7
KW Suspension
- Thread starter aloha_from_bradley
- Start date
aloha_from_bradley
Autocross Champion
- Location
- AZ
The balance between street and track is extremely hard to achieve. On the track, you’re always looking for that little bit more. And on the street, most track capable setups are just going to beat you up and will likely get pretty banged up in the process, or the car will.
I’ve learned over the years that you really need a purpose built car for the track unless you just want to toss around your street car for the fun of it every now and again. Hopefully the Ohlins kit ticks all of the boxes for you. I’ve heard they are superb.
aloha_from_bradley
Autocross Champion
- Location
- AZ
We ran the DCC calibration via OBD11 and the values barely changed. I also didn’t feel a discernible difference before and after the adjustment.
Coilovers can be a pain, but are worth it if you want to really dial things in. I was able to level out my uneven ride height, and although this is kind of a no-no when tuning suspension for the track, it’s okay for a street car. If I were tracking the car, I would have gone with Clubsports and a corner weight & balance.
I know it’s an impossible task. I’ve got a full blown old MK2 16V VW Cup spec Golf which I bring out then and again.
A race or motorsport set up is just not suitable for the road. Way to stiff.
It’s the holy grail finding a duel purpose set up but at least you can get to a reasonable compromise.
I had several MK5 GTI’s running both KW Clubsports , KW Custom Coilovers and AST’s. The Clubsports were absolutely brilliant and comfy enough on road but could be turned up for track. The springs are about 15% stiffer than the V3’s so nowhere near a race car set up.
I went Ohlins as they were on clearance offer before Christmas and I spoke to a friend who’s also run them and he and other tuners I used here recommended they were on a different level.
My friend has a MK8R with DCC and as a yard stick I asked if the Ohlins are a much better set up than factory MK8R. He said as thought tbh that they were on a different level. Superbly comfy with their unique DFV yet very tied down and stiff in the cornering. Just what you want with bumps nicely rounded off.
Im boxing up my old VW DCC shocks and if it doesn’t work out I can always sell the Ohlins
krs
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Las Vegas, NV
- Car(s)
- MKVIIS R
So what are you going with now?
I had DCC running Racingline Springs. It’s a nice set cheap set up which I’ve run in my 7R since it was 6 months old.
I recently swApped it out after 6 years usage for Ohlins DFV Coilovers. I put a KW DCC delete kit on to cancel error codes.
It is absolutely sublime super comfy but it’s handling is on another levels.!It’s equivalent to KW Clubsports but it’s far more comfy. Quite expensive but you pay for what you get. Far superior to the cheap Monroe DCC shocks…..you just can’t compare.
I recently swApped it out after 6 years usage for Ohlins DFV Coilovers. I put a KW DCC delete kit on to cancel error codes.
It is absolutely sublime super comfy but it’s handling is on another levels.!It’s equivalent to KW Clubsports but it’s far more comfy. Quite expensive but you pay for what you get. Far superior to the cheap Monroe DCC shocks…..you just can’t compare.
victorofhavoc
Autocross Champion
- Location
- Kansas City
I had the mss track pack springs and the 034 springs on my dcc shocks with the metal 034 top mounts. They both sucked pretty bad because of lack of helper springs up front.
I then got the the b16 with dcc delete. They are stiffer and more controlled at 120mph+ (due to the lower ride height), but they're still pretty crash around town because they're a monotube coil with a metal top mount. My original intent was to keep tracking the car and go stiffer with a linear spring (fronts on b16 are progressive, rears are linear), but I deemed the mk7 too fragile for 10 weekends per year for my needs. Now I want off the coils asap.
I have a toddler and my wife often chooses to take the gti for funsies since the audi is large and slower in traffic. When I set the b16 to a sportier setting, she feels she's being punished and my toddler's head is bobbing around like a ragdoll. On soft they're ok, but still a monotube coil. For these reasons I'm going back to dcc, but now I'm going to custom rates from GC and using swivels and lca to get camber out of the front.
5 suspension iterations and the best one for street use was the stock setup. For track, they were all too soft while also being too harsh on gators. I've ridden on kwv3 on other platforms and in someone else's R and they were fairly street comfy, probably the best coil in the cheap range.
I then got the the b16 with dcc delete. They are stiffer and more controlled at 120mph+ (due to the lower ride height), but they're still pretty crash around town because they're a monotube coil with a metal top mount. My original intent was to keep tracking the car and go stiffer with a linear spring (fronts on b16 are progressive, rears are linear), but I deemed the mk7 too fragile for 10 weekends per year for my needs. Now I want off the coils asap.
I have a toddler and my wife often chooses to take the gti for funsies since the audi is large and slower in traffic. When I set the b16 to a sportier setting, she feels she's being punished and my toddler's head is bobbing around like a ragdoll. On soft they're ok, but still a monotube coil. For these reasons I'm going back to dcc, but now I'm going to custom rates from GC and using swivels and lca to get camber out of the front.
5 suspension iterations and the best one for street use was the stock setup. For track, they were all too soft while also being too harsh on gators. I've ridden on kwv3 on other platforms and in someone else's R and they were fairly street comfy, probably the best coil in the cheap range.
At that price point did you consider the KW DDC kit to retain driving modes?
TheContender09
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Car(s)
- Golf R
I just bought a set of ohlins for my R. The bc I have now are terrible. But if you want to keep your dcc, try checking out tractive coilovers. My buddy just custom ordered a set for his 2019 golf R. I’m going do a review on his car once we get them in.
https://m.facebook.com/TractiveSusp...ace-system-for-volkswagen-g/2859436780784014/
https://m.facebook.com/TractiveSusp...ace-system-for-volkswagen-g/2859436780784014/
Rrrrrmatey
Go Kart Champion
- Car(s)
- Mk 7.5 Golf R
Looks like they’re around $3800? —
https://tractivesuspension.com/shop...ronically-adjustable-shocks-for-oe-fitment-7/
Good to see another DCC compatible option beyond Bilstein and KW though.
TheContender09
Go Kart Champion
- Location
- Los Angeles
- Car(s)
- Golf R
Well no dcc suspension is gonna be cheap. You should also never cheapen out on suspension components anyway
Rrrrrmatey
Go Kart Champion
- Car(s)
- Mk 7.5 Golf R
I’m not sure how identifying the price point of a new product = commentary on the value of the product for that price, but ok?
More suspension options from reputable brands is a good thing IMO.
Nice. Do you have any time on them yet, and which Ohlins kit?
No I didn’t.
Several people here were dissatisfied with KW DCC mainly due to springs and their expectations. They’re not really suitable for circuit.
Ohlins are absolutely sublime and mega
comfy for road use. It’s in a different league. Much much better than a budget OE built to budget damper
FWIW KW revised the kit since the initial super-negative release. Talked to DSC a bit about it, they spoke pretty highly of it. But yeah, spring rates are still kinda low for track use.