CRS Performance new KW Coilovers.... Review

[Gav s]

Today, I was lucky enough to meet Steve and the team at CRS who fitted their new KW coilover kit to my T6 Caravelle. Firstly, the service, advice and care was top notch, couldn’t fault it. Be in no doubt Steve knows what he is doing. The replacement suspension is fantastic. As you can see from the photos I swapped the alloys over also from 18’s to 20 AEZ Straight Dark with Eagle F1 tyres, so there was always going to some difference in this change alone. Let’s say the drive from Cannock back to Sheffield was unbelievable. The composure and smoothness! I had lowered springs and 20’s on my T5 kombi before, so I can also compare it to that. For the money including fitting and the great service, I cannot see why you would spend more money on the B14’s or others, especially when the B14’s have known issues.

As you can tell, I am very happy, and I cannot recommend CRS enough. Worth the drive wherever you are (within reason of course).

Hope the before and after photos and my opinion may help others.

65mm drop in total. Could have gone a bit more if it wasn’t for the 35mm offset of the alloys, but I think it looks great without sacrificing useability for more of a lowered look.

note - if you looking for new alloys and will be lowering, probably best to stick the right side of 45mm offset on the alloys depending on overall width (mine are equal 9j all around), and mine are 265 tyres. Don’t trust the wheel selector/configurator all these alloy wheel companies, ad Rimstyle said mine would fit perfectly........well the fronts could have done with being about 10mm narrower at least. Luckily I just got away with it.

Need to save up for a few more mods now

#teamblackberry

Before


After



The kit before going on


if anyone is in need of my shocks and springs which have come off then please message.

 

[JPL]

Good to hear - I spoke to Steve and really interested in their new kits - is this the one that’s just come in?

looks good on the 20s too

 

[Gav s]

Good to hear - I spoke to Steve and really interested in their new kits - is this the one that’s just come in?

looks good on the 20s too

Yes, the new kit which is KW and modified by Steve as I understand it. Only arrived to Steve this week. I booked a slot about a month ago on Steve’s recommendation it was worth waiting.

 

[Gav s]

Good to hear - I spoke to Steve and really interested in their new kits - is this the one that’s just come in?

looks good on the 20s too

And thanks, I think the wheels look great. Not seen anyone else with these on.......yet

 

[JPL]

Good to get the feedback - I spoke to him about them and have been waiting for them to come in (and my funds)

Interested to know how you get on after a week or two- Do you think et45 will sit better?

thanks

 

[Gav s]

I will provide and update at the end of the month as planing on having a week off and some drivin, hopefully family in the back will notice the benefits.

steve said et35mm really is where it needs to as it gives scope on tyre width to 275 if you wished as it brings wheel further in. Mine sit a little proud on the front. Mix bag of alloy sizes out there, it’s not easy finding what you like to be load rated and then the optimum size for lowering and userability.

probably get Steve’s advice before buying any alloys to check they will work with chosen set up.

good luck

 

[Andyf]

@Gav s
Is it a bumpy ride, even harsh or crashy ?
Is there much roll

 

[Calps82]

Really good initial review this, I spoke to Steve before lockdown and planned on having this set up, I still am. I suppose my only concern is what you’ve highlighted with the alloy width, I bought my T32 with 20” Wolfrace alloys already on so not sure what width they are. I don’t want to slam it anyway but a little lower on the front would be nice and 50mm - 60mm on the rear.

 

[Gav s]

Really good initial review this, I spoke to Steve before lockdown and planned on having this set up, I still am. I suppose my only concern is what you’ve highlighted with the alloy width, I bought my T32 with 20” Wolfrace alloys already on so not sure what width they are. I don’t want to slam it anyway but a little lower on the front would be nice and 50mm - 60mm on the rear.

I took 18” wolfrace off. Chances are they are the right width. Take a wheel off. On the edge of the rim it should say what the width and offset is

 

[Gav s]

@Gav s
Is it a bumpy ride, even harsh or crashy ?
Is there much roll

On fast roads like A roads and motorways it feels like it glides. Around town and on rough roads it is not as crashy as the factory set up. Yes you still feel the bumps, but it is lowered and on 20’s but overall it’s better. I can attack roundabouts and corners now. There is no more understeer and a more positive turn in feel. More confidence and grip. Tyres feel grippy also.

hope this helps

 

[BognorMotors]

That’s ST Suspension made by KW. KW have stainless bodies. ST are the same shock as KW but In a galvanised body. STX = KW V1 .

Quality suspension. We fit loads. Be interested to hear what the difference is or what model it is compared to what we’ve been fitting - springs are usually yellow, but recently they had run out and gone black.

Enjoy

 

[Gav s]

That’s ST Suspension made by KW. KW have stainless bodies. ST are the same shock as KW but In a galvanised body. STX = KW V1 .

Quality suspension. We fit loads. Be interested to hear what the difference is or what model it is compared to what we’ve been fitting - springs are usually yellow, but recently they had run out and gone black.

Enjoy

Hi, my understanding is most shocks and springs are very similar if the not the same, just packaged up differently with some manufacturers actually putting on lesser components and branding better/different. This is why I went to a specialist, as I do t know enough to challenge and understand the difference as they are supplied on the market. My eyes are good enough though to see the B14’s have spring issues. Yes these are coated up differently and are black. Really happy with them.

 

[Andyf]

Hi
Are the shocks ST then Steve

 

[BognorMotors]

Hi, my understanding is most shocks and springs are very similar if the not the same, just packaged up differently with some manufacturers actually putting on lesser components and branding better/different.

Really happy with them.

Yes this is Certainly correct with KW, which is certainly not a bad thing. They supply their own, ST and the make the shocks for the Eibach Street Comforts. Probably other too.

I think Koni have a similar arrangement but I’m not really up on them so maybe Steve can answer that.

Bilstein seem to stick the their own shocks but use other springs.

It’s all very inbred. ;-)

It’s good you’re pleased they are a quality set up

 

[Andyf]

Hi Steve

Which shock are you selling hear, the KW set up or the STX
If yours is a different set up, how does it change from those two set ups
Thanks

 

[Andyf]

Steve ???

 

[The Van Cave]

Steve ???

Perhaps if you tag @CRS Performance you might get better results?

 

[Andyf]

Cheers didn’t know that
Another school day

 

[Andyf]

Hi Steve

Which shock are you selling hear, the KW set up or the STX
If yours is a different set up, how does it change from those two set ups
Thanks

@CRS Performance

 

[andy greenwood]

Today, I was lucky enough to meet Steve and the team at CRS who fitted their new KW coilover kit to my T6 Caravelle. Firstly, the service, advice and care was top notch, couldn’t fault it. Be in no doubt Steve knows what he is doing. The replacement suspension is fantastic. As you can see from the photos I swapped the alloys over also from 18’s to 20 AEZ Straight Dark with Eagle F1 tyres, so there was always going to some difference in this change alone. Let’s say the drive from Cannock back to Sheffield was unbelievable. The composure and smoothness! I had lowered springs and 20’s on my T5 kombi before, so I can also compare it to that. For the money including fitting and the great service, I cannot see why you would spend more money on the B14’s or others, especially when the B14’s have known issues.

As you can tell, I am very happy, and I cannot recommend CRS enough. Worth the drive wherever you are (within reason of course).

Hope the before and after photos and my opinion may help others.

65mm drop in total. Could have gone a bit more if it wasn’t for the 35mm offset of the alloys, but I think it looks great without sacrificing useability for more of a lowered look.

note - if you looking for new alloys and will be lowering, probably best to stick the right side of 45mm offset on the alloys depending on overall width (mine are equal 9j all around), and mine are 265 tyres. Don’t trust the wheel selector/configurator all these alloy wheel companies, ad Rimstyle said mine would fit perfectly........well the fronts could have done with being about 10mm narrower at least. Luckily I just got away with it.

Need to save up for a few more mods now

#teamblackberry

Before

View attachment 81604
After

View attachment 81605

The kit before going on
View attachment 81606

if anyone is in need of my shocks and springs which have come off then please message.

Van is looking really good, have I read it correctly that you are now lowered 65mm ? The reason im asking is because i have H&R 40mm drop springs on our van and it looks lower than yours which concerns me. I actually want to go the other way, i'd like our camper 30mm absolute max drop but level the back end being lower annoys me.