Hi guys,

I'm about ready to take the plunge and get a set of coilovers to replace my 80,000 mile 06 stock shocks/springs. I'd like to get something that will soak up the bumps better than the stock suspension, but can be firmed up for the 7-8 track days I do per year. I'm not looking for something that will make me competitive, just something that will give me more confidence in the corners and eliminate body roll. The track days are more for fun than anything else. I've definitely heard good things about the KW V3, but I'm not sure I need that much adjustability, plus I've heard you have to jack the car up to get to the adjustors. The KW V2 and PSS9 have the adjustors at the top of the coilover, so they are easier to use.

I have read and seen the dyno plots that show adjustor on the PSS9 isn't great and basically only has an on/off setting with no difference in between. I know the KW V3 adjustor works well, but what about the KW V2 adjustor? Is it the same cheesewedge design as the PSS9's adjustor? Do I need to step up to the KW V3 to get a coilover with a decent adjustor? If I could talk myself into it, I'd love to get the single adjustable Ohlin DFV's, but I can't justify the $3,000 price tag. Thanks for any help!

Drew

 

I have no experience with the V2, but I had the V3s on my last AP2. No track time though. I thought they were good on the street. They at least soaked up bumps better than the OEM suspension. Before I had the V3s on my last S, I had the PSS9 for a little bit. Definitely a great riding shock. This time around, I actually opted for the PSS9s again. I figured for me, the V3s would be overkill. If you're into the lowered stance, the one benefit the KWs have over the PSS9s, is that they can go lower, and still be in a good working range.

 

The 'adjustors' you're referring to, I'm assuming the rebound, is also located on top for the kwv3. You do have to get the car off the ground to adjust height, same as v2, but unlike the v2 with v3 the bump can be adjusted (bottom of the coilover).

Sounds like v2 is right for you.

 

Thanks guys, I definitely don't care about stance, I'll probably keep the height close to stock, maybe 0.5-1 inch lower. Once I have the height set, I'll leave that alone. The only thing I don't like about the KW V3 is that the compression adjustment is at the bottom of the coil, so I would have to lift the car when I'm at the track to stiffen it up. Because of that, I may not end up adjusting the compression that often. If the rebound adjustment on the KW V2 works as well as the V3, I'll probably go with it instead of the PSS9.

 

You can reach the bottom adjusters without jacking up the car. You do need to get on the ground tho

 

Yeah, no need to jack the car to adjust the compression on the V3s. For the fronts, I would just crank the wheel to full lock to get in there. Plus, on the newer V3s, they have a much easier adjustment knob compared to the older ones.

 

The adjuster on the PSS9 isn't just on/off, the range of adjustment is pretty good. For the track you'll probably just crank them to1 for full stiff. But for the street you can feel the difference between clicks.

Your 06 has the softest OEM suspension ever offered on the S, so you could flatten it out with other years sway bars if you want, or aftermarket for even stiffer.

KW are more track oriented than PSS9. PSS9 will be smoother on the street. Neither are the ultimate if you get more serious about the track.

 

low adjustment on V3 is super easy.
i hate the top adjuster at the rear driver's side. this is nightmare.
i miss EDFC so much....
but the V3 is good indeed on the bumpry road.
and 3way adjustability allows to tune it to your taste.

 

Thanks for all this input guys, very helpful. I'm a little wary of going with the 515 lb/ft spring rate on the KW for a 90-95% street car. I must be soft because I find even the 06 suspension rather harsh on rough roads. I was also looking at the H&R coilover, which has spring rates of 345 lb/in front and rear, which is a nice split between the spring rate of PSS9 and KW. They aren't adjustable, but they aren't as expensive either.

S2ka, you're definitely right about the 06 suspension, and I just upgraded to Eibach sways on the front and rear. I'm thinking maybe with the stiffer bars, I can keep from having to go to too high of a spring rate on the coilovers.

 

Im on the bilstein pss system(same as the H&R coilovers which are rebadged bilsteins) with eibach sways and it is definitely stiffer than stock but not so stiff that when you hit bumps in the road it sends harsh movements into the cabin. Handled fine at the track as well. The sways stiffen it up on side to side movements and quicken the body transitions in turns/switchbacks but the ride still maintains a sporty yet not so harsh ride due to the spring rates which are also 345 lb/in/285 lb/in in the rear.