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    Hyperzpeed No.82
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    QuickSilver exhaust system for Mini Cooper 2.0(F56)
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    All parts are ready to Lotus full service & tuning
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  • Supplier announcement
  • 22 Nov 2021
    Tesla Model 3 coilover made by KW
  • 06 Sep 2020
    KW V4 is the best setup for your R8 V10
  • 06 Sep 2020
    Tesla Model 3 with KW Variant 3.
  • 15 Dec 2019
    A kingdom for this awesome Toyota Corolla AE86 R!
  • 10 Dec 2019
    The KW Variant 5
  • 08 Dec 2019
    We will ignite a firework of novelties at the Essen Motor Show 2019
  • 29 Nov 2019
    KW DDC plug&play available for VW Tiguan II
  • 23 Nov 2019
    Trucks and Supra – a European Review of the SEMA Show 2019
  • 01 Nov 2019
    KW is expanding the program of multiway adjustable racing dampers
  • 25 Oct 2019
    “Phase 1.5” Widow Maker par excellence
  • 13 Oct 2019
    “Datsun Z Hot Wheel” on a scale of 1:1
  • 28 Sep 2019
    Caution, FAST: BBi VMAX GT2 RS Porsche
  • 19 Sep 2019
    Old School BMW Tuning like a Boss: The Floßmann lightweight M2
  • 10 Sep 2019
    Modern ride quality and driving dynamics for all classical BMW 6-series (E24)
  • 01 Sep 2019
    KW Variant 3 coilover kit now available for all Hyundai i30N Fastback and i30N
  • 20 Aug 2019
    Lowered and stanced SUVs gaining popularity: KW Coilover suspension kits are now available for VW T-Cross
  • 05 Aug 2019
    Astounding hot Hatchback: Mercedes-AMG A35 with KW Variant 3
  • 31 Jul 2019
    KW Variant 3 coilover suspension now available for Toyota GR Supra
  • 15 Jul 2019
    Unmatched driving pleasure for the BMW Z4 Roadster (G29): KW V3 is now available
  • 17 Jun 2019
    Behind the scenes: Installation of height adjustable KW springs in the Audi RS3
  • 01 Jun 2019
    KW Variant 3 now also available for the new BMW 3-series (G20)
  • 18 May 2019
    License for lowering: KW height adjustable springs for Aston Martin Vantage
  • 01 May 2019
    The perfect Custom 356 by Emory Motorsports with AWD and 200 hp strong flat-four-engine
  • 17 Apr 2019
    In compression and rebound damping adjustable KW Classic suspensions for Mercedes-Benz 190 (W201)
  • 06 Apr 2019
    Visit us @ Techno Classica 2019, if you taking the suspension for your classic car serious
  • 20 Mar 2019
    Modern driving behavior for the Porsche 911 Classic: KW Classic Spindle Kits for F-Body
  • 03 Mar 2019
    KW develops Coilovers for all Tesla Model 3 (AWD and RWD)
  • 14 Feb 2019
    Beyond 6xx hp supercharged BMW M3 with KW Clubsport setup
  • 31 Jan 2019
    Upgrade your driving pleasure: KW Variant 3 out now for all KIA Stinger
  • 13 Jan 2019
    Back on the Pole Position: KW Clubsport kit available for Alpine!
  • 01 Jan 2019
    KW Variant 3 also available for the Mercedes-Benz A-Class (W177)
  • 15 Dec 2018
    Maximum M – the awesome Z Performance BMW M5
  • 30 Nov 2018
    Exciting: The KW Variant 4 Street Performance Coilover Kit unleashes the Audi RS5
  • 05 Nov 2018
    KW extends Classic product line: Adjustable dampers developed for Porsche 356 restorations
  • 27 Oct 2018
    KW develops three-way-coilover kit for Mercedes-AMG GT R
  • 08 Oct 2018
    “Hardcore Military” – a RS6 with KW V4 in Army Style
  • 24 Sep 2018
    Driving dynamic upgrade for the BMW M5 (F90): KW Variant 4
  • 08 Sep 2018
    KW Height Adjustable Springs for VW Golf 7 GTI and further “VeeDubs”
  • 15 Aug 2018
    KW DDC plug&play and KW DDC ECU is the way to get low
  • 14 Jan 2017
    KW thread springs now available for Jaguar F-Pace
  • 13 Dec 2016
    Akrapovič Adds the Coupé to the Stunning Mercedes-AMG C 63 Range
  • 08 Dec 2016
    Right from the SEMA 2016: the powerful M4 GTS Plus from IND Distribution
  • 25 Nov 2016
    State of the art: the brand new KW Variant 4 coilover
  • 24 Nov 2016
    Sneak Preview: The German “Porsche Club für den klassischen 911 Südwest e.V.” check out our new V3 dampers
  • 23 Nov 2016
    Improved lateral dynamics for latest Ford Focus RS: KW Variant 3 available
  • 10 Nov 2016
    A quantum leap for the 911 driving dynamics: in bump and rebound adjustable dampers for G-Body
  • 04 Nov 2016
    VW Golf GTE with KW Clubsport the “E-Golf” can racing too
  • 04 Nov 2016
    The special thing about KW coilovers – a closer look
  • 14 Oct 2016
    Bad Boss XXL – VW Golf GTI meets Rocket Bunny and 19 x 12″ Wheels!
  • 04 Oct 2016
    Geigers Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat relies on KW: 3-way Coilover kit from now on available
  • 04 Oct 2016
    Seven up! VW GTI meets KW DDC ECU – dial your dampers via iPhone
  • 04 Oct 2016
    KW Variant 3 and KW Thread Springs available for AMG C63 Coupé
  • 30 Aug 2016
    BMW GTS-Plus: IND’s 10th Anniversary M4!
  • 30 Aug 2016
    NEW: KW adjustable thread springs for Audi A4 Avant B9
  • 30 Aug 2016
    Akrapovič Presents New System and Accessories Range for the BMW M2
  • 05 Aug 2016
    “Grand Theft Ferrari”: Sidney Hoffmann’s 599 GTB Joyride!
  • 05 Aug 2016
    New for the Audi S8 plus (D4/4H): Lowering via smartphone
  • 27 Jul 2016
    For every demand the perfect suspension for the Porsche 911 (991)
  • 27 Jul 2016
    More comfort – even on bad roads: Street Comfort for Mini JCW Convertible
  • 22 Jul 2016
    For every BMW M2, M3 and M4 the perfect suspension
  • 13 Jul 2016
    KW Variant 3 available for the brand-new BMW M2
  • 21 Jun 2016
    KW R&D process of Ford Focus III RS
  • 16 Jun 2016
    ST performance low spring kit for Ford Focus III RS launches!
  • 06 Jun 2016
    Akrapovič Unveils New Exhaust for Ferrari’s Iconic 488 GTB
  • 06 Jun 2016
    Akrapovič Adds Stunning New System to Mercedes-AMG Collection
  • 25 May 2016
    VTEC just kicked in, yo! KW V3 now available for Honda Civic Type R (FK2)!
  • 24 May 2016
    Ultra-Limited-Edition Akrapovič Exhausts Launched to Celebrate 25 Years
  • 11 May 2016
    KW awakes the full potential of the new Mazda MX-5! KW Clubsport and KW Variant 3 Coilovers available
  • 11 May 2016
    Plug-in-Hybrid meets „Plug-in-driving pleasure“: KW coilover kit for VW Golf 7 GTE available
  • 11 May 2016
    PS Magazine Best Brand Award, 2016
  • 09 May 2016
    World Green Flight Aircraft with Akrapovič Exhaust Concludes Epic Journey
  • 22 Apr 2016
    KW solution for your Civic Type R
  • 22 Apr 2016
    KW Clubsport ensures a new record: 911 is faster than the 918 Spyder!
  • 22 Apr 2016
    Milltek Sport’s American Icon – Ford Mustang meets KW V3!
  • 14 Apr 2016
    Akrapovič Takes the Audi R8 Supercar to Higher Performance Heights
  • 06 Apr 2016
    New Red Dot Award
  • 06 Apr 2016
    Akrapovič Takes the BMW X5 M and X6 M to Even Sportier Levels
  • 02 Apr 2016
    “The Mercedes GTI”: a A45 AMG for the Wörthersee 2016
  • 22 Mar 2016
    Caractere full body kit for New Audi A4(8W) Sedan+Avant is available now!
  • 18 Mar 2016
    Akrapovič among Best Brand Award Winners
  • 16 Mar 2016
    KW Brand Weeks : BMW/Mini weeks
  • 14 Mar 2016
    Ultimate driving pleasure: KW 3 Way Clubsport coilovers for BMW M2
  • 10 Mar 2016
    KW Brand Weeks : VAG weeks
  • 29 Feb 2016
    KW Brand Weeks
  • 25 Feb 2016
    KW Clubsport: Unleashed track performance for the Ford Mustang
  • 15 Feb 2016
    KW coilovers for the new VW Passat 4motion
  • 28 Jan 2016
    Some Akrapovič exhaust systems are going to be available quite soon.
  • 23 Jan 2016
    Akrapovič commemorates 25 years of exhaust technology and innovation
  • 22 Jan 2016
    Ragazzon central end pipe cat back exhaust system for Mercedes Benz A180 & A200(W176) is available now!
  • 21 Jan 2016
    Scorpion downpipe & cat back exhaust system for Honda Civic Type-R(FK2) can order now!
  • 09 Jan 2016
    Scorpion downpipe & cat back exhaust system for BMW M235i Coupe(F22) can order now!
  • 21 Dec 2015
    KW DDC ECU – control your new Audi RS3 with your smartphone!
  • 16 Dec 2015
    Scorpion exhaust system for Mini Cooper S(F56) can order now!!!
  • 05 Dec 2015
    Scorpion exhaust system for Audi S3 3-door/Sportback(8V) & Volkswagen Golf VII R update
  • 05 Dec 2015
    For every demand the perfect suspension – since more than 20 years!
  • 05 Dec 2015
    Drop Dead Beautiful: Vossen’s ultimate BMW Wagon!
  • 28 Nov 2015
    Wagner Competition Intercooler for BMW F06/F07/F10/F11/F12 can order now!!!
  • 19 Nov 2015
    Unleashed driving pleasure: the HG Motorsports AMG GT S
  • 17 Nov 2015
    Akrapovič’s 100 World Champions
  • 06 Nov 2015
    KW Street Comfort: Convenient driving pleasure for BMW models
  • 06 Nov 2015
    Are you using KW professional tool kit to install your KW coilover kit?
  • 03 Nov 2015
    Wagner intercoolers are available now!
  • 28 Oct 2015
    KW Street Comfort Marketing Campaign 2015
  • 28 Oct 2015
    BMW ALPINA B5 BITURBO EDITION 50 wins Golden Classic Steering Wheel
  • 28 Oct 2015
    Tough Formula Drift Season 2015
  • 27 Oct 2015
    Scorpion downpipe, cat back & rear muffler for Ford Fiesta 1.0 EcoBoost(JA8) is available now!!!
  • 26 Oct 2015
    Akrapovič Wins 2015 Sport Auto Best Brand Award
  • 16 Oct 2015
    Little Monster: Audi S1 quattro with KW Clubsport
  • 10 Oct 2015
    KW HAS (height adjustable springs) available for the brandnew Porsche Carrera GTS
  • 10 Oct 2015
    New: KW coilover kits for all BMW 2-series Coupé with xDrive
  • 29 Sep 2015
    Scorpion downpipe & cat back exhaust system for Volkswagen Golf VII R is available now!!
  • 29 Sep 2015
    Wagner Competition Intercooler Kit EVO2 for VW T5 is available now!!
  • 23 Sep 2015
    Born to perform: KW suspension Variant 3 for Lexus RC F
  • 23 Sep 2015
    JDM seduction: Toyota GT86 meets KW V3 and KW HLS!
  • 21 Sep 2015
    Akrapovič Launches Its New Standard in Ultra-light Exhaust Systems
  • 21 Sep 2015
    Born to perform: KW suspension Variant 3 for Lexus RC F
  • 15 Sep 2015
    Studie AG: BMW 4series Convertible KW V3 Install
  • 15 Sep 2015
    Better Handling for the New Mustang with KW Coilovers
  • 29 Aug 2015
    KW’s Audi S1 Clubsport at the Nurburgring
  • 29 Aug 2015
    BMW 5-series – KW Coilovers for all 5-series and M5 Generations!
  • 29 Aug 2015
    More grip for the new Mercedes-Benz C63 AMG via KW suspension Variant 3
  • 11 Aug 2015
    Swiss Chiptech for BMW M3/M4(F80/F82) power measurements
  • 01 Aug 2015
    Driving dynamics unleashed: KW Coilovers for new John Cooper Works
  • 29 Jul 2015
    KW Clubsport: Mini John Cooper Works Getting The Nordschleife Treatment
  • 29 Jul 2015
    Speedhunters Summer of Swag – Mitsubishi Evo X owner wins KW Variant 3!
  • 27 Jul 2015
    Akrapovič Takes Porsche’s “Benchmark” to New Level
  • 23 Jul 2015
    KW height adjustable springs for Mercedes-AMG GT!
  • 18 Jul 2015
    Ragazzon cat back exhaust system for Audi S1 Sportback Quattro
  • 18 Jul 2015
    1 of 23: Performance Stanced BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition
  • 18 Jul 2015
    1 of 23: Performance Stanced BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition
  • 18 Jul 2015
    1 of 23: Performance Stanced BMW M4 DTM Champion Edition
  • 06 Jul 2015
    Akrapovic new AUDI CATALOGUE is now available in CHINESE language!
  • 27 Jun 2015
    Swiss Chiptech for Mercedes Benz 4.0L BiTurbo engine
  • 27 Jun 2015
    Revozport Performance Aerokit Package for BMW M3/M4(F80/F82)
  • 22 Jun 2015
    Bastuck Sport Exhaust System for Mini Cooper S/Diesel(F56)
  • 22 Jun 2015
    Forge Dominator Intercooler for Nissan GT-R35
  • 18 Jun 2015
    Akrapovic Slip-On Line(Titanium) for Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
  • 15 Jun 2015
    Ragazzon stainless steel cat back exhaust system for BMW 335i Sedan(F30)
  • 08 Jun 2015
    Akrapovič Takes the GT3 to Even Greater Heights
  • 08 Jun 2015
    KW Variant 3 and more: Pure driving pleasure for Jaguar F-Type
  • 03 Jun 2015
    Gruppe M ram air intake system for BMW M3/M4(F80/F82)
  • 28 May 2015
    Wagner Competition Intercooler Kit for Nissan GT-R 35
  • 21 May 2015
    WALD body kit for Mercedes Benz G-Class(W463)
  • 16 May 2015
    Bastuck exhaust system for Volkswagen Polo 6C(incl. GTI)
  • 13 May 2015
    MK Motorsport test drive & wheel
  • 13 May 2015
    Caz Buyer 597 - CLA with Revozport
  • 12 May 2015
    Armytrix Valvetronic Exhaust System for Audi S3 Sedan(8V)
  • 29 Apr 2015
    Scorpion exhaust system for Ford Fiesta Mk7 Zetec S 1.6
  • 21 Apr 2015
    Maximum driving enjoyment: KW Coilovers for the new BWM M4 Convertible
  • 20 Apr 2015
    It’s a kind of M(3)agic: M3 sedan meets KW Clubsport!
  • 15 Apr 2015
    Coming soon: KW Coilovers V1, V2 and V3 for the new Audi TT
  • 09 Apr 2015
    WALD Black Bison Edition body kit for Mercedes Benz S Class Coupe(C217)
  • 09 Apr 2015
    WALD Black Bison Edition body kit for Mercedes Benz CLA Class(C117)
  • 02 Apr 2015
    Profession of love: BMW M235i with KW DDC plug & play coilover kit
  • 27 Mar 2015
    Larini exhaust systems for Lotus Elise/Exige/Evora/Europa
  • 27 Mar 2015
    Bastuck rear valance insert for BMW 4 series(F32 Coupé and F33 Convertible) is available!
  • 26 Mar 2015
    Akrapovic NEWS UPDATE~!!!
  • 25 Mar 2015
    Akrapovič Goes Wireless with New State-of-the-Art Sound Kit
  • 24 Mar 2015
    LUMMA CLR X 6 R
  • 23 Mar 2015
    The wind, the birds, the love, the cars – KW Spring Season Sale is coming
  • 21 Mar 2015
    Scorpion exhaust systems for Audi S1 Quattro
  • 18 Mar 2015
    WALD Black Bison Edition body kit for Lexus NX
  • 16 Mar 2015
    Bastuck rear valance insert for BMW 2 series(F22 Coupé and F23 Convertible) is available!
  • 07 Mar 2015
    A FAST GUNMETAL BULLET – THE “ABTED” AUDI TT
  • 07 Mar 2015
    AN EXTREME UPRATING - THE NEW RS6-R
  • 04 Mar 2015
    Swiss Chiptech for Porsche 911 Turbo/Turbo S(991) can order now!!!
  • 03 Mar 2015
    The 85th Geneva International Motor Show 2015 - MEC Design
  • 26 Feb 2015
    KW HLS(Hydraulic Lift System) – Increased clearance at the push of a button!
  • 26 Feb 2015
    THE NEW ABT FR WHEEL
  • 23 Feb 2015
    KW Suspension Technology 2015: lowering via Smartphone App
  • 23 Feb 2015
    Pure driving pleasure: Jaguar F-Type with height adjustable KW spring kit
  • 23 Feb 2015
    Peugeot 208: New Bastuck sports exhaust system
  • 17 Feb 2015
    KW DLC(Dynamic Level Control) air suspension control unit - lowering module
  • 13 Feb 2015
    New: KW ddc plug and play coilover kit for BMW X4
  • 09 Feb 2015
    Volkswagen Racing R600 intake air box VS Gruppe M carbon fibre intake air box
  • 05 Feb 2015
    KW Clubsport 3-way: Your Choice For Your Porsche 991
  • 31 Jan 2015
    QuickSilver valves exhaust system for Maserati Ghibli S and Q4 petrol is available.
  • 30 Jan 2015
    Wagner intercoolers are available!
  • 24 Jan 2015
    Ragazzon stainless steel exhaust system for Volkswagen Golf VII R
  • 21 Jan 2015
    Scorpion Exhausts at Autosport International Show 2015
  • 21 Jan 2015
    Scorpion exhaust system for Volkswagen Polo GTI
  • 20 Jan 2015
    WALD Infiniti Q70L
  • 19 Jan 2015
    RACING LIMO, ABT S8
  • 17 Jan 2015
    Wagner intercoolers for VAG 1.8T/2.0T, RS3(8P), TTRS(8J) are available
  • 14 Jan 2015
    Real driving dynamics: Our KW V3 in a 700 bhp Lexus IS 250
  • 14 Jan 2015
    Bastuck performance catalytic for all 1.6 Turbo engine of the BMW Series 1 & 3, Mini Cooper, Peugeot and Citroen
  • 09 Jan 2015
    A REAL GIANT - THE ABT A8 FACELIFT
  • 09 Jan 2015
    KW Variant 1 coilovers for Mini 3-door (F56 Chassis) with Electronic Damping
  • 08 Jan 2015
    Peugeot 208 GTi gets the Scorpion Exhaust treatment!
  • 08 Jan 2015
    CARACTERE EXCLUSIVE is pleased to present its all-new conversion kit for the RANGE ROVER SPORT.
  • 06 Jan 2015
    Akrapovic cat less downpipes for BMW M3/M4(F80/F82)
  • 30 Nov -0001
    Exciting: The KW Variant 4 Street Performance Coilover Kit unleashes the Audi RS5
  • 30 Nov -0001
    Exciting: The KW Variant 4 Street Performance Coilover Kit unleashes the Audi RS5
  • Studie AG: BMW 4series Convertible KW V3 Install

    Our friend and #Speedhunter Dino Dalle Carbonare is also driving a BMW 4series Convertible and started his Project Drop Top. Here you can read his story he already published at Speedhunters.comDon’t you love it when a plan comes together? After months of looking at four stacked white boxes sporting the BBS logo in the corner of my office, the time had come to finally get them on Project Drop Top. I can’t say I didn’t enjoy taking one of the lightweight RI-Ds out and admiring it for a little while, before carefully repackaging it again and sealing it away in its box. I must have done that every week for a good two months, and it was beginning to eat at me from the inside out.Stored away under the folded roof in the trunk was a key component of Project Drop Top’s planned setup – a set of KW Variant 3s, which you can see the Studie mechanics handling here (yes, they are heavy!).

     

    But I had to wait. There was no way I was going to fit a set of nice wheels on the 435i without lowering it first.

    Then of course there was the other issue of finding the right sort of tyres to replace the awful run-flats that BMW likes to equip many of its cars with. I spent a great deal of time surfing BMW forums and picture galleries, and in doing so saw everything from the perfect fitment and stance, all the way to seriously terrible setups where the offsets were totally wrong, the tires were overly stretched on the rims and the cars sat too high.

    I had nightmares of finding out that everything I had chosen for the car resulted in a crappy looking stance once it was all fitted. But the time to stop thinking about all this stuff had come to an end.

    Last week, upon hearing that my set of Yokohama tyres had arrived at Studie AG’s Tokyo shop in the suburban area of Fuchu, I dropped the BMW’s top, stacked the BBS wheels on the seats and set off to get everything fitted up.

    Stored away under the folded roof in the trunk was a key component of Project Drop Top’s planned setup – a set of KW Variant 3s, which you can see the Studie mechanics handling here (yes, they are heavy!).

    Once the car was brought into one of the workshop’s four pits, work began immediately, starting off with a quick measure of the ride height to keep for the records.

    The 435i was then lifted off the ground and the stock wheels removed.

    Since picking the car up earlier this year I have only driven just over 3,000km. That might not sound like much, but seeing the car gets primarily used in the city, mileage is never going to ramp-up quickly. That’s why the original run-flat tyres still look brand new, and the wheels – which I coated the day the car was delivered – still look pristine.

    While the stock wheels were being removed another mechanic had already brought over the set of Advan Sport V103 tyres that Yokohama kindly sponsored me with for this project.

    The RI-Ds were then set on top, and at this point I was getting excited. Again, under the very knowledgeable advice of Bob Suzuki, the man behind Studie AG, I decided to go with 245/30ZR20 rubber for the 9-inch wide fronts and 275/30ZR20s for the 10-inch wide rears, even though he said that some fender ‘persuasion’ might be required. Sitting on the floor the setup was looking substantially wider than the stock Bridgestone Potenza S001 equipped 19s, and inside I just kept wondering if I had gone overboard.

    With the wheels off, it was time to address the suspension. While the mechanics worked on removing the stock dampers and springs. I headed over to the work bench to check out the unboxing of the KWs.

     

    Suspension First

    As cool as the wheels were going to be when fitted (if they did fit!), it was the handling upgrade I was anticipating the most. The BMW’s stock suspension setup isn’t bad at all, and being of the M Sport variety it’s set slightly lower and a tad stiffer than what you get with the more luxury-oriented package. That said, it was still a little too soft and there was a bit too much roll for my liking. You really want decent mid-corner feedback and in that respect it wasn’t very precise. So that was something I was definitely looking to address, and KW, which also came in on the project, said I should give its Variant 3s a go.

    The Variant 3 is part of KW’s street-oriented line up and features rebound and bump adustability (16 clicks for rebound, 12 for bump). As you can see above, the bottom part of the front coilovers is where the anodized aluminium bump adjuster is located.

    And this is where you can find it on the rear dampers, right above the lower mounting point.

    Rebound adjustments are made by using the included adjuster wheel which just slots into the top of each damper and is kept safe in the neat little plastic case that KW supplies with each of its kits. The case also holds a c-spanner tool for height adjustment.

    Before being installed in the car, the mechanic ensured that each damper was positioned in its factory ‘middle’ setting for both rebound and bump.

    Once the stock dampers were removed, the top mounts from the fronts were removed with assistance from a spring compressor and moved over to the KW coilovers. Using the factory rubber-bushed mount is what retains the compliance that you need to have on a daily driven car. I’m sure a pillow-ball top mount with camber and caster adjustments like on KW’s Competition kits would look far cooler, but when you hit that first bump or road imperfection you are going to be regretting it!

    Once that was done it was quickly over to the car. The right front Variant 3 coilover smoothly slipped onto its lower mounting point and was bolted in place on the suspension turret.

    At the same time the fronts were being tightened, the rears were going in too. As you can see above, at the back the springs mount separately from the damper.

    Within an hour of being driven into Studie, the 435i was already fitted with the KW Variant 3s. It really impressed me too, as I had never seen things happen so fast at a workshop! I was chatting to the mechanics and they told me that they are trained to work fast and efficiently, as on the weekend it’s not uncommon for Studie Tokyo to have 50 customer cars coming in for work. Yes, my mind was blown. Japan’s economy down in the dumps? I think not! And talking of cars coming in for work, it wasn’t long before Studie’s first customer of the day arrived – a rather brutal-sounding M4 from CPM Tech. These guys make stiffening plates for the underside of the chassis and they had come to Studie to have their new billet prototype steering boss test-fitted. It was cool to see that the car was also a manual.

     

    Mounting Tyres The Right Way

    As I checked out the M4 no time was being wasted on the 435i. With the suspension sorted it was on to the wheels and tyres, and again, the speed that these guys were working blew me away.

    Seeing the new tyres mounted on the satin black duralumin BBS RI-Ds made the wheels look a little cooler; more purposeful if you know what I mean.

    Once the right pressure was set for both front and rear it was on to the balancer to get each wheel squared up.

    One thing I immediately noticed when the mechanic was mounting the tyres on the rims is that he paid special attention to line up each of the Advan balance points with the valve stem. This is something that I’m super fussy about, but in Japan I usually just get the excuse that it’s hard to do, or that the machine makes it hard to get it spot on. But at Studie, it was done without me even having to remind them. It’s small things like that that make customers come back time and time again.

    With each wheel balanced it was then on to fitting the two rings for each of the hubs, as the RI-Ds have a hub-centric design.

    Then, again without me specifically asking about it, each of the four BBS red center caps were precisely lined up with the valve stem. Most Japanese shops I’ve been to just click the center caps in position without bothering to look for any sort of alignment, or not even asking the customer, which makes me very angry.

    Fitting was next, and at this point I was experiencing a combination of extreme excitement at seeing how damn cool the wheels already looked, and at the same time utter fear as they seemed to be sticking a little outside of the 435i’s dimensions.

    However, once the car was dropped down it all seemed to slowly square up and I let out a rather long sigh of relief!

    The wheels seemed to fall into the fenders beautifully, cambering inward as the car lowered. There was enough distance from the top of the arch as well as every part of the fender liner with both full left and right lock applied. But as the car settled it did look like the front was a tad too low.

    There were some JDM sucking-through-teeth sounds going on at the back of the car and I was getting a bit worried. The 10-inch wide rears were right on the limit and the mechanics seemed concerned that under compression there wouldn’t be enough cambering effect to save the sidewall from potentially hitting the fenders.

    A quick turn was given on the height adjuster crowns to lift the front up a tad.

    Job done. The fitment and front-to-rear height ratio looked spot on and we decided to leave the rear as it was. It may look a little high, but you have to take into account that if the top is folded there is going to be a lot more weight over those rear wheels, so there needs to be some allowance for that.

    The BBS lightweight bolts were properly torqued and we were pretty much ready to go.

    Before the car was taken out for a drive, the Studie guys quickly plugged their laptop into the OBD-II port.

    I had asked them if they could please remove the speed sensor that blocks the navigation options from being accessed during driving. Doing this also allows me to watch digital TV and DVDs while driving, but that’s purely to keep my son entertained on longer trips. They even unlocked the daytime running light option which is usually only available on those markets where DLRs are a legal requirements, So now, if the option is ticked on in the setup menu, I can have the LED angle eyes on at full brightness during the day, and have them automatically dim once the sensors detect it’s dark enough to switch on the position lights.

     

    Satisfaction Achieved

    After a quick test drive around the Fuchu area it was concluded that there was no real danger of the tyres ever rubbing at the rear – maybe only on the hardest of compression at high speeds. So yeah, that’s definitely not happening in Japan where traffic moves in slow motion.

    To say I was content with how the whole car turned out, would be a rather big understatement.

    I can’t stop looking at the damn thing and I’ve actually been getting quite a few people on the street giving me the thumbs-up and striking up conversation about the wheels and how evil the car looks. That’s something that just doesn’t happen in Tokyo if you drive sometime like a Skyline GT-R, which is just seen as a hashiriya, or tuner car.

    I now have to drive the car around for 500-600km to allow the suspension to settle properly, and then I’ll return to Studie AG for a full laser alignment.

    Here’s a picture to give you a quick idea of what the car looks like during the day with the DLR option turned on. You can actually code the system to dim the brightness if need be, but I’m satisfied with how they look. They are visible but not annoying to other road users, which is far better than those people in Japan that insist driving with their HID fog lights on during the day. One thing that annoys me, however, is that orange filament bulb for the front indicators. It just reflects around the entire reflector and gives the impression that the whole thing is orange. I’ll have to find an powerful amber LED replacement to fix this little issue.

    The orange part in the rear taillights makes me very angry too. Hopefully some red transparent vinyl and a bright amber LED will allow me to achieve the full red look. Maybe there’s some BMW owners out there that have some pointers?

    I’m pretty sure the suspension has dropped a little in the last week, so Studie will have to square things up again at the time of the alignment. There’s no rubbing at all, so height-wise I might just leave it as is.

    I haven’t had a chance to drive the car much but, I did take it out one night for a quick blast around the C1, and the KW Variant 3s combined with the sturdier, yet more compliant feel of the Advans, have really transformed the car. The 435i is not a light car, but it now feels more nimble, precise, and far more planted, with even better steering feel. It also stays nice and flat through the corners. But I’ll have to put it up to the real test of a proper outing on the Hakone Turnpike and see if I can nail a nice setup by fiddling around with the rebound and bump settings. For now though, I’m content with just admiring it sitting in the driveway.

     

    Words / Photos Dino Dalle Carbonare