KW Adjustable Spring review and opinions - please share

**mattchat** · 12-04-2012 01:37 PM

I've done lots of searching and have found good and bad on the KW Adjustable Springs. I was pretty sold on the H&R as so many of you have them and are happy but now my local shop is recomending the KW from personal experience (they sell both). He has been stating that he feels KW just has a better feel to them than H&R, granted thats on his M3. So, what I need are some guys to chime in, good and bad on the KW adjustable spring kits as I have ADS and am limited but don't want to be overly aggressive. I like that I could potentially raise the height in the winter if I wanted a bit more clearance but in reality would keep it the same year round, maybe a 20mm drop is all I need that way i can avoid potential alighnment requirements every season change.

I've seen a few Stasis and H&R kits that show slight sagging in the rear end, I would like to maintain a flat look as much as possible (no bodies in the trunk as it were). I think that KW would allow some fine tuning which is preferrable, and the less than 1 inch I'm after just to slightly stiffen the ride up, maintain ADS, and a bit better ride height for looks. That's my end goal. After scouring the forums I have heard a lot of happy folks and seen some good pictures of ride heights that I'm after but some have complained about sagging rear ends that need spring spacers, creaking (this would drive me batty), rear difficult to adjust without some dissassembly, etc.

Thanks in advance for your experiences here, especially for those with ADS and those that have gone between different brands, even if moving away from KW...what are your thoughts. Also, if using the KW set please let me know the approx drop measurement. I'm open to forum links or PM's as well but the more we share here the better. Thanks folks!!

**thedollardoctor** · 12-04-2012 04:12 PM

Subscribed! Have all the same questions and concerns as OP.

Any thoughts guys!?

**Audacious** · 12-04-2012 04:33 PM

in short, they're your best bet for maintaining all ADS functions while still lowering your car. I've had them installed for about 6-7 months now, and overall they've been great. I had some issues with squeaking that I thought could be coming from the springs, but it turned out to be something else. They're quiet and give a good ride.

I haven't experience any sagging issues yet. One member here bought the avant version of the springs because they have a stiffer spring rate to provide for the extra rear weight of the avant, thereby hopefully avoiding any possible rear sag on a sedan.

don't plan on raising and lowering them every season, it's not practical unless you have money and time to blow on alignments twice a year.

**mattchat** · 12-05-2012 08:25 AM

Where was the noise coming from. I'm reading more and more about these springs being noisy.

Originally Posted by Audacious

in short, they're your best bet for maintaining all ADS functions while still lowering your car. I've had them installed for about 6-7 months now, and overall they've been great. I had some issues with squeaking that I thought could be coming from the springs, but it turned out to be something else. They're quiet and give a good ride.

I haven't experience any sagging issues yet. One member here bought the avant version of the springs because they have a stiffer spring rate to provide for the extra rear weight of the avant, thereby hopefully avoiding any possible rear sag on a sedan.

don't plan on raising and lowering them every season, it's not practical unless you have money and time to blow on alignments twice a year.

**Audacious** · 12-05-2012 09:47 AM

Originally Posted by mattchat

Where was the noise coming from. I'm reading more and more about these springs being noisy.

The first time it happened, there was a loose bolt on my front sway bar. The second time is still a mystery, but it might have just been the weather. It was very squeaky for about 2 weeks, then snow came down and I haven't heard a peep since.

**mattchat** · 06-17-2014 09:31 AM

Ressurecting an old thread. I'm on h and r and looking to going kw has as well. I also have ads but find the oe sports a little bouncy. Anyone else provide some feedback?

**elmajiko** · 06-17-2014 12:52 PM

I'm on kw adjustable now with ads and have terrible noise every time i bend the wheel, i don't know what exactly is going on but i'm about to change.

does anybody knows how can i resolve this annoying problem?

**integroid** · 06-17-2014 01:10 PM

so are you guys just asking which coil overs to buy?

**meth0d68** · 06-17-2014 01:23 PM

KW HAS here and I have zero issues, I don't have ADS. I love the ride, so far I'm happy.

**elmajiko** · 06-17-2014 01:33 PM

Originally Posted by meth0d68

KW HAS here and I have zero issues, I don't have ADS. I love the ride, so far I'm happy.

hi do you have these http://www.kwsuspensions.com/catalog...lt/?q=25310075 ?

**jran76** · 06-17-2014 02:32 PM

Originally Posted by elmajiko

I'm on kw adjustable now with ads and have terrible noise every time i bend the wheel, i don't know what exactly is going on but i'm about to change.

does anybody knows how can i resolve this annoying problem?

I had a nasty binding sound on my ST coilovers, and it was caused by the coils on the rear springs touching each other (KW spring is used on the ST kit). You can add a sleeve to help silence the noise if one is not already installed. That will help at least.... Some people also lubricate the coils with grease. There is a thread on the Bilstein's that cover both changes. From what I have seen, most KW's come with the sleeves now.

**elmajiko** · 06-17-2014 03:05 PM

Thanks for the replay...

I believe this is a reasonable explanation...Where could i get them from?

**jran76** · 06-17-2014 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by elmajiko

Thanks for the replay...

I believe this is a reasonable explanation...Where could i get them from?

Have you tried to contact KW? They may have something. I would also confirm if your springs have them already. I know some do now. For reference my springs are KW part number 7003 (this motivated me to contact ST to see what they had to say...).

This thread has some details on the Tein parts one person used:
http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...highlight=tein

**adbender** · 06-17-2014 07:14 PM

Originally Posted by elmajiko

I'm on kw adjustable now with ads and have terrible noise every time i bend the wheel, i don't know what exactly is going on but i'm about to change.

does anybody knows how can i resolve this annoying problem?

Any noise i had went away after a month. I was at first concerned but it seems they just need some use. A track day really settled them in.

All is silent and sweet now.

**evomr-to-s4** · 06-17-2014 09:17 PM

they seem to be kind of pricey compared to others.

**meth0d68** · 06-17-2014 09:20 PM

Originally Posted by elmajiko

hi do you have these http://www.kwsuspensions.com/catalog...lt/?q=25310075 ?

Believe so, I have the box and I'll confirm in a pm

**integroid** · 06-18-2014 05:08 AM

Originally Posted by evomr-to-s4

they seem to be kind of pricey compared to others.

I dont think there is anyone else on the market that is making an adjustable spring kit that will work with ADS.

For people without ADS, it is reaching coil over prices so wouldnt make much sense to get the HAS kit.

**elmajiko** · 06-18-2014 12:26 PM

what do you say about these?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2311378400...84.m1423.l2649

**adbender** · 06-18-2014 06:25 PM

ADS was a pricey option...I didnt want to do away with it as I do use the suspension settings quite frequently.

Here is my review....http://www.audizine.com/forum/showth...hich-KW-spring

**SteveYem** · 09-29-2014 03:17 PM

Originally Posted by integroid

I dont think there is anyone else on the market that is making an adjustable spring kit that will work with ADS.

For people without ADS, it is reaching coil over prices so wouldnt make much sense to get the HAS kit.

I am a non-ADS person currently on H&R OE springs and about to get into a new S4. On the new car I want the ride height fine-tuning allowed by adjustable coilovers, but I'm also looking at KW H.A.S. I'm looking for input on my thinking. The least expensive coilovers I would likely consider are H&R Street Performance ($1200), which appear to be basic units that get me height adjustability and decent ride quality for daily driving. There are more expensive coilovers which offer greater features, but since I will not be tracking the car I do not think I really need all of that functionality. For both the low and high end aftermarket coilovers I have read stories of blown struts within a year of installation, which is something I'm not eager to get into.

Then there are the KW H.A.S. which can be had for $800 and get me the height adjustability I want. It retains the stock dampers which, I think, are more reliable than aftermarket dampers. What I'm not sure about is how well the KW springs pair with the stock dampers. That, and on principle the $550 difference between KW HAS and a set of H&R springs seems like a lot of money to pay for a couple of threaded perches and helper springs, but I suppose I would be paying more for the functionality than for the raw materials.

Any input would be greatly appreciated!

**Rob01S4** · 09-29-2014 03:20 PM

Go full coilover without ADS.

**integroid** · 09-29-2014 03:20 PM

Get the Bilstein PSS10. Mine ride better than stock and way better than just when I had springs.

**SteveYem** · 09-29-2014 06:16 PM

Originally Posted by Rob01S4

Go full coilover without ADS.

Originally Posted by integroid

Get the Bilstein PSS10. Mine ride better than stock and way better than just when I had springs.

I guess my question is: what makes the H.A.S. system acceptable for ADS equipped cars, but not for non-ADS cars? Or is it not really acceptable and just something that the ADS owners settle for?

**Mops@Nemesis** · 09-29-2014 06:25 PM

Steve, I'm gonna PM you some info.

**VADERS4** · 09-29-2014 06:35 PM

If my 2014 S4 didn't have ADS, I would have gone with a true coil-over kit. But since it does, I went with KW HAS set-up and haven't been sorry!! The ride is perfect and I love the adjustability! I had to raise mine a bit after they settled and I would not have been able to do that with regular, non-adjustable springs. They are a bit more expensive, but if you have the ADS and don't want to lose it, they are the only way to go!! Literally!!!LOL!!