KW 1 or KW3 or H&R for an S2 Avant ?

[Yaz]

Hi Macspring, just to confirm that KW only make V1 and V3 kits for the S2 and they are definately not available with different spring rates.

This service is only available with their competition range kits which start at around £5000 upwards.

Yaz

[Error404]

Thought you knew what I use the Avant for with my threads regarding what turbo to pick !

Daily driver around the city, and all the roads that that entails, ideally want lowered for the look / stance, but standard spring rates as never driven on the track, and value comfort especially with S8 rims, with 225/40/18. Factory bushes.

Does sound odd that the KW1 are better than the Koni H&R combo.

Couple of questions;

Are H&R springs linear ?, meaning that if they were progressive they would be more forgiving with sunken potholes or proud bits of tarmac road repairs, and no one has them set up properly / matched to the Konis on a suspension dyno rig, and rarely when on the car with their desperately annoying to adjust, where one has to take them off the car to make any adjustment. (Really loved the Koni front top adjustable facility on my Golf Mk 1).

Are the springs of the KW1 kit progressive or linear ?

I read conflicting reports that KW kits are available with different spring rates to suit preferences ? Does anyone have the definitive answer ?

Has anyone driven both KW kits ( 1 & 2 ), ? in similar spec'd B4 cars ?

and what wheels were they using, as the car is very comfortable on 16", good compromise on looks / performance / comfort with 17", and great looks / performance, but no comfort with 18".

Ohlins are unfortunately are not within budget.



Hope someone can follow some of the above ramblings.

Thanks for any comments.

David I think you really need to go out in a few cars with different set-ups mate, to get a feel for them. Its all subjective, people can only offer their opinions so what is good for me isn't good for the next man etc. If you drive the car daily, especially around town I would go with something similar to what Vas has done on his RS2 going stiffer but also getting the shocks professionally adjusted to work with your chosen spring rates which will maximise the ride comfort.
H&Rs are supposed to be progressive, but in my experience the tighter wound coils bind under the weight of the car anyway so you loose any benefit of a progressive spring. If anything they make the car handle worse IMHO, you lower the roll centre without gaining any benefit from a stiffer spring rate. so the weight transfer is actually worse than with a stock spring.

I think its always worth remembering that any suspension set-up is a compromise. If it was possible to get the best of all worlds every car would ride like a Maybach and handle like a Zonda.
So getting your shocks set up professionally by someone who has the right gear and knows what they are doing will get the compromise closer to your requirements than a manufacturers best guess at trying to be all things to all men.

My 2c

[Yaz]

Couldn't have put it better myself!

[macspring]

Thanks, I agree, if I was based over there, I'd have everyone plagued wanting a go in their car.

Wonder if there'll ever be another MRC rolling road day. Missed out on the last one in 2011.

Has anyone got any thoughts or "knowledge" on GAZ shocks / coil overs.

Not sure they do any stuff for our cars, but had the impression they might do a batch of coilvers if enough of us committed to a group buy. Might be wrong, just a thought, as they are based in Essex.

http://www.gazshocks.com/contact-us

Just a wild stab in the dark.

[Yaz]

Gaz are based in Basildon, Essex not far from me and they have some of the ex Leda guys working their too. Gaz will pretty much make what you want, but to my knowledge they wont be that comfortable for normal road use as they are quite a stiff ride. Good for track setups etc.

There's not much choice for the S2's these days apart from KW, Bilstein (shocks only) and H&R springs I think... I can help you with prices on the KW's and Bilstein's if needed - just let me know.
Thanks
Yaz

[terrybullwon]

these guys are closer to you David http://www.dmsireland.net/

[macspring]

these guys are closer to you. http://www.dmsireland.net/

Nice one, will check them out.

Thanks.

[Mcstiff]

Hi Macspring, just to confirm that KW only make V1 and V3 kits for the S2 and they are definately not available with different spring rates.

This service is only available with their competition range kits which start at around £5000 upwards.

Yaz

Of course you could run other springs, especially with the V3's adjustable rates.

[philj]

KW aren't shy with their ratings, but the dampers would only work within certain range of springs.

No complaints from H&R monotubes here, set around 60/70mm. Although they are the older type with Bilstein inserts, they now use Koni monotubes. Can't imagine there would be much difference in those.

KWs are shorter and have a lower steering arm than H&Rs, definitely geared to ride and drive better when at lower heights. Mine don't have too many threads left.

The monotube does mean you can get away with a bit more spring rate too.

I'm a dealer for Gaz, and could get some made no issues. Struts would be needed to be worked on and they would make them to whatever specification you wanted. They'd be rebound adjustable like the koni's, then you guys who think your KWs are too stiff, you could use whatever spring ratings and set the bump valving to what you like. You could give them a Koni/kw and ask for softer bump settings for example. A road going kit setup for ride comfort could be achieved, but it would need a bit of testing and input. Might even be able to get bump and rebound adjustment in the rear shocks via one knob.

[macspring]

Interesting, thanks for further advices, Yaz, Mcstiff, and Philj.