KW V1's ???

[andy_gti]

Hi all,

Has anyone got a set of V1's on their Golf?

Has anyone been in a Golf with V1's?

I have the opportunity to grab a used set for what I believe to be a reasonable price, $1100. I know most of you have V2's or V3's and I'm sure they are as good as people say. However, I am interested to hear what, if any, experience you might have with the V1's. I know they are height adjustable only. Which, to be honest, is high up on the list of reasons for wanting coilovers. I have no plans to do any track work so they are for daily driving. The gti still has the stock 16's on it. I plan on purchasing 18's or 19's eventually.

Any comments about ride quality? Too firm? Too soft? I understand what is too firm/soft for one person may not be the same for some one else. I'm just trying to get as much info as I can so i can make an informed decision. I have googled V1's but didn't get much useful info, so any comments/thoughts and/or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
A.

[No457 Snowy]

Hi Andy, I have V1's on my car and love them. I went for the V1's because they are perfect for a street driven car, I just don't have the know-how to correctly tune the fully adjustable versions. I figured the V1's had been set up by KW engineers for the best balance of ride quality/handling and they know a thing or two about that. I'd be just kidding myself if I thought I could tune an adjustable set for a better result on a daily driven street car than those guys.

The ride is obviously firmer than stock but It is not harsh at all, still very comfortable. Once they're fitted you'll notice a big difference around corners. For that price I'd say you should grab them, you won't be dissapointed.

Just realised you are also in Canberra, you're welcome to a test ride if you like, just PM me to set up a time.

Where are you getting them from?

Cheers,

Snowy

[fuzion]

Hi Andy, I have V1's on my car and love them. I went for the V1's because they are perfect for a street driven car, I just don't have the know-how to correctly tune the fully adjustable versions. I figured the V1's had been set up by KW engineers for the best balance of ride quality/handling and they know a thing or two about that. I'd be just kidding myself if I thought I could tune an adjustable set for a better result on a daily driven street car than those guys.

The ride is obviously firmer than stock but It is not harsh at all, still very comfortable. Once they're fitted you'll notice a big difference around corners. For that price I'd say you should grab them, you won't be dissapointed.

Just realised you are also in Canberra, you're welcome to a test ride if you like, just PM me to set up a time.

Where are you getting them from?

Cheers,

Snowy

snowy, can i take it for a test ride too thanks? lol


andy, i have v2s and yes obviously more expensive. ive been for a ride in v1/v2/v3's and the v1's are definately worth the $$! i was suprised how good it was in comparison to the v2s to be honest, not to firm and absorbs all harsh bumps as if they werent there.

snowy's car on v1's with 18s



mine on v2s with 19s



its dependant on what you want and so forth, canberra .. id go v1's .. sydney my god you need v3s LOL .. the amount of farkeeen potholes within 1km of anyones house.. argh

[The_Hawk]

Whats the % increase in firmness/stiffness over stock in the springs on the V1's??

[andy_gti]

[QUOTE]

Hi Andy, I have V1's on my car and love them. I went for the V1's because they are perfect for a street driven car, I just don't have the know-how to correctly tune the fully adjustable versions. I figured the V1's had been set up by KW engineers for the best balance of ride quality/handling and they know a thing or two about that. I'd be just kidding myself if I thought I could tune an adjustable set for a better result on a daily driven street car than those guys.

This is my thought exactly

The ride is obviously firmer than stock but It is not harsh at all, still very comfortable. Once they're fitted you'll notice a big difference around corners. For that price I'd say you should grab them, you won't be dissapointed.

Without doubt, they will be better than the stock system.

Just realised you are also in Canberra, you're welcome to a test ride if you like, just PM me to set up a time.

Thank you. I just might do that.

Where are you getting them from?

I might just keep quiet on that for now. Just in case

[andy_gti]

its dependant on what you want and so forth, canberra .. id go v1's .. sydney my god you need v3s LOL .. the amount of farkeeen potholes within 1km of anyones house.. argh[/QUOTE]

LOL. We are lucky to have nice roads in the good old 'berra.

[andy_gti]

Snowy and Fuzion,

How much did you guys lower your car?

Can you get lower with 18's than you can with 19's?

At what height do you need to replace the front sway bar?

Thanks,
A.

[No457 Snowy]

Snowy and Fuzion,

How much did you guys lower your car?

Can you get lower with 18's than you can with 19's?

At what height do you need to replace the front sway bar?

Thanks,
A.

Andy, mine measures 340mm vertically from the hub centre to the fender edge on the fronts and about 345mm for the same measurement on the backs. This is the method KW use to take lowering measurements in their documentation. Once that distance is less than 355mm they recommend changing the front anti-sway bar. Which I have done using their front bar.

I think it's generally accepted that about 40mm from stock is the limit you can go before you can expect issues with rubbing the driveshafts (though apparently some will rub before this and others still won't rub, it can depend on the individual car). Also, remember the GTI is already 15mm lowered from a stock Golf so.

Hope that makes sense.


Snowy

[andy_gti]

Thanks Snowy. That helps.

What size sway bar did you get? Where did you get it from? Were your 17's already on the car or did you get the V1's first?

Thanks again for answering all my questions. I really appreciate it.

Cheers,
Andy.

[No457 Snowy]

The sway bar is the KW one, I'm not sure what the size was, I got it from Dragan at Inmotive in Sydney, he's the Importer for KW, that's also where I got the Coilovers. Peter Shelley at Canberra VW Centre is the local (Canberra) KW dealer, so he could get one for you through Dragan.

Another good option would be the Neuspeed Bar from Ian at Rennenhaus here:

http://www.osirdesign.com.au/

He's a member of the forum here, heaps of forum members have bought parts off him, myself included, he will look after you. The Neuspeed stuff is top quality too.

Were your 17's already on the car or did you get the V1's first?

I had 17's on the car before the V1's, I recently decided to go up to the 18's.

Cheers,

Snowy

[andy_gti]

Actually I just recently purchased some stuff from Ian. Forge TIP and Neuspeed lower intercooler pipe. Can't wait for them to arrive!!! He was a pleasure to deal with.

Might go see Peter soon and see how much to get the front sway bar fitted. Might even give it a try myself if I'm feeling adventurous. I will be installing the TIP, IC pipe and coilovers (if/when I get them) with the help of a friend. So figure I might as well try doing the sway bar if I need it. Does look a bit difficult though.

I have been following your wheel thread and have found it very helpful. The 18's look great. I love how they are flush with the guards. Perfect offset I think. I can imagine the HUGE smile you had once they were on the car. I am having a tough time deciding on 18's or 19's. Leaning towards 19's.

Andy.

[No457 Snowy]

Just be aware if you are getting the Neuspeed Lower Intercooler pipe you might be better off going with their sway bar as well, because there is fitting interference problems between the Neuspeed pipe and the KW bar. Maybe see if Ian can cut you a good deal and package it up with a Neuspeed rear bar at the same time, with those fitted and the V1's you won't know you're driving the same car anymore.

The KW bar is designed differently and runs under the driveshafts like an R32 or S3 bar using longer link rods. I had hassles fitting my Neuspeed Lower Pipe and it's still sitting in it's box in the garage. Apparently you can eventually get it to fit but at the moment ICBF.

Snowy

[D3bb4]

I thought the rear sway bar was most essential? Front makes a significant difference?

[No457 Snowy]

No, the main reason for changing the front is to lower without the worry of rubbing the driveshafts, I just meant if you go with the Neuspeed front maybe Ian can do you a better deal for a rear at the same time. Although I felt the KW bar made a difference when it was fitted.

Snowy

[andy_gti]

Just be aware if you are getting the Neuspeed Lower Intercooler pipe you might be better off going with their sway bar as well, because there is fitting interference problems between the Neuspeed pipe and the KW bar. Maybe see if Ian can cut you a good deal and package it up with a Neuspeed rear bar at the same time, with those fitted and the V1's you won't know you're driving the same car anymore.

The KW bar is designed differently and runs under the driveshafts like an R32 or S3 bar using longer link rods. I had hassles fitting my Neuspeed Lower Pipe and it's still sitting in it's box in the garage. Apparently you can eventually get it to fit but at the moment ICBF.

Snowy

Thanks Snowy! Very, very useful information. I probably would have found that out the hard way. LOL!!!

Andy.