Lowering the Zoom Zoom. Coilovers?

[-ToM-]

Hey guys, so i need some help and advice on whether getting coilovers is the best for lowering my car. Also keeping in mind im a student and money is tight. Im feeling my budget to get this done is 800-1000, including install. Is this reasonable, and what shud i be looking at? And how much does it cost to get the coilovers installed? I got some V-dub friends and their paying like around 600 bucks for their coilovers. Why does mazda have such expensive ones ? : (

[aZuMi]

Just wondering, if you're on a tight budget and cost is a factor - why not consider springs?

[JaYson]

http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?52975-G16-V-Maxx-Coilovers-SALE/page2&highlight=coilover

No idea on how much for installs, but, I'd assume Jimmy at Street Performance would have a number for you.

if you're on a budget, i suspect springs would do you over for the time being.

however i guess if you were to "do it right" with springs and something like koni Yellows shocks, that would likely run you into almost the same cost point (as the above coilovers)...soo..why not

[Pereira11]

Dont cheap out on coilovers, you need stainless steel if you plan on using them in the winter unless you are prepared to properly maintain them which would be to constantly lubricate them. Otherwise you are going to run into issues with them seizing and that is the last thing you want. Some people may tell you otherwise but i have seen it first hand on many occasions!

[-ToM-]

Just wondering, if you're on a tight budget and cost is a factor - why not consider springs?

I was considering springs, but everyone says, that in the long run its costing them more with springs, cuz you eventually gotta change the struts and ect. I pretty much wanna do it right and not have problems later.

[-ToM-]

I've been talking to rick about these but are these solid coilovers ? And isnt coilovers in general better then springs/shocks


http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?52975-G16-V-Maxx-Coilovers-SALE/page2&highlight=coilover

No idea on how much for installs, but, I'd assume Jimmy at Street Performance would have a number for you.

if you're on a budget, i suspect springs would do you over for the time being.

however i guess if you were to "do it right" with springs and something like koni Yellows shocks, that would likely run you into almost the same cost point (as the above coilovers)...soo..why not

[-ToM-]

What is involved in maintaining them ? Like how often do you have to do it ? And does this only apply for steel coilovers or all of them in general ?


Dont cheap out on coilovers, you need stainless steel if you plan on using them in the winter unless you are prepared to properly maintain them which would be to constantly lubricate them. Otherwise you are going to run into issues with them seizing and that is the last thing you want. Some people may tell you otherwise but i have seen it first hand on many occasions!

[JaYson]

Im not sure myself.

I know BC Coilovers are some of the best, but you'll be looking at well over $1K before installation.

Also, with regards to the Shocks and Struts route: if you do only Springs, and you keep your stock Struts, then they'll die pretty quickly. from what I've read if you do it right and go with Springs($300-400) + proper Struts (like Koni $600+ at nexmod) then you shouldn't run into too many problems.

[aZuMi]

I'm running prokits on stock shocks for around 20k now and I have no problems.

I would recommend just getting the springs, then upgrade the shocks or get coilovers when you need it. In your case, it makes sense to buy springs only for now, then upgrade shocks later due to budget constraints.

Once you have enough cash for good quality coils, you can always sell the springs in BST.

[dave2010GT]

Yeah I just had my springs installed and they are great. If we lived in warmer climates all year round coilovers would be a no brainer and I'm sure everyone here would have them if we didn't live in Canada.

You've got to be prepared to maintain maintain maintain them in the winter and when it's minus 30 outside the motivation won't be there. Unless you have underground parking or something like that.

In regards to the stock struts I've only just got my springs installed but I'm planning to get koni's next spring so like Azumi said you won't have any issues with just getting springs and saving your money. My total cost was $275. I bought my springs from Canuck Motorsports and had Jimmy do the install. Cheap and the springs are great and my car looks awesome!

my .02 anyway

[JaYson]

wow that's dirty cheap...

:TJ

Any quality difference between Canuck Motorsports vs. Prokits vs. S-Techs? besides the amount of drop?

[Fuyuzora]

And isnt coilovers in general better then springs/shocks

Not quite... It's a bit more complicated.

What "coilover" refers to on the forums is an adjustable coil spring over strut suspension. Note that our suspension by definition is a 'coil spring over strut' (ie. coilover) design, but simply is not adjustable.

When you add the ability to adjust qualities of the suspension (ie. height, compression, damping, etc), you gain the ability to tweak the performance of the suspension in specific manners so that the car handles (and looks, in terms of ride height) to your liking. However, by the fact that you're adding adjustability, you are adding additional complex systems which are exposed to weathering and wear; of particular concern are Canadian winters due to the obscene amount of salt used on our roads. The threads on the coilover, which allow adjustment of ride height are (by my understanding) especially susceptible.

If you:

- Either know how to fine-tune suspension components or are willing to spend time learning
- Want to be able to adjust your ride height
- Are willing to spend time cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining the adjustable coilovers so they do not seize

Then adjustable coilovers might be a good choice for you.

If you don't need the same degree of adjustability, don't need to adjust ride height, and don't want additional work in the wintertime for maintenance; then a traditional spring+shock (or adjustable shocks such as Koni Sports) setup would suit you just fine.

Food for thought.

[dave2010GT]

I don't know honestly I've never owned a set of prokits but Canuck Motorsport makes a great quality product with a great warranty and they are a Canadian company :D


wow that's dirty cheap...

:TJ

Any quality difference between Canuck Motorsports vs. Prokits vs. S-Techs? besides the amount of drop?

[-ToM-]

wow Fuyuzora, solid write up, now your making me wanna lean towards springs again. What are some solid springs with a decent price.


Not quite... It's a bit more complicated.

What "coilover" refers to on the forums is an adjustable coil spring over strut suspension. Note that our suspension by definition is a 'coil spring over strut' (ie. coilover) design, but simply is not adjustable.

When you add the ability to adjust qualities of the suspension (ie. height, compression, damping, etc), you gain the ability to tweak the performance of the suspension in specific manners so that the car handles (and looks, in terms of ride height) to your liking. However, by the fact that you're adding adjustability, you are adding additional complex systems which are exposed to weathering and wear; of particular concern are Canadian winters due to the obscene amount of salt used on our roads. The threads on the coilover, which allow adjustment of ride height are (by my understanding) especially susceptible.

If you:

- Either know how to fine-tune suspension components or are willing to spend time learning
- Want to be able to adjust your ride height
- Are willing to spend time cleaning, lubricating, and maintaining the adjustable coilovers so they do not seize

Then adjustable coilovers might be a good choice for you.

If you don't need the same degree of adjustability, don't need to adjust ride height, and don't want additional work in the wintertime for maintenance; then a traditional spring+shock (or adjustable shocks such as Koni Sports) setup would suit you just fine.

Food for thought.

[rzapata]

Sorry to be out of topic, but has anyone used the Tein S-techs and just wondering how they sit, quality, durability, etc??

EDIT: Nevermind, found something using the search function.. :)

[Dave_The_BMXER]

If I could have found a spring kit to get the height I wanted I would have stuck to springs.

[JaYson]

from the looks of it:

Canuck Springs retail about $188USD (give or take) after shipping and taxes when u buy online.

Tein S-Tech range from $220 - 265 (CASH SALE PRICE) from nextmod for the next couple weeks

Eibach Prokits range from $250 - 280 (CASH SALE PRICE) from nextmod for the next couple weeks


plus install

[JaYson]

Prokits = 1.4 F 1.2 R

S-Techs = 1.6 F 1.1 R

CanuckMotor = 1.75 F 1.75 R

[JaYson]

lol and i just saw a post on some other forum (googled), it was for a truck though, the guy was saying the drop was more than advertised, i think it was advertised at 1.75 and it actually dropped about 2", which was a problem for him b/c hes got a truck in rural calgary.

not sure if thats really a problem for us...who want to go lower...but nonetheless its information! lol

[Fuyuzora]

wow Fuyuzora, solid write up, now your making me wanna lean towards springs again. What are some solid springs with a decent price.

Glad it helped. :)

If you can figure out:

- What ride height you're comfortable driving 24/7/365; and
- How much of a tradeoff between comfort (daily driver) and performance you're willing to accept

It will probably narrow down your options to a few specific options.

From what I recall (off the top of my head), in terms of drop, least to most, for a few common options:

- Racing Beat
- Eibach Pro-Kits
- TEIN S-Tech
- Eibach Sportlines
- TEIN H-Tech

And in terms of firmness, I know Road Magnet are generally considered pretty hard, while Eibachs are fairly modest.

In my case for instance, I was comfortable accepting >1" drop but wanted the drop to be less than 2" for more flexibility on roads... I also wanted nice handling but not too harsh of a ride since my MZ3 happens to also be my daily driver. The above considered, I went with a new set of 04-09 Pro-Kits. For shocks, I went with Koni Sports, which are currently set at 25% from full soft (although I think I will firm them up a bit more).

One other consideration that might be useful on a limited budget is the warranty on the various springs; I don't know for other manufacturers' products, but Eibach Pro-Kits have a 1,000,000 mile warranty. As a result, buying a used set could allow you to save a bit of money while still being confident in their quality.

Also, since opinions of harshness are so subjective, if you're not in a big rush to get the work done, consider coming out to a number of meets and checking out what configurations different members are running... That was you can ask the owners questions, and if you ask nicely enough, maybe get to go for a ride and feel them for yourself.

:thumbsup