The Mazda3 is dropped!

Post by **Johnf514** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:07 am

Finally got the Eibach Pro-kit on the Mazda3. Took about 6 hours (as we literally disassembled the entire rear suspension before figuring out we only had to remove one bolt

), and the front suspension needs a little tightening against the strut housing, but other than that, here she is:

Apologies for the blur:

hockeystyx16 · Post by **hockeystyx16** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:12 am

looks great John, all it needs is some bigger rims and less sidewall to make the wheels flow better with the wheelgap

hows it corner?

Sypher · Post by **Sypher** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:13 am

hmmm... Still looks a little high compared to other MZ3 with a prokit... hopefully it will settle!
Rims time

noob5,000,000 · Post by **noob5,000,000** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:27 am

Lookin good. Definitely need some rims now.

NonChalant · Post by **NonChalant** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:42 am

looks real good. makes me slightly envious

Warner · Post by **Warner** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:03 am

Looks nice. +1 to getting new wheels.

six · Post by **six** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:44 am

Cool

Looks good. I think it still looks good with the stock rims. Gives it kind of a "Civic hatch" type of feel, with the fat tires and small rims.

Post by **Johnf514** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 10:51 am

Thanks for the comments, guys.

hockstyx - it corners like a dream.

Hugs the road like a recovering alcoholic hugs a sponsor at an AA meeting.

six - I couldn't agree with you more. Personally, I like the smaller wheels with the drop.

Nonchalant - if you have any mechanically savvy friends and a little extra scratch, I highly recommend it. Especially with the 'stang - that thing rolled like a ship in a stormy sea. The install isn't too terribly hard either - it's just a matter of knowing what to do.

To everyone else, there will be no new wheels because I'm putting that money towards a bike. If I did get new wheels, I would only get the 17" OEM Mazda 5-spoke wheels. Everything else is just kinda ricey.

Seems like I didn't tighten the nut holding the strut into the triangular housing on the passenger front wheel, and it's making a clattering sound when hitting bumps. Hopefully a shop can get that tightened down, as I don't have the proper tools.

Other than that, no problems. The ride is noticeably more firm, but not bone-jarring. Nosedive and roll have been all but eliminated. It makes the car feel a lot more confident on the road and through corners.

Sypher · Post by **Sypher** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:33 pm

Johnf514 wrote:
To everyone else, there will be no new wheels because I'm putting that money towards a bike. If I did get new wheels, I would only get the 17" OEM Mazda 5-spoke wheels. Everything else is just kinda ricey.

These wheels (off a MZ5) looks damn good on a mz3 ... you should consider these. They're 17 inchers

Post by **Johnf514** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:00 pm

Those don't look too bad, Sypher. If things go well, I'll have to check them out.

Leedeth · Post by **Leedeth** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:23 pm

Erm...it doesn't look dropped.

Need bettar pics. The shadow on the left screws up the perspective of the drop.

Post by **Johnf514** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:32 pm

Yup - bad shadows. It's gone from 4 fingers all around to 2 fingers. About 1.2 inches.

Bodder · Post by **Bodder** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 2:41 pm

Johnf514 wrote:gone from 4 fingers all around to 2 fingers.

Out of Context Quotations FTW

Bawked · Post by **Bawked** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:07 pm

Hmmm do people around here want cars dropped so low there is no wheel gap ? They are always complaining that the drop wasn't enough... It's not practical to go lower!

Post by **Johnf514** » Mon Mar 03, 2008 3:57 pm

Agreed, Bawked. The car will settle another 5-10mm over the next week or two, and with Orlando roads, I don't want to drop below 1.3 inches or so. It's just too damn low. This is my daily driver.

Also, unless you have a purpose, dropping that low just looks ricey.