Corksport Lowering Springs Installed

[tibimakai]

I'm not convinced either.
They should be here, I agree.
On my previous car 08' VW Rabbit(Golf 5) I have done this lowering without any adjustment(not possible) and I had to replace tires much sooner.
Now, I'm trying to be smarter with the CX5.

 

[paris1]

I'm not convinced either.
They should be here, I agree.
On my previous car 08' VW Rabbit(Golf 5) I have done this lowering without any adjustment(not possible) and I had to replace tires much sooner.
Now, I'm trying to be smarter with the CX5.

That's why I'm reconsidering the H&R option. It seems enough owners have used these springs with their 1.5"/1.75" drop and it doesn't seem to cause enough negative camber at either end to negatively impact tire wear. Otherwise, I suspect someone would have commented on it here or elsewhere. The one thing I really dislike about my CX-5, appearance-wise, is the overall height and the fender gaps. I even suspect that, with a moderate drop such as H&R offers, the stock 17" wheels on my touring model would look better proportioned. So I would really like to do this mod and this may be the year I jump in. PS: I make no claims to being an early adopter!

 

[CX-SV]

That's why I'm reconsidering the H&R option. It seems enough owners have used these springs with their 1.5"/1.75" drop and it doesn't seem to cause enough negative camber at either end to negatively impact tire wear. Otherwise, I suspect someone would have commented on it here or elsewhere. The one thing I really dislike about my CX-5, appearance-wise, is the overall height and the fender gaps. I even suspect that, with a moderate drop such as H&R offers, the stock 17" wheels on my touring model would look better proportioned. So I would really like to do this mod and this may be the year I jump in. PS: I make no claims to being an early adopter!

I would expect that drop to have minimal impact on tire wear too.

The CX-5 GT on 19's looks reasonably proportioned and looks reasonable sporty to my eye, kind of like a base current gen Cayenne.

But my primary concern is ride quality sacrifice. My feeling is the ride/handling combo is pretty nicely dialed in by Mazda on my GT. Are you concerned about impact on ride quality?

 

[paris1]

I would expect that drop to have minimal impact on tire wear too. But my primary concern is ride quality sacrifice. My feeling is the ride/handling combo is pretty nicely dialed in by Mazda on my GT. Are you concerned about impact on ride quality?

Yes, I am. I'm not particularly enamored with the ride quality of the stock setup (but recognize that as the trade-off for a better handling CUV) and I am concerned that the H&Rs will make it ride more stiffly. I'm feeling like I might want to take that chance in order to get the damn thing down on its suspension where it belongs! I'm also thinking that this is not in irreversible change and that if I'm not happy with it, it won't break me to put it back to stock. I plan on changing the springs myself, so my only cash outlay (besides the parts, which I could resell) would be for alignment. Penny for your thoughts?

 

[CX-SV]

Yes, I am. I'm not particularly enamored with the ride quality of the stock setup (but recognize that as the trade-off for a better handling CUV) and I am concerned that the H&Rs will make it ride more stiffly. I'm feeling like I might want to take that chance in order to get the damn thing down on its suspension where it belongs! I'm also thinking that this is not in irreversible change and that if I'm not happy with it, it won't break me to put it back to stock I plan on changing the springs myself, so my only cash outlay (besides the parts, which I could resell) would be for alignment. Penny for your thoughts?

My $.02 (doubt if it's even worth that, lol) is it's a bit of $200-$250 gamble when you include installation, alignment plus another $200-$250 to remove/realign if you don't like it, assuming you resell springs at no loss. To me the issue is less about the money because I do expect a bigger deterioration in ride quality than the handling gain and appearance gain on my GT would justify.

And it's not that I'm universally opposed to this kind of mod. For example my Lexus IS is lowered 1" on Eibach350/Fsport springs and the moderate ride quality reduction is a reasonable trade-off for the slighty improved handling and big improvement in appearance. But that's a sport sedan.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

over 29000 mile on my springs. no damaged suspension components, or messed up tires. If you are going to do the install yourself, my as well try it for yourself. Can't let another's perspective on of ride quality/noise be the kicker. Personally noise is not an issue for me. Point is moot unless it's cold (right now) I drive highway speeds + with my windows down. Larger wheels and stiffer springs here.. I don't drive on dirt roads and unless I'm hitting a pothole (which I tend to avoid) ride quality is fine. Noise and feel are very subjective, you will need to experience it yourself.

 

[paris1]

over 29000 mile on my springs. no damaged suspension components, or messed up tires. If you are going to do the install yourself, my as well try it for yourself. Can't let another's perspective on of ride quality/noise be the kicker. Personally noise is not an issue for me. Point is moot unless it's cold (right now) I drive highway speeds + with my windows down. Larger wheels and stiffer springs here.. I don't drive on dirt roads and unless I'm hitting a pothole (which I tend to avoid) ride quality is fine. Noise and feel are very subjective, you will need to experience it yourself.

I assume CX-SV missed the point that I would do the install myself, so the cost downside is minimal if I didn't like the result (2 4-wheel alignments @89/per). This is not to discount the hassle factor though if I did choose to put it back to stock. As for noise, I don't think that's a consideration here, especially on stock wheels and tires. To play the devil's advocate on ride quality though, you no doubt have better roads in TX than we do in CA (Can they get any worse? Michigan, maybe.), but you can't always avoid potholes and many of our roads here in Northern Calif. (especially secondary roads) are in pretty poor condition these days. So ride quality degradation is a consideration; more for some than others.

 

[CX-SV]

I assume CX-SV missed the point that I would do the install myself, so the cost downside is minimal if I didn't like the result (2 4-wheel alignments @89/per). This is not to discount the hassle factor though if I did choose to put it back to stock. As for noise, I don't think that's a consideration here, especially on stock wheels and tires. To play the devil's advocate on ride quality though, you no doubt have better roads in TX than we do in CA (Can they get any worse? Michigan, maybe.), but you can't always avoid potholes and many of our roads here in Northern Calif. (especially secondary roads) are in pretty poor condition these days. So ride quality degradation is a consideration; more for some than others.

Good points, agreed the cost issue for you is not a significant factor and change in noise level is not an issue without changing tires.

Obviously some people will have different tolerance levels for ride quality deterioration (and noise levels too), my perspective is a bit finicky. Yes, our roads in much of CA are marginal at best even with our moderate climate.

 

[tibimakai]

To me, the H&R seems like not enough drop and the Corksport is to much drop. It would be nice something around 2.5". I will install it myself, I did it on my VW. I'm not worried about the ride, it will be better. Most likely I will go with H&R.

 

[paris1]

To me, the H&R seems like not enough drop and the Corksport is to much drop. It would be nice something around 2.5". I will install it myself, I did it on my VW. I'm not worried about the ride, it will be better. Most likely I will go with H&R.

???

 

[CX-SV]

To me, the H&R seems like not enough drop and the Corksport is to much drop. It would be nice something around 2.5". I will install it myself, I did it on my VW. I'm not worried about the ride, it will be better. Most likely I will go with H&R.

Same question above is still unanswered ^.

How did you conclude ride will be better? What springs are you talking about?

 

[SayNoToPistons]

Another unanswered question is what the spring rates are. Quite an important factor as most just slap springs on factory shocks which are valved to factory spring height and rates. Lowering than the engineered shock load and height rating means that the shocks will be perpetually loaded beyond their maximum range. In other words, failure will come quick. Every suspension should be modified accordingly as a system, not individual components.

 

[HelloMello]

Now that is a really good looking drop and tire wear does not bother me (drive 2500mi/yr) so I am really tempted. I really like it but I am waiting for some coilovers to dial in a perfect ride height for City and/or weekend driving. I really like the factory ride so I am hoping some more reviews will come online as well as spring rates (mentioned earlier) to make an informed decision. Price is cheap considering how many people will be stunned when they see it. I still can't decide which rims I will need to complete the transformation, but that is another topic.

 

[TexanCX5]

just got these installed, ride quality is more or less similar to my H&R's

if anyone is interested in my H&R's let me know im selling

contact brydon@corksport.com to get yours.

I have emailed Brydon twice about these and he has not responded.

 

[paris1]

I have emailed Brydon twice about these and he has not responded.

I contacted Brydon shortly after that post showed up here. As far as I could tell, covers was way out of line in giving out Brydon's contact info and saying that these springs are in stock and ready for sale/shipping. Brydon is the development engineer for Corksport and apparently covers has a set of springs for beta testing. He may or may not be the only one who has a set, but they certainly are not a production item as yet. Brydon was very helpful and answered several questions I had about the Corksport prototype and the H&R springs they have been selling. However it doesn't surprise me that he is not fielding any more emails concerning a product that is not yet ready for prime-time.

 

[Chris_Top_Her]

They no longer have H&R's, and do not have CX- springs either.

 

[TexanCX5]

I contacted Brydon shortly after that post showed up here. As far as I could tell, covers was way out of line in giving out Brydon's contact info and saying that these springs are in stock and ready for sale/shipping. Brydon is the development engineer for Corksport and apparently covers has a set of springs for beta testing. He may or may not be the only one who has a set, but they certainly are not a production item as yet. Brydon was very helpful and answered several questions I had about the Corksport prototype and the H&R springs they have been selling. However it doesn't surprise me that he is not fielding any more emails concerning a product that is not yet ready for prime-time.

Yea, that makes sense, just eager to get s set of these.

 

[CorkSport]

Brydon is not the go to guy for getting parts from us, he is the head engineer. He worked with the OP on getting a set out before they really are available.

We will have the springs available towards the end of the week. On our shop Cx5 the rear camber was not out of spec after installing a set of the springs but we did need to get the toe adjusted on the front which is normal for any lowering springs. I will have to double check on the front camber but I believe it was not far off.

-Derrick

 

[cjecpa]

Really like the look wonder how it would look with 19" wheels?

 

[paris1]

Don't know where that picture came from, but it sure as hell won't be that radical a drop!