KW v3 vs bilstein b16 pss10?

[bimmermh]

Guys would love to hear some real user experience. Seems like people either love the KW v3 or the bilsteins, but not both.

Mainly for street use.

[Tbonem3]

I think the correct compro would be KWV2 vs PSS10 at least price-wise.

If performance is priority, PSS10

If lowering lowlows is priority, KW.

But I think KWv3s are a step up. My friend had them, seemed nice, but I don't know the particulars.

[EthanolTurbo]

KWs are absolute trash, Bilstein is a better damper with way better valving.

[Slideways]

KW V3s are twin tube dampers and would be better for street use and an occasional track day. Most people run these too low, even 13.5/13 is not great. If you keep them at factory or CSL ride height, I'd say that they are solid street coilovers.

PSS10s are monotube dampers and would be better for some street use and more track use but not dedicated track use.

[oceansize]

Ran V3's on my 2016 Focus ST, but with the most minimal amount of drop I could provide. I really liked them on that car. Pure street use.

[cobra]

KWs are absolute trash, Bilstein is a better damper with way better valving.

"Better valving"? What do you mean?

I tested KW V3's on a shock dyno. They work well. They are different than typical twin tubes in that they have a reservoir to separate the oil from air and have a base valve for compression adjustment. Their adjustment range is wide enough to accommodate a range of spring rates, though the stock spring rates are great for a sporty street application, and the bodies are shortened to allow lowering or simply to add more bump travel which is a good thing.

Sure, the adjusters didn't feel the best, and they were off a couple clicks left-to-right to get the same amount of damping. Maybe some quality issues there, and getting them rebuilt sounds like it can be a pain. But performance wise, pretty damn good for the price. I have a friend with KW V3 who is very happy with them on street and track.



The bilsteins are also probably good just given the reputation of the brand - especially being an inverted strut in front. But you have less adjustment control (no separate compression vs rebound control). I haven't personally had my hands on them so can't say how the valving compares.

[fattycharged]

V3's are a good choice for price on a street setup


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[Gt4]

Bilstein durability is far superior to KW. Seems lot of KW leaks or cracks in weld on piggyback...

[bimmermh]

Bilstein durability is far superior to KW. Seems lot of KW leaks or cracks in weld on piggyback...

Interesting - havent heard that before.

Also can you DM me Gt4 please ? I am interested in a CSL Diffuser but I cant DM yet...

[Gt4]

Interesting - havent heard that before.

Also can you DM me Gt4 please ? I am interested in a CSL Diffuser but I cant DM yet...

pm sent

[Gearhead55]

Differemt chassis, but I have KW V3s on my X3M. They felt great, valving and spring rate were spot on for that application, but one damper has developed a leak after 30k miles. That is a lot of miles, but I am still disappointed since it was only street/commuting use and not heavy track abuse or anything. Heavy car with some frequent spirited driving though.

I had PSS10s on my e46 years ago and they survived lots of track abuse. Too soft for real track use though.

[Nate047]

I have KW V3 Clubsport on both my e36 and e46 M3s. The dampers are the same between regular V3 and Clubsport, but the V3 doesn’t include front upper mounts and the springs are different.

I really like them on both cars, the dampers are excellent and have lots of adjustability. If I wanted to tinker, not that you “need” to, I would change the springs to a slightly softer front and a linear rear spring, and put some of those articulating rear spring perches on to minimize binding. On the e46, the rear is annoying to adjust because of the physical space, if you could put the adjuster up top instead of on the bottom, it would be nice. I don’t know if the Bilsteins are like that or not, but it’s a minor annoyance.

The front upper mounts not being included is arguably a selling point for picking V3 over Clubsport, the KW mounts are not as easily adjustable as something like Ground Control or other similar mounts. I don’t know how the math works out cost wise, but the ideal setup in my mind would be KW dampers, something like a Swift spring, and whatever the hive mind says is the best adjustable front upper mount.

All that being said, they’re great out of the box for a street car if you don’t want to fuck with anything.

[Flow]

I loved my KW V2, I regret selling them.

[EthanolTurbo]

"Better valving"? What do you mean?

I tested KW V3's on a shock dyno. They work well. They are different than typical twin tubes in that they have a reservoir to separate the oil from air and have a base valve for compression adjustment. Their adjustment range is wide enough to accommodate a range of spring rates, though the stock spring rates are great for a sporty street application, and the bodies are shortened to allow lowering or simply to add more bump travel which is a good thing.

Sure, the adjusters didn't feel the best, and they were off a couple clicks left-to-right to get the same amount of damping. Maybe some quality issues there, and getting them rebuilt sounds like it can be a pain. But performance wise, pretty damn good for the price. I have a friend with KW V3 who is very happy with them on street and track.



The bilsteins are also probably good just given the reputation of the brand - especially being an inverted strut in front. But you have less adjustment control (no separate compression vs rebound control). I haven't personally had my hands on them so can't say how the valving compares.

Putting them on a shock dyno does nothing if you don't dictate what kind of measurement you did. PVP? CVP?

Anyways, here's ACTUAL CVP shock dynos of KW V4's vs Ohlins Road and Track. Ohlins in black, KW V4's in red.

[maupineda]

To be honest, neither dynos look great.