KW V4 Coilover Review: 2020-2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe

The KW Coilover Kit V4 is the most advanced bolt-in suspension you can buy for the 2020–2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe (F93), pairing continuously adjustable ride height with independent 3-way damping control derived from KW's overall-winning 24h Nürburgring race program. On a 4,480-lb, 617-horsepower super-coupe that leans on soft adaptive dampers to stay civil, the V4 is the upgrade that finally lets the chassis match the engine. In this review we break down the specs, the on-road behavior, fitment for the electronically damped F93, and how it stacks up against KW's own spring kits and budget lowering springs.

Why the BMW M8 Gran Coupe Needs a Coilover Upgrade

The F93 M8 Gran Coupe is a 4,480-lb grand tourer asked to behave like a sports car. BMW's 4.4-liter twin-turbo S63 V8 makes 617 horsepower and 553 lb-ft of torque in Competition trim, launches to 60 mph in roughly 3.0 seconds, and runs to a 190-mph top speed with the M Driver's Package. To keep that mass composed while staying comfortable enough for daily driving, BMW leans hard on its electronically controlled adaptive M dampers — and that compromise is exactly where the factory car gives ground.

In its softer modes the M8 exhibits noticeable secondary body motion over crests and expansion joints, and even in Sport Plus the adaptive dampers cannot fully separate ride-height, spring, and damping tuning the way a purpose-built coilover can. Owners chasing sharper turn-in, a flatter cornering attitude, and a lower, more aggressive stance quickly hit the ceiling of what a software map on a fixed damper can deliver. A high-end coilover replaces the entire strut and damper assembly, giving you mechanical control over ride height and damping force that no drive-mode button can match.

KW V4 Coilover Kit: What Makes It Different

The KW Variant 4 is a 3-way adjustable, motorsport-derived coilover engineered specifically for high-performance flagships like the M8, Audi R8, and Mercedes-AMG GT. Unlike a single- or two-way damper, the V4 lets you tune rebound damping independently from both low-speed and high-speed compression, so you can control body roll, dive, and squat separately from how the car reacts to sharp impacts like curbs and expansion joints. KW builds it around a stainless-steel "inox-line" strut body in Germany, and the tuning is proven by multiple overall victories at the ADAC 24h Nürburgring endurance race.

Three-Way Damping, Explained

The V4's headline feature is independent 3-way adjustment. Rebound damping is set through KW's patented TVR-A technology, while low-speed and high-speed compression are handled separately by TVCLH-A valving. In practice this means you can firm up rebound to control the M8's mass during quick direction changes without making the car crash over broken pavement — because high-speed compression, which governs sharp impacts, stays on its own circuit. Each kit ships with a KW-developed, vehicle-specific comfort baseline, so you can drive it the day it is installed and fine-tune from there with the click-adjust dials.

On-Road and Track Performance: What to Expect

On the street, the biggest surprise with the KW V4 is how livable it is. Because high-speed compression damping is isolated on its own circuit, the M8 rides sharp impacts — potholes, tar strips, driveway lips — with more composure than the factory car in Sport, while still keeping the body flat during hard cornering. Drop the car 15–20 mm and the F93's stance tightens dramatically, closing the fender gap that makes the stock M8 look tall.

At the track, three-way adjustability is where the V4 earns its price. On a 4,480-lb car, controlling weight transfer is everything: adding rebound damping slows how quickly the mass loads and unloads through transitions, giving you the confidence to carry more speed into a corner. Low-speed compression tuning sharpens turn-in response and mid-corner platform stability, while high-speed compression can be softened to keep tires planted over curbing. Our customers report a car that feels a size smaller and far more predictable at the limit than the adaptive-damper original.

KW V4 vs Other BMW M8 Suspension Options

The KW V4 is the top of the M8 suspension ladder, but it is not the only path to a better-handling F93. If your priority is a modest drop and improved stance rather than track adjustability, KW's own height-adjustable springs or a set of quality lowering springs deliver much of the visual and cornering benefit for a fraction of the cost. Here is how the leading options compare, all in stock at NLP Performance.

The Budget-Conscious Alternatives

If the V4's price is beyond your build budget, two spring-based routes keep the M8's adaptive dampers intact while sharpening its stance. KW's Height-Adjustable Springs give you a tunable drop without replacing the electronic dampers, and quality lowering springs from H&R or Eibach deliver a clean, fixed drop for well under $600.

Installation, Fitment & What You Need to Know

The KW V4 kit (part kws3A7200DZ) is engineered for the 2020–2024 BMW M8 Gran Coupe (F93) in both Base and Competition trims, and it is designed to work with the car's electronic damping system. Because the M8 uses electronically adaptive dampers from the factory, the kit is built to integrate cleanly so you avoid suspension fault warnings on the dash. Always confirm your exact model year and trim before ordering.

Installation is a bolt-in job that reuses factory mounting points, but on a car of this value and complexity we strongly recommend professional fitment. A proper install includes setting corner weights, dialing in your target ride height, and performing a full four-wheel alignment afterward — camber, caster, and toe all shift when you lower an M8. At our Tampa, FL shop we corner-balance and align every coilover install so the car drives its best from day one. Budget a few hours of labor plus alignment on top of the kit price.