KW Street Comfort vs KW V2 vs other

[TS1997]

Hello!

I have a 1999 BMW 523i E39 with blown shocks and a spring that barely holds the weight of the car at the moment. I’ve done extensive research on which way to go and have considered everything from brand new OEM m-sport suspension, new shocks and lowering springs to coils but I get more indecisive the more I learn.

I’m currently leaning towards KW coilovers as that gives me the ability to change height and rebound instead of being completely static with OEM. Do you guys think that’s a good option? I also considered BC but read that they are decent but not as good quality as KW.

Do anyone here have experience with the KW Street Comforts on an E39? I’ve been recommended both them and V2s from different people and wonder if anyone here has experience with both or at least one of them? I’ve found reviews on them separately but nothing that compares them and I haven’t found much info at all about the Street Comforts on the E39 specifically.

The car is my daily but I’d like to lower it a bit while keeping the car functional and would like to eliminate some body roll without loosing to much comfort.

My goal is a somewhat lowered sporty feel that’s comfortable enough for a daily.

Thanks in advance!

[philly98540]

I've never used them myself, but lots of guys love the KW's on the E39. For the goals you listed, they should work quite well. For more track/performance type driving, there are better choices out there from what I've read. Do some digging on the M5 boards, as there is likely some more feedback there.

[TS1997]

I've never used them myself, but lots of guys love the KW's on the E39. For the goals you listed, they should work quite well. For more track/performance type driving, there are better choices out there from what I've read. Do some digging on the M5 boards, as there is likely some more feedback there.

I've dug through quite a bit but might have missed some as I've dug a bit here and there when I found time. Do you know any of the other options on top of your head? I'll dig through there more thoroughly as well, thanks!

[Yonkers320is]

I have Broadway Static coilovers, same as Fortune and I am very happy with them. Almost 25k NYC miles and only changed rear spring rates .

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[DennisCooper]

Hi TS1997,

Just as a heads up, I'd say the KW V2 choice is 'more' of a solution for when a car is used both on the street and occasional/semi regularly on the track. With a proper setup session taking into account the car's other aspects such as wheel choices and their weights along with perhaps BBK choices etc - ie where the car is more focused for such use and has other complimentary modifcations. Of course, you can go for the V2 solution but overall, I think they'd be overkill for what you mention you'd like.

I'm on KW V1 on my Touring and I'm really happy with how they feel, even though I've not got much time with them since they went on a year ago as Winter and then the arrival of CV19 meant I've not driven it much. However, for me, it's 10% stiffer (if I can quantify it) than my previous setup which was OEM SE shocks (non sport) and H&R 30mm springs. I changed to those springs back in 2006 when I first got the car and the resulting ride was 'surpreme'. Absolutely fantastic ride quality and I also have been on 19's since that time too. Over the years I never, not once ever had anyone complain about the ride, I semi often have elder family members and their friends to give lifts too and some are 'sensitive' and zero issues or complaints. Going back to car enthusiasts, then here on forums, many members would say that '19s ruin the ride' on the E39 and I used to meet some of them at car shows/events and then take them on a 10/15 minute ride. They'd then emerge from my car red faced & embarassed as they realised that 19s on the E39 with good quality suspension was totally opposite of what they say online.

I'd personally say to you to get new SE shocks and H&R or Eibach 25/30mm lowering springs and go for that. If you then do find you want a firmer ride, then look to coilovers. As you mention you'll only want to lower a 'bit' then given the amount of ride height adjustment you could have with them, they'd again be a little overkill for what you want. In terms of handling, then I regularly enjoy going for a drive in my local to me awesome 'twisties' roads and with the SE shocks/H&R springs, the handling was brilliantly improved and to the point that in 13+ years, I didn't bother looking for other suspension. The only reason I have now gone for KW V1's is that I want to run a mix of my various 19 & 20 inch wheel sets that I have so I can quickly change the ride height a small amount for when I swap. I have even thought about swapping back to the H&R springs and perhaps getting the OEM sport shocks or, getting custom shocks (and springs) made up based on the OEM shocks specs and uprating them to somewhere mid way between the SE and Sport ratings.

The KW street comfort weren't available for my Touring, else I'd have gone for those a year ago and perhaps they'd have been just that little bit more compliant than the V1's. The V1's on smooth, smoother, decent roads are excellent. When I go on more rougher/not so good/crap road surfaces, then I do feel the extra stiffness compared to the H&R and SE shocks setup. It's not enough for me to be miffed though, but others 'might' be. I'm lucky that most roads around me and a rather large radius of where I drive are the former type of roads.

Cheers, Dennis!

[TS1997]

I have Broadway Static coilovers, same as Fortune and I am very happy with them. Almost 25k NYC miles and only changed rear spring rates .

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

Thanks for the info, I’ll check them out!

Hi TS1997,

Just as a heads up, I'd say the KW V2 choice is 'more' of a solution for when a car is used both on the street and occasional/semi regularly on the track. With a proper setup session taking into account the car's other aspects such as wheel choices and their weights along with perhaps BBK choices etc - ie where the car is more focused for such use and has other complimentary modifcations. Of course, you can go for the V2 solution but overall, I think they'd be overkill for what you mention you'd like.

I'm on KW V1 on my Touring and I'm really happy with how they feel, even though I've not got much time with them since they went on a year ago as Winter and then the arrival of CV19 meant I've not driven it much. However, for me, it's 10% stiffer (if I can quantify it) than my previous setup which was OEM SE shocks (non sport) and H&R 30mm springs. I changed to those springs back in 2006 when I first got the car and the resulting ride was 'surpreme'. Absolutely fantastic ride quality and I also have been on 19's since that time too. Over the years I never, not once ever had anyone complain about the ride, I semi often have elder family members and their friends to give lifts too and some are 'sensitive' and zero issues or complaints. Going back to car enthusiasts, then here on forums, many members would say that '19s ruin the ride' on the E39 and I used to meet some of them at car shows/events and then take them on a 10/15 minute ride. They'd then emerge from my car red faced & embarassed as they realised that 19s on the E39 with good quality suspension was totally opposite of what they say online.

I'd personally say to you to get new SE shocks and H&R or Eibach 25/30mm lowering springs and go for that. If you then do find you want a firmer ride, then look to coilovers. As you mention you'll only want to lower a 'bit' then given the amount of ride height adjustment you could have with them, they'd again be a little overkill for what you want. In terms of handling, then I regularly enjoy going for a drive in my local to me awesome 'twisties' roads and with the SE shocks/H&R springs, the handling was brilliantly improved and to the point that in 13+ years, I didn't bother looking for other suspension. The only reason I have now gone for KW V1's is that I want to run a mix of my various 19 & 20 inch wheel sets that I have so I can quickly change the ride height a small amount for when I swap. I have even thought about swapping back to the H&R springs and perhaps getting the OEM sport shocks or, getting custom shocks (and springs) made up based on the OEM shocks specs and uprating them to somewhere mid way between the SE and Sport ratings.

The KW street comfort weren't available for my Touring, else I'd have gone for those a year ago and perhaps they'd have been just that little bit more compliant than the V1's. The V1's on smooth, smoother, decent roads are excellent. When I go on more rougher/not so good/crap road surfaces, then I do feel the extra stiffness compared to the H&R and SE shocks setup. It's not enough for me to be miffed though, but others 'might' be. I'm lucky that most roads around me and a rather large radius of where I drive are the former type of roads.

Cheers, Dennis!

Thanks for the write up once again Dennis! Your input on the fact that the V1s are slightly too stiff (but in no way harsh) were one of the main reasons I was thinking V2s or Street Comforts. My thoughts were that the extra adjustment on the V2s could make them slightly softer in order to achieve a comfortable sporty feel. After that I was recommended the Street Comforts by a Danish coilover retailer and thought they might be better for my goals. The problem is that I can’t find any information regarding what people think about these on the E39.

What are your thoughts and experience in regards to these thoughts of mine? Maybe OEM shocks and H&R springs are still the better option? The main drawback I see with this option is the fact that the height is set and if I get a wheel and tyre setup in the future that would need a slight raise I can’t.

My main problem and reason for my indecisiveness is the fact that I’ve only experienced my current blown OEM setup and therefore have no references in regards to what feels good etc. I’m therefore trying to cover everything before making such an expensive purchase when compared to the price of the car itself. Especially since I don’t know a lot of people with different setups I could test either.

Thanks again!

[DennisCooper]

Hi TS1997,

Have a quick read through these two threads I found in a quick search on the UK's M3 cutters forum where the topic of which suspension like you are thinking comes up;

https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa...review.207060/
https://forums.m3cutters.co.uk/threa...ension.206894/

A couple of the members there I know and have met in real life and one is an avid track enthusiast and has his E46 on either V2 or V3's ( I can't remember now!) The KW V2's are more 'track orientated' for those who want a decent street car drive/feel and yet have great performance when on the track / nurburgring & other well known European tracks. They need good/careful setting up by a suspension specialist with the knowledge and experience to do so. If you say you'll be doing the same with your E39, then do consider them, but from what you mention, I still suggest they're way overkill for what you want/need.

I'd say to go with the BC Racing option and save yourself £500/600+ as plenty of E39 owners who don't go on the track at all will choose these if they want to go with coilovers. For the most part, the feedback for the BC Racing's is good, however there is 'some' feedback where owners aren't happy due to issues like corrosion/failed components etc. This is to be expected given they're a 'mid range' brand and price point. You'll get some damping adjustment and ride height adjustment and again for the most part, you'll get good reviews for the ride quality. Ensure you get the set with the softer rated spring options as they come with steadily harder springs so you can choose those if their is track use etc.

However, given your requirement is indeed 'lower a bit and retain as much ride quality as possible' then given different opinions will vary on what constitutes that, you 'might' find' the BC Racing coilovers with the softest spring choice is still ' a bit' too harsh for you. The only way around this is to see if you can try another E39 with BC Racing's on which I appreciate, might not be forthcoming in your location.

In terms of spending as little as possible and not being disappointed, then it's the SE shocks and H&R or Eibach springs option. To try out, you could buy some decent/working condition SE shocks and new springs and install those and see how you feel. For me, and what I wanted, I had this setup from 2006 to 2019 and very very happy indeed. I have a contact here in the UK who can make custom spring sets to order so another option for me is to send them my H&R springs, where they'll analyse them and compare to their database of technical info for my car and the H&R (and other brands ) springs and make me a custom set to what I want for 'around' £250 (last time I asked) I 'may' return to OEM shocks (probably Sport) and get a custom set made up - you can choose approximate lowering ride height and the spring rates/poundages to get what you want.

There's other cheaper coilover kits too, Apex & AP Suspension are slightly cheaper brands with decent quality still, any cheaper and those become the ones that usually get mixed reviews ranging from they're ok to they're rubbish!

Cheers, Dennis!

[bfp9]

I have Bilstein PSS on my E39 and they ride horribly and truthfully, have never ridden that well.

I track my car - they're awful there.

I street drive my car - they're a 5/10 on that.

If I could do it all over again, I'd get Ground Control or KW V3 and do it right the first time and sacrifice driving the car on the street as much, but in turn, I'd be happier and have more fun on the track and go more frequently because the suspension would actually be set up for it.

For your use case - anything outside of KW V1s on a daily driver car, plan on replacing them in 3 years or 30k miles for a truly daily driven car.

[seagreen323i]

I have stx coilovers (Basically kw v1s) the ride is fine. A bit bumpy but it rides just like my fathers e46 330ci convertible on factory suspension. The 540 actually rides a bit better in my opinion.

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[f355spider]

+1 on ST-X coilovers from KW. Work great.
I had the B14 PSS, road super stiff, but I loved the handling. Problem was the front struts continuously wore out the slider bearings, causing knocking noises after 24k miles. I sent them back repeatedly for new slider bearings...after over 100k miles was going to have to send them back a fourth time and Bilstein gave up and refunded my money. ST-X was the solution. Softer ride than PSS, but slightly firmer than the oem M-Sport Suspension II that came with my car

BTW, they now offer the ST Xa which offers rebound damping like the KW V2. Difference is the strut and shock housings are plated steel, rather than ss. Same difference between ST-X and KW V1.

[gm1160]

Hello!

I have a 1999 BMW 523i E39 with blown shocks and a spring that barely holds the weight of the car at the moment. I’ve done extensive research on which way to go and have considered everything from brand new OEM m-sport suspension, new shocks and lowering springs to coils but I get more indecisive the more I learn.

I’m currently leaning towards KW coilovers as that gives me the ability to change height and rebound instead of being completely static with OEM. Do you guys think that’s a good option? I also considered BC but read that they are decent but not as good quality as KW.

Do anyone here have experience with the KW Street Comforts on an E39? I’ve been recommended both them and V2s from different people and wonder if anyone here has experience with both or at least one of them? I’ve found reviews on them separately but nothing that compares them and I haven’t found much info at all about the Street Comforts on the E39 specifically.

The car is my daily but I’d like to lower it a bit while keeping the car functional and would like to eliminate some body roll without loosing to much comfort.

My goal is a somewhat lowered sporty feel that’s comfortable enough for a daily.

Thanks in advance!

I have personally had the Street Comforts on my 99 E39 with 19" rims with a deep lip on the rear for years. Even in the winters here in Jersey.

I have always had a good ride for what it is, and most people did have any complaints or even mentioned anything in ref. to the ride of the car.
Even though like you said, most people tried to steer me away from it, but it worked well, ride was good as could be expected, maybe better, excellent handling and even handled bad road decently.

I too have tried all the other routes for lowering my E39 (2 Different E39's) Springs, Eibach, Bilstein's and some other I cant remember. Most didn't even lower the car and got tired of paying and hoping that it got lower and decided on the coilovers.

The Street Comforts are good quaility and have not had any issue at this time and have had them for at least 8-9 years.

[TS1997]

I have personally had the Street Comforts on my 99 E39 with 19" rims with a deep lip on the rear for years. Even in the winters here in Jersey.

I have always had a good ride for what it is, and most people did have any complaints or even mentioned anything in ref. to the ride of the car.
Even though like you said, most people tried to steer me away from it, but it worked well, ride was good as could be expected, maybe better, excellent handling and even handled bad road decently.

I'm glad to hear that as I ordered a set this weekend. My plan was to see if I could try a set first somehow but got offered a deal good enough that I decided to order a set and try them There's a 4 week ETA but I'm looking forward to trying them myself in the beginning of next year

[Jason5driver]

Hello!

I have a 1999 BMW 523i E39 with blown shocks and a spring that barely holds the weight of the car at the moment. I’ve done extensive research on which way to go and have considered everything from brand new OEM m-sport suspension, new shocks and lowering springs to coils but I get more indecisive the more I learn.

I’m currently leaning towards KW coilovers as that gives me the ability to change height and rebound instead of being completely static with OEM. Do you guys think that’s a good option? I also considered BC but read that they are decent but not as good quality as KW.

Do anyone here have experience with the KW Street Comforts on an E39? I’ve been recommended both them and V2s from different people and wonder if anyone here has experience with both or at least one of them? I’ve found reviews on them separately but nothing that compares them and I haven’t found much info at all about the Street Comforts on the E39 specifically.

The car is my daily but I’d like to lower it a bit while keeping the car functional and would like to eliminate some body roll without loosing to much comfort.

My goal is a somewhat lowered sporty feel that’s comfortable enough for a daily.

Thanks in advance!

I think for what you described, you should go with Eibach lowering springs and stock OE Sachs struts and shocks .

[Jason5driver]

I have Broadway Static coilovers, same as Fortune and I am very happy with them. Almost 25k NYC miles and only changed rear spring rates .

Sent from my motorola one 5G UW using Tapatalk

Really ?
7k rear springs ?
Are they upgraded Swift springs ?

[Yonkers320is]

Really ?
7k rear springs ?
Are they upgraded Swift springs ?

Yes, went from the basic 5k springs to 7k, but i ordered the swits from other vendor

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