Ohlins R/T vs KW V3 LOOKING FOR OPINIONS

204f80 · 03-31-2021, 12:18 AM

Hi people,
So long story short, the Bilstein PSS10's that I ordered are still not arriving until late June (I had made an order back in July 2020), even then my shop says that's not a guarantee. So I've got two options of what they've got in stock and working with my budget. They've got a set of Ohlins R/T and a set of KW V3's.
I use my car mostly for daily driving and occasional track use. Maybe about 3-4 track days and even those are usually 15-20 hot laps. I have bought a set of wheels and would like to lower the car and keep maybe 1/2" fender gap all around. I've got EDC, and will be using the EDC delete kit for any of the options listed above.
I've read reviews for both and can't come to a conclusion for either or.
What are you opinions on these two options and what would you choose if you were in my position?
Thanks!

dvq · 03-31-2021, 01:40 PM

I think the KW V3 and the Ohlins R/T would be night and day different based on spring rates alone. The V3s are sprung not that far off from a F8X Competition stock and the Ohlins R/T V1 were 515lbs/1316lbs and then later revised slightly softer -- easily twice as stiff as the V3 setup.

Both will reduce your inner tire to strut clearance by 15mm or so.

stevehifi · 03-31-2021, 04:43 PM

Ohlins way better option than v3 (which is pretty much stock like in ride comfort).

Ohlins has a lot of flexibility and the dual flow valve design which is superior.

ByeFelicia · 04-03-2021, 08:56 PM

I have Ohlins with custom swift springs and the ride is very compliant. Like the post above, dual flow valve is superior. Go Ohlins

mike082802 · 04-04-2021, 02:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ByeFelicia

I have Ohlins with custom swift springs and the ride is very compliant. Like the post above, dual flow valve is superior. Go Ohlins

what spring rates did you go with for the ohlins?

ByeFelicia · 04-05-2021, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mike082802

what spring rates did you go with for the ohlins?

70 N/mm and 160 N/mm - approximately 400 lb/in and 914 lb/in

M 4 FUN · 04-07-2021, 03:25 PM

I have the Öhlins on my M4. I have messed with them quite a bit as i wasn't satisfyed with them out of the box. One problem is/was that the rear shock body is too long so when the car is lowered the shock compresses too much and you hit the bumpstops early in the stroke. I called Öhlins and they immediately told me to return the rear shocks and springs- They shortened the shocks 30mm and gave me the 190 lb springs instead so this setup is what is what is used om the M2 kit.
I still found the car a bit too stiff for streetuse and ordered 80 front and 160 rear springs and the car is fantastic even with 20" wheels. Nice i can have more spring control and go up on shock dampening without being too stiff. Very satisfyed!

see.m3.go · 04-08-2021, 12:14 AM

Don't the Ohlins only lower the car 20-25mm (<1 inch) when totally maxed out? I feel like this would also be something to keep in mind when considering them, if this is still the case with them having limited height adjustability

M 4 FUN · 04-08-2021, 01:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see.m3.go

Don't the Ohlins only lower the car 20-25mm (<1 inch) when totally maxed out? I feel like this would also be something to keep in mind when considering them, if this is still the case with them having limited height adjustability

If you use the regular rear shocks for the M3/M4 you can not lower the car much, that's why you should use the M2 rear setup with 30mm shorter shock bodies. I would also recommend the M2 springs if you go for the springs in the kit but i like the car much better with the softer setup i use now.

see.m3.go · 04-08-2021, 01:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M 4 FUN

Quote:

Originally Posted by see.m3.go

Don't the Ohlins only lower the car 20-25mm (<1 inch) when totally maxed out? I feel like this would also be something to keep in mind when considering them, if this is still the case with them having limited height adjustability

If you use the regular rear shocks for the M3/M4 you can not lower the car much, that's why you should use the M2 rear setup with 30mm shorter shock bodies. I would also recommend the M2 springs if you go for the springs in the kit but i like the car much better with the softer setup i use now.

What about for the front? Sounds like the rear m2 setup would only fix the ride height issue in the rear?

M 4 FUN · 04-09-2021, 11:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see.m3.go

What about for the front? Sounds like the rear m2 setup would only fix the ride height issue in the rear?

Up front you have more adjustability as you lower the shock in the sleeve on the shock body and not on the spring platform.

see.m3.go · 04-09-2021, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by M 4 FUN

Up front you have more adjustability as you lower the shock in the sleeve on the shock body and not on the spring platform.

Is that as low as it will go in the rear? Or is there more room for adjustability?

M 4 FUN · 04-24-2021, 10:05 AM

There is a lot more you can lower at the rear if you like. The springs i use at the rear is 200mm long compared to the stock 230mm ones and they are also softer so they compresses more so you have a lot of adjustability. I can go lower up front too with the 80lb springs i have.

M 4 FUN · 04-24-2021, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by see.m3.go

Is that as low as it will go in the rear? Or is there more room for adjustability?

There is a lot more you can lower at the rear if you like. The springs i use at the rear is 200mm long compared to the stock 230mm ones and they are also softer so they compresses more so you have a lot of adjustability. I can go lower up front too with the 80lb springs i have.

03-31-2021, 12:18 AM	#1
204f80 New Member 1 Rep 7 Posts Drives: BMW M3 Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Manitoba iTrader: (0)	Ohlins R/T vs KW V3 LOOKING FOR OPINIONS Hi people, So long story short, the Bilstein PSS10's that I ordered are still not arriving until late June (I had made an order back in July 2020), even then my shop says that's not a guarantee. So I've got two options of what they've got in stock and working with my budget. They've got a set of Ohlins R/T and a set of KW V3's. I use my car mostly for daily driving and occasional track use. Maybe about 3-4 track days and even those are usually 15-20 hot laps. I have bought a set of wheels and would like to lower the car and keep maybe 1/2" fender gap all around. I've got EDC, and will be using the EDC delete kit for any of the options listed above. I've read reviews for both and can't come to a conclusion for either or. What are you opinions on these two options and what would you choose if you were in my position? Thanks!
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03-31-2021, 01:40 PM	#2
dvq First Lieutenant 319 Rep 317 Posts Drives: 2018 M4 Competition Join Date: Nov 2019 Location: Mountain View, CA iTrader: (1)	I think the KW V3 and the Ohlins R/T would be night and day different based on spring rates alone. The V3s are sprung not that far off from a F8X Competition stock and the Ohlins R/T V1 were 515lbs/1316lbs and then later revised slightly softer -- easily twice as stiff as the V3 setup. Both will reduce your inner tire to strut clearance by 15mm or so.
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03-31-2021, 04:43 PM	#3
stevehifi Captain 528 Rep 855 Posts Drives: 17 F80 M3 ZCP Join Date: May 2008 Location: Irvine,CA iTrader: (5)	Ohlins way better option than v3 (which is pretty much stock like in ride comfort). Ohlins has a lot of flexibility and the dual flow valve design which is superior.
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04-03-2021, 08:56 PM	#4
ByeFelicia Captain 399 Rep 852 Posts Drives: F80 Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: . iTrader: (2)	I have Ohlins with custom swift springs and the ride is very compliant. Like the post above, dual flow valve is superior. Go Ohlins
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04-07-2021, 03:25 PM	#7
M 4 FUN Captain 606 Rep 642 Posts Drives: 320 Si, M4 comp. M3 E46 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	I have the Öhlins on my M4. I have messed with them quite a bit as i wasn't satisfyed with them out of the box. One problem is/was that the rear shock body is too long so when the car is lowered the shock compresses too much and you hit the bumpstops early in the stroke. I called Öhlins and they immediately told me to return the rear shocks and springs- They shortened the shocks 30mm and gave me the 190 lb springs instead so this setup is what is what is used om the M2 kit. I still found the car a bit too stiff for streetuse and ordered 80 front and 160 rear springs and the car is fantastic even with 20" wheels. Nice i can have more spring control and go up on shock dampening without being too stiff. Very satisfyed!
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04-08-2021, 12:14 AM	#8
see.m3.go New Member 2 Rep 11 Posts Drives: E46 M3, F85 X5M Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: Del Mar iTrader: (0)	Don't the Ohlins only lower the car 20-25mm (<1 inch) when totally maxed out? I feel like this would also be something to keep in mind when considering them, if this is still the case with them having limited height adjustability __________________ 2015 Yas Marina Blue F80 M3 - Stripper 6MT 2016 Black Sapphire Metallic F85 X5M 2003 TiAg E46 M3 6MT - Street/Track Build Last edited by see.m3.go; 04-08-2021 at 01:34 AM..
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04-24-2021, 10:05 AM	#13
M 4 FUN Captain 606 Rep 642 Posts Drives: 320 Si, M4 comp. M3 E46 Join Date: Aug 2016 Location: Sweden iTrader: (0)	There is a lot more you can lower at the rear if you like. The springs i use at the rear is 200mm long compared to the stock 230mm ones and they are also softer so they compresses more so you have a lot of adjustability. I can go lower up front too with the 80lb springs i have.
	Appreciate 0 Quote