Replacement struts, springs, tires advice wanted

[2008gt]

Mechanic says front struts are blown and has caused severe cupping on 3 out of 4 tires.

Looking for replacement struts advice for the following situation:

2008.5 GT Sedan
Daily driver + spirited driving
Wont ever be dropped/lowered
No desire for adjustability (ie no need for coilovers)
Tires need to be acceptable in wet too as this car is used DD for a business



Suggestions on Struts, Spring, Tire combos?
preliminary searches seems to be coming up with Koni Orange struts?
Would love to hear suggestions on combos.

[Mazdy]

Yokohama AVID IGOR for your all season tires..pretty good and not too expensive

As for your struts/shocks replacement...since your not going to lower or adjust dampening

You might wanna go for either KYB (similar to OEM) or Koni Oranges (better than OEM)

[2008gt]

Any thoughts on springs ? I figure if they're compressing them and removing them, may as well replace now, no ?

I'm almost certainly going to go with 4x koni oranges after seeing they were only about $450 shipped from Koni (about $150 more than the OEM/kyb style ones).

[Mazdy]

If your not gonna lower then best way is to get another set of OEM....but your wasting the Koni Oranges..so might as well go a little bit lower and get either prokits or Racing Beat springs....

For me if I look at them...they dont even make a diff to me..only slight lower


Any thoughts on springs ? I figure if they're compressing them and removing them, may as well replace now, no ?

I'm almost certainly going to go with 4x koni oranges after seeing they were only about $450 shipped from Koni (about $150 more than the OEM/kyb style ones).

[2008gt]

I think i'm going to get the Koni Orange STR.T kit w/ H&R , 30mm lowering. Are there any sponsors I should order from to support the board or just go straight from Koni ? (I'm in Alberta)

[Mazdy]

I think i'm going to get the Koni Orange STR.T kit w/ H&R , 30mm lowing. Are there any sponsors I should order from to support the board or just go straight from Koni ? (I'm in Alberta)

Just giving you a heads up.. H&R springs drops a slight lower than prokits...you also live In alberta..more snow lol

Just my opinion because you first stated you dont wanna go lower in the first place...I suggest Racing Beats

[2008gt]

Well, for better or for worse I've ordered the STR.T (orange) and H&R kit from Koni . It came to $589 USD === $663 CAD shipped to me in Alberta. We'll see how much the border thieves want too. Even if they ask for $150 , thats less than my local shop wanted for P&L.

The racing beats + STR.T were coming up at about $650 USD + Shipping. And they wouldn't give me a quote on how much shipping would be so I wouldn't order with them...

Will post pics of unboxing, install and finished product later.

[Kiewan]

Iv had koni oranges on prokits for a year on my daily driver and they are a good OEM replacement. The car doesn't wobble about as much when turning and the ride is firm but forgiving.
BUT..... You will want to dodge the potholes from now on. Bit of a jolt if you hit one.

[staax]

Canadian Tire has a deal on the Continental TrueContact All Seasons right now, buy 3 get the 4th free... Free mounting and balancing too.

I've had them for a week and I like them a lot, not noisy great contact and I haven't done too much driving in the rain but they do have very high wet ratings.

A little stiff, but i am running 215/45/17.

[2008gt]

The Koni STR.T Struts and H&R Springs came today. Ordered Friday, came wednesday, no duty came from Ontario!


Heres the unboxing pics. Plus I will replace the Strut bearings and top mounts (from Mazda)
http://i.imgur.com/Rq75Hdy.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/M0q1BjZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/IViWxcJ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ukHRfel.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qxYC7Gm.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/RISKyqz.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/y0grXW6.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/6AzHB5I.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/QThJRBd.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/12ekiDZ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/FKaLIna.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qxQOkTK.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VCLhIxG.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/v1BHW7z.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/kjGhucs.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/07o9gND.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/VVkZqMF.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/qpNVW91.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/liLJBAO.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lxjhYEX.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/ZZ9FI2C.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/BzoGBHw.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/jMJ1bxE.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/e3nUiMn.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/35QLvlM.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/Rq75Hdy.jpg

[funkdupspeed3]

Just to clarify, you ordered the combo from the koni website? It looks like they were shipped by a Canadian distributor.


The Koni STR.T Struts and H&R Springs came today. Ordered Friday, came wednesday, no duty came from Ontario!


Heres the unboxing pics. Plus I will replace the Strut bearings and top mounts (from Mazda)

[2008gt]

Yes, ordered from Koni website. "Mazda 04-09 3 Sedan and Hatchback, excl. Mazdaspeed 3 - 1120 STR.T Kit " on http://www.koni-na.com/cat_search.cfm?mt_id=1&my_year=2008&mak_id=25&mod_id=390&submit=Search&as_sfid=AAAAAAXArO0IOXxPSzsXrhxl1bayYUJ2wX1xDE6ryZ W8e%2BAJlx4bRW9kQO3SCmHMgEJTm8hgafuRmcFytnvBII5mDc 2FPaM5soXz6UsgFXfi9B2sPg%3D%3D&as_fid=RBtaekza7s5X%2Fz9V2%2B%2Fm .

I dont know why my embedded pics are dead. here is the album: http://imgur.com/a/dO2Zk#0

[2008gt]

Got the car aligned today. Here's what the final spec says, I'm surprised that they couldnt get some of them in spec.

Particularly, Rear camber Left -2.66 and right -2.2

anyways, check it out: http://i.imgur.com/ERvEKIF.jpg (http://imgur.com/ERvEKIF)

[2008gt]

I dont know why my embedded pics are dead. here is the album: http://imgur.com/a/dO2Zk#0

Haha, my network was blocking imgur. Fixed that and apparently the images were loading fine for everyone else.

[thebigm]

where is the install picture i have the same setup going to get it installed monday.

[buckethead99]

Hey! Some install pics wold be greatly appreciated! I've done my research and I came to the same conclusion as you = go with Koni - probably get this suspension in place next spring. (I live in Ontario - glad you didn't have to pay duty!)