Bilstein B16's or KW clubsport? Discuss.

[Hurdy]

Been looking at upgrading the Eibach pro street coilovers (so should be for sale at a good price soon!) to one of the above and wondered how each performed and if one had any particular advantage over the other.

A couple of questions also.....

Can you get adjustable top mounts with the Bilsteins
Which one is easier to alter the bump and rebound settings on.

For anyone who has one of these set-ups, what do they feel like in terms of handling V comfort?  I don't mind a harder set-up, but wouldn't want my spine shattering if they are inherently rock solid

Cheers

[jabbalad]

Personally i have only had experience of the KWs, and to be honest the build quality is second to non.

so far i have run Kws on all of my cars and they have not once let me down, and the ride has all wase been firm but well controlled, i wouldnt say that there too stiff for road use either, i like them  

the only thing i would say that lets the KWs down is the adjustability of them, the rear bump adjusters are fiddly to adjust, and also if you want to adjust the rear rebound you have to drop the topmount (2 bolts) to be able to see them 

I have the clubsports on my car now, but i have had them apart to set the damper lengths properly for how low i wanted to run the car and have also altered the spring rates too, they are firmer than the usual clubsports now but considering i live out in the fens i still wouldn't say there spine braking stiff  

It would be good to hear about the Bilsteins tho

[RedRobin]

....

WhiteGTI and also Illyun have the Bilsteins. TC and others have the KW Clubsports.

I believe that both KW and Bilstein are the top brands, so it's a tricky choice involving ease of adjustability and cost differences and material durability/corrosion (Important!!).

I'm extremely happy with my KW V3's (not Clubsports) but if I wasn't using VWR for their setup expertise etc, I'd have been very very tempted by Bilstein because of their reputation.

From what you were saying on the phone, Hurdy, I'd favour Bilstein for ease of adjustability with their easy 1-9 settings - But eeeeasy is how I like things.

[Hurdy]

....

WhiteGTI and also Illyun have the Bilsteins. TC and others have the KW Clubsports.

I believe that both KW and Bilstein are the top brands, so it's a tricky choice involving ease of adjustability and cost differences and material durability/corrosion (Important!!).

I'm extremely happy with my KW V3's (not Clubsports) but if I wasn't using VWR for their setup expertise etc, I'd have been very very tempted by Bilstein because of their reputation.

From what you were saying on the phone, Hurdy, I'd favour Bilstein for ease of adjustability with their easy 1-9 settings - But eeeeasy is how I like things.

Yes, this is what is drawing me to the Bilsteins, but the top adjustability of the Clubsports keeps luring me back

[tony_danza]

I'd be more drawn to the Bilsteins, can't put my finger on why and there's nothing to say one if better than the other - I just prefer the idea of a gas damper.

Oh, and get some Whiteline adjustable topmounts. Most likely cheaper from Julian at Balance.

http://www.demon-tweeks.co.uk/products/ProductDetail.asp?cls=MSPORT&pcode=WHIKCA254M

[RedRobin]

....

Whichever way you decide, Hurdy, neither will be a mistake but don't rush your decision [says he, wondering how quickly he can get some OZ Alleggerita's!].

[Deako]

Clubsports are ideally not suited for road use/winter driivng as they are only galvanised (rather than stainless steel). So unless you strip them down and regrease them regularly, they are going to seize. Guaranteed. I have had many sets of coilovers that have gone this way within 12 months of use and winter driving.

On a road car, id be going for some stainless bodies personally, just to save on rebuild costs in the future. V3s are fine for this.

[jabbalad]

Clubsports are ideally not suited for road use/winter driivng as they are only galvanised (rather than stainless steel). So unless you strip them down and regrease them regularly, they are going to seize. Guaranteed. I have had many sets of coilovers that have gone this way within 12 months of use and winter driving.

On a road car, id be going for some stainless bodies personally, just to save on rebuild costs in the future. V3s are fine for this.

 
mine are stainless, same as the clubsports on my mk2 and on the corrado...

[Deako]

You sure?

Ive read articles stating the Clubsports are not stainless like the innox Variant 1 to 3 coilies, and that they are galvanised only.


Cant seem to find the damn information now. KWs website is useless.
Clubsports come with no warranty though.

Just read somewhere else that Clubsports use the V3 inox bodies with upgraded inserts.  Ignore my previous post.

[Janner_Sy]

i say go bilsteins, cos then when i upgrade my coilovers next year, ill have a good comparison between KW and bilstein, dpo it for the team lol

according to venom motorsport who deal with clubsports and bilstein b16 they rate the bilstein as the best on the market. really though, are the B16 not exactly the same as the B14 except with more adjustability to personalise it to your tastes.

ive never heard a bad thing about either TBH, the clubsports come with top mounts though which is a mega plus point. Although adjustability is supposably more awkward and there is a question about them not being stainless and possibly seizing up.

what are the prices for each set

[jonnyc]

Having adjustable dampers on a road car is a nice idea but once you have reached a good compromise that your happy with then thats it surely?

I bought a set of AST dampers and had them re valved, and specced my own springs for them.. Yes there pretty extreme but I certainly dont miss the adjustability of a club sport etc..

KW club sports are good but if your looking to spend some reasonable money consider pushing the boat out and going for a set of AST or Ohlins dampers and have them made to your spec..

[Janner_Sy]

I agree there.

if i buy some they wont be fully adjustable as i wouldnt have a clue what is adjusted for what reason. Id go for either Kw version 2 or bilstein B14, and to be fair if the B14s were trialed at the ring, they must be OK for the road as its pretty bumpy there in places.

The AST dampers are presumably similar to a koni FSD except more performance orientated, and you put on a fixed height spring, or are they a coilover and you specced your own spring to go on them. I dont have the knowledge to spec my own spring ill just rely on manufacturer testing and consumer reviews.

[Hurdy]

I wanted the adjustability for the numerous periods when I go to the Pod and trackdays.

I like the ability to adjust the dampers for bump and rebound, so at the pod I can have them like rock at the rear and mid at the front, for the track have them med to hard front and rear and for the road soft to medium for a little more comfort

Come to think of it, that probably means bilsteins with some whiteline adjustable top mounts then

[Janner_Sy]

whiteline adjustable top mounts who sells them, i didnt even know whiteline sold them. i know their bump steer kit is now available

.

are you based anywhere near whitegti he has the b14 coilovers.

[jonnyc]

The AST dampers are presumably similar to a koni FSD except more performance orientated, and you put on a fixed height spring, or are they a coilover and you specced your own spring to go on them. I dont have the knowledge to spec my own spring ill just rely on manufacturer testing and consumer reviews.

Not really, there a motorsport specific damper that I have on mine, but just non adjustable damping.. The ride height is adjustable..

I wanted the adjustability for the numerous periods when I go to the Pod and trackdays.

I like the ability to adjust the dampers for bump and rebound, so at the pod I can have them like rock at the rear and mid at the front, for the track have them med to hard front and rear and for the road soft to medium for a little more comfort

Come to think of it, that probably means bilsteins with some whiteline adjustable top mounts then

I would say go for the KW's above the Bilsteins. KW offer more options on springs and use a motorsport style spring so you have an option to play with them in the future..