suspension - KW3's or OE

silver7 · Jun 14, 2008

I am toying with having all the suspension replaced, choice seems to be KW 3 clubsport or OE, costs are roughly similar. Car is a 993 rs used as mostly track car but some road use. All opinions and experience appreciated. Will non OE affect the value?

ChrisW · Jun 18, 2008

I would suggest that non OE would affect the value --- although the original originals could always be re-fitted.

silver7 · Jun 19, 2008

thanks for the reply, that was my fear. I need to know from someone who has had experience of KW3's if they are that superior to new OE

zub · Jun 20, 2008

I have had both OE and the Manthey KW suspension on my RS, and rate both. The Manthey setup is fantastic at the Ring, truly brilliant. For UK circuits and road use, prob less of a contrast. The OE Bilstein dampers are good, but don't forget it's easy to get drawn in by shiny suspension parts with 3 way adjustable bits and bobs which you (a) never end up adjusting, or (b) spend your life messing around with (don't ask me how I know...). Unless you really know how to drive the car v well, or are into messing about with suspension, then probably the easiest way to go is the Bilsteins.

silver7 · Jun 20, 2008

Thanks Zub, the adjustment element can be annoying I know, valid point. I am siding towards OE tbh, it is actually more money. My driving would benefit more I am sure from some tuition.

paul howells · Jun 21, 2008

OE every time,i have been there messing around around with the dampers,and you seem to get to a point where they work well,and discover its about the same setting as the oe in the first place!
Best advantage for adjustables is in the wet,as long as you know what you are doing.

Richard Dawson · Jul 3, 2008

Worth noting that Bilstein will rebuild one of their dampers (which includes oe) for £60 or so each. I think the only exclusion is if the tube is bent. They will rebuild to your own spec too. A friend of mine is just changing his std sc dampers to 3.2 clubsport spec.

Worth knowing as that is somewhat cheaper than Porsche charge for a new one.

silver7 · Jul 3, 2008

thanks for that, maybe that is the best option, i wonder if they will repaint them (mine look a bit rusty in places)

sawood12 · Jul 4, 2008

I'd be surprised if the getting on for 15yr old Bilstien OE setup is superior to the KW. KW's on other applications have received superb reviews and considered superior to the OE setup, and certainly on 944's they are a huge leap forward, even when compared to the M030 setups. They are simply newer technology and with the clever valving in the shock abosrber mean you can have a very stiff setup that will not cause internal bleeding on the road. Obviously if you are bothered about residual values being harmed by fitting non OE then that is a different story.

I've become a huge KW fan since installing it on my car. It is a stiff setup but is easily bearable on road. It has simply transformed the ride and handling on my car. The fact they are adjustable is inconsequential. I've just used the settings that the installers set and have left it at that. It is not as if i'm paying any more for that adjustability compared to the offerings from other brands (which is the case here is seems).

ChrisW · Jul 5, 2008

But on a collectable it's still important to retain the original for refitting --- possibly silly, but true.

micksummer · Jul 5, 2008

Just had a set of V3 fitted to my RS as I thought the original would've been way past it's servicable life.

Just did 2 days at the Ring, and 2 days at Spa with the new shoocks.

The car handled much much better with the KW, it's set up pretty hard for track use but it rides bumpy road way better. The old shock was checked and was found to be still servicable. It's being tested properly now so I get a certificate saying how servicably they are. I can then either keep them or sell them.

I can tell you for sure that the kw is a far far superior shocks!

ChrisW · Jul 5, 2008

But have you compare the KW's to new standard shocks with an equivalent set-up ?

Old shocks get stiff, and won't ride the bumps in extremis.

We all know that a stiff car should still be supple if it' going to stay connected to the road --- and it's driver

silver7 · Jul 6, 2008

Mick, if you could let me know what your shocks come back as from the tests. Is your car now stiffer set up?

micksummer · Jul 6, 2008

The car is slightly lower (@5-10mm) but the set up is much the same as before (Porsche's recommended set up for Hockenheim with extra .25 degree extra -ve camber front and back, as I'm using stickier tyres). The set up ran really well in Spa, very balanced. I could feel the front and back just slipping together when powering round Pouhon and B1. The car somewhat feels more stable and predictable on fast and slow corners, and gives lots of confidence.

From the difference in handling I was expecting the old shock to be completely gone, so was quite surprised to know that they're still "sevicable", whatever that might mean. Will let you know what the test results are.

silver7 · Jul 6, 2008

thanks Mick decisions, decisions......Did you have the sport KW's?

Would love to hear from anyone that has had new OE suspension fitted to see what difference that makes.

sawood12 · Jul 7, 2008

ORIGINAL: ChrisW

But have you compare the KW's to new standard shocks with an equivalent set-up ?

Old shocks get stiff, and won't ride the bumps in extremis.

We all know that a stiff car should still be supple if it' going to stay connected to the road --- and it's driver

KW has a bypass valving mechanism internally in the shock. The shock is stiff and remains stiff for undulations, cornering forces and low frequency bumps, but for higher frequency bumps, like trackside kerbing or potholes on the road, then the bypass valve opens and the shock becomes less stiff. It is a sort of 'dumb' passive PASM. This allows KW to use stiffer springs without it compromising ride quality or performance. This is the key technology that KW has which i'm not sure if other manufactures use - well not the mainstream ones at least.

I would be willing to bet that KW's will be substantially superior to a fresh OE setup. They are very popular in the 996 GT3 scene so you are talking about people replacing pretty fresh shocks with KW's and noticing a difference. It will be stiffer with a more comforable ride. Great for drivng to the track, hacking round the track and driving back again.

Also the struts are made from stainless steel so no corrosion problems.

silver7 · Jul 8, 2008

thats interesting info, thank you

micksummer · Jul 8, 2008

ORIGINAL: silver7

thanks Mick decisions, decisions......Did you have the sport KW's?

Would love to hear from anyone that has had new OE suspension fitted to see what difference that makes.

yes I went for the clubsport version, which is meant to be stiffer. TBH it's pretty composed on the road, and actually more comfortable than the old half worn OEM shocks. The only way I can describe it is the car feels more "creamy" on the road!

silver7 · Jul 9, 2008

you are convincing me Mick! What are the downsides?

micksummer · Jul 10, 2008

ORIGINAL: silver7

you are convincing me Mick! What are the downsides?

cost, non-OEM, other than that, I haven't found any.

The slow speed bump setting adjustment screw is quite tricky to get to, at the bottom of the strut, easier when wheel is removed. The rebound setting can be adjusted quite easily as the access is from top of strut, even the rear ones are pretty accessaible (might get quite hot with the engine heat but I managed in Spa with long sleeves).