When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
SuspensionSprings, struts, coilovers, sway-bars, camber plates, and all other modifications to suspension components for Cooper (R50), Cabrio (R52), and Cooper S (R53) MINIs.
I just sent off 2 emails to Vogtland, and Vogtland US office. I want to verify both spring rates and if there are manufacturing differences or specification differences on the internals. I just pulled the entire assembly apart, front and rear. There are 2 stampings, one says KW tuning, and the other says Vogtland...both on the shock body.
look closely at the bumstops ... i remember that a lot of those have KW imprinted on them. Also look at the packing/box ... go find a pic of the KW's and try to explain why someone in Germany wants to copy exactly the same box design ... Koni, Bilstein, H&R ... all use different box designs.
Originally Posted by 03Indigo
So, does KW make the body and Vogtland make their internals? Or does Vogtland specify what they want, valving, seals, etc...and KW manufactures it for them with Vogtlands guidance?
Vogtland makes springs, and so the internals of the Vogtland shocks are made by KW. I doubt that the settings will be different to the Weitec shocks, because ... why change an already good setting???
EXACTLY!!! Having to send out a kit to Japan for a rebuild is not good. The Vogtlands can be sent to California for a rebuild, although, with their technology, they should not need it anywhere near as much as a standard coilover, according to Vogtland. They should have the life of a standard shock.
For the KW variant 1/ Weitec / Vogtland, they do not 'rebuild' the shock, if you look at the top of your shock body, you will see a few holes, these holes are there to remove the top of the shock body, such that you can put a fresh shock insert into the shock body.
great! the point still stands that country of origin and location of service and cost of that service has a lot to do with making an informed purchase. one of the reasons I got my Bilsteins is the ability to get them serviced in the US vs. some other brands that must go back to Japan. You obviously already know all this since you work for a yet to be named manufacturer.
Will wait for some good pictures when you get rested up. 
