thank you! You guys tuned my Avant when I had 605's and 770's via Chris @ USP. I have since moved on to a GT28 kit and built motor.

[Chris@EPL]

Oh wow great. And Panzer Performance is actually in Bradenton, so not too far from Jupiter. I used to live in St. Pete and did that drive from Jupiter over to the west coast via SR70 and it was fun. Also I miss the Burt Reynolds Museum in Jupiter.

[nthusiastt]

Jupiter, since the street comfort uses the same shock as the V3 it's more or less pointless to get the V3. I spent some time on the phone with KW rep's, give em a ring and confirm. Save your money for a nice set of forged wheels.



Old shot of wagon because, why not :)

[Samsonite]

Did someone mention Avant and Q7



You have great taste nthusiastt ...that WB was cleeeaaaan!...lets see some more pics of the new set-up on your Q!

[Jupiteraudi]

Jupiter, since the street comfort uses the same shock as the V3 it's more or less pointless to get the V3. I spent some time on the phone with KW rep's, give em a ring and confirm. Save your money for a nice set of forged wheels.



Old shot of wagon because, why not :)

I'd like to keep my oem wheels but after buying new tires after 11k I might reconsider! Do the street comfort limit how low you can go? I read they do but maybe the comforts will allow me to go as low as I would want. I'm not looking to slam the thing but I would like to reduce body roll. Do you still have the WB Avant? One of my all time favorites!

[nthusiastt]

I'd like to keep my oem wheels but after buying new tires after 11k I might reconsider! Do the street comfort limit how low you can go? I read they do but maybe the comforts will allow me to go as low as I would want. I'm not looking to slam the thing but I would like to reduce body roll. Do you still have the WB Avant? One of my all time favorites!

You do have an "effective range" that KW suggests you stay within. I'm at the lowest suggested setting on my Q7. If you'd like to go lower than mine I'd advise looking at other options. IMHO the Q7 doesn't look good tucking tire, I'm personally really happy with the fender to wheel fitment. I sold the Avant about 2 years ago, I'd like to have said it was a fun project lol.

[Jupiteraudi]

What is the rolling diameter of your current setup for the front? I'll look it up if you don't know off hand. I'm not looking to tuck by any means so the comforts could be the ticket. This has been helpful....as your thread was the first I had heard of them.

[EvilllEmpirE]

this is great....i was hoping for a different alternative than going KW V3s. So these are same shock bodies....with different Spring Rates?? How much was Labor for you install on these? TIA

[nthusiastt]

this is great....i was hoping for a different alternative than going KW V3s. So these are same shock bodies....with different Spring Rates?? How much was Labor for you install on these? TIA

Standard labor on the install is about 6 hours. So whatever your shop charges give or take. + alignment. I've heard mixed reviews on the difficulty of the installation, some have said it's very challenging, some have said it's easy. I do know you'll need a spring compressor to do this setup and probably an extra hand to navigate around the front axles.

What is the rolling diameter of your current setup for the front? I'll look it up if you don't know off hand. I'm not looking to tuck by any means so the comforts could be the ticket. This has been helpful....as your thread was the first I had heard of them.

The rolling diameter of the new setup is:
Front: 735.8mm
Rear: 726.3mm

The old setup was:
739.9mm both front and rear

[BENI_BOY]

clear your PM's

[nthusiastt]

Hey, sorry man just cleared it :)

[calitri808]

I heard something about avants and q7s....



Btw, my wife's q7 is lowered on BC Coilovers with swift springs upgrade...

[matt94gt]

Hey nthusiastt, now that you've had the KW's on for a while how do you like them? Im debating going this route, and do you have any more side profile shots? The stance looks pretty well perfect.

Thanks in advance!

[matt94gt]

Anyone else have any feedback on the KWs? I find on steel suspension the ride is quite rough and Im worried to go to 21 or 22" wheels I am hoping these would help out a bit.

[allbizns]

Anyone else have any feedback on the KWs? I find on steel suspension the ride is quite rough and Im worried to go to 21 or 22" wheels I am hoping these would help out a bit.

I've got about 5,000 miles on the set in my wifes Q7 TDI. I couldn't be happier. As the OP stated they are the same bodies as the V3's I'm still on the factory 21"peelers. My wife drives it 99% of the time and she has no complaints sorry for the bad shots on the car I've been meaning to get better side shots. I have since lowered the rear slightly. If i remeber corectly FTG is front 29 5/8 and rear 30 1/2 now. Im getting some 295/40 21 Atturo 850z put on monday I will try and get some better pic then.

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[matt94gt]

Some sideshots outside of the garage would be awesome. Do you find its win win? More comfortable ride, and better handling? Did you pretty well put them on, with the setup as they come? Seems most people just do that.

Thanks a bunch for chiming in!

[Q7Sline]

I've got about 5,000 miles on the set in my wifes Q7 TDI. I couldn't be happier. As the OP stated they are the same bodies as the V3's I'm still on the factory 21"peelers. My wife drives it 99% of the time and she has no complaints sorry for the bad shots on the car I've been meaning to get better side shots. I have since lowered the rear slightly. If i remeber corectly FTG is front 29 5/8 and rear 30 1/2 now. Im getting some 295/40 21 Atturo 850z put on monday I will try and get some better pic then.

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+1 on the request for more side shots. But looks awesome so far. The stance looks so much better than stock imo. I have a 2014 Q7 myself so on the fence between drop springs vs coilovers.


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[allbizns]

Some sideshots outside of the garage would be awesome. Do you find its win win? More comfortable ride, and better handling? Did you pretty well put them on, with the setup as they come? Seems most people just do that.

Thanks a bunch for chiming in!

Yes I left them set up as KW shipped them. Same as the OP after talking with the guys at KW that is what they recommended. I am very happy with the ride. I would say it might have firmed up the ride slightly. But it is way more controlled feeling if that makes sense. It eliminated alot of the body roll but im sure the lower CG also helped with that. I only noticed the slight fimness because i was looking for any change after the install. My wife didn't notice any difference.
After some measuring this weekend looks like the 295/40r21 might not fit with it being lowered and the 18mm front spacers. I think its more the spacer. I was concerned about clearance to the back of the wheel opening during turning. But after looking it actually gets very close to the front where the intercooler protrudes out. I am going to mess with some different spacers and see if I can get it to work.
I wilk work on some side shots. The weather has just been horrible here lately.

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[allbizns]

+1 on the request for more side shots. But looks awesome so far. The stance looks so much better than stock imo. I have a 2014 Q7 myself so on the fence between drop springs vs coilovers.


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I would not recommend drop springs. Or at least the ones that are offered for the Q7 with out doing performance struts as well and then your the same cost as the coilovers.
I have lowered all my vehicles over the years with either Eibach or H&R.
Never had any issues out of my Eibach cars with stock shocks/struts. All the VW/Audi cars I lowered on H&R springs w/stock struts/shocks which was 3 cars all had the same results. The rear always felt bouncy and less controlled. And they all cupped the rear tires badly. I did have each car aligned with the install. From now on I won't lower any of my german cars on anything but coilovers. Hope that helps.

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[SQive]

I have the Bilstein B16 coil-overs (PSS10) and they still ride great after over 50K miles.
Granted, they're on my SQ5, but it they have any for the Q7, I would recommend.

[allbizns]

Finally stopped raining here and could get a few shots. Also ended up having to go with the stock 295/35 tire we tried to fit a 295/40 but being lowered and running 18mm front wheel spacers the 40 series tire would hit the front of the inner wheel liner bad, basically it would hit the corner of the intercooler where it bulges out at the vent when the wheel was turned. The 295/35 is almost touching I can't get a finger in between the tire and inner liner but it doesn't rub at all. I probably could have run the 40series with no spacer but after running the spacer it looks horrible without it IMO.
I am also having issues with the rear alignment. It ate the rear tires off in under 7,000 miles. Its not a camber issue either its even across the whole tire.. I feel its a toe or rear thrust angle issue. I found a shop local that is willing to take the time and put the truck on the rack and make adjustments to where they feel it needs to be not where the computer lights up green and says its good. Hopefully they will get it dialed in.

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[blackfunk]

Finally stopped raining here and could get a few shots. Also ended up having to go with the stock 295/35 tire we tried to fit a 295/40 but being lowered and running 18mm front wheel spacers the 40 series tire would hit the front of the inner wheel liner bad, basically it would hit the corner of the intercooler where it bulges out at the vent when the wheel was turned. The 295/35 is almost touching I can't get a finger in between the tire and inner liner but it doesn't rub at all. I probably could have run the 40series with no spacer but after running the spacer it looks horrible without it IMO.
I am also having issues with the rear alignment. It ate the rear tires off in under 7,000 miles. Its not a camber issue either its even across the whole tire.. I feel its a toe or rear thrust angle issue. I found a shop local that is willing to take the time and put the truck on the rack and make adjustments to where they feel it needs to be not where the computer lights up green and says its good. Hopefully they will get it dialed in.

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Looking good.