Lowered CX-5 Appreciation: Show us your drop!

[N7turbo]

I'll tell you. I had Megan CO's a few years back. They looked great. Once they settled the ride was HORRIBLE!!
Full soft sucked .. medium sucked .. I had a 6mo baby in the car, it seemsd cruel. Before the settled fully the ride was great.
I couldn't stand the ride. Had them installed for like 2mo & swapped them for h&r springs ...
H&R springs have been on for 5+yrs...

I'm finally looking for a change now... Since I daily it, I'm a bit tired of the stuff ride. Looking for something else suspension wise ...

I hear you.

An update on my situation: relaxing the sway bars by installing proper-length sway bar links did bring back some softness to the suspension. Most of the crashing is gone. I consider this a mandatory mod with a lowered vehicle now, but there is almost no talk of them unless you're on bimmer forums.

However I still have tons of clunks and rattles to figure out, so I'm still unable to really assess the car as it's supposed to be. I've been driving our ND3 MX-5 and the CX-5 has been sitting.

I don't believe the Corksport springs are the source of the problem. The rates are only 3.4K front and 7.0K rear. Mine is more install-related and I'm going to get it figured out soon.

It's taken a lot of research but doing only CS springs + adjustable sway bar links I would consider to be one of the milder mods. In terms of NVH, from best to worst:

Stock springs + stock dampers
Lowering springs + stock dampers
Lowering springs + Bilstein B4
Lowering springs + Bilstein B6
Adjustable coilovers, spring rates start at 6K front + 6K rear
Any of the above + stock sway bar links

The turbo picture you see as my profile pic is mine from the turbo inlet pipe install. I'd like to finish my under-hood plans but those are on hold until the suspension is dialed in.

 

[Gray5ive]

Here is our 2024 turbo we took last weekend to the mountains.

It's lowered 1.5" front and 1.75" rear with BC Racing RC coilovers, Megan front and rear sway bars, Prothan urethane sway bar bushings. 19" Enricii spun forged wheels. It still has factory A36 tires. Also changed out squeaking front brakes to high performance pads with drilled and slotted rotors.

We are in our 70s and not looking for a Tuner ride. These BC coil overs give us fine height adjustment and the ride quality we like. The car was a joy to drive on the twisty mountain roads and rock solid on the interstate highways.

I've made a few hard braking and turning to avoid an accident. This suspension setup is a dream under these conditions.

I installed all of the above parts. The front sway bar was the biggest challenge until I learned the trick.

This 2.5l turbo averaged 32.6 mpg over the weekend, including daily trips of less than 3 miles. Tuned Ecu and a few of my own engine mods. Not a hot rod. More like a sport mini SUV.

View attachment 330746

How have the coilovers been? I think I'm going to go that route now instead of the separate spring/strut setup. Thought I read in one post you had a little problem with the BC's at first? Also, what spring rates did you get for the front and rear? My setup will be almost the same but just maybe a hair lower.

 

[AL Cx5]

How have the coilovers been? I think I'm going to go that route now instead of the separate spring/strut setup. Thought I read in one post you had a little problem with the BC's at first? Also, what spring rates did you get for the front and rear? My setup will be almost the same but just maybe a hair lower.

I had an issue with the front struts making a clunk noise. BC replaced parts at no charge until I was satisfied.

The standard spring package was for a car 1/2" or more lower than our car. It rod and handled great. It was too short. BC replaced the springs at no charge for a slightly taller and stiffer spring. I was aw to dial in the exact height I wanted.

I run these coilovers 7 clicks from loose out of 30. It is not harsh.

Yesterday, I purposely put the car in a curve to test the suspension. Even with OEM A36 tires it carved out the curve.

Today 4 Cont Truecontact 54s arrived, Simple Tire. I love the treat pattern for wet and dry streets. We don't get much if any snow. The CX 5 will be a garage queen on a snowy day...

I went on the chat and asked for a discount. The.lowered the price 5%, no questions.

The CX 5 should drive like a sports car with coilovers, front and rear aftermarket sway bars and ureathane sway bar bushings. I'll report...

 

[Gray5ive]

I had an issue with the front struts making a clunk noise. BC replaced parts at no charge until I was satisfied.

The standard spring package was for a car 1/2" or more lower than our car. It rod and handled great. It was too short. BC replaced the springs at no charge for a slightly taller and stiffer spring. I was aw to dial in the exact height I wanted.

I run these coilovers 7 clicks from loose out of 30. It is not harsh.

Yesterday, I purposely put the car in a curve to test the suspension. Even with OEM A36 tires it carved out the curve.

Today 4 Cont Truecontact 54s. I love the treat pattern for wet and dry streets. We don't get much if any snow. The CX 5 will be a garage queen on a snowy day...

The CX 5 should drive like a sports car with coilovers, front and rear aftermarket sway bars and ureathane sway bar bushings. I'll report...

Good to hear. My plan is to do at least a 2" drop maybe 2.5". I will be running the same swaybars with urethane bushings. I just didn't want to worry about something being shipped that didn't work and have to wait on new parts. I just recently put my new lighter wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport SUV tires on and it's grips super well. But the suspension is definitely the next step to maximize things. The fronts and rears should have slightly different spring rates so I need to figure that out first especially for a 2-2.5" drop. The work is being done since I have rotator cuff problems and cannot do the work myself so I need it once and done.

 

[AL Cx5]

Good to hear. My plan is to do at least a 2" drop maybe 2.5". I will be running the same swaybars with urethane bushings. I just didn't want to worry about something being shipped that didn't work and have to wait on new parts. I just recently put my new lighter wheels and Michelin Pilot Sport SUV tires on and it's grips super well. But the suspension is definitely the next step to maximize things. The fronts and rears should have slightly different spring rates so I need to figure that out first especially for a 2-2.5" drop. The work is being done since I have rotator cuff problems and cannot do the work myself so I need it once and done.

Yikes rotator cuff takes awhile to recover and is painful. I remember so well.

2 to 2.5 inch drop will look so nice. The standard BC Racing kit has the correct rear spring. I would have gone that low but I have to consider the other driver and parking lot curbs...

Even with just 1.75" drop, Inkea wheels and tint women check out our CX 5 in the parking lots. I was surprised anyone would notice, especially women.

Consider a quality adjustable lower control arm in the rear, like your life depends on it. That is not a part to skimp on an eBay part...

I put camber bolts on the front struts to get the the correct camber. I'm sure you want those Pilot Sport SUV to wear evenly. Those are super nice tires!

A word of caution, even though I blazed the trail and happy with the final product. Be prepared to go back to your installer some tuning tweaks. After all, many parts are being replaced. I hope it's a one and done for you....

I'll look for parts numbers tomorrow and post.

 

[Gray5ive]

Yikes rotator cuff takes awhile to recover and is painful. I remember so well.

2 to 2.5 inch drop will look so nice. The standard Racing kit has the correct rear spring. I wod have gone that low but I have to go consider the other driver and parking lot curbs...

Even with just 1.75" drop, Inkea wheels and tint the women check out our CX 5 in the parking lots. I was surprised anyone would notice...

Consider a quality adjustable lower control arm in the rear, like your life depends on it. That is not a part to skimp on an eBay part...

I put camber bolts on the front struts to get the the correct camber. I'm sure you want those Pilot Sport SUV to wear evenly. Those are super nice tires!

A word of caution, even though I blazed the trail and happy with the final product. Be prepared to go back to your installer some tuning tweaks. After all, many parts are being replaced. I hope it's a one and done for you....

I'll look for parts numbers tomorrow and post.

Iirc I bought the same adjustable lower control arms you are using as well as the same camber bolts to be used in the front you mentioned on another post.

 

[N7turbo]

With a 2" drop I have -1° camber in the front. I'm okay with it because it flattens out when taking turns. I zeroed out the rears though.

 

[AL Cx5]

With a 2" drop I have -1° camber in the front. I'm okay with it because it flattens out when taking turns. I zeroed out the rears though.

My setup responds very well in the corners with 0 camber. Stock coilovers, sway bar and bushings, some neg camber might help.

My wife is going on a trip for 7 days, I'll crank up the dampers and see how the CX 5 handles.

Even 1 deg camber wears tires more quickly, hurt FE and potentially impact stopping.

Camber bolts are an inexpensive way to correct a few deg of neg camber in the front. Tires are expensive...

Do it right the first time and move on is my moto.

I wish we had a lowered spring vs coilovers cars we could all drive and reach our own conclusions.

 

[AL Cx5]

Iirc I bought the same adjustable lower control arms you are using as well as the same camber bolts to be used in the front you mentioned on another post.

Full disclosure. My BC Racing front coilovers are not as quiet as stock. They don't clunk but make a slight noise when we hit a pot hole or rough pavement.

My wife doesn't complain. I'm okay with this and understand there are trade offs every time I modify.

I'm hopping this noise reminds my other driver she just hit a pot hole. Wishful thinking...

 

[AL Cx5]

Yikes rotator cuff takes awhile to recover and is painful. I remember so well.

2 to 2.5 inch drop will look so nice. The standard BC Racing kit has the correct rear spring. I would have gone that low but I have to consider the other driver and parking lot curbs...

Even with just 1.75" drop, Inkea wheels and tint women check out our CX 5 in the parking lots. I was surprised anyone would notice, especially women.

Consider a quality adjustable lower control arm in the rear, like your life depends on it. That is not a part to skimp on an eBay part...

I put camber bolts on the front struts to get the the correct camber. I'm sure you want those Pilot Sport SUV to wear evenly. Those are super nice tires!

A word of caution, even though I blazed the trail and happy with the final product. Be prepared to go back to your installer some tuning tweaks. After all, many parts are being replaced. I hope it's a one and done for you....

I'll look for parts numbers tomorrow and post.

Looks like BC Racing is going to have a Black Friday sale very soon!

Here is the kit I bought according to my notes:

BC-N-37-BR BC Racing BR Series Coilovers (KF2P) 2024 Mazda CX-5 2.5 Turbo AWD Stock 5x4.5,5x114.3. S/N 6248248

I would talk with BC Racing and request the front coilovers used on the above S/N. A way to check is this top does not have camber adjustment. Request the shorter rear springs. Always refer to your S/N when talking to BC Racing....

Shorter rear spring part #: 97 62 230 006. I have two of these along with a box of other parts that are about to get tossed...

Word of caution with your installer. What does he use to lubricate the sway bar bushings ? Correct answer is synthetic grease.

How does he grease the urethane bushings? Correct answer he coats the bushing by hand, inside and out. After he uses the bushing gun he can shoot into the bushings. It might be worth your time to buy a small grease gun and tube of synthetic grease and include with your parts.

Looking forward to seeing your new tires/wheels and ride height along with review of how it handles.

Good Luck!!