KW V2's vs Pss-9

[Driven Threads]

Alright. I am a suspension noob. This is the first time I will be fitting coilovers to a car, and I plan on keeping the car for a long time. I know people have started similar threads previously. Firstly I have searched the forum quite a bit and done a bit of reading on other forums. I am after some advice from people who have been there before. Basically I have narrowed down my coilover options to either KW V2's or Bilstein Pss-9. Obviously I am looking at something height and damper adjustable. Both are offering the kind of drop that I am after. I need something compliant for daily driving (I know anything will be better than the stock R setup!) which will see the odd track day and spirited drive here and there. While I believe both types will offer me are quality ride and options, I have read a lot of opinions about the KW being more daily friendly than the pss-9. I have heard so many good things about KW V2 and V3- I am pretty confident that I am not needing all of the features of the V3, plus their complexity puts me off a bit. I think for what I need the V2's will be more than enough. I'm particularly interested in hearing from people with pss-9's? Also where are people buying suspension from? Has anyone purchased pss-9's from overseas? The price advantage may outweigh the warranty risks. Are there any R's here on the pss-9's? Who's running KW V2's? Any help would be really appreciated. Thanks.

[Golf Houso]

KW's are not servicable under warranty in Aus so the choice is obvious really...

[vwthunder]

I was told that the KW's V2 have inserts in them, so you just change them when the shocks need replacing

The V3's need rebuilding being a more complex shock

Someone correct me if I am wrong

[Manaz]

When I got my PSS9s, I also considered KW v2s, and was told by several people that the PSS9s were the better buy.

The PSS9s feature a mono-tube dampener, the KWs are twin-tube - all other things equal, you get better control on a mono-tube damper, but better travel on a twin-tube. Apparently there's a greater range of adjustability on the v2s than on the PSS9s, but that has its drawbacks too - the springs aren't adjustable, and so are generally matched to somewhere near the middle of the range - if you deviate further, you move further from your spring spec.

[Driven Threads]

When I got my PSS9s, I also considered KW v2s, and was told by several people that the PSS9s were the better buy.

The PSS9s feature a mono-tube dampener, the KWs are twin-tube - all other things equal, you get better control on a mono-tube damper, but better travel on a twin-tube. Apparently there's a greater range of adjustability on the v2s than on the PSS9s, but that has its drawbacks too - the springs aren't adjustable, and so are generally matched to somewhere near the middle of the range - if you deviate further, you move further from your spring spec.

Yes...I am leaning towards the pss-9's to be honest. Seem more simple, but effective. How do you find the ride for a daily? Did you purchase your locally or overseas? Thanks for your help.

[gmx]

V2s

search google for PSS9 dynos (originally done on a B5 Quattro) with two samples.
The symptoms have been shared across different platforms

[Driven Threads]

V2s

search google for PSS9 dynos (originally done on a B5 Quattro) with two samples.
The symptoms have been shared across different platforms

hmmm...is this the problem....http://forums.audiworld.com/showthread.php?p=23271726. That threads from 2006 - could they have solved this problem? More investigation needed I think.

[dainese]

I have a set of PSS's ready to go in my car.

Currently running Stasis( koni) coils. and they are very nicely damped with great control, and aren't noisy.

But they don't have much travel, so I personally find the ride rough, especially on our Sydney roads.

[XXX-1.8T]

i have PSS9's on my TT rate them very highly especially on Sydney roads.

[dainese]

Yeah, I can't wait to get them on actually. But just gotta find the time. And not sure if I need or should get a bushings refresh kit when I swap them over.

And I've been told by heasmans that the front spring rate is 370lbs per inch.

[Manaz]

I have a set of PSS's ready to go in my car.

Currently running Stasis( koni) coils. and they are very nicely damped with great control, and aren't noisy.

But they don't have much travel, so I personally find the ride rough, especially on our Sydney roads.

This was the other option I was going to mention - if you're happy with a factory tune for bump/rebound, they're cheaper than PSS9s. PSS9s have the advantage if you want to tune your ride more precisely, or want to be able to vary it (say between track and street settings).

[dainese]

This was the other option I was going to mention - if you're happy with a factory tune for bump/rebound, they're cheaper than PSS9s. PSS9s have the advantage if you want to tune your ride more precisely, or want to be able to vary it (say between track and street settings).

yeah, i don't think i will be game enough to track my car, so, i went with the PSS's.

Do you know what the PSS's settings would be equal to on the PSS9's?

[Driven Threads]

So can anyone recommend a place locally to purchase pss9's, preferrably in Melbourne? Or should I buy o/s?

[TazzyVR6]

I was very close to buying PSS9s for my GTI but ended up going with B8 shocks from ECS. I suggest you have a look at them as they were very easy to deal with and very cheap with the AUD so high.

http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-R32_MKIV--3.2/Suspension/Coil_Overs/ES3904/

[Driven Threads]

I was very close to buying PSS9s for my GTI but ended up going with B8 shocks from ECS. I suggest you have a look at them as they were very easy to deal with and very cheap with the AUD so high.
http://www.ecstuning.com/Volkswagen-..._Overs/ES3904/

I've already been in contact with ECS about them, they responded with 2 hours of me sending an email! I think I will be purchasing from them.