Ebay Adaptive EDC Chinese Shocks/Struts Anybody Tried These??

[spitfun]

HAS ANYBODY TRIED THESE? THEY ARE MUCH CHEAPER THAN OEM,BUT ARE THEY A DECENT ALTERNATIVE? I like the idea of keeping my suspension adjustable if I can,according to the seller at a portion of them are made in
Germany.. RICH
https://www.ebay.com/itm/385054638671?f ... R_Lk2KmAYQ

[paris1]

We’ll for starters, why not contact the selle and find out who the manufacturer is.

[DubaiRich]

From what I can tell, they're made in Germany. Try zooming on a pic with the barcode and pull info from there

[spitfun]

Well,I ordered a front set,I will report back how they are after I install them.

[paris1]

How did you manage that when they're sold as a set of 4?

Oh, never mind. I didn't scroll down the page!

[spitfun]

My rear shocks seem to be fine,have others found the front shocks to go first or am I an unusual case?

[paris1]

I was just told by the dealer that all four are leaking at 71k miles.

[Marcoose]

I wouldn’t go back to stock adaptive. KWV3 is far better in performance and comfort. They have specials at the end of the year.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by Marcoose

I wouldn’t go back to stock adaptive. KWV3 is far better in performance and comfort. They have specials at the end of the year.

I got my V3 kit during a big spring sale where all v1, v2 ,v3 kits for all makes and models where discounted. (V1 -150eur off, V2 -250eur off and V3 -350eur off) Had to wait for a while(almost 2 months) for the kit to arrive because they had so many orders to fill and mine was way down the list. I placed my order pretty much at the end of the sales campaign.

[Marcoose]

Same here. My V3 took its sweet time to arrive in America. But so worth the wait and price!

[airwalk776]

I have kw v3 on 2 other cars and if my stock suspension needs to be replaced that's the only setup I would do. Then code out EDC

[javis20]

So with KWV3 shocks, one would have to pull all 4 tires to adjust the shocks from a nice soft ride to a performance ride? I think I would prefer to just push a button.

[Marcoose]

Personally, my fat arse was never able to tell the difference between Comfort and Sport+ suspension settings. For sure, both were utterly rubbish in the steering department. The understeering was appalling for this level of sporty car.

Yes, you’d have to remove the tyres and use their special tool to set the suspension. But IMO, once I’ve found a setting I liked, and adjusted for sagging, I’ve never touched it again. It’s crispy when I need, it’s comfortable when I need.

[KennyP]

Originally Posted by javis20

So with KWV3 shocks, one would have to pull all 4 tires to adjust the shocks from a nice soft ride to a performance ride? I think I would prefer to just push a button.

Front rebound is easy just lift the bonnet/hood and use the knob on top of strut tower.
Front and rear compression can be done say on a garage floor... you can turn front wheels all the way out to get better access to the front compression knob... and if you lay on the floor you can access rear compression settings under the car aswell.. Not elegant but it can be done.

But rear rebound is almost impossible to change without jacking up the car...
When car is on the ground rear wheel to fender gap is so small you cant get in there. For access jacking the car up from the rear jack/lift point is enough to get enough wheel gap to change rear rebound. You dont have to remove the wheels to change settings. You can but its not necessary.

Of course a lift would make things way simpler.

Adjustability isnt there for constant settings changes. Its there so you can dial your suspension in the way you like it or whats best for the roads you drive all the time.
Yes you can do track days and change settings at the pits between sessions. Just bring a jack for it. And usually there are quite long breaks between track sessions. But thats not the main point.

Basically if you almost always after the car has warmed up switch to sport+ mode already then it doesnt matter... you can basically have sport+ suspension all the time.
And softer settings is where KW V3 actually shines. You want some flexility from your suspension to maintain comfort and tire contact with the road not bump around in a racing go-cart.

Of course electronic control would be nice. KW has such a series.. KW DDC that is basically KW V3 with electronic adjustment.
They did offer it for for example e92 M3. That kit has i believe has plug and play oem damping functionality with modes button + you can change settings in a mobile app. But sadly KW did not develop it for the E89 Z4. Too small market i guess. and it costs like a 1000 eur or so more than V3.

[javis20]

Look pretty nice, but not for me. If they could somehow tie them in with the cars electronics. Basically allow you to use an app to set your 2 preferred driving settings and then tie them into the cars adaptive signal. That would be great. However for my driving needs, these would be a PIA. I live in PA, a state with terrible road conditions, on the edge of the Appalachian mountains. I'm either on long flat rough interstate highways, towns with pot holes or very spirited twisty mountain roads. And to be honest, the mountain roads are in the best condition. So for my needs the OEM actives would be best. Just my personal opinion.

[Marcoose]

I live in San Francisco, and drive the regional twisties. Spiritedly. Actually I’ve just returned from Tomales. The roads here are also barely average. Go figure.

I have no bone in this fight. I have no affiliation with KW. You choose how you spend your money. But the V3 is tits. Vastly superior to OEM, in comfort and steering. I know no-one who regretted installing it.

Cheers.

[bigendbob]

Originally Posted by javis20

Look pretty nice, but not for me. If they could somehow tie them in with the cars electronics. Basically allow you to use an app to set your 2 preferred driving settings and then tie them into the cars adaptive signal. That would be great. However for my driving needs, these would be a PIA. I live in PA, a state with terrible road conditions, on the edge of the Appalachian mountains. I'm either on long flat rough interstate highways, towns with pot holes or very spirited twisty mountain roads. And to be honest, the mountain roads are in the best condition. So for my needs the OEM actives would be best. Just my personal opinion.

Surprised you can go fast, all those horse drawn buggies.

[javis20]

Originally Posted by bigendbob

Surprised you can go fast, all those horse drawn buggies.

The Amish buggies are mainly in the farm lands. Definitely dangerous. The rural farm roads are great for the Z4, however the hill/bumps in the road are not graded for safety. Instead they follow the topography of the land. You go up a sharp hill and can't see what's on the other side. It could be a plateau or reverse direction downward. It's a shocker when you fly over one of those and your wheels almost leave the ground. And then you find a buggy in front of you!

[spitfun]

The front struts are installed with new Lesjofors springs front and rear. I am waiting for my wheels to come back from powdercoating,then I can take it for a ride-I will get back to you guys,hopefully we will have a lower priced alternative to the oem dampers..

[javis20]

Thanks. Can't wait for you to report back.

[spitfun]

Well,they are on.. They are a big improvement from what I had ( which were shot),the car seems to handle well and take the bumps fairly smoothly. My only complaint is the Lesjofors springs,the ride height in the front is 3/4" higher (26" rear and 26 3/4" front) than the rear. I have same brand springs now front and rear,unfortunately these springs have no model number on the spring itself-only the box. I wonder if they sent me the standard suspension springs instead of the "M sport"?