NO NO NO TO RACELAND!!! I've heard good things about BC coilovers. How low do you want to go? Sounds like you'll be fine with springs/struts since you arent hellaflushing or doing auto-x. You can save cash and get the Koni STR shocks. they are basically koni yellows that you cant adjust stuck on the middle setting.

 

yah i only got ms3 wheels on my 2012 activ but I should just get koni struts and ebiach springs you think?
on tirerack they have them for 600 for springs and strut.

I just want my car to look better lowered i can fit five fingers in the back right now its ridiculously high...

 

The main advantage of coilovers is that you can adjust the height to get your ideal drop (idk if all coilovers are adjustable but I think so). If I was going to spend the same amount of money either way I'd get coilovers for that reason. I just got springs w/o new struts cause that wasnt in my price range. As far as which handles better idk I guess it depends on which coilovers/ springs/struts you buy. I've read on here road magnets and konis are a perfect match but that leaves you with only two drop options 1.25 or 1.75. I just recently heard of raceland and I'm very interested in those obviously cause they're less than 1/2 the price of any other coilovers I've seen. For that reason I instantly thought they'd be shit, but from my little research (reading other car forums) ppl dont seem to have any problems with them. If anybody on here has raceland please let both of us know your opinion on those. Cause for $370 that's the way to go.

 

Well I want coilovers because I hear my friends say there just the way to go.. but I dont know a damn thing about the two.
So basically coilovers is an adjustable height with better handling etc.
And springs and strut its just on one height adjustment correct?
in the long run i would want coilovers but then which company has a good one?
Ive heard raceland a bunch but i havent really heard of anyone else. but being cheap about those isnt a good idea so thats why i would like to spend more on something important like that

 

If you want coilovers, all I know of is BC which are very good. I'm sure if you search or go the MZ3 performance parts list youll find others. Springs and struts do offer a decent handling upgrade. Like I said, you wont use coilovers to their full potential if you dont auto x. I'm just trying to save you a few bucks But coilovers are nice. You wont be disappointed in whatever you do unless you get raceland. Then you'll probably be upset. Warlord got some for his MS3 and ended up dumping about $900 total to make them work. And they still didnt work right.

 

okay so what is auto x?

and I talk to myspoonistobig and he said he got it from tirerack for ebiach and koni struts Im just not to sure on anything and I wanna be 100% sure before I mess it up for myself. and i will get a RSB from corksport I think is the best out of all of them? so far on reviews? Not sure

 

A rsb is honesty a rsb. I like the corksport one. Auto x is the racing they do in parking lots. It's time trials through a cone course.


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So im still lost in my decision I guess ebiach and koni struts it is??
or road magnet and konis?

 

for YOUR final decision on what to spend your money on you're gonna have to read up on your options and decide youself. sorry that came off real dick-ish (didnt mean it to be at all). just sayin if you wanna make the best choice for you you gotta do some research/not pick based on what a couple ppl tell you. From my experience with road magnet 1.25" drop they're quality springs. 1.25 is a good look but I'd still like to go a little lower so check out the 1.75". The spring rates on them (which measure how stiff springs are/how stiff your ride will be) is a bit high in comparison to others. RM is somewhere in the low 300s which is comparable to the stiffness of a coilover spring, while the others are in the high 100s if i recall correctly. After I installed em I instantly noticed my ride was a bit more harsh, but I got used to it quickly and it's never bothered me. That's all I can give you from my actual experience. Now get researching! :tongue:

 

I would go coilovers. But as mentioned above, it all depends what you want from the set up. My friend runs BC coils on his G35x and hasn't had any problems. My other friend runs them on his gen1 mz3 and hasn't had any problems either haha

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im on there website but i cant seem to get the price any idea where to get them online?

 

This is where I got my H&Rs and Konis Shaw.

http://www.crossoverauto.com/crossovershop/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=5_68_143

 

MIKE from my understanding the front sits higher than the back i believe for the activ right?
so If i used H&R it wouldnt work?

 

Some notes about spring/shocks, vs. coilovers that may help you decide. First, most coilovers wil use a straight rate spring, meaning the spring rate will be the same no matter how compressed it is. While this is fine from a performance standpoint, it can make for a harsh ride if the spring rate is high. Most lowering springs are progressive rate, so they will be softer under normal driving and stiffen up as they are compressed. So if your car gets driven a bunch or on crappy roads, you might consider that. Second, any spring will feel better with a quality shock. For example, if you used stock shocks with lowering springs, they may not be as comfortable or perform quite as well since the shocks were not designed for a higher spring rate in a lower height range. Most good quality aftermarket shocks are designed for a higher spring rate and lower ride height, so they will respond better to a lowering spring. Lastly, coilovers will have a smaller diameter spring, which will allow you to run a wheel with more width or more offset.

You have to decide what will work better for you, but since you don't do any kind of racing with your car, I'd be tempted to do the springs/shocks versus coilovers. As long as you get the right height, I think you would be happier with that combo. If you go this route, just make sure you get nice quality shocks that will handle to lower ride height (Konis are the ones that come to mind).

 

^^ Go with shocks/springs if you won't be racing, auto-xing. You can get the Str.ts + 1.75 RMs for about $700 or close to that. You'll like that drop it will be low enough and ride real nice for daily driver. If you really want ride height adjust ability and/or racing your car go COs. Good COs are going to be around 1k-1.8k and I'd get some KW, BCs, or H&Rs.

 

So I've been reading and if I get 1.75 I'd have to roll my fenders and get a rear camber kit correct?
2012 skyactiv hatch with 18 ms3 wheels

 

You probably would not have to roll fenders, as the factory MS3 wheels should have the right offset to fit throughout the suspension range. With that much of a drop, you will need to get a rear camber kit, though. Otherwise you'll have huge negative camber back there that will eat your tires.

 

You're not going to have HUGE camber, but then again, that's subjective.

Maybe it's coming from a VW/AUDI background, but a lot of Mazda owners seem to really freak out when it comes to suspension work, rubbing, camber etc.

 

If you like your car like this /-\ then dont get a camber kit. Because thats what a mazda looks like with 1.75 drop and lower haha. Cars are different.

 

That an exaggeration.:yes:

The right amount of camber looks good regardless of make or model!

 

Haha, I know . I was just messing. All just depends. Too much can and can't look like crap. While too little can can can't look like crap.

 

Hmm maybe just road magnet or ebiach 1.25 drop or 1.2 drop and Koni str.t?
Just to be safe

 

I ordered my Koni Str.t's from AJUSA dot com for $319 Shipped and Eibach Sportlines on Ebay for $217 Shipped... I was kinda sceptical about AJUSA but they are super professional and ship super quick... placed my order Thursday night and they shipped them out friday afternoon gave me fedex tracking and ill have em on my doorstep on tuesday... Honestly for $536 shipped (i went for the sportlines but you could probably get the eibach prokit cheaper saving a few more $$) i dont think you can get a better deal and they have the Struts readily available

 

Sry bro but bad choice.... Koni srt + sportlines = no no no.... You should have went with yellows.....

 

Koni+ r beat springs.Should feel+ nandle better than stock?Have jbr rsb used on 09 3i,now on sky sedan.Think 09 handled little better. both on summer tires.

 

Yeah that'll handle better than stock. You might get rm 1.25. The rb barely drops it imo.


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In my opinion, even if you don't NEED coilovers, you may as well get them for the simple fact that you're spending almost as much money on springs and struts anyways.

Some people decide to go the cheap route and just get springs and here's what happens...

1. You've got to pray to the gods that the drop is even and what you were looking for in the first place... if the front ends up being higher (common with Skyactives) or you don't like the drop, then too damn bad because they're not adjustable in any way.

2. Expect a bouncy ride from stiffer springs using stock shock valving and expect your shocks to wear out prematurely

3. Hope that your alignment isn't too far off because aside from toe... you won't be able to adjust it.

After dealing with all that crap (and probably having a blown set of shocks), it's time to buy new shocks/struts and you're right back at the same price of a nice set of coilovers.

Keep in mind, even with a nice set of shocks to match your springs, you're only solving the longevity and ride issues. Had you gotten say... BC coilovers in the first place, you'd have:

1. Completely adjustable height from about an inch lower than stock all the way down to laying frame on the ground (if that's your thing)
2. And even drop all around and front to back.
3. Adjustable damping
4. Adjustable camber (in front, need control arms in back)


And to address another point... yes Raceland coilovers are the cheapest of cheap when it comes to suspension. That being said, they're still coilovers and offer adjustable height for 400 bucks and won't blow your stock struts and springs if they do die.

 

In my opinion, even if you don't NEED coilovers, you may as well get them for the simple fact that you're spending almost as much money on springs and struts anyways.

Haha, took me the longest time to figure that out. I had a mental block that coilovers would be bouncy and harsh. Furthest thing from the truth. Now that I have a set of halfway decent coilovers I'd never consider anything else but coilovers for an aftermarket suspension. It's not just the height adjustment, it's that the dampers and springs match. That just doesn't happen no matter how well you try to match with a spring and strut setup from two different companies. Car is just plain smoother with coilovers.

 

Why would he go with yellows? Str.t's are yellows stuck on the middle setting?


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Yellows are designed to ride in any position within their travel. Str.t shocks are able to be used with a lowering, but Koni generally recommends no more than about an inch. You'd probably be okay with RM 1.25 with the Str.t, but the Sportlines or RM 1.75 would not be advised. They might be okay, but I wouldn't risk it.

 

I agree. coilovers imo hands down are a good investment. springs and struts dont cut it much with the Mazda 3 models

 

Just backing up what ksconekiller is saying.

From the Koni FAQ on tirerack.com:

Q: How far can I safely lower my car?

A: KONI shocks are designed to fit standard height cars and can work with lowered cars as long as they don't bottom out internally and become damaged. Unlike some shocks, KONI's are not position sensitive so they will work properly anywhere in their stroke range providing they are not bottoming or topping out. Different vehicle suspension designs have different stroke travels but a good rule of thumb is that most vehicles can be lowered acceptably about 1 1/2 inches, beyond that the possibility of bottoming increases rapidly although some longer stroke cars can go lower. Most vehicles are equipped with bump stops to keep the shocks and springs from bottoming out. When lowering a vehicle be sure to reuse your bump stops because they are cheap insurance to avoid bottoming damage. Remember also that severely lowered vehicles typically have negative effects on suspension geometry, ride quality and handling, and tire and suspension part wear.


Tire Rack : Koni FAQ

 

Lol thanks to you guys making me question my own decision ive canceled my orders for the Str.t's and Sportlines and going the coilover route.... so now the question is which brand should i go with... Hellllll NOOOO to raceland so... any suggestions... i should be placing my order by next week so i need to decide soon

 

i'm wondering what people think of the yellowspeed coilovers that are being sold in a GB on 247.
Super cheap but are they cheap all around...

 

OK so ive been doing a lil searching on which coilovers to get and im steering towards ST Suspension Coilovers... they are made by KW which is what i was thinking of getting in the first place...

has anyone tried these out...

ST Suspensions - coilover kits.... I like the fact that they have a 5year warranty over the 1year that BC has...

Any help or suggestions is highly appreciated

 

OK so ive been doing a lil searching on which coilovers to get and im steering towards ST Suspension Coilovers... they are made by KW which is what i was thinking of getting in the first place...

ST Suspensions - coilover kits.... I like the fact that they have a 5year warranty over the 1year that BC has...

Any help or suggestions is highly appreciated

All I know is that KW has a pretty good reputation, so while they wont be as good (or else they wouldnt be cheaper) I'm sure they would still be quality. And a 5 year warranty hmy 1: you'd probably have a new car by the time that ran out. I found em on amazon for $874 shipped btw. little cheaper than you stated before.

 

Well my last words are going to be if you want to spend extra $500-1000 on good COs instead of springs/struts+shocks go ahead. No point in COs unless you are tracking and adjust height. Problems with not springs settling right are very few and you could end up with a bad CO it happens. Also, there are so many pics of drops that you know what drop you will be getting with the springs.. COs also go bad just as springs/struts+shocks will. But, yes in the end of I had the extra money I'd go with COs but they arent necessary or worth the cost imo for normal DD...

 

My main concern with Strut/Spring setup is that i have the Skyactiv and really dont want the uneven drop... I DREEEAAD our wheel gap... Also i live in NY and dont park in a garage so my plan with the CO's was drop it enough to get rid of the wheel gap completely (about2" all around ) in the summer and when winter rolls in i would raise the height a bit. This is my first suspension mod on any car ive ever had and dont want to end up spending any amout of cash and then regretting it. strut/spring and id be stuck at what ever drop even, uneven, or unsatisfied... with the Coils if my drop is uneven i could always adjust it... I had ordered Koni strt and sportlines for $536 shipped... the St Coilovers would only cost me an extra $356 plus about 40 in shipping...

 

Yep, KW makes pretty good stuff.

People often talk about getting coilovers so they can run low in the summer and higher in the winter. Something to keep in mind is that ride height changes will affect your alignment. Depending on how much difference you were expecting between seasons, you could make it work without visiting an alignment shop twice a year. Personally, I would determine what my two heights would be and find an alignment that is a compromise between the two. If that was not possible, I would make the alignment favor the lower setting, since that's when I would be driving more aggressively anyway.