Does anybody really have mz3 koni or bilstein on their mz5?

[njaremka]

Done.

Don't waste your time with any of the "cheaper" options, these are the dampers you want. Even with stock springs and set to the softest setting, these control the car SOOO much better then the stock dampers ever did. (including brand new OEM's) I think a full set of Koni's and a set of Racing Beat sway bars will make this car a very capable daily driver.

 

[granTORRESmo]

njaremka! You're the man!
Thanks for fallowing up about your install. It's now proven for me that mz3 koni yellow can be use on a mz5! Thank you very much

 

[granTORRESmo]

Hey njaremka, is just me or the koni seems longer than the stock shock?
Does that effect anything?

 

[njaremka]

Hey njaremka, is just me or the koni seems longer than the stock shock?
Does that effect anything?

its a little bit of an illusion. the actual shock body is the same length, the mounting eye at the base is a little bigger on the koni, and the piston rod is slightly longer on the koni. i doubt it will affect anything since the koni's are rated for a slight lowering from stock height.

 

[highfivezoom]

OK, i ordered the rear Koni yellows today......can't wait to get the kybs out!!!!

Thanks njaremka for your remarks and i will get back with my two cents.
Sounds like you were running them at the softest setting?????

 

[granTORRESmo]

Hello highfivezoom, did u order mz5 specific koni yellow?

 

[njaremka]

OK, i ordered the rear Koni yellows today......can't wait to get the kybs out!!!!

Thanks njaremka for your remarks and i will get back with my two cents.
Sounds like you were running them at the softest setting?????

yup, rears are set to the softest setting, which is still a little bit stiffer than stock.

 

[highfivezoom]

hi granTORRESmo,
Yes, the mazda5 specific koni yellow sport.
Sacramento! lived most of my life in Roseville, moved to NC in 2003.
Miss Tahoe!!!

 

[granTORRESmo]

Lol yeah it's snowing crazy at tahoe right now

 

[highfivezoom]

Ok, i installed the Konis for the rear last night...set them at middle position. Wow! As i suspected, the KYB's were not even close to the ride of the stock shocks and really left the rear end of the car feeling loose like it needed bushings or something. I am running 225/45 Conti dws at 36 psi. At the middle setting the Konis are firm, feels good most of the time, lot of variables involved.... but when it warms up in the Spring and i have new tires, i might readjust. Right now at 36 degrees outside and the tires at 36 i think it rides a hair too firm(stock springs and stock struts in front.) If i do readjust shocks i will try 1/4 position. Next item will be the rear sway bar upgrade in a couple of weeks......bottom line, don't settle for kybs....

 

[njaremka]

good for you! the koni's really are "THE" damper for the mazda5.

 

[highfivezoom]

Thanks for your help!!! I think i will lower the rear tires to 34psi and see if that does the trick....it is so close to being perfect.

 

[Robotazky]

I think the conclusion so far is that Koni, whether FSD or yellow, is the best route. Yellow for performance and FSD for plush yet enhanced ride.

But, I don't hear any feedback specifically regarding Bilstein on the 5.

 

[njaremka]

i would skip the FSD's and go right for the yellow's. in fact, that's exactly what i did

 

[Silentnoise713]

I think the conclusion so far is that Koni, whether FSD or yellow, is the best route. Yellow for performance and FSD for plush yet enhanced ride.

But, I don't hear any feedback specifically regarding Bilstein on the 5.

+1. Everything has a purpose/trade-off.

RE Koni vs Bilstein, just look up what the MS3 guys are saying between the two to get an apples to apples. Also, look up the general feedback on Bilstein vs Koni. Only issue for us is that it may not be suitable right out of the box.