AP coilovers

[Carbon]

Hey guys, I am looking for some coilovers for my Mini.

Does anybody know where I can get some AP coilovers locally? I can get decent deals in Europe but importing is always a last resort for me.

Regards
Jacques

 

[[email protected]]

Try moranor@axis

---

@moranor@axis

 

[Carbon]

Doubt moranor has anything to do with KW. He does koni afaik.

It seems Big Boss Auto can import them, but bizarrely enough, I can import it cheaper than they can.

 

[DieselFan]

Doubt moranor has anything to do with KW. He does koni afaik.

It seems Big Boss Auto can import them, but bizarrely enough, I can import it cheaper than they can.

He doesn't only do koni.... He can get pretty much anything bilstein, h&r, eibach, kw etc...

Something interesting I found.

Yes these (AP) are made by KW and are very popular over here in the UK. The brand is separated into three companies with quality varying slightly between them all as you might expect due to the price difference.

KW - Top of the line, stainless steel, plastic spring perches (corrosion resistant), best quality internal components, twin tube, most comfortable ride, helper springs, TUV approved, enough said

Weitec - Mid range, galvanised steel, plastic spring perches (corrosion resistant), internals reported to be near as good as KW but not confirmed if they are actually the same, twin tube, ride quality comparable to KW, helper springs, TUV approved

AP - Base range, zinc plated, anodised metal spring perch, lowest grade internal components, harder springs, reported to have the harshest ride quality, helper springs, TUV approved

The above is not to say the APs are bad, plenty of people over here have been using them through a couple of hard Winters and they are still going well but it depend if you can live with a harder ride. Personally I'd choose Weitec unless it's the race track you're buying for, then KW and the V2's at the least.

 

[Carbon]

He doesn't only do koni.... He can get pretty much anything bilstein, h&r, eibach, kw etc...

Something interesting I found.

Yes these (AP) are made by KW and are very popular over here in the UK. The brand is separated into three companies with quality varying slightly between them all as you might expect due to the price difference.

KW - Top of the line, stainless steel, plastic spring perches (corrosion resistant), best quality internal components, twin tube, most comfortable ride, helper springs, TUV approved, enough said

Weitec - Mid range, galvanised steel, plastic spring perches (corrosion resistant), internals reported to be near as good as KW but not confirmed if they are actually the same, twin tube, ride quality comparable to KW, helper springs, TUV approved

AP - Base range, zinc plated, anodised metal spring perch, lowest grade internal components, harder springs, reported to have the harshest ride quality, helper springs, TUV approved

The above is not to say the APs are bad, plenty of people over here have been using them through a couple of hard Winters and they are still going well but it depend if you can live with a harder ride. Personally I'd choose Weitec unless it's the race track you're buying for, then KW and the V2's at the least.

Four brands actually, it includes ST

I also found the thread containing the above info and it is incorrect, or at least its not correct any more.

I have seen AP and KW v1 internal components, and they are exactly the same thing. The the only difference between them I could tell are springs, plated steel vs Inox bodies and perches. AP uses cheaper components but use the EXACT same damper units, the replacement parts even carry the KW logo. AP does make a KW v2 equivalent called the APx, but they are really hard to find and not made in all the same variations as the AP as far as I can tell.

Also, KW v2 is not adequate for more than occasional trackdays its a road-oriented CO, even clubsports have been reported to overheat over longer races. KW Competition would be better suited there, and similarly priced to Clubsports.

Anyway, I can get a set of APs cheaper than I can get replacement shocks from BMW, so I might just give them a go.

 

[moranor@axis]

AP are not made by KW they may have some KW components in some kits but it is a completely separate brand and AP can choose whatever supplier they want for parts... not all their dampers have to have KW parts they will cut costs where they can and want to

ST is a KW sub brand that is geared to the lower end of the market... ST is made cheaper by the use of different materials and less development work KW know how and components are used in every ST coilover

 

[Carbon]

AP are not made by KW they may have some KW components in some kits but it is a completely separate brand and AP can choose whatever supplier they want for parts... not all their dampers have to have KW parts they will cut costs where they can and want to

"not all their dampers have to have KW parts"
What other dampers are you talking about? They only have 2 types...

Also funny that I can order AP from KW...

Anyway, I found some good deals on Bilstein, AP and BC, now I have to decide what direction I am going. A custom valved BC might just be the way forward, as its monotube and has separate height and pre-load adjustment and comes with camber plates and your choice of spring rates. So much win for the price.

 

[moranor@axis]

how are you ordering AP from KW?

 

[Gizmo]

I remember Mark Sax was the importer for Weitec some years back, their quality is top notch and on the shortlist for my next e36 suspension upgrade.