KW Coilover Variant 1 vs. Variant 2 vs. Variant 3 vs. Variant 4 (Rebound & Bump Explained)
WHEELS 'N CUSTOMS
TECHNICAL GUIDE: KW SUSPENSIONS VARIANT 1 TO 4 ADJUSTMENT
KW Coilover Variant 1 vs. Variant 2 vs. Variant 3 vs. Variant 4 (Explaining Rebound & Bump)
Within high-end chassis engineering, KW Suspensions is regarded worldwide as the absolute benchmark. Whether it concerns a demanding road car that must combine a perfect stance with smooth everyday comfort, or a uncompromising track machine that requires maximum grip on the Nürburgring Nordschleife: the German manufacturer from Fichtenberg offers the right damping technology for every type of driver with its iconic Variant line.
Yet many car enthusiasts face a difficult choice when assembling their suspension: “What is the actual difference between KW Variant 1, V2, V3 and V4?”, “What does rebound damping do compared to bump/compression damping?” and “How do you adjust the famous click settings reliably for both street and trackday use?” In this in-depth technical guide the suspension specialists at Wheels 'N Customs dissect the patented Inox-line stainless steel housings, the multi-valve technique and the exact adjustment process.
1. The KW Basis: Patented Inox-Line Stainless Steel Housings
Before we look at the damping valves, a KW coilover fundamentally distinguishes itself by its unmatched corrosion resistance. Where cheaper coilovers use zinc-plated steel that inevitably seizes after two salt-heavy winters, KW delivers its Variant dampers as standard in Inox-line stainless steel:
100% Stainless Steel (Inox-Line)
The strut housing is manufactured from high-quality austenitic stainless steel. Even after hundreds of hours of salt spray testing and years of intensive winter use, the threads remain bare and completely free of rust deposits.
Composite Adjustment Ring with Stainless Steel Inlay
Unlike traditional aluminium adjustment rings that ‘cold-weld’ to the steel thread through galvanic corrosion, KW uses a wear-resistant polyamide composite adjustment ring with an internal stainless steel thread insert. This allows you to adjust ride height effortlessly by hand even after tens of thousands of kilometres.
2. The Four Variants Side by Side: From V1 to V4
The main difference between the KW Variant coilovers lies in the degree of control you as the driver have over the hydraulic fluid flows in the shock absorber:
KW Variant 1 (V1) – Sportiness with Fixed Factory Damping
Adjustability: Height adjustable only via the threaded body (approx. 30 to 70 mm).
Character: KW’s engineers have pre-set the bump and rebound damping perfectly on the 7-post vehicle dynamics rig for your specific car model. Ideal for the sporty road driver seeking maximum lowering and stable handling without wanting to delve into complex click adjustments.
Adjustability: Stepless ride height + 16 precise click settings for the rebound damping.
Technology: Equipped with TVR-A (Twin Valve Rebound Adjustable) technology. By turning the adjuster knob on top of the piston rod you directly influence how quickly the body rebounds. Ideal for drivers who want to choose between more comfort on poor road surfaces or tighter control of body roll in long sweepers.
Adjustability: Height + 16 clicks rebound (top) + 12 clicks low-speed compression\/bump (bottom of the strut).
The Benchmark: The KW V3 fully separates compression and rebound damping forces. This allows you to finely tune turn-in behaviour and mechanical tyre grip without affecting ride comfort. The favourite for powerful sports cars (BMW M, Audi RS, Porsche, AMG and Golf R).
Pure Racetrack DNA: Derived from official GT3 motorsport dampers. Differentiates between fast impacts (like running over kerbstones) and gradual body movements (braking and turning in). Supplied including unibal aluminium topmounts for millimetre-precise camber adjustment.
3. What Exactly Do Rebound and Bump\/Compression Do?
To correctly understand and set up a coilover set, you need to know the fundamental difference between the two damping directions:
Rebound Damping (Rebound \/ Zugstufe)
Function: Rebound controls how quickly the compressed coil spring is allowed to relax and extend again after the car has passed a rise or bump.
Too much Rebound (too stiff): The spring cannot return quickly enough. Over consecutive ridges the damper 'pulls' the car down, causing the wheels to lose contact with the road (restless and bouncy behaviour).
Too little Rebound (too soft): The body oscillates uncontrolled afterwards. The car feels rocking and floaty at high speed.
Optimal setting: The car stabilises after exactly one smooth rebound movement directly into the neutral position.
Compression Damping (Bump \/ Druckstufe)
Function: Bump controls the resistance the damper offers when the wheel moves upward (compresses) relative to the bodywork.
Low-Speed Bump (Turning & Braking): Determines how directly the car responds when turning into a corner and how much the nose dives under heavy braking. A firmer setting gives razor-sharp steering precision.
High-Speed Blow-Off Valve (Patented): Under sudden heavy impacts (a pothole or kerb), the internal preloaded valve pack of the KW V3 opens automatically in a millisecond. Excess oil flows away extremely quickly, so the impact is absorbed smoothly without being transmitted into the cabin.
Balance: More bump at the rear axle increases traction for rear-wheel drive cars and stabilises the rear during rapid load changes.
4. Technical Matrix: KW V1 vs. V2 vs. V3 vs. V4
Specification
KW Variant 1
KW Variant 2
KW Variant 3
KW Variant 4 \/ Clubsport
Housing Material
Inox-line Stainless Steel
Inox-line Stainless Steel
Inox-line Stainless Steel
Inox-line Stainless Steel \/ Hard anodised alu
Height Adjustment
Stepless with composite ring
Stepless with composite ring
Stepless with composite ring
Stepless with composite ring
Rebound Adjustment
Fixed factory setting
16 Clicks adjustable
16 Clicks adjustable
16 Clicks adjustable
Bump \/ Compression
Fixed factory setting
Fixed factory setting
12 Clicks Low-Speed
Independent High- & Low-Speed
Topmounts (Strut bearings)
Reuse OEM bearings
Reuse OEM bearings
Reuse OEM bearings
Includes Unibal Camber-Plates
Recommended Use
Street & daily use
Sporty street with comfort option
Performance street & occasional trackday
Serious trackdays & competition
5. Practical guide: How to correctly adjust KW damping?
When adjusting a KW V2, V3 or V4 coilover there is a fixed factory rule that many DIYers misunderstand:
The Golden Adjustment Rule of KW: Always turn the adjuster screw first fully clockwise to close (rightwards to the '+' mark) until the mechanical stop is felt. This is position '0' (maximum hard / closed valve). From this zero point count counterclockwise (leftwards to '-') the desired number of clicks open!
The KW Factory Base Setup: On delivery every KW coilover is set to the so-called base setting (often 9 clicks open for rebound and 6 clicks open for bump). This provides the perfect balance on 90% of European roads. Always write down your base settings before you start experimenting!
Want more ride comfort? Turn the rebound at the top 2 to 3 clicks further open (counterclockwise, for example from 9 to 12 clicks open). This makes the body follow bumps and cobbles much more smoothly.
Trackday or sharper cornering? Turn the rebound 2 clicks firmer (e.g. to position 6 or 7 open) and set the compression at the bottom of the damper 2 clicks harder (e.g. from 6 to 4 open). The car now responds razor-sharp to steering input and virtually eliminates body roll.
Always work axle-symmetrically: Always apply identical settings left and right on the same axle. Ideally change only one parameter at a time (first rebound, test, then bump) to assess the effect on handling purely.
Related Suspension & Fitment Knowledge Base Guides
Have your KW coilovers expertly fitted & adjusted in Nijkerk
Getting the most out of a KW coilover requires specialist fitting, protection of the threads and precise setup on wheel scales and a 3D laser bench. In our professional workshop at Riddererf in Nijkerk our certified technicians fit your KW V1, V2, V3 or V4 according to the official factory and TÜV standards. We also provide damping base adjustment and an extremely accurate 3D alignment including steering angle sensor calibration.
Are you unsure between a KW V1, V2 or V3 for your specific car or want to know if your adaptive dampers need to be deactivated? Our chassis specialists are happy to advise you personally.
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