does anyone have any pics of there mazda 3 lowered

[Greenbread]

?

[ProtegeES03]

try searching on cardomain.

[FC3s Boy]

some h & r's we put on a mazda 3

[uclap5]

heres a shot of my friends 3 lowered on eibachs taken a couple hours after the install.

[rbmazda3]

heres a shot of my friends 3 lowered on eibachs taken a couple hours after the install.
Must be Pro-Kit. I've got Sportlines for mine. I will post pics as soon as I get them in.

[goldwing2000]

Click on the link in my signature.

It's funny. Now whenever I see a 5-door that isn't lowered, it looks weird to me. :D

[M3 5MT]

Barely looks different, especially the shot with the 15" rims.

[flipped cracker]

before lowering:
http://flippedcracker.net/3/06_27_04_12.jpg

after lowering on eibachs:
http://flippedcracker.net/3/P8040011.JPG

[M3 5MT]

wow, and that's the pro kit. I can see it now, looks good.

[rbmazda3]

before lowering:
http://flippedcracker.net/3/06_27_04_12.jpg

after lowering on eibachs:
http://flippedcracker.net/3/P8040011.JPG
Are you wishing you would have waited for the Sportlines or are you completely content with the Pro-Kit?

[m_long84]

Why not just fork out the extra money and get the D2 coilovers and then you could make it ride really low and still have a fully tunable suspension. I was planning on getting springs and then a good set of dampers. The coilovers are cheaper than what the springs and dampers would be.

[Badger Biker]

Any of you guys who have lowered your vehicles have any problems with excessive scraping of the ground?

That's the one thing I am worried about if I lower the car...

[flipped cracker]

i'm perfectly happy with the pro-kit. i wouldn't want it any lower. and i haven't had any problems with it scraping. i have issues with my stocks (i think they're blown already) but that's it. when i first put the springs on, it wasn't much different from stock (which is actually a good thing) but now it's super bouncy. i'm sure once i get some decent shocks, it'll be 10x better.

[goldwing2000]

I don't gave any problems scraping the ground at all. I occasionally get too close to a curb or parking block but never anything while driving.

To answer m_long84's question:
How do you figure coilovers are cheaper?

Springs: $225
New Mazdaspeed Dampers: Haven't found the need for them but $200.
Coilovers: $925-$2000

Besides that, coilovers haven't been available for very long. Most of us did our pro-kits when it was the only game going.

[m_long84]

I was looking at the Mazda Speed sport springs which are $417 off of corksport or $357 off of japanparts.com. The mazdaspeed dampers are more than $200 also. On corksport they are $191 Ea. and on japanparts.com they are $336 a pair. I couldn't find Tokico's for the 3 but for the protege they are listed as the HP's (set of 4, non-adjustable) for $369, and the Illumina's (set of 4, adjustable) for $569. I'm sure the ones for the 3 would be similar in price or a little more.if you add all of that up. The mazdaspeed parts on the low end are gonna be $1029. If you get Eibach's and the Mazdaspeed Dampers it will be $897. and if you do the Eibach's and the adjustable Tokico's it will still run you $794. I don't see how any of those numbers are that far off of $900 for the D2 coilovers. I understand that they weren't out when many of you put lowering springs on your car, but this seems like the better option to me since you can adjust the ride height from 1.2"-3" and they have 36-way adjustable dampening, not to mention that you can also order custom spring rates. That's just my .02 though.

[goldwing2000]

My bad... I didn't see that the price was $191 each. (hand)

Still and all... I still have the stock dampers on mine and I'm perfectly happy.

I can't imagine any reason I would need 36-way adjustable dampers on a street car. (shrug)

[RED SP23]

This one is low!
http://www.photohost.org/gallery/showphoto.php?photo=1625
RED SP23

[DzzzMz2.3III]

?

Here is mine.. sits pretty well handles great!

[rbmazda3]

I was looking at the Mazda Speed sport springs which are $417 off of corksport or $357 off of japanparts.com. The mazdaspeed dampers are more than $200 also. On corksport they are $191 Ea. and on japanparts.com they are $336 a pair. I couldn't find Tokico's for the 3 but for the protege they are listed as the HP's (set of 4, non-adjustable) for $369, and the Illumina's (set of 4, adjustable) for $569. I'm sure the ones for the 3 would be similar in price or a little more.if you add all of that up. The mazdaspeed parts on the low end are gonna be $1029. If you get Eibach's and the Mazdaspeed Dampers it will be $897. and if you do the Eibach's and the adjustable Tokico's it will still run you $794. I don't see how any of those numbers are that far off of $900 for the D2 coilovers. I understand that they weren't out when many of you put lowering springs on your car, but this seems like the better option to me since you can adjust the ride height from 1.2"-3" and they have 36-way adjustable dampening, not to mention that you can also order custom spring rates. That's just my .02 though.

Why are you so set on Mazdaspeed stuff. Personally I think their parts are over rated and over priced. Tokico Blues are great and they make an entire kit for the Protege for 500 bux. I'm sure they will eventually make a kit for the 3. Not only that...but come on...you would set your ride height, rebound and compression dampning and never touch it again. Unless you are a serious autocross nut, fully adjustable suspensions are not needed. Save your money on the suspension and spend it elsewhere.

Just my $.02.

[M3 5MT]

I don't gave any problems scraping the ground at all. I occasionally get too close to a curb or parking block but never anything while driving.

That's what I'm worried about, I keep on scopin out my car when I park to see just how high it is relative to curbs, and a few times I've gone too far and the front end of the car has been over the curb (clears it by less than half an inch). Once the car is lowered, getting too close to curbs will have bad results. But, it only applys when parking in the city. You've also gotta watch out for steep inclines when entering gas stations and such.

[goldwing2000]

I haven't had a problem with inclined driveways but I generally hit them at an angle to minimize any chance of scrapage.

As far as the parking blocks go, you just have to back off a bit. These cars are short enough that we don't have to go all the way up to the tires to keep the ass-end from sticking out in the aisle. It'll just take some practice.

You could probably come up with some sort of skid plate to mount up there so you know when it's hitting before it actually causes any damage.

[m_long84]

Why are you so set on Mazdaspeed stuff. Personally I think their parts are over rated and over priced. Tokico Blues are great and they make an entire kit for the Protege for 500 bux. I'm sure they will eventually make a kit for the 3. Not only that...but come on...you would set your ride height, rebound and compression dampning and never touch it again. Unless you are a serious autocross nut, fully adjustable suspensions are not needed. Save your money on the suspension and spend it elsewhere.

Just my $.02.

I'm not so much interested in anything else other than being able to adjust my ride height. All that other stuff is just a bonus of having coilovers. I live in "rural" Nebraska where the summers are nice and the winters are not. I want my car to sit low in the summer, but I want to be able to put some good winter tires on it and make it ride higher so I don't have that much trouble getting around. I suppose that you would expect me to switch out suspensions season after season? I think that the coilovers will do just fine. I'm not worried about spending a little extra $$$ on suspension as I'm sure that my car will endure a few track days. Better to have it when you need it than not.

[RED SP23]

Here is mine.. sits pretty well handles great!

Love those wheels, can they be obtained in 18"s RED SP23

[NZ_Mazda3]

If you really want to see what you Mazda3 (or any other car) looks like mod'ed then check out this site. It allows you to pick your car, change it's colour, wheels & drop it to the ground!!

http://www.modifymycar.com/home.html

[M3 5MT]

If you really want to see what you Mazda3 (or any other car) looks like mod'ed then check out this site. It allows you to pick your car, change it's colour, wheels & drop it to the ground!!

http://www.modifymycar.com/home.html

boo 5-door only. (no)

[shibaman]

H&R springs, Centerline Wheels

[M3 5MT]

wow alpine white + chrome = beautiful

[shibaman]

Actually the rims are polished. A little flashy for me, but I got a deal on them from Centerline direct. I would have prefered the RPMs with a painted finish but they were still 200$ ea. on sale. I had the RPMs on my Vibe. Damn lug pattern was different so I had to sell them.

[Grey Ghost]

I'm not so much interested in anything else other than being able to adjust my ride height. All that other stuff is just a bonus of having coilovers. I live in "rural" Nebraska where the summers are nice and the winters are not. I want my car to sit low in the summer, but I want to be able to put some good winter tires on it and make it ride higher so I don't have that much trouble getting around. I suppose that you would expect me to switch out suspensions season after season? I think that the coilovers will do just fine. I'm not worried about spending a little extra $$$ on suspension as I'm sure that my car will endure a few track days. Better to have it when you need it than not.

H&R used to carry a "Dune Buggy" Plus 1 Minus 1 coilover. It would be just perfect for you if they have the fitment for you. And no, it wasn't for dune buggys, it was for Rally cars. Don't forget to check your needs for off-sets.

Grey Ghost

[M3 5MT]

Actually the rims are polished. A little flashy for me, but I got a deal on them from Centerline direct. I would have prefered the RPMs with a painted finish but they were still 200$ ea. on sale. I had the RPMs on my Vibe. Damn lug pattern was different so I had to sell them.

That's some serious polish, looks chrome.

[rbmazda3]

I'm not so much interested in anything else other than being able to adjust my ride height. All that other stuff is just a bonus of having coilovers. I live in "rural" Nebraska where the summers are nice and the winters are not. I want my car to sit low in the summer, but I want to be able to put some good winter tires on it and make it ride higher so I don't have that much trouble getting around. I suppose that you would expect me to switch out suspensions season after season? I think that the coilovers will do just fine. I'm not worried about spending a little extra $$$ on suspension as I'm sure that my car will endure a few track days. Better to have it when you need it than not.

Na...I wouldn't expect you to do that! Where do you live in NE? Lincoln? I'm not opposed to spending $$$ on coilovers. I had them on my 2003 Accord. But I never adjusted the height once I got it set where I wanted it. It is not that fun adjusting the ride height. Takes time and a cool head.

[m_long84]

Na...I wouldn't expect you to do that! Where do you live in NE? Lincoln? I'm not opposed to spending $$$ on coilovers. I had them on my 2003 Accord. But I never adjusted the height once I got it set where I wanted it. It is not that fun adjusting the ride height. Takes time and a cool head.

I actually am going to school in Kearney at the University right now. Don't know if you know where that is or not? but it's about 2 hours west of Lincoln. I didn't figure that I would mind adjusting them since I would probably only be doing it like twice every year. I kinda figured it wouldn't be that much fun, but I guess that's the price that I will have to pay.

Grey Ghost,
What were you talking about off-set for? I'm aware of this terminology someone is shopping for wheeels but not coilovers.

[Grey Ghost]

I actually am going to school in Kearney at the University right now. Don't know if you know where that is or not? but it's about 2 hours west of Lincoln. I didn't figure that I would mind adjusting them since I would probably only be doing it like twice every year. I kinda figured it wouldn't be that much fun, but I guess that's the price that I will have to pay.

Grey Ghost,
What were you talking about off-set for? I'm aware of this terminology someone is shopping for wheeels but not coilovers.

Sorry, what I meant to say is be sure to check your wheel offset as some coilovers, when used with stock wheel/tire combinations, require wheel spacers. I checked the H&R site and they only list sport springs for a 2004 Mazda 3. The +1 -1 coilovers I was looking at were for my 98 GTIVR6 (Which I sold) and required the spacers for the stock wheels.
Grey Ghost

[m_long84]

That's cool man, I kinda thought that was what you were talking about. I'm actually ordering a new set of wheels before I order the coilovers. I'm getting the ROH Shift R's in Advan Gold. The only downside is that I have to special order them from Australia and they won't be here until June. Buth then again that just gives me time to save.

[rbmazda3]

Back on subject...I just made an appointment to get my Sportlines installed. First thing Thursday morning and it will be done by noon and I should have some pics on here shortly after. Hurray (yippy)

[rbmazda3]

It needs a wash but here it is. A Sportline drop!! :)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/536000-536999/536466_31_full.jpg

[z0iid]

Honestly - I don't see the point of lowering the 3. It looks great the way it is, and I trust the Mazda engineers as far as the handling goes. I seriously doubt that Eibach spent as much R&D when the put out the pro-kit.

Only thing I would change (my wife drives the 5-door 3, I drive an s13) - is to spend money on some advan tires. (not wheels, tires! - but good luck finding them)

Then when the mazdaspeed version comes out (hopefully AWD) my wife will trade hers in for that one, swap out the turbo for a ball bearing GT28-RS(unless it comes with one), then throw on some AO48's or AO38's (AO49's for the rain) ( http://msj.advan.com/product/index.jsp ).

Go to the track with that, and put STi and EVO drivers to shame.

[djltoronto]

Honestly - I don't see the point of lowering the 3. It looks great the way it is, and I trust the Mazda engineers as far as the handling goes. I seriously doubt that Eibach spent as much R&D when the put out the pro-kit.

Only thing I would change (my wife drives the 5-door 3, I drive an s13) - is to spend money on some advan tires. (not wheels, tires! - but good luck finding them)

Then when the mazdaspeed version comes out (hopefully AWD) my wife will trade hers in for that one, swap out the turbo for a ball bearing GT28-RS(unless it comes with one), then throw on some AO48's or AO38's (AO49's for the rain) ( http://msj.advan.com/product/index.jsp ).

Go to the track with that, and put STi and EVO drivers to shame.

I'm sure Mazda did spend more time and money for R&D of their springs than Eibach did. But Mazda's Criteria was not the same as Eibach's.

Mazda spent time coming up with what they considered the perfect balance between handling and comfort.

Eibach simply sacrifices some of the comfort for enhanced handling!

It's just a matter of preference.

I'm sure everyone will agree that a car that is lowered with firmer springs than factory will handle better (and ride more hash) than the factory configuration.

Mazda didn't fail in this respect. I'm sure they designed exactly the handling VS. comfort trade off they intended!

[rbmazda3]

Honestly - I don't see the point of lowering the 3. It looks great the way it is, and I trust the Mazda engineers as far as the handling goes. I seriously doubt that Eibach spent as much R&D when the put out the pro-kit.

Only thing I would change (my wife drives the 5-door 3, I drive an s13) - is to spend money on some advan tires. (not wheels, tires! - but good luck finding them)

Then when the mazdaspeed version comes out (hopefully AWD) my wife will trade hers in for that one, swap out the turbo for a ball bearing GT28-RS(unless it comes with one), then throw on some AO48's or AO38's (AO49's for the rain) ( http://msj.advan.com/product/index.jsp ).

Go to the track with that, and put STi and EVO drivers to shame.

All I can say is..."To each his own!" I've slammed every car I've owned and lifted every truck! I'm a tuner...it's what I do! :)

[z0iid]

my s13 is lowered...i actually don't see a problem with suspension upgrades...but my car is 16 yrs old....the technology has changed, more is available. Plus, I didn't just put tein coilovers on - i put cusco front and rear sway bars, tein tension rods, tein tie rod ends, toe control, upgraded upper and lower control arms....

when you just upgrade the springs.....or even the springs and shocks....you are only changing one part of the suspension...the rest of the suspension is designed to work with the original spring rate, height etc of the stock engineered suspension.

Not to mention, that the cars ability to hold itself together, was designed based on the bumpiness of the stock suspension setup - over time, you will begin to hear rattles.

the mazda 3 has the latest technology as far as suspension goes....until other suspension parts become available - in my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice by lowering it.

/my 1/50th of a dollar

[rbmazda3]

my s13 is lowered...i actually don't see a problem with suspension upgrades...but my car is 16 yrs old....the technology has changed, more is available. Plus, I didn't just put tein coilovers on - i put cusco front and rear sway bars, tein tension rods, tein tie rod ends, toe control, upgraded upper and lower control arms....

when you just upgrade the springs.....or even the springs and shocks....you are only changing one part of the suspension...the rest of the suspension is designed to work with the original spring rate, height etc of the stock engineered suspension.

Not to mention, that the cars ability to hold itself together, was designed based on the bumpiness of the stock suspension setup - over time, you will begin to hear rattles.

the mazda 3 has the latest technology as far as suspension goes....until other suspension parts become available - in my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice by lowering it.

/my 1/50th of a dollar

The 240sx has been around for a while. They have been on the track both in Japan and the US for years. The availability of aftermarket suspension components is huge in comparison to the 2004+ Mazda 3. We work with what we have.

Most spring manufactures have an R & D department and don't just pull springs out their collective a$$es. I'm sure it's not as intensive as say a race development group, but I'm sure it will be fine for the 3 years I will own this car.

[djltoronto]

my s13 is lowered...i actually don't see a problem with suspension upgrades...but my car is 16 yrs old....the technology has changed, more is available. Plus, I didn't just put tein coilovers on - i put cusco front and rear sway bars, tein tension rods, tein tie rod ends, toe control, upgraded upper and lower control arms....

when you just upgrade the springs.....or even the springs and shocks....you are only changing one part of the suspension...the rest of the suspension is designed to work with the original spring rate, height etc of the stock engineered suspension.

Not to mention, that the cars ability to hold itself together, was designed based on the bumpiness of the stock suspension setup - over time, you will begin to hear rattles.

the mazda 3 has the latest technology as far as suspension goes....until other suspension parts become available - in my opinion, you are doing yourself a disservice by lowering it.

/my 1/50th of a dollar
I see your point, but wouldn't go as far as to call it a disservice. I intent to change more than just the springe and shocks... but I have no choice but to wait for parts availabilty!

[Timmay35]

I see your point, but wouldn't go as far as to call it a disservice. I intent to change more than just the springe and shocks... but I have no choice but to wait for parts availabilty!

I have a 2005 Mazda 3i, it has the stock steel 15" rims. I just ordered some 18"s click here (http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/18-Black-Wheel-5-Lug-Mazda-TL-Accord-xB-Avenger-CRV-Rim_W0QQitemZ250141337788QQihZ015QQcategoryZ43958Q QssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem) Do I need to lower the car so it will look right? I am putting the rims on this week, so I was thinking of ordering these springs click here (http://www.raceinspired.com/pc-2399-21-eibach-sportline-lowering-spring-mazda-3-2004-2005.aspx)which is a 2" drop. Is that too much? I just want the car to look good but not excessive, and not have it rub. Your thoughts?

Thanks
Tim

[BHOUST528]

Are you wishing you would have waited for the Sportlines or are you completely content with the Pro-Kit?

i like this drop looks good on the stock wheels...(cool)

[BHOUST528]

It needs a wash but here it is. A Sportline drop!! :)

http://memimage.cardomain.net/member_images/8/web/536000-536999/536466_31_full.jpg

that is it i think im sold now...is this more of an agressive drop than the pro kit? if so then im gonna go with the pro kit if not sportline it is for me

[rbmazda3]

that is it i think im sold now...is this more of an agressive drop than the pro kit? if so then im gonna go with the pro kit if not sportline it is for me

yes the Sportline is a more aggresive drop than the Pro Kit.