[PWRDByAdobo]

Just thought people on MOCC would want to get down on this group buy! My buddy posted it on mazda3forums so I figured it deserves a shot here. My review is below the link.

JDMGOODIE proudly announce - MATSU MOTORSPORT Strut Tower Bar for Mazda 3

Kevin,

Here's the long overdue review:

Functionality: A+
Construction: A+
Finish: A+
Fitment: B

The construction of the strut bar is very solid and very well thought out.
The powder coat finish is not cheap like on other products that I have seen.
Installation was a breeze and it's just really nice eye candy under the
hood. Fitment could have been a little bit better. I believe that the
mounts are off by only about a degree so the main bar doesn't fit completely
flush, but then it also isn't noticeable.

On a technical note, the product does exactly what it's supposed to.
Overall, the front suspension feels noticeably more composed especially on
tighter corners. The car feels more responsive on turn in as well as high
speed lane changes. I drive a Mazdaspeed 3 with it's tighter suspension,
bigger wheels, and stickier tires so I would have to alter my driving style
drastically when using my wife's car. I feel that the steering wheel has
become more responsive in the 2.5s. No other modifications have been
performed on this car so isolating the subtle differences was simple.

All in all, construction was great, it definitely is great eye candy, and
the functionality is the same as any other strut bar you would buy out
there, save for eBay of course. I would, and definitely will, recommend
this product to anyone with a Mazda 3i or s. Matsu will definitely have our
support from here on out! Just waiting on the Mazdaspeed 3 strut bar,
Kevin!

 

[jdmgoodie]

Thanks a lot :tongue:

 

[warlord]

Fitment could have been a little bit better. I believe that the
mounts are off by only about a degree so the main bar doesn't fit completely
flush, but then it also isn't noticeable.

Pics of the fitment issue?

 

[PWRDByAdobo]

Ooo...i'll take a couple today and post it up!

 

[wingzero_]

Definitely a nice strut bar.

 

[dunston]

Is the bar a total of 5 pieces? Seems like there might be a lot of chances of stuff to loosen up on something that is suppose to stiffen the chassis. Looks really nice, tho.

 

[Homer3D]

Is there enough room to take the battery cover off without having to take the bar off? Since the stock battery on the 2010 Mazda3 is a non- maintenance free battery, we would need to check the water levels from time to time.

 

[Scooby]

non-maint. free battery.....really?

 

[Homer3D]

non-maint. free battery.....really?

Yup. I didn't believe it until I checked for myself the first time.

 

[AJSanDiego]

Yup. I didn't believe it until I checked for myself the first time.

Check once a week? I may just write a check for a new battery.

 

[warlord]

Ooo...i'll take a couple today and post it up!

Hmm, no pic so the fit must be worse than I thought. Nice looking bar but i'm not putting anything that is ill fitting on my car.