James Junior

Morning all,

I am about to push the button on a set of KW V3 coilovers.

I have read that KW provide recommended settings for the coilovers. Can any existing users confirm this? If they do, are settings specific to the individual vehicle or just general for road and track use?

Also could any existing users share some information about the settings you are running and what your experience is with regard to ride height, rubbing, ride quality and handling versus stock please?

Hopefully this will help me get mine set up, whilst providing a useful point of reference for others considering going down the same route.

Regards

James

Ah so you went for Ohlins Josh? Will be interesting to hear what they're like.

Nic - are you getting involved with a set of KWs?

I did quite a bit of research into suspension components for my previous Alfa Brera and Z4 Coupe.

I believe you may want too look into a set of Koni FSD dampers if you want better handing but with stock ride height and comfort.

http://www.koni.com/car-racing/products/performance/

These dampers are designed to be combined with standard springs and might fit the bill. They were very popular with the Alfa Owner crowd.

P..S. Just wanted to point out I didn't end up fitting them personally as I went with lowered suspension in both cases. I have heard a lot of good things about them however.

Hope this helps.

Hi Josh,

Good stuff - I emailed him this afternoon but hadn't heard back from him. Let me know how you get on with them and I'll do the same.

I will get mine ordered tomorrow too, time permitting.

I cant see how DT are doing this price , KW haven't changed there UK price since the beginning of the rear (they have held a low price as well)

 

Cost for Kit from KW is £1338-00 +vat for a Nissan 370Z V3.

 

Maybe DT are buying from Germany and any warranty issues would be an issue as we have to register the dampers parts numbers for any warranty claim and the dampers will need shipping back to Germany via DT not via the UK importers.

 

Thanks

The chap at Demon Tweeks said he was able to negotiate with KW to absorb some of the cost to support them. Thanks for flagging the warranty as a potential issue, but I was assured (without me enquiring) that they would look after me if I had any problems and he even offered to throw in next day delivery included in the price.

Just waiting for another potential supplier to quote and then its go-time depending on what price he comes back with!

I can hear my bumper scraping already!

Bodyboarder (Josh if I recall?!) I didn't get an email from Craig so forgot to email him about prices for a 350Z. He probably mispelt my surname when he typed my email address as often happens. I'll pick this up with him tomorrow by phone and see what price he can do for you.

There's no replacement for displacement as the yanks say!

I had one of these with a big chavvy wing on the back driving right up my arse all through the 50mph average speed check zone on the M60 the other day. I was already doing 54mph on the cruise control so don't really see how we could have gone any faster without earning a ticket. He was virtually touching my bumper. As we came out of the 50mph average speed zone I put my foot down and left him behind until we hit more traffic and had to slow down again to their speed. He was right up my arse again so I just pulled in and let him pass. He pulled alongside me and naturally gave me a look like I was the idiot before then blasting off up the fast lane trying to physically push the other cars out of his way.

What a lovely chap.

...because the wheels on the new DB10 look remarkably like the Vossens many of our forum members have been fitting to their cars over the past twelve months!

Aston taking inspiration from the Z community - who knew?!

With regard to camber kits etc, I am only planning on going for a 20mm reduction in ride height, which I believe is about the minimum with this kit, so would not imagine I would need any supporting mods for such a modest drop.

Can anyone more technically minded enlighten me?!

Ju

James -when you speak to DT again could you possibly ask about a set for a 50 as well? See what he can do if we get a bulk order ? Also do you know if they are true coilovers at the rear of dual still?

 

Thanks man

Just seen your post mate - I have spoken to Craig but will email him your query. If anyone else might be interested let me know ASAP and I will see if we can chip a little more off the price. To be honest though even at the price he has quoted that is very good value and good enough for me to put my hand in my pocket.

Yep - he was very clear to say that is inclusive of VAT.

Hi Everyone,

I have some further interesting developments...

Firstly thanks for the information Tommy. The HLS sounds like a brilliant piece of kit. I just looked at KW Automotive's website and they have KW V3s listed for £1,428 inc VAT. They don't appear to have the HLS listed for the 370Z at all though - it's just greyed out when you put in your car details. Maybe KW discontinued them as the 370Z sold in such small numbers in Europe? Might still be worth a chat with your man Alan, but I must admit if they're the same cost again as the coilovers I think I'm out as I've spent a fair bit on the car of late.

Meanwhile I just checked my voicemails and Craig from Demon Tweeks called me back earlier today to say he has been able to negotiate further support from KW and is able to offer me a set of KW V3s for £1,239.84. That is an amazing price from a UK seller!

I'll give him a call tomorrow and have another chat. Might anyone else be interested at that price?

Finally can anyone else recommend someone to fit a set of KW V3s who has experience of not just installing them, but fine tuning them for a 370Z? I know my local Indy could fit them no sweat, but really want some who knows how to set them up and what setting work well on these cars.

Nic - I wonder if it might be worth a discussion with your pals at Severn Valley Motorsport?

Any further input, interest or advice welcome.

If I get a set fitted I'll be sure to post some detailed feedback on here for the benefit of others considering going down this route.

I just did some research and the hydraulic lift system appears to be very rare in the UK. All I could find was the odd set for Lamborghinis which were very expensive. Its a shame as it seems an ideal solution for me, as it would enable me to raise the ride height on the odd occasion I find myself contending with speed bumps or multi story car parks.

I had a look on Demon Tweeks' website out of curiosity as they are a big supplier in the UK and they have them listed, but on a 'POA' basis. I called and had a chat with a nice chap called Craig who checked direct with KW whilst I was on the line. KW replied that they don't make them for the 370Z.

Jeff - I wonder how Tom got hold of a set? Perhaps the guy at KW made a mistake, or perhaps Tom had another kit adapted to his Z?

I explained to Craig at Demon Tweeks that the exchange rate is making it very cheap to buy KW V3s direct from Europe and asked if he could sharpen his pencil on price. The Demon Tweeks list price with VAT is £1,487.50, but Craig reckoned he could reduce this to £1,317.33 delivered, which sounds like a good deal to me. However, he also said he would discuss with KW directly to see if they could offer any support on pricing and is going to call me back.

I would certainly prefer to buy a set from a UK seller for peace of mind if any issues came up later and Demon Tweeks have a great reputation. I will let you know what he comes back with.

It looks like the exchange rate is creating some interesting buying opportunities at present.

Thanks for all your interest and input guys. Just having a read with my lunch.

Those hydraulic lifts look amazing. Though the term 'hydraulic suspension' makes me thing of Snoop and Dre videos from the nineties!

Will have a proper look now...

Hi ladies and gents,

I've been after a set of KW V3s for a while and have been tracking prices direct from Germany on eBay.

Due to the extremely favourable exchange rate at present, you can currently buy a new set from Germany for around £1,200 including delivery.

Can't imagine the exchange rate getting much better than this, so time to put my hand in my pocket I think.

Before I do I wanted to see if anyone has experience with these coilovers on UK roads? The yanks certainly seem to rave about them and they have a reputation for being ideal for use with a daily driver like mine.

My only concern is that the flexi trim on my front bumper already catches on car park ramps and speed bumps. Even with this removed and a subtle drop of say 20mm I imagine the car is prone to scraping.

does anyone have some experiences they would care to share?

Had a great day and nice to see such a good turn out from the forum in spite of the bizarre fog hanging round all day.

As usual I've come back home foaming at the mouth for more modifying projects, you guys are dangerous company.

Is 'coilovers' a valid response when your girlfriend asks what you want for Christmas? 😊
I ordered a set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports earlier this week for £650 for the set from mytyres.co.uk - that is for 19" rims too as mine is a 370. Fitting at my local tyre place will likely only cost £30 - £40 or so. Felt that was a really good deal. Would have been even better if I hadn;t pi**ed £320 (plus fitting) up the wall for those Toyos!

Speaking of which I had another incident with the Toyos this morning. Pulling up a damp sliproad onto Mancunian way, short shift into second and third, then fed the throttle towards open and the traction control cuts in again as the wheels start to spin up.

Can't get rid of these things soon enough. I am not saying they are a bad tyre per sé as I had a really good experience before, but just not sufficient for more powerful cars it would appear.

Some very tasty cars being confirmed on the FB page. Makes my grey Z seem pretty vanilla! Can't wait to have a nosey at the R34s...

Thanks for your input guys.

The Toyos are unfit for purpose in the wet - very poor grip levels and have spun the wheels up a number of times. I'm no hooligan either - they're scary!

Removing them ASAP and swapping for a full set of Michelin Pilot Super Sports.

Thanks for providing your views.

I had a set of Toyos on my outgoing Z4 Coupe and loved them. Found them super grippy in wet and dry conditions.

I just replaced my rears on the 370z with Toyos based on my previously positive experience and I will be swapping them, for a set of Michelin Pilot Sports ASAP.

Since fitting the Toyos I noticed the traction control cutting in a few times in the dry when giving it full throttle. In wet conditions, especially when the road surface is greasy they are downright scary. I tried to pull away from a set of lights briskly last week, short shifting straight to second and Despite feeding the throttle the rear wheels span up and the rear of the car squirmed around all over the place. I tried reaching for third and same thing happened. Made me look a right tit! I've spun the wheels or had the traction control cut in on a few other occasions in the wet too and have very little confidence now.

My feeling is that the Toyos are just not sufficient for the power of the car. They may have worked well on my old Z4, but my 370 is packing another 80bhp and a truck load more torque. I'm annoyed as I've just wasted £320 on the Toyos plus fitting, but given their grip profile (or lack thereof) in the wet I want them off ASAP.

Hopefully my experience can at least save you from throwing money down the toilet! 😡

Spatt, René and John - shall we meet up at Stoke Little Chef and head down in convoy?

Assuming that you can get your exhaust sorted that is John... Fingers crossed mate, I want a passenger ride in the supercharged snowball!

That's a steal - I just paid £300 quid inc delivery for a used set.

Someone snap his arm off!

I may have another chap joining me in a Lotus Evora S or heavily modified MX5, just waiting for him to confirm his availability.

Hi Jeff,

Nic (Nissanman) is organising a meet on the morning of Sunday the 1st in Telford, so not too far from you.

You can find more information here:

http://www.350z-uk.com/topic/102392-breakfast-meet-1st-november-at-svm-all-welcome/page__st__40#entry1541745

I got that sinking feeling as I opened this thread expecting to see your car smashed to pieces - my relief is palpable!

Welcome to the club Bob.

What are you on the look-out for?