Monroe vs. KYB vs. Mazda

[Davicho]

I need your opinions on replacement struts and shocks for OEM set up. Please base your opinion on personal experience of usage now or in the past and not just on brand recognition and preference. Thanks.

By the way, personal experience doesn't have to be with your current Mazda5. It could have been with any previous vehicle.

 

[phunky.buddha]

Never used Monroe (mixed reviews in a ton of places) so I won't vote, but I've had really good experiences using KYB AGX and GR-2 shocks on several of my cars (CRX, Civic, Hardbody).

 

[whyandrew]

I guess you may consider this as brand recognition... but given the almost guaranteed bad OEM shocks from Mazda, why would you even consider the Mazda parts again if you are here with the knowledge to try other brands?

 

[Silentnoise713]

I did not like KYB AGX from experience (b/c Tokico Illuminas are a much better alternative). Never used Monroe and popular opinion here seem to say OEM Mazda suck –unless the 2012 shocks are better made. Limited to these three choices, I would say the GR2s are probably the lesser of the three evils. I believe KYB is a pretty large OEM supplier, no?.

 

[eyeballs]

The inverted STi struts are KYB...awesome dampers but do have a tendency to clunk after awhile.

 

[Robotazky]

The inverted STi struts are KYB...awesome dampers but do have a tendency to clunk after awhile.

Most MacPherson struts do.

I'm going with KYB because Mazda sucks and I think Monroe is generic. I thought there were other brands to consider though.

 

[phunky.buddha]

I believe KYB is a pretty large OEM supplier, no?.

Yes.

 

[Wishmaster]

On my 5, I replaced worn/blown shocks all around. I've now got Monroe on the front, KYB on the rear. Honestly, I think they feel virtually identical to OEM... the big difference is the failure rate... OEM's (as this forum knows very well) fail on schedule... like clockwork. My Monroe's have a lifetime warranty and I believe the KYB's do as well, but I'll have to double check that.

 

[cplhornby]

On my 5, I replaced worn/blown shocks all around. I've now got Monroe on the front, KYB on the rear. Honestly, I think they feel virtually identical to OEM... the big difference is the failure rate... OEM's (as this forum knows very well) fail on schedule... like clockwork. My Monroe's have a lifetime warranty and I believe the KYB's do as well, but I'll have to double check that.

I agree with the failure of OEM struts being clockwork. I've had to replace all four struts a few times using OEM and Monroe. OEM Mazda was GARBAGE. I would have used the monroe lifetime warranty but my wife lost the paperwork. I have been wondering if KYB was superior to Monroe. If they do have a lifetime warranty I'd consider a switch.