H&R / 17x9

[granTORRESmo]

Wassup guys, I'm thinking of buying a 2012 Mazda 5. I'm thinking of mods already, but first I need to know if the mods are realistic for a family. I'm thinking of lowering and putting some aggressive wheels.

Are the H&R spring too stiff for a baby and a wife riding along?

Would lowering the car void the warranty?

How long would the stock shocks last with H&R?

Can 17x9 +45 rpf1 wheels fit on a 2012 Mazda 5?

 

[DKaz]

H&Rs will be slightly stiffer but not teeth rattling stiff.

Lowering wouldn't void the entire vehicle's warranty, but I highly recommend getting a set of front struts and mounts and mounting the lowering springs onto those, and have your stock springs and front struts on standby. The rear springs take 30 minutes each tops to replace so if you ever develop a problem with your rear shocks and want to replace them under warranty, just quickly replace the rear springs with stock, easy peasy. But rear shocks are only $80 a pair on Amazon and also take 30 minutes each tops to replace. You don't need spring compressors for the rear, just a few appropriately sized sockets: a deep socket 12mm and a standard 14mm and 17mm. There is a DIY on the 2006-10 forum.

 

[ukulele]

I am thinking the same things man...

There's a guy on here with a 5, he got 18 inch Speed3 wheels on his 5 and it looks awesome, the way I see it, there's less of a chance a dealer will void the powertrain warranty if you put different wheels, but my experience with Mazda dealers leads me to believe they will make up any excuse. Then again, how can they void your powertrain warranty if you physically lower the vehicle?? Might void the other stuff though, like the steering/suspension part of the warranty, but they can say that your front differential got ruined because you used wrong sized wheels/tires. This of course usually applies only to when you have 2 different sized tires on each side which is a big no-no.

Just by simply getting lower profile and wider tires, it may look better by filling up the wheel well, and changing wheels to go to the dealer is a 10 min job. Just a suggestion before you drop with H&Rs.

 

[granTORRESmo]

H&Rs will be slightly stiffer but not teeth rattling stiff.

Lowering wouldn't void the entire vehicle's warranty, but I highly recommend getting a set of front struts and mounts and mounting the lowering springs onto those, and have your stock springs and front struts on standby. The rear springs take 30 minutes each tops to replace so if you ever develop a problem with your rear shocks and want to replace them under warranty, just quickly replace the rear springs with stock, easy peasy. But rear shocks are only $80 a pair on Amazon and also take 30 minutes each tops to replace.

Wow! Thanks man, thats actually a really good idea! Never thought of just getting another set of complete front struts n just swapping when things go bad. Nice

 

[granTORRESmo]

I am thinking the same things man

Thanks for insights!