Road Magnet Springs (Review)

[Donutz]

This write up is my review of Road Magnet springs, and comparison to Prokits and Stechs. In all cases I have these springs paired with Mazdaspeed accessory shocks/struts.


Data (from M3F)

Pro-Kit
Front 1.2" Rear 1.2"
Spring Rate: (F) 160 (R) 171
Spring Type: Linear, single rate

Road Magnet
Front 1.75" Rear 1.75" (RM also offers 1.25" springs with the same spring rate)
Spring Rate: (F) 310 (R) 360
Spring Type: Progressive, dual rate

S-Tech
Drop: 2.0" front 1.5" rear
Spring Rate: (F) 160 (R) 240
Spring Type: Progressive, dual rate


Road Magnet Application

RM offers these springs for the 04 - 09 models, but folks have been using these on the 2010 without any issues (see a post by "Warlord" somewhere here on TM3). There are also springs available for the Mazdaspeed 3.


Parts

The RM's are very nice looking springs. I have the standard light blue that they come in, but RM offers a number of colours that they can powder coat the springs (for a nominal fee). The powder coat looks good; no chips or cracks. My only beef is that the springs do not come with any plastic sleeves on them. I'll see if there is any creaking in the future.

Compared to Prokits and Stechs I'd say that RM looks better than both. The pc quality, in my opinion, in order is Prokits, Road Magnets, then Stechs. But the colour of the RM's matches well my Mazdaspeed accessory shocks/struts and TP rsb, so I think they look best!


Ride Height

I have pics below to demonstrate the differences. I prefer the low even drop of the RM's. I didn't like the Stechs, not because of the raked look (which I kind of liked), but because I lost distance with the output of my headlights. And those folks that know me know that I'm crazy when it comes to performance of my lighting system (but that's a story for another day). Prokits offer a nice mild drop, which is comparative to the 1.25 springs that RM offers, but for me they are meh. When I had the Prokits a couple of times people asked me if I was lowered. So that was the end of that, and I've been on a quest to find the best springs to suit my needs; low and handle well.


Ride Quality

The ride quality in order of pure comfort is Prokit, Stech, Road Magnet. From a handling perspective it is Road Magnet, Prokit, Stech.

I found the Prokits settled quickly after a bump or lump in the road. There were a couple of short cycles and the suspension was settled. The Prokit/mazdaspeed accessory shock/struts is a good combo. With the Stechs I found the ride to be bouncy, almost like the suspension cycled a couple of times more than the Prokits. Cornering feel was slightly improved with the Stechs over the Prokits due to the increase in spring rate in the rear. The Road Magnets, well they are the sh!t, if I can use that term. Exactly as they are branded I feel like I'm stuck to the road. Slalom is quick and balanced; the car changes direction very quickly and very solidly. I feel the g's and the side bolsters of my seat dig into my back before I feel the car leaning. Over bumps and lumps the car is very civil, stiff, but still very acceptable. I expected a far worse ride quality, but they are actually very good. Cornering simply is unbelievable. Plainly put, turn the wheel the car turns, there is very little body roll and very little drama.


Overall

I'd recommend the Road Magnets over oem mz3, oem msp3 (on a mz3), Prokits, or Stechs. The ride is absolutely amazing. If you are looking for performance these are the springs for you. Choose your ride height (1.25 or 1.75) to suit your ride height needs and zoom zoom. These springs are hands down the best spring rates you can get for our cars without going to coils.

Pics

I apologize in advance for the quality, but you will get the idea of the comparison. I will post some better pics, some day.

Prokit
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/utf-8BSU1HMDA0NzkuanBn.jpg

Stech
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo-1.jpg

Road Magnet
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo-3.jpg

Rear Shots

Prokit
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/utf-8BSU1HMDA0ODAuanBn.jpg

Stech
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo-2.jpg

Road Magnet
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo-5.jpg


Front Shots

Prokit
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/utf-8BSU1HMDA0ODEuanBn.jpg

Stech
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo.jpg

Road Magnet
http://i156.photobucket.com/albums/t32/sagexp/photo-4.jpg

[WingZero_]

Very nice write up. I have the RM 1.25 inch drops on my 2010, so far so good.

[stevenma188]

Glad you like the RMs.

When I was on S-techs, I cranked the height adjustment on my lights as high as they will go, and I think that compensated for the raked stance.

[warlord]

Nice write up. +1 for the RM 1.75". I was on Prokits first and didn't like them at all. I rubbed, bottomed out frequently and when I'd hit dips in the road the front end wouldn't pop out quick enough so the car got all unsettled. It's all good with the RM's. Better ride quality, better handling and way better stance. IMO.

http://i823.photobucket.com/albums/zz153/warlord342/Bluefogs001.jpg

[taz4432]

Awesome review! If I forego coilovers, I'll definitely be checking these out! The pics really helped! =D

[Donutz]

I also have a brand new set of 1.25" rm's in my garage that I'll be selling shortly. Shoot me a pm if you're interested; otherwise keep an eye on the fs section.

[Freakzaz]

Nice write up, very informative! Just a quick question, if the prokits you reviewed are 1.2 drop all around, are these the 2010 ones? I thought the 04-09s dropped 1.8f &1.4r (says 1.4f &1:2r on website though).

[Donutz]

I was on the first gen springs. Mine settled to about 1.5 (iirc) all around. I didn't look on Eibach's site; is the drop for the 2010 springs?

[Freakzaz]

The 2010 prokits drop 1.2f & 1.1r as opposed to 1.4f & 1.2r for first gens. Some members on here who have the first gens on their '10 Mazda 3s got 1.8f & 1.4r though.

[baymoe]

Terrific writeup! Keep up the good work. Any plans to change up the dampeners? I'm curious to know how the Mazdaspeed Accessory dampeners compare with oem and koni. I was reading up on M3F that Koni will bring over new dampeners that will not be adjustable and priced between the KYB GR2 and Koni Yellows.

[Donutz]

I plan on running my Mazdaspeed accessory shocks / struts until they fail. The only thing that will change my mind is a good price on Koni Yellows!

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

I plan on running my Mazdaspeed accessory shocks / struts until they fail. The only thing that will change my mind is a good price on Koni Yellows!

Jason, I was on the Koni site today and the yellow's for the MS3's are on sale at a really good price right now. I didn't check, but perhaps the yellows for the MZ3 are also on sale.

[purefocus]

I had the 1.25" Road Magnets installed on my '08 GT sedan, along with Koni Sport shocks and a Progress RSB. So far I'm loving them, they make the car handle exactly as advertised. Comfort is much better than I anticipated (probably in part thanks to the Konis, which I have set to 50% front/rear). Previous springs were Prokits. I also prefer the even front/back drop I get with the RMs, the Prokits seemed to sag a bit in the front for me. The blue powdercoat looks pretty sharp too. Only downside was the $95 UPS charged me for duty/brokerage when they arrived!

[shu5892001]

I just installed these last night, 1.25 drop. The ride is actually pretty comfortable, comparable to prokits

[G-daddy]

I just installed these last night, 1.25 drop. The ride is actually pretty comfortable, comparable to prokits

Welcome to the club.

I was actually thinking of swapping to prokits for a softer ride. How much softer is it?

[shu5892001]

Welcome to the club.

I was actually thinking of swapping to prokits for a softer ride. How much softer is it?

To be honest, I don't feel much difference between these 2 in terms of comfortableness. But my car definitely has less roll when cornering with the RM 1.25

[a_ahmed]

Hey OP, is your silver mz3 with the 1.75" drop?

[6strings]

Yeah its 1.75 drop.

[a_ahmed]

Thanks for the reply, and which wheel/tires setup. Just wondering as I have the rx7 fd 16x8+50 wheels and 225/50/16 hankook rs-3 tires. Currently I believe the setup I have is 'h-tech' springs as they are gold.. not sure.. came with the car upon purchase.. Just trying to figure out tire wheel clearance issues i may run into if i get them.

[6strings]

On RM 1.75 drop you'll be fine. I have those springs with rx8 rims.

[Mitchell3]

I didn't like the Stechs, not because of the raked look (which I kind of liked), but because I lost distance with the output of my headlights. And those folks that know me know that I'm crazy when it comes to performance of my lighting system (but that's a story for another day).




Thats why my lights have always been fairly poor.. I'm on s techs and I never even thought about it LOL.