Simon99
10-07-2012, 02:28 AM
So, I got everything fixed up on my Mazda3 in order to pass safety, which included change the whole suspension (shock/strut + springs). So while being there, I said why not lower it ? :) As I was ordering the Prokit on eBay, I saw that Sportline one, googled it, saw a couple of images and instantly fell in love with it :) 900$ later, I had Koni Yellow and Sportline :) I got them installed and voila ! A new car was born :) So I'm doing a little review for everyone that, like me, doesn't know which drop he should get and to give my opinion on that combo.
First of all ! Pass safety BEFORE lowering car ! I had to *cough* pay *cough* a little more to get that dumb Quebec safety passed, but everything ended up fine and I shouldn't be pulled over since I still have that minimum 4 inches below my car.
To talk about the shocks/struts first, they're simply amazing. While being instantly a bit stiffer than the stock ones, you can modify them instantly (front) to your liking and you immediately feel the difference. Just make sure to give the rear struts the desired adjustment at the beginning, since they're a bit trickier to adjust, requiring you to remove the whole assembly. I tightened the rear strut to about 70% stiff and the front to about 60 and I'm really pleased with the handling I get. I took a pretty sharp highway exit at 120 on dry pavement and felt no problem what so ever in the handling, handling that was probably also due to the Eibach Sportline
To talk about the springs now, I think I made a good decision about the Sportline because they really give you that flush fitment that looks so good (just need black rims now :P). The cars definately feels lower, but even with 4 football player inside, I didn't rub on a pretty damaged street (let me tell you that I was really impressed !). Sure, I scraped on the first day, being that noob like everyone (stupid sidewalk) but I get no problem clearing speedbumps, just need to make sure that I don't jump them !
Overall, I'm really happy with that combo for the summer ! I don't know about winter, because I'll use a Sentra since I don't want to destroy my ride, but to me, that was a well invested 1K ! Here's a pic of how it looks, hopefully you'll like it :)
http://s15.postimage.org/k5hjmbtvv/IMG_1212.jpg
First of all ! Pass safety BEFORE lowering car ! I had to *cough* pay *cough* a little more to get that dumb Quebec safety passed, but everything ended up fine and I shouldn't be pulled over since I still have that minimum 4 inches below my car.
To talk about the shocks/struts first, they're simply amazing. While being instantly a bit stiffer than the stock ones, you can modify them instantly (front) to your liking and you immediately feel the difference. Just make sure to give the rear struts the desired adjustment at the beginning, since they're a bit trickier to adjust, requiring you to remove the whole assembly. I tightened the rear strut to about 70% stiff and the front to about 60 and I'm really pleased with the handling I get. I took a pretty sharp highway exit at 120 on dry pavement and felt no problem what so ever in the handling, handling that was probably also due to the Eibach Sportline
To talk about the springs now, I think I made a good decision about the Sportline because they really give you that flush fitment that looks so good (just need black rims now :P). The cars definately feels lower, but even with 4 football player inside, I didn't rub on a pretty damaged street (let me tell you that I was really impressed !). Sure, I scraped on the first day, being that noob like everyone (stupid sidewalk) but I get no problem clearing speedbumps, just need to make sure that I don't jump them !
Overall, I'm really happy with that combo for the summer ! I don't know about winter, because I'll use a Sentra since I don't want to destroy my ride, but to me, that was a well invested 1K ! Here's a pic of how it looks, hopefully you'll like it :)
http://s15.postimage.org/k5hjmbtvv/IMG_1212.jpg