Official Update re: Koni for MS3

[nhluhr]

So, I emailed Koni the other day asking when they'd have an approved application for Koni dampers on MS3 and they replied with this:

We just had a Mazda Speed 3 in the building for testing this week. We have determined that you can use either the KONI Sport yellow shocks or the KONI FSD shocks on it. We did not test the spring kits but the actual shocks will work. We just have not yet updated our website with the change. I will get that taken care of.

Thank You,

S Hamilton

-----Original Message-----
name : nhluhr
address :
phone :
fax :
Comments : I am curious if/when Koni plans to release a Strut/Shock set for the 2007+ Mazdaspeed3? I see there is a current offering for the non-turbo Mazda3 but that it exludes the Mazdaspeed3. Are there any drawbacks to using the MZ3 kit on the MS3? When might I expect to see a good solution? FYI, I am using the Mazdaspeed Sport uprated springs (advertised 30% increase in rates).
uword : shoe
SUBMIT : Submit Query
CFID : 18265896
CFTOKEN : 25096491
BEENHERE : http://www.koni-na.com

and the application note on the website has been changed to reflect:
Mazda 04-08 3 Sedan and Hatchback, incl Mazda Sport Susp & Mazda Speed 3 - Sport (Yellow)

 

[ZooMIN3]

good stuff... how much are the base MZ3 going for? yeah... i don't feel like googlin...lol

 

[nhluhr]

$692 for the 4-corner set, plus shipping (for the Sport adjustables)

 

[iredremix]

oooo a new toy!

 

[jbiird317]

awesome, i emailed koni like 6 months ago and got no response, glad you got through to them

 

[ZooMIN3]

$692 for the 4-corner set, plus shipping (for the Sport adjustables)

hmm... i may look into these... =p

 

[Yoo Shin]

Koni Yellows + Eibach or Cobb Springs would be a great value that would probably be better then most budget coilover sets like the BCs.

 

[DrZoidberg]

Has anyone else done this yet? More reviews would be cool.

 

[bacarl]

Just because the shocks physically fit (aka "work") doesn't necessarily mean they're a good match to MS3 spring rates, does it?

Do the Yellows have an advertised range of spring rates that they're optimized to?

Are the "FSD" dampers the Sport Adjustables, and could those be used with various springs due to their adjustability?

Thanks for the info nhluhr!

 

[nhluhr]

FSD are not adjustable.

Sport Adjustables (Yellows) are obviously adjustable.

They don't say what springrate they are best used for but then, the stock shocks are probably even less suited for aftermarket springs and at least with the Yellows, the rebound is adjustable.

 

[Yoo Shin]

With my Subaru I played the whole match strut A with spring X game and it took going through 4 sets of springs before I found the feel and handling that I was looking for with the set of Tokico D Specs struts, but from what I learned in my case and from what I've seen in many others is that you don't want to go "cheap" on either aspect.

The D Spec struts were decent but my first few spings were not matched in the quality. I finally ended up with a set of RCE springs that cost $400 but was an absolute perfect fit for the struts, allowing me to actually used the full flexability of dampening adjustment feature to vary the suspension tuning, where as with cheap springs (in one case Tein H Techs) I had to hit a sweet spot on the dampening to just get a decent ride quality but no real handling benifit.

The Koni Yellows have an awesome rep at the track and going with a quality spring such as the MS3 specific Eibachs, Cobbs, or H&Rs would probably work very well.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

Keep in mind that from what I've read, the rear shocks are not easily adjustable like the fronts. I believe they require removal to adjust them. Kinda a bummer. I'm still torn between these and just going with BC coilovers for about $150 more.

 

[nhluhr]

that is correct - the adjuster on Konis is meant to be turned axially... with a normal shock (not a strut like the front), there's no way to integrate a knob on a koni mechanism since you have pivot bushings at both ends... so you have to unbolt at least one end and turn it manually.

The rep from Koni said a good starting point with my Mazdaspeed Sport springs would be to set it at '2' and go from there.

 

[FrequentFlyer]

That's unfortunate. I used to have KYB AGX's on my Miata which featured a knob on the side of the shock body. Very easy to adjust. All it took was reaching around the tire and turning the knob, which "clicked" into place at the next setting.

 

[Conso]

i hav koni yellow adj struts, they own

 

[Yoo Shin]

EEK the rear adjustment is a big negative for me. I need to be able to access them quick enough. With my Tokicos, even using the little hex wrenches to adjust dampening was a PITA.

That reminds me, I wonder if anybody as tried the EDFC with the Tein SS for the MS3.

 

[bacarl]

i hav koni yellow adj struts, they own

Do you have Yellow rear shocks too? What springs are ya using?

 

[derspi]

Every car I've ridden in with Koni Yellows always had a huge tradeoff between ride comfort and increased handling. Sure they're great on a track and reduce roll quite a bit considering it's just a shock upgrade but damn, maybe I'm getting old, they always ride way too stiff for a DD even at their softest setting.

 

[boosthead]

maybe I'm getting old, they always ride way too stiff for a DD even at their softest setting.

Hmm.. I disagree. I have had Konis on a number of cars and most importantly on my 3. With the Konis at full soft, the ride better controlled than stock but very plush. The ride is firm yet compliant up to 3/4 stiff. Beyond that point, they become too stiff for me for daily driving.

 

[derspi]

^^

Have yet to drive or ride in a Mazda3 with Koni Yellows but the problem stems from the fact that at full soft, I felt a lack of rebound (Yellows are only adjustable for rebound) and that would require pushing it up a notch or two in stiffness. But at that point, it gets pretty firm and even somewhat jarring for the street. I never said the ride wasn't controlled, perhaps a bit TOO controlled so it felt a bit harsh to my sensitive backside.