2014 Mazda 3 Suspension

[xClintaye]

Hey guys, i just bought a Mazda 3 sp25 gt and i want to lower the suspension. Ive heard it can void the 3 year warranty but is that true or not? I have also heard from the clueless Mazda counter lady that installing coilovers can not void warranty unless the coilovers have caused any factory installed equipment to fail or break then they wont fix that, either you pay to fix the broken product or get repaired elsewhere, but this also means that any other part of the car is still covered. I live in Australia if that helps with anything :/ Very confused.

 

[BrianM3GS]

I have also heard from the clueless Mazda counter lady that installing coilovers can not void warranty unless the coilovers have caused any factory installed equipment to fail or break then they wont fix that, either you pay to fix the broken product or get repaired elsewhere, but this also means that any other part of the car is still covered.

She may be clueless in some other way, but this is exactly what I would expect. Is it not clear?

Mazda cannot be expected to pay for stuff that you broke, but at the same time there's no reason for you suspension mod to get them out of covering defects in unrelated parts of the car. The suspension mod could cause other components by overloading due to stiffer springs and limited travel. Perhaps even CV joints could suffer from running at a greater angle due to a very low ride height, although I doubt that's a big risk.

 

[concept]

The counter lady is correct, but the chance of a coilover system's damaging anything is fairly remote. If you buy lowering springs, only, as I have, then the shocks won't be covered, but shock failure within 3 years is highly unlikely unless the drop is extreme, like 2.5 inches or more.

 

[xClintaye]

so does that mean i am in the clear to go install coilovers. if anything happens then i fix it but if some engine problem goes wrong and they blame my coilovers for it then thats bulls***. as i said as long as it doesnt void the whole 3 yr warranty in general then i should be right correct?

 

[concept]

Here in California, it is illegal for an auto manufacturer, via dealership, to void a warranty if the defective part has no relation to an aftermarket (non-OEM) part. Hopefully, your state has a similar law. I've had my previously owned 2001 Corvette's door lock modules, rear differential gaskets, and smog pump check valves replaced under warranty, and the dealership never balked because of the Borla exhaust, Halltech intake, and C6 Z06 shifter installs. Those mods had nothing to do with the failed items.