OEM Lowering options

[ptgrad2012]

So I went to the auto show today, at the Mazda section.
Saw this 3 sedan GX with 18 inch wheels with minimal wheel gap... got me excited because I will get getting 18 this summer, and the car displayed is probably OEM stock suspension.... so maybe I don't have to lower it at all and mess with my insurance company!

Then I went to ask the Mazda personnel if they're on stock suspension, the guy said yes...and he told me they also have oem lowering service which will not be refused by insurance companies. Then moments after, I went to see the spec of the car, it says the vehicle is lowered... and not stock like he told me...

I am just wondering what kind of OEM lowering Mazda offer, and is it true that if it's lowering done by Mazda that insurance will not have problem with it?

http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/DSC02060_zpsf472a398.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/DSC02061_zps358bb1f2.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/DSC02062_zps8ffd83d3.jpg
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a488/ptgrad2012/DSC02063_zps186b3dae.jpg

[rzapata]

Probably talking about the Mazdaspeed accessory springs. Half inch front and back IIRC. Not OEM though.

OEM lowering? Cutting the OEM springs I assume? :chuckle

[leecheefoto]

You call that no wheel gap? Hahahaha.. I just left the auto show.

[mEtH]

Mazda has had Mazdaspeed accessory springs for a while on the previous gen. Not so sure about the new gen but I believe people have been using the same suspension parts across both gens. The Mazdaspeed ones come with the camber arms as well and there was so much talk about them being rebranded prokits.

[killerbichon]

Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

[silverstarmazda]

Mazda has had Mazdaspeed accessory springs for a while on the previous gen. Not so sure about the new gen but I believe people have been using the same suspension parts across both gens. The Mazdaspeed ones come with the camber arms as well and there was so much talk about them being rebranded prokits.

+1 they also have mazdaspeed accessory shocks too. but the price of oem parts are ridiculous. not sure how they handle



Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

im lowered on sportlines (lowest possible without coilover). all you gotta do is drve slower on the bumpy sections and keep an eye on the road. just because you dont like, doesnt mean everyone else cant. and the purpose of speed bumps is to lower your speed. some also find a better handling characteristic and a better look.

[Johns 08 3 GT]

The car at the Auto Show is on a Eibach pro kit. ;)

[schmat66]

Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

speedbumps... aint nobody got time fo dat, find another route

[6strings]

Why did they pick such hideous rims?


Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.
LOL... You're kidding right? Yes you are.

[Proudfoot]

Thanks for posting the pictures of the M3. I will probably not get a chance to go down to the show but appreciate the shots of the Mazdas. I plan on lowering my car slightly and appreciate the look of it and I am curious about how it will feel once it is lower to the ground. I am aware of the risks and thought enough about it to by pass the need for a head exam.

Certain looks and set-ups are not for everyone but a ride is a form of personal expression, kind of like your house, hairstyle, or clothes we decide to wear.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

huh?

[ptgrad2012]

but what about the insurance coverage, would they still drop you if you tell them the lowering is done by Mazda?

[ptgrad2012]

oh is that what they told you?
the Mazda people didn't even know the car was lowered lol :rolleyes

[terapr0]

those rims and mud flaps are ****ing hideous :\

[07carbon3]

Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

http://i1051.photobucket.com/albums/s439/cjcovd/fry_zps5e5932c2.jpg

[peterm15]

Someone explain lowering a car to me. What about speed bumps? If you want your perfect car lowered I suggest a head exam.

http://yourfaceisstupid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/YOUR-A-TOOL.jpg

[Booter22]

oh is that what they told you?
the Mazda people didn't even know the car was lowered lol :rolleyes

usually for shows the cars come from mazda canada and the staff is from different dealers. i dont think unless they read all the displays they would know.

i also didnt know and pretty sure there still isnt. a mazdaspeed or lowering accessory option for 2010+. but i can check with parts on tuesday.

[ptgrad2012]

yea that'll be great, the only reason that i would go back to dealership to lower my car would be because to keep my insurance valid (don't even think it works, because mods after coming out from factory would be considered "aftermarket").

[cwp_sedan]

Lowering springs from Mazda will not save you from your insurance company. Any lowering in general will affect how your insurance deals with a claim.

[midz97]

Lowering springs from Mazda will not save you from your insurance company. Any lowering in general will affect how your insurance deals with a claim.

Has anyone on the forums had problems with a claim because they had basic mods on their cars? I had a previous vehicle bagged and had no problem making a claim. And on my speed they had no problem with me taking all the mods off after it was totaled.

I know they can be pricks but deny a claim because of safe aftermarket mods? Or just increase the rates?

[silverstarmazda]

some companies will try anything and everything to avoid a claim. so it really depends who your with and who your agent is.

[peterm15]

My insurance only asks if I have modifications worth more then 2K. I don't so I said no.

[silverstarmazda]

My insurance only asks if I have modifications worth more then 2K. I don't so I said no.

but what do they define as "modification". switching rims or adding a roof rack can be considered as a mod.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I'm similar to peter. No mods over 2k. I got hosed when my truck got written off (got blue book value) but not dropped.

[peterm15]

but what do they define as "modification". switching rims or adding a roof rack can be considered as a mod.

Through what I can find, they say mods in general minus security.

Either way if I wrote off my car and only got blue book. I'd be happy.

The concern is if they deny claims. Which because I don't have any mods over 2k id fight in court.
They also don't specify if it's 2k total or 2k each.

[thirdgen3]

My insurance only asks if I have modifications worth more then 2K. I don't so I said no.

Who are you with?

[peterm15]

Who are you with?

Belair.

[ptgrad2012]

i'll probably switch to belair next year then, i am with TD notorious for dropping people

[Ozil]

Lower your car and enjoy. **** the insurance companies :D

[ptgrad2012]

Lower your car and enjoy. **** the insurance companies :D
if i hit somebody who sues for 1 million, my life is screwed lol

[peterm15]

if i hit somebody who sues for 1 million, my life is screwed lol

I may be wrong. But I believe the insurance company can only refuse to cover you. They would still have to honor liability.

[cwp_sedan]

Yeah I don't think you would be affected in terms of liability but then again I would call and ask your insurance company directly just to make sure.

[Booter22]

if i hit somebody who sues for 1 million, my life is screwed lol

if you were to go say with prokits, black springs. who is going to know. if you go with sport lines ( red) would be a bit more obvious.

[ptgrad2012]

if you were to go say with prokits, black springs. who is going to know. if you go with sport lines ( red) would be a bit more obvious.

Oh right, the prokits are black, so that might be okay... Just need to pray the adjuster doesn't know about mods and can't detect car's been lowered (do they usually?).

[leecheefoto]

Oh right, the prokits are black, so that might be okay... Just need to pray the adjuster doesn't know about mods and can't detect car's been lowered (do they usually?).

Spray your springs with black paint and fake some brown spots to make them look old ;)

[silverstarmazda]

Spray your springs with black paint and fake some brown spots to make them look old ;)

these are eibachs, theyll do that by themselves lol

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I may be wrong. But I believe the insurance company can only refuse to cover you. They would still have to honor liability.

Correct.

[Booter22]

mazda also does not carry the "mazdaspeed" accessories anymore. so no OEM lowering options.

[Jsquared]

I got sidelined with the wife on lowering but I cannot complain.

Wife's official response to car mods/lowering: You can do anything you want, and I will share the costs as long as you never lower the car. The day you decide to lower the car, you're on your own. Considering she makes almost 20g more than I a year, I am happy to comply.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

^ Why is she so against it? A pro kit drop is basically how the car should have come from the factory.

[schmat66]

I got sidelined with the wife on lowering but I cannot complain.

Wife's official response to car mods/lowering: You can do anything you want, and I will share the costs as long as you never lower the car. The day you decide to lower the car, you're on your own. Considering she makes almost 20g more than I a year, I am happy to comply.

mine complains her coils dont go low enough... and she broke an oil pan already

[Jsquared]

^ Why is she so against it? A pro kit drop is basically how the car should have come from the factory.

Trust me when I say I wish I knew what her hang ups were. My only guess is the first day we had our MZ lip installed I scratched it when coming out of a strip mall. Someone also posted that our specific insurance company will not cover lowered cars so now that's her new argument.

Once we make it out to a few TM3 events and see other cars and ask questions, she will be more open minded. I think she is only focusing on the horror stories right now.

Schmatt: That is all kinds of awesome!! :D

[standsideways]

You would have to be out of your mind absolutely nut bag crazy to CALL your insurance company and say "hi, you dont have a clue who i am, but i installed lowering springs on my car, i just thought you should know"

If you are SOOOOOOOOOO SOOOOO paranoid that your insurance company is somehow going to "find out" you have lowering springs, PAINT YOUR NEW SPRINGS BLACK!

All this over some springs!

Jeeezus get some springs, crack your lip, blow your oem shocks, and come back part of the club ;)

[2012speed3]

I got sidelined with the wife on lowering but I cannot complain.

Wife's official response to car mods/lowering: You can do anything you want, and I will share the costs as long as you never lower the car. The day you decide to lower the car, you're on your own. Considering she makes almost 20g more than I a year, I am happy to comply.

Put some pants on dude, on a side note my wife hates my car and doesn't go near it, I just stash some money away and do what I want.

[zzz3]

I got sidelined with the wife on lowering but I cannot complain.

Wife's official response to car mods/lowering: You can do anything you want, and I will share the costs as long as you never lower the car. The day you decide to lower the car, you're on your own. Considering she makes almost 20g more than I a year, I am happy to comply.

get kw v3, if she asks about why it rides differently, tell her you replaced the shocks.

[silverstarmazda]

mod EVERYTHING. then lower the car last lol :chuckle

[Jsquared]

haha I am not too worried in the long run boys, but thanks for the support and advice. The wife claimed no performance mods either when we purchased the car and now we have an intake and are looking at exhaust and a new hpfp for spring install.

standsideways...I have no idea who it was but we did read that someone in this club called their insurance company to confirm coverage when lowered. I can assure you I am not that dumb. I simply accommodate for someone who is willing to pay for half of my toys.

[Jackal]

^ Why is she so against it? A pro kit drop is basically how the car should have come from the factory.

Agreed.

[silverstarmazda]

just tell her you feel the car being too sloppy. and tell her dropping it a bit will make it better.

[Jsquared]

I should think of some scam. Shes is still learning how to drive it so maybe I can say it handles better when lower. You guys might be on to something here.....

[mazdabetty]

I should think of some scam. Shes is still learning how to drive it so maybe I can say it handles better when lower. You guys might be on to something here.....

I bet you she won't even notice if you drop it on prokits. Does she eyeball the car as she walks away from it like a lot of us on here do? Chances are she won't notice the inch or two of wheel gap missing.... and to be honest I don't think I've modified my driving style much since getting them myself. I cringe more when I see a pothole up ahead but most people do that anyway hahah :P

[silverstarmazda]

I should think of some scam. Shes is still learning how to drive it so maybe I can say it handles better when lower. You guys might be on to something here.....

its a safety mod. it just so happens the car looks great :chuckle dont think of it as a scam, but work around it. listen to her and ask why she doesnt want all these things being done.

[greyseason]

hopefully you can swoon her in the right direction :p but stumbled across these this morning. http://www.mazda.co.uk/buying-owning/accessories/mazda3/2011-07/wheels-suspension/410078784/ Theyre from the UK but just an option

[CH0SiiN1]

http://yourfaceisstupid.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/YOUR-A-TOOL.jpg

LMAO

[sudz]

Dave, I disagree.

I'm lowered on pro-kits. I can't go through carwashes, I scrape on almost every speedbump, driveway, etc.

Also blew struts within a few months of lowering... Gone through 3 Plastic undertrays, and bottomed out a few times with 4 people in the car.

None of that happened in the first year of owning the car before I lowered :-P

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Touchless.

Angle.

Optional Part.

Passengers are over rated. I can carry three people and three bikes and not bottom out. Prokits are soft.

:)

Shock part is valid but that's bound to happen lowering on stock stuff.

[silverstarmazda]

i was on prokits and was able to make it through the rail car washes just fine. im on sportlines now, so obviously i cant lmao. but yes, the oem shocks wernt made to handle the extra travel.

[sudz]

LOL, but how could you sell a car to mass market that can't go through 75% of carwashes, that have people honk at you because you're going so slowly over speedbumps (true story, lol) and blow struts within 40k? (well... the 06-10 mazda5 seems to do this... so I just proved that point moot)

But yes, I love my car on pro kits... but it will be the last daily driver I ever lower.

I bought my Prokits from someone used, and have been running them for about 150,000km now. I'm wondering if I'm "lower" than normal prokits just based on sag/age. I rub with 215-50-17 +45mm... (back to 205 now)







Touchless.

Angle.

Optional Part.

Passengers are over rated. I can carry three people and three bikes and not bottom out. Prokits are soft.

:)

Shock part is valid but that's bound to happen lowering on stock stuff.

[mazdabetty]

how could you sell a car to mass market that can't go through 75% of carwashes

Weird!!! I've never had an issue with car washes, it's usually just flat and straight in no? Unless you're talking about the old school ones on the track but I thought they got rid of those? Last time I saw one of those was like 10 years ago lol

[sudz]

Esso has the flat ones. Petrocanada has the "Glide" ones in a few cities But 95% of petro canada's, Pioneer, Shell stations have the old "track" ones that pull your car along. I scrapped bigtime the first tiem I went through one, the next time, i tried empty tank, Making sure my tires were filled at the high-side of normal... and I still scraped, so I just gave up.

[geobur]

Oh right, the prokits are black, so that might be okay... Just need to pray the adjuster doesn't know about mods and can't detect car's been lowered (do they usually?).

adjusters usually know the exact (or approximate measurements of what spacing should be where, and they look for things like that while inspecting it to check for damage, they might notice the car is a little too low, and wonder if the the suspension is damaged, but then notice you have lowered your springs...

I have been thinking about it as well but I won't do it if I lose insurance coverage...does anyone know if using adjustable coilovers would get you declined?

[greyseason]

I have been thinking about it as well but I won't do it if I lose insurance coverage...does anyone know if using adjustable coilovers would get you declined?

+1

[Dave_The_BMXER]

Any suspension mod is generally a sin worthy of being hung to an insurance company. Brakes too.

[Pereira11]

+1

same as lowering springs. its not like you are gonna be adjusting the coilovers at the scene of an accident before the car is towed...

[greyseason]

same as lowering springs. its not like you are gonna be adjusting the coilovers at the scene of an accident before the car is towed...

very true. And i always think you drive a black veloster cause of your avi haha

[Pereira11]

very true. And i always think you drive a black veloster cause of your avi haha

Haha thats actually a 2010 Mazda3 sport we did at our dealership years ago. the old owner used to drive it. lowered on eibach springs with 18" Enkei wheels. I drive a company car now, 2012 Mazda3 skyactiv.