Topic: KW Variant 1 vs KW Variant 3

[Arabas]

Hey all!
in autumn i am probably going to get a KW Variant for the GT.
if i get the Variant 3, i will surely go with the set up KW is proposing for the GT (bound-rebound). i am not willing to experiment on these adjustments, as i dare to say that i m not an expert and if i do so, i will probably mess it up.
as far as i know, KW 1 has factory preset values for bound and rebound and can not be adjusted, only height can be adjusted.

so the question is, does the KW Variant 1 has as a preset, the same set up that KW is proposing for KW 3 for our kappas?
if so, then the only difference between a KW 1 and a KW 3 that has been set up according to KW proposition, is the possibility that the owner has, to change the bound-rebound sometime in the future, if he wishes to do so...

any feedback from KW 1?

[Kelu]

Sometime ago I had same dilemma and my final conclusion was: KW V1 don't worth the money (same for Weitec). They are just almost same as lowering springs but costs same as BC Racing SA ones.
If you don't want adjustable coilovers keep Bilstein (far superior as brand as KW or Weitec) shocks and get Z0K springs, but your H&R are not far from Z0K springs so stay where you are.

My opinion about KW V3, yes, they are a headache for normal people like me or you when is about setting them up, I consider their settings might be affected by TUV regulations and I have the feeling that their best performance might be custom values, I even have in my mind to go the most famous romanian rally driver (10 times national champion) and have him to set them up if I don't succeed doing it on my own.

My conclusion was: KW don't worth the money (V1 and V3) and I choose BC Racing, height and SA, 800E to your door but I got screwed by the KW V3 deal which I couldn't refuse.

Check the part number for the shocks of V3 in the files which I posted in this topic:
http://www.kappaperformance.com/forum/index.php?topic=4801.msg67602#msg67602
Than try to find same file from KW V1 and check if the shocks part number are same.

P.S. When I did my research I couldn't find any Kappa owner using KW V1.

[kennysabarese]

I agree with kelu.

Kelu u should have sold arabas your V3

[Arabas]

Kelu, with a little research on DDM and KW sites, the springs and shocks are exactly the same for V1 and V3.
the numbers 1, 2 and 3 for Variant, only indicate the level of customisation the coilovers can have.
V1 comes factory presetted to the adjustments KW considers the best for each car and of course can not be adjusted otherwise. V3 comes with a suggestion for the settings for each car but you can adjust them otherwise if you like.

so, the reasonable conclusion, is that, if someone has the Variant 3 and sets it up according to what KW suggests, he should really have gone with the Variant 1, which is the exact same thing.

i want to avoid messing with settings of my supension, so i am considering KW 1 will be the best (oe maybe Weitec) when it s time to change my shocks and/or K&N springs.

some quotes from DDM and KW

KW Variant 1
Sporty Handling with factory pre-set damping

The ideal system for customers wishing to rely on the experience of our engineers to set the damper setting, yet determine their own degree of lowering. In extensive driving tests our engineers have set the dampers for the best balance between sporty driving, comfort and safety. The user is then free to decide the best height setting for their use and preference.
•Optimally pre-set•Sporty harmonious damping technology
•Stainless steel technology "inox-line"*
•Individually height-adjustable
•Lowering range approved by the German Technical Control Board (TÜV)
•Fully finished complete solutions
•High-quality component parts for long durability

With the success of the Variant 3's KW is now offering the Variant 1's to the Kappa Community. These are the same as the Variant 3's with the exception that they are not adjustable, but otherwise come with the same springs, durable stainless steel setup and damping found in the Variant 3's. A great package for performance driving and canyon carving.

The Variant 1's use state-of-the-art technology to help deliver and excellent ride and performance handling for the skilled and experienced driver. The damping rate is set from the factory, so there is no worry that you might "mess up" the handling of the car. instead with the preset levels from the factory you can be sure that this is an install and forget kind of prodcut. Although the damping may not be adjustable, the spring perches are the same as the Variant 3's and offer adjustment for ride height and corner weighting of the car. Installation does not require any special tools and can be installed in 6-8 hours. An alignment is strongly suggested after installation of these coilovers.

KW3
The new Variant 3 is state-of-the-art technology for the skilled and experienced driver. The separate and independent compression and rebound damping options allow a truly individual driving set-up. These unique systems with the 3 individually adjustable components, allows for adjustment of the compression of the damper in the low-speed range, while the highspeed set-up, so decisive for driving comfort, has been preset by our engineers

[Kelu]

Arabas:
1) quit believing every marketing message, go deep and read technical info.

2) Post pdf files for V1, wonder if springs are same or not.

[kennysabarese]

How much do the V1's cost vs BC's. If the BC's are cheaper, significantly, I'd go with them.

Also consider just getting lowering spring from Kappasphere or Z0K or the other brand you have locally. They are probably fine. The stock Bilsteins are GOOD QUALITY. Not any different than Bilstein race shocks, just not adjustable.

KW's are basically the same design as a Koni FYI (heard this from a dealer of both brands)

If you are not considering any other brands apart from KW, get the V1.

[Arabas]

i have the stock shocks with H&R lowering springs and the imorovement in handling is significant.
but people praise the KW, so i thought that there must be something outstanding there.
as you and Kelu say, it must not be such a huge difference after all.
btw, BC is cheaper by almost $300.

for the moment i m keeping my current setup and when the time comes to change shocks, i ll go either sith the same or with a KW V1

[Kelu]

Go and ride a KW V3 kappa, see for yourself, in street condition might not be so huge difference from your setup to worth over 1000$.

I wouldn't spend more for KW V1, I would go with BC in a heart beat considering they are even cheaper.

[Arabas]

will ride your kappa when u come over to Greece on October Kelu 

just an official update for anyone interested.
i got the official answer from KW.
it seems (if i undertsand correctly) that KW1 and KW3 are products with different construction philosophy and their differences are two:
V3 is rebound and compression adjustable
V3 has different "internal" design

if KW V3 is adjusted according to what KW proposes, then the outcome is the same as having KW V1.
but to those that are willing to experiment on the set up, KW V3 is a one way product because it can offer advantage on handling and feeling, if one knows what he is doing.
(since english is not my mother tongue, pls correct me if i have understood wrong)


Dear George,

thank you for your email and interest in our products.
The V1 and the V3 are quite different products. Not only from adjustment side (V3 rebound and compression adjustable), but also from the complete internal “design”. V1 is produced with “damper cartridges” inside the stainless steel housings, V3 is a twin tube shock absorber, where no cartridge system is used. The technology of V3 comes from our 2-way competition race coilovers… “Born on the track, raised for the street” technology with KW patented compression valve technology.

V1 offers a fixed damping setup, fixed by our experienced engineers. V3 offers you the possibility to also choose this setup, OR to individualize easily the damping forces for your PERSONAL and INDIVIUAL perfect feeling and handling.

For a Opel GT, we definitely recommend you to choose KW V3. The GT is a sports car and should be perfectly fitting to the driver’s needs.
With V3 you can find this individually suitable setting easily.

For more information about differences, please check the website:

http://www.kw-suspensions.eu/int/kw_technology_overview.php

and

http://www.kw-suspensions.eu/int/kw_productrange.php

Thank you.

Mit freundlichen Grüßen / Best regards

KW automotive GmbH

[Kelu]

if KW V3 is adjusted according to what KW proposes, then the outcome is the same as having KW V1.
but to those that are willing to experiment on the set up, KW V3 is a one way product because it can offer advantage on handling and feeling, if one knows what he is doing.

I consider their settings might be affected by TUV regulations and I have the feeling that their best performance might be custom values

Exactly what I was saying, thank you for confirming!!! 

So forget about V1!!!

[LatinVenom]

I agree go with the BC or just change to the Z0k setup.