KW V1 vs. V2 vs. Street-Comfort coilovers??

[wildcat333]

Hello. I am in the market to purchase coilovers very soon. I have searched and read many old threads, googled, and done as much homework as I can. For now, I will still be running stock Audi split-spoke 17" wheels. I will never race my car on a track, but want to be much lower, and not be a 4x4. I also do not want to feel every single bump in the road. I want my ride to feel at least as good as stock.

I live in NH, with terrible winters and salty roads, so I'm almost set on the KW brand of coils from what I've read. I want as cushy/nice a ride as possible, but also to be very low. I've read some things that the KW Street Comfort coils are nice, but not low enough for some people. If KW Street Comfort coils are a cop-out, and only somewhat low, what's the point? I haven't been able to find too much info out there, so I was hoping some of the active members on here could please give their 2 cents. I understand that KW V2's have a damper control, but would KW V1's and KW V2's have the same feel? I'm really at a loss, and want to order coils ASAP for the late spring/early summer.

Please help. Thoughts?

* KW V1,
* KW V2, or
* KW Street Comfort???

Here is my ride:



Thanks.

[Insane_Audi]

To be perfectly honest, it is up to you.

There have been a million reviews, and people are just going to repeat what they have said

The V1 and V2 offer you different things, so i would suggest searching info on their stiffness and overall performance.

[Stubek]

I had v2 for 80k miles, never had a problem and for 3 years of that, my drive to and from work was 5 miles on a dirt road each way.

[miggity02]

STs are made by KW and there are lots of us on here who are running them. Just search and see. AMI Motorsports is running a special right now, $799 shipped. I think they have them (pretty sure) for b7. Ride is just a bit firmer than stock sport suspension and of course you can go loooooow or high.

[4RingRook]

V2 have dampening settings, but otherwise are exactly like the V1s.


V1s come with the default V2 setting which people rarely change.


STs are made by KW and same as V1s, but are made of anodized and not stainless steel thus will rust over time. Wouldn't recommend those in the NE.

[B6JoeS4]

V1 are progressive rate springs and set dampening

V2 are linear rate springs with adjustable dampening.

Linear rate springs and adjustable dampening are useful if you track your car. if you don't, stick to the v1

[Kim]

Had the V2s since I track my car about 2x a month. Still didn't find the suspension as quick as I wanted to over chicanes and fast sweepers, switched to Stasis Ohlins, which you should really consider.

[DolphinV8]

V1 & V2 springs rate - 690/470
Street Comfort - 457/457

I would pick KW over ST because of the weather condition of where you live.
Our price is very competitive. PM me for the price.

[wildcat333]

Had the V2s since I track my car about 2x a month. Still didn't find the suspension as quick as I wanted to over chicanes and fast sweepers, switched to Stasis Ohlins, which you should really consider.

Are Stasis coils good for winter weather and road salt? What type of metal is used?

[wildcat333]

V1 & V2 springs rate - 690/470
Street Comfort - 457/457

I would pick KW over ST because of the weather condition of where you live.
Our price is very competitive. PM me for the price.

What company do you work for? Website link? Thank you.

[wildcat333]

I had v2 for 80k miles, never had a problem and for 3 years of that, my drive to and from work was 5 miles on a dirt road each way.

And the dirt road was fine? Same feel as it would be with a stock suspension?

[mr shickadance]

pretty funny how you can see when people are expecting or have recieved thier tax return.....so many threads about mods right around 1000 bucks

[RiCHV382]

OP based on your OP I'd say go for the V1s for weather conditions and comfort. I have the V2s which are pretty stiff yet IMO still comfortable (I didnt adjust the dampening) The V1s have a softer springs so I imagine they will be a bit more comfortable. How low are you looking to go? My car is in the 23" range GTF height both V1 & V2 will get you decently low.

[jimrobbington]

Just remember, the lower you go, the worse the ride will be. Theres nothing that will make you as low as you want to go and keep a stock like feel. It will be bouncier. That being said, I love my V1s, and they are fairly stiff, but a better ride than I was expecting. I think you should get the V1s.

[b7kevin]

pretty funny how you can see when people are expecting or have recieved thier tax return.....so many threads about mods right around 1000 bucks

lol, I know right? Luckily I got the education stimulus credit extra 1000 on the ol return. Plus my company's reporting strong quarter one earnings employee stock purchase plan FTW.

Now its time for coils as well ;)

[theklug]

Are Stasis coils good for winter weather and road salt? What type of metal is used?

Even with the crappy roads of PA, I have the Stasis SS and they get pretty low. They are stainless and from what I read they have been comparable to the V1's

I had a thread a few weeks ago on what route I was going to take, I remember some people from NY and NJ chimed in and said they have no problem in the winters with them....

[mr shickadance]

lol, I know right? Luckily I got the education stimulus credit extra 1000 on the ol return. Plus my company's reporting strong quarter one earnings employee stock purchase plan FTW.

Now its time for coils as well ;)

i got the 1000 dollar credit....and still owed......

[Kim]

I use the Stasis Ohlins and they are a higher grade Stainless Steel than the Streetsports. The Spring perches are made specifically of polymer for corrosion resistance and is a lot smoother than the SS in terms of rebound, which is why it's also quicker. Lastly, the mounting hardware is aluminum.

[wildcat333]

pretty funny how you can see when people are expecting or have recieved thier tax return.....so many threads about mods right around 1000 bucks

I know, right? Unfortunately I didn't get that big of a rebate, but it's still GO-TIME! Reading this forum daily without modding my car at all is torture.

OP based on your OP I'd say go for the V1s for weather conditions and comfort. I have the V2s which are pretty stiff yet IMO still comfortable (I didnt adjust the dampening) The V1s have a softer springs so I imagine they will be a bit more comfortable. How low are you looking to go? My car is in the 23" range GTF height both V1 & V2 will get you decently low.

I really like the look of your stance, RiCHV382. I'm not sure of the # of inches I would want, but I like that look. I basically want to go as low as possible, but not "tucking" I guess. I will raise the height for the winter if needed a bit. So the V1's are always "softer" feeling than V2's? Is there any benefit of having V2's (versus V1's) if you do not adjust the damper settings? V1's are looking good so far (and more affordable).

Just remember, the lower you go, the worse the ride will be. Theres nothing that will make you as low as you want to go and keep a stock like feel. It will be bouncier. That being said, I love my V1s, and they are fairly stiff, but a better ride than I was expecting. I think you should get the V1s.

Cool, thanks. They are up there in the running. I'm still trying to see if KW Street Comforts would be a waste though (and not low enough).

Even with the crappy roads of PA, I have the Stasis SS and they get pretty low. They are stainless and from what I read they have been comparable to the V1's

I had a thread a few weeks ago on what route I was going to take, I remember some people from NY and NJ chimed in and said they have no problem in the winters with them....

Hmm, I kept reading all over this forum and other internet sites that KW's are resistant to road salt, whereas Stasis ones might corrode over time. I'm planning on keeping this car for at least 10 years, so I'm leaning towards KW currently.

I use the Stasis Ohlins and they are a higher grade Stainless Steel than the Streetsports. The Spring perches are made specifically of polymer for corrosion resistance and is a lot smoother than the SS in terms of rebound, which is why it's also quicker. Lastly, the mounting hardware is aluminum.

Looks nice, but $$$$$ :(

*****

Thanks for the replies so far guys. I'm going to hold off for about a week until I make a decision and place my order. Any other ideas or thoughts out there? So far, most people are thinking V1's would be the best bet for my situation.

[RiCHV382]

I really like the look of your stance, RiCHV382. I'm not sure of the # of inches I would want, but I like that look. I basically want to go as low as possible, but not "tucking" I guess. I will raise the height for the winter if needed a bit. So the V1's are always "softer" feeling than V2's? Is there any benefit of having V2's (versus V1's) if you do not adjust the damper settings? V1's are looking good so far (and more affordable).

Thanks! Yes V1s are softer. The benefit of having V2s or stiffer coils is it will cut down the amount travel your suspension will have when going over bumps/dips etc which means less rubbing when you have lower offset wheels, wider tires. So if your not into stance and wide wheels and you just want a more comfortable ride I'd get the V1s and I say that after reading your OP. Also PM carson at CD design theres a thread in the group buy section that is where I bought mine.

[wildcat333]

bump

[$lick]

i had Bilstein PSS10's installed about 2 months ago and I love them. they are perfect. They can go pretty low and the dampening is super easy to adjust... you just have to raise up the corner and turn a knob to desired stifness. My understanding is that V2 are more difficult to adjust ( I read that they can only be adjusted when off the car? not sure if thats true since i have no 1st hand exp w/them).

[wildcat333]

Ok, thanks for the input guys. I've decided to go with KW V1's, and will be ordering soon.

Does anyone in the NH/MA/ME area know of any good shops to install the coilovers?

What's a fair price for these from an authorized dealer with shipping?

[Der Konig]

Decent thread for info, decided on v2 from it.

[Zac]

OP based on your OP I'd say go for the V1s for weather conditions and comfort. I have the V2s which are pretty stiff yet IMO still comfortable (I didnt adjust the dampening) The V1s have a softer springs so I imagine they will be a bit more comfortable. How low are you looking to go? My car is in the 23" range GTF height both V1 & V2 will get you decently low.

perfect