Who's gonna be first???

[the_saint]

Who's gonna drop their 5 first? I know there are no springs specifically for the 5 available stateside yet. But since the 5 is based on the 3 I would imagine the springs should work.
My fear is that the 3 springs might be too soft in the rear. Is this a legitimate reservation? Or are the 5 and the 3 close enough in weight and weight distribution that it won't matter?

[bazooka joe]

Who's gonna drop their 5 first? I know there are no springs specifically for the 5 available stateside yet. But since the 5 is based on the 3 I would imagine the springs should work.
My fear is that the 3 springs might be too soft in the rear. Is this a legitimate reservation? Or are the 5 and the 3 close enough in weight and weight distribution that it won't matter?

(uhm) (scratch) (huh)

[speed1016]

what are you talking about, the MX5 or the mp5?

[ChopstickHero]

what are you talking about, the MX5 or the mp5?

MAZDA5

[miatafied]

LOL - The 5 dropped would be so SWEET - although, I'd be afraid to go too low simply due to the road conditions in the winter around here. I'm already freaked that I'm gonna scrape my 17" rims despite the fact that I'd like to see 18"s on there.

See, I'm just conflicted.

[miatafied]

Let's see some pics of the HUGE wheel gap!

[JCell]

u can always cut teh stock springs (ricer)

[evilmonkeyMSP]

LOL nobody ever looks in the sub forum they're posting in :D



MAZDA5

[the_saint]

u can always cut teh stock springs (ricer)
Might as well torch 'em (yupnope) lol

I'll be nervous too about it being low and suffereing some grindage....but then again..."pain is temporary, glory lasts forever, and chicks dig scars." (stash)

[evilmonkeyMSP]

Id say hold out until someone makes some springs...I would go trashing the stock ones....

[RODSCALIP5]

I say fork out the cash and get some Autoexe ones :D

[the_saint]

I say fork out the cash and get some Autoexe ones :D
If I have to spend that much for springs, I might as well go all the way and buy coilovers. (headbang)
Especially if it's only a 1" drop.

[RODSCALIP5]

If I have to spend that much for springs, I might as well go all the way and buy coilovers. (headbang)
Especially if it's only a 1" drop.

I would not put coilovers on the 5, but that's just me. I don't think you will be seeing to many springs that drop it more than 1-1.5 in. I will probably be wrong though :D.

[nate0123]

I'd like to see a dropped 5

[mazdafive]

Who's gonna drop their 5 first? I know there are no springs specifically for the 5 available stateside yet. But since the 5 is based on the 3 I would imagine the springs should work.
My fear is that the 3 springs might be too soft in the rear. Is this a legitimate reservation? Or are the 5 and the 3 close enough in weight and weight distribution that it won't matter?

I think 1.5 inch drop on the Mazda 5 is enough to close the fender gap on the stock 17" inch wheels. So if you go with 19"s 235x35x19s the diameter of the wheel will be bigger than the stock 17's .

Cut a coil or a coil and a half and let us know... (eekdance) (eekdance) this should drop it about an inch to an inch and a half.

[the_saint]

Cut a coil or a coil and a half and let us know... (eekdance) (eekdance) this should drop it about an inch to an inch and a half.
There is no way in hell I'm cutting coils. I'd prefer to be able to return the car to stock if I wanted. Besides spring rates get jacked up and mis-matched when you cut coils. (bang)

[miatafied]

I agree with you here, saint. I could see trying out aftermarket 3 lowering springs.

[nate0123]

There is no way in hell I'm cutting coils. I'd prefer to be able to return the car to stock if I wanted. Besides spring rates get jacked up and mis-matched when you cut coils. (bang)I'm not saying you're wrong, but any aftermarket set of springs is going to have a different spring rate. You take 7 aftermarket brands, and you'll find 7 different combinations, none of which is necessarily matched to the damping provided by any stock or aftermarket struts/shocks. But I do agree, cutting springs will yield unpredictable results.

[mazdafive]

what are you talking about, the MX5 or the mp5?

Since it's posted in the Mazda 5 section, I believe it's not MX5 or MP5.

[StuttersC]

H&R in Europe has a suspension set up that lowers the 5 40mm...

Then there is the AutoEXE option. Don't try spirngs for the 3 because the rates are different and could give you adverse handling...

[the_saint]

H&R in Europe has a suspension set up that lowers the 5 40mm...

Then there is the AutoEXE option. Don't try spirngs for the 3 because the rates are different and could give you adverse handling...
The H&Rs, do you have a site for these?

[WhitewaterPearl]

The H&Rs, do you have a site for these?

Here ya go...
http://www.h-r.com/katalog_download_de/Mazda_2006.pdf(German)

http://www.h-r.com/index.php?inhalt=pdf_download&sprache=en (UK)

[StuttersC]

Here ya go...
http://www.h-r.com/katalog_download_de/Mazda_2006.pdf(German)

http://www.h-r.com/index.php?inhalt=pdf_download&sprache=en (UK)

Thanks for the pick up...

[Brian MP5T]

Why can't you just get the suspenion for the Mazda 3?

[StuttersC]

Why can't you just get the suspenion for the Mazda 3?

Rear spring rates are very different between the Mazda5 and the Mazda3. Running spring rates that are designed for a different car can lead to adverse handling charateristics that you don't want.

Kind of the reason why some spirng makers have diferent rates for the Protege sedan and the Protege 5....

[Brian MP5T]

Rear spring rates are very different between the Mazda5 and the Mazda3. Running spring rates that are designed for a different car can lead to adverse handling charateristics that you don't want.

Kind of the reason why some spirng makers have diferent rates for the Protege sedan and the Protege 5....

No, I understand that, but why not get Tein-SS and swap it out for their stiffer springs.

I have the Tein-SS but ordered springs from Japan with a diferent rate.. This could be done to get a jump on the manufactureres who are too slow to match the demand...

[StuttersC]

No, I understand that, but why not get Tein-SS and swap it out for their stiffer springs.

I have the Tein-SS but ordered springs from Japan with a diferent rate.. This could be done to get a jump on the manufactureres who are too slow to match the demand...

OIC, I missed what you were getting at last time.

Um, I think the rate on the rear of the 5 is less than the 3...Oddly enough

[Tushawn]

Watch those pot holes folks. I hit one Wednesday night and it blew out both driver's side tires. I was out of town and the only tires I could get were Continental contacts. Fortunately the wheels survived and so did we considering it happened on the Long Island Expressway outside of New York City at about 70mph. Bottom line is that the low profile tires are not forgiving. There goes that $500 check!

[nate0123]

I thought the 5 had 50-series tires...

[L8R]

Yes, AutoExe would be best :D

http://autoexe.co.jp/car/Premacy(CR)/premacy(cr).html

http://autoexe.co.jp/car/Premacy(CR)/mcr700soucyaku.jpg

$430 some dollars.

[-pixy-]

Yes, AutoExe would be best :D

http://autoexe.co.jp/car/Premacy(CR)/premacy(cr).html

$430 some dollars.

good find (2thumbs)

[L8R]

http://autoexe.co.jp/english/car/Premacy(CR)/premacy(cr).html - English version, sorry :D

[miatafied]

Watch those pot holes folks. I hit one Wednesday night and it blew out both driver's side tires. I was out of town and the only tires I could get were Continental contacts. Fortunately the wheels survived and so did we considering it happened on the Long Island Expressway outside of New York City at about 70mph. Bottom line is that the low profile tires are not forgiving. There goes that $500 check!

Wow - that totally sucks!! (Note to self - stay off the LIE and all roads in/out of NYC) Ahh, yes, pothole central - and it's just gonna get worse after the winter salt/plows/etc.

Still - I'm considering lowering in the summer - first I have wheels/tires to contend with - gotta work on getting a winter wheel/tire combo - thinking of going 16" painted steelies - then in the spring/summer - put some decent driving tires on the 17"s and lowering it - ahh - that $500 check just doesn't reach far enough!!

[Tushawn]

We had our first snow the night I got the blowouts so i didnt have a chance to drive it in the snow. On wet days it the front wheels spin fairly easily so I don't think it will be getting such good traction in the snow. I would love to get a snow tire package and not worry about salt on the wheels.

[HKMP5]

Mazda 5 = matrix

[the_saint]

Mazda 5 = matrix
huh?

[george pavell]

love the idea of lowering it altough i have a few hot rods already and i lowered my vibe with hotchkis springs love it handles great the 5 may stay factory height love the look and wheels 17"s from factory and nice looking ones to boot cant beat it heres a few photos of my Black 5 and Vibe GT

[the_saint]

lol...here's a possible preview.
A friend of mine did a quick chop for me.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v297/mlsaint78/mazdasa3r.jpg

[nate0123]

nope... still a minivan lol

wtf is up with those rims?

[perfecto]

Mazda 5 = matrix

Please be constructive. Thanks.

[ForceFed]

nope... still a minivan lol

wtf is up with those rims?Its not a minivan...Its a microvan....Much cooler...Me and the GF checked these out and shes dying to get one....I like it as well...A nice body kit,drop and some wheels and they will be sweet! (thumb)

[nate0123]

haha microvan... ok I'll give you that

[george pavell]

I love a lowered vehicle mor ehtan anybody... although this comes with a nice side sill ground effect not sure where you you will be driving but around here theres more than a few eclipses etc with ground effects hanging off the front of there ride duck taped together dew to back roads in places this 5 sits nice and the factory ground effects help it look even cleaner and lower , and I agree those wheels in photo not very cool, but heah thats why they make 10 million styles rightlol great look though keep um comming

[the_saint]

nope... still a minivan lol

wtf is up with those rims?
Advan Super Racing Version2 is what's up with those rims. I prefer wheels NOT like everybody else's.


I love how everybody hates on those wheels. I think that's why I like them so much.

[nate0123]

lol I'm don't know anyone else with the same rims as I have

I'm not trying to insult your style if that is your style... but it's definitely not my style

[the_saint]

lol I'm don't know anyone else with the same rims as I have

I'm not trying to insult your style if that is your style... but it's definitely not my style
I don't know anybody who has your rims per se, but there are plenty of wheels with the same design out there.

I'm not saying your wheels are ugly, boring maybe, but not ugly. And like you were saying, it's your style, not my style.
(thumb)

[Tito1]

Mazda 5 = matrix

^^^I don't see this as an insult at all. Another view could be 'Grand Caravan=Mazda 5'. Although I don't that the 5 is equal to a caravan, many will still look at this car as a minivan. Being placed in the same catagory as a Matrix is a Marketing godsend for Mazda.

The matrix is a fantastic car to drive, and is stores a boat load of stuff to boot. I made thae connection between the two vehicles immediately. But the sliding doors of the 5 just scream Mini van. So the 5 is in its own segment. But I guess my point is that putting the 5 in the same class as the Matrix is much better than the alternatives.

[Gobe_Air]

I wonder if 19s would fit nicely under the Mazda5, I have a set in the garage collecting dust (were on my 2000 eclipse), not sure it they will work, but it's worth a try

[WhitewaterPearl]

I wonder if 19s would fit nicely under the Mazda5, I have a set in the garage collecting dust (were on my 2000 eclipse), not sure it they will work, but it's worth a try
I'll let you know how a set 19's fit next month. Only potential problem is how wide a tire (215,225,235) will fit with a 48 offset.

[the_saint]

All the ones I've seen in Japan are running 7.5" wide. I've only seen one 5 with wheels wider than that, it had factory RX8 wheels...they're 8" with a 50mm offset.


oops, jsut saw that you're talking about tire width. That I'm not sure of....I want to say they're running 215 or 225 wide on the 7.5" wheels.

[Gobe_Air]

My 19s are wrapped in toyo proxes 235/35/19 tires, as soon as winter passes I'll put them on to see if they'll fit. I'll post a pic of the rims, tommarrow

[awsmp5]

yeah i wanna see this dropped 5!

[the_saint]

...I wonder what 19"s will look like on a stock height 5... (boom07)

[Gobe_Air]

My guess is that the 5 would look like a lifted microvan (uhm), I hope the US aftermarket arena will not neglect the 5, sheez I want everything overseas, Auto Exe kit ($1354 converted yen to dollars) and springs, but that's too much $$$

Here's a pic of the 19s, I'm considering putting on the 5, if they work, I believe the offset for the eclipse is 50mm not sure if this will cause problems?

http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d162/wgobert/DSC00413.jpg

[gunslinger13x]

I just looked at the H&R website - They have a spring set specifically for the five. Drops it 1.4 in front and 1.3 in the rear - Their PN 29152 - It is a different PN than the Mazda3 so I assume that the spring rates are diffferent. For comparision, the AutoEx springs are an aprox 1.2 drop.

There is also the possibility of using an airbag strut system from Air Ride - This fellow did just that with his 2004 Premacy - http://www.cardomain.com/ride/701041
I just think that finding room for the tank,pump and valves would be a problem.

[the_saint]

I just looked at the H&R website - They have a spring set specifically for the five. Drops it 1.4 in front and 1.3 in the rear - Their PN 29152 - It is a different PN than the Mazda3 so I assume that the spring rates are diffferent. For comparision, the AutoEx springs are an aprox 1.2 drop.

There is also the possibility of using an airbag strut system from Air Ride - This fellow did just that with his 2004 Premacy - http://www.cardomain.com/ride/701041
I just think that finding room for the tank,pump and valves would be a problem.
The H&Rs aren't actually available yet, and that Premacy on air is a first gen. The Mazda5 is a 2nd gen Premacy. AFAIK nobody makes an air kit for the current gen Premacy. There are a few companies making lowering springs, but they're only selling in Japan right now.

[gunslinger13x]

The H&Rs aren't actually available yet, and that Premacy on air is a first gen. The Mazda5 is a 2nd gen Premacy. AFAIK nobody makes an air kit for the current gen Premacy. There are a few companies making lowering springs, but they're only selling in Japan right now.

Just pointing out other options - just because there isn't a kit doesn't mean it can't be done. It all depends on how bad you want it. Air Ride Technologies manufactures the AirStrut with simular mounts as the 5 so only the overall length and amount of travel will have to be determined. Finding room for an air tank would be the the problem, without it, you might be waiting a long time before a small air compressor could lift the vehicle high enough to drive away.

As far as springs go, the AutoEx springs are available from Corksport, as are the chassis braces. The downside is the 3 week wait.

Only time and demand will tell what will be available for our beloved 5s. As for me, I'll be placing my order for the braces with Corksport. I'll wait till some A/M struts are available before making a decision on springs. A pair of airbags will be then be used keep the vehicle level when the family is in it.

[WhitewaterPearl]

Any H&R reseller can now get you the coil springs.
-Part #29152-1
-40mm drop
-black color


Here is the email response from H&R...

Hello Albert,

The springs for the Mazda 5 are available from stock.

Best regards
H&R Spezialfedern
Yvonne Menzebach

[RODSCALIP5]

Any H&R reseller can now get you the coil springs.
-Part #29152-1
-40mm drop
-black color


Here is the email response from H&R...

Hello Albert,

The springs for the Mazda 5 are available from stock.

Best regards
H&R Spezialfedern
Yvonne Menzebach

Were they able to give you a price for them?

[WhitewaterPearl]

Were they able to give you a price for them?
No she didn't but I can't imagine why the MSRP would differ from the Mazda3 (essentially the same fitment with a higher spring rate).

...never pay MSRP!!

[gunslinger13x]

Any H&R reseller can now get you the coil springs.
-Part #29152-1
-40mm drop
-black color


Here is the email response from H&R...

Hello Albert,

The springs for the Mazda 5 are available from stock.

Best regards
H&R Spezialfedern
Yvonne Menzebach

Got this email from one of the resellers listed on the H&R site:

HI MARK,



THESE SPRINGS ARE STILL IN RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT. THEY DIDN’T KNOW WHEN THEY WILL BE AVALIBLE.



ThankYou,

Brad Karch

Wheel Specialists Inc.

480-968-1314 Office

480-222-7218 Direct Line

480-226-3727 Cell

brad@wheelspecialists.com

ARRRRRGGGGGHHHHHHHHH!!!!

[WhitewaterPearl]

I don't get it, the manufacturer says the item is available and in stock but a reseller says they're not available???

[RODSCALIP5]

I don't get it, the manufacturer says the item is available and in stock but a reseller says they're not available???

Resellers sometimes don't take the time to call the company up. They just look online and say "I dont see it", or they check their catalogs.

[the_saint]

I don't get it, the manufacturer says the item is available and in stock but a reseller says they're not available???
Re-seller---Re-tard
Coincidence? I think not!
j/k What RODSCALIP5 is right.

[JAVI]

Has anyone found these yet? I'm also getting "they're still in development"'.

From the h&r website:

Stage Chassis / Drivetrain Notes Approx. Front Lowering Approx. Rear Lowering Part Number Sug. Retail Photo
Sport Spring Typ CR1 1.4 1.3 29152 $ 329.00 Kit

[JAVI]

No one yet, I guess.

[3+5]

You must be kidding. Who's wife is going to appreciate a drop? First time she comes in a driveway and scrapes the bumper cover, your ass has had it. I'd be leaving well enough alone. Drop my 3 first (alright) !!

[3+5]

http://www.mazdaspeeders.com/index.php?topic=26267.0

[JAVI]

You must be kidding. Who's wife is going to appreciate a drop? First time she comes in a driveway and scrapes the bumper cover, your ass has had it. I'd be leaving well enough alone. Drop my 3 first (alright) !!

For most of us that is the case. In my upside down world: I work nights, so I'm home most days with the kids. I drive the 5 alot more than I get to drive the 3. I think it's cool that I haven't seen another 5 on the street yet, much less a modded, albeit slightly, one. I can definately see myself giving the 5 the Kenstyle treatment. The 3 is staying stock.

[InFeXIoN]

shit, theres a black honda odessey around here, with a kit, rims and lowered. Even the license plate is in the front windshield and this lady drives it. Its pretty cool lookin.

[JAVI]

I had an Odyssey before. Nice minivan.

[Kid Red]

For most of us that is the case. In my upside down world: I work nights, so I'm home most days with the kids. I drive the 5 alot more than I get to drive the 3. I think it's cool that I haven't seen another 5 on the street yet, much less a modded, albeit slightly, one. I can definately see myself giving the 5 the Kenstyle treatment. The 3 is staying stock.

The second pic you posted (can't figure out how to repost it) know where we can get that shorter antenna?

[JAVI]

Here are a couple of links:

http://**********************/enigma/

http://www.carccessory.com/product.asp?key=Stubby_Short_Antenna_

Take you pick.

[Kid Red]

Killer, thanks!

[canadianexpress]

Here are a couple of links:

http://**********************/enigma/

http://www.carccessory.com/product.asp?key=Stubby_Short_Antenna_

Take you pick.

I guess with the stubby, you won't have to remove it when going through a car wash?