MS3 sways/springs on a 5

[phunky.buddha]

so what you are saying is that the rear bar isnt a direct swap as the holes are larger on the ms3 bar? im glad i didnt try it that weekend, thank you rain lol

The size of the bolt on the end link at the control arm is the same as the 5 as far as I could tell. My MS3 bar (gen 2) came with end links that bolted straight into the lower control arms.

 

[TexAgA4]

Has anyone used one of the Mazda5 intended, upgraded spring applications with a review to share? I'm looking to a spring upgrade for performance and not aesthetics and haven't run across someone on any forum with a shining review for a completed project on the 5. Most attempts to use MS3 products have been mixed with sag issues. BTW, I'm at 35,000 miles, living in Italy, and am already having to entirely re-build the rear suspension. I've busted a trailing arm, and am awaiting the part from my car dealer in Texas, I've replaced the shocks already, and recently the lateral links and upper control arms with camber adjustable parts. Furthermore, the front suspension is starting to give some vibration and now my steering alignment is off. I don't know if European driving is kicking this microvan in the backside, but I def drive it like it a local with a sports car, even with a full load of people and cargo. I don't think Mazda engineers imagined that someone would take the Mazda5 through its paces like that, but when they built it on the 3, and left it with 4-wheel independent suspension and a capable engine...what did they expect us to do with it, drive it like a minivan? Anyway, anyone have luck with a proper spring upgrade that they are satisfied with?

 

[the.jack]

I'd be curious to specifically hear reviews on SR Motorsports' kit as that's supposedly designed for the 5 rather than a set of springs for the 3 being used on a 5.

I'm now on my third or fourth round (depends on how you count) of repairs to my 5's suspension and am not happy about it. I think you are right. Mazda overloaded this chassis to make the 5 and you and I are paying for it. Do I drive harder than the average person? Probably. But I also wouldn't say I beat on it. It's got a big glass jaw and I just keep punching it (apparently).

Once the rear trailing arm bushings are replaced it's going to market. Someone will get a four year old, 50k mi car with many new suspension components, new brakes, sway bars, short shift and two sets of wheels/tires. Have fun, I have to cut my losses at some point, just wished I'd done it sooner. I'm stopping my Mazda interests at 2005 (last Mazdaspeed MX-5) for now.

But I'll keep watch. I like the 5 as an idea - though it needed and continues to need the *option* for more motive power to be a true sporting vehicle - it's just that they haven't put it together properly yet.

 

[TexAgA4]

I'd be curious to specifically hear reviews on SR Motorsports' kit as that's supposedly designed for the 5 rather than a set of springs for the 3 being used on a 5.

I'm now on my third or fourth round (depends on how you count) of repairs to my 5's suspension and am not happy about it. I think you are right. Mazda overloaded this chassis to make the 5 and you and I are paying for it. Do I drive harder than the average person? Probably. But I also wouldn't say I beat on it. It's got a big glass jaw and I just keep punching it (apparently).

Once the rear trailing arm bushings are replaced it's going to market. Someone will get a four year old, 50k mi car with many new suspension components, new brakes, sway bars, short shift and two sets of wheels/tires. Have fun, I have to cut my losses at some point, just wished I'd done it sooner. I'm stopping my Mazda interests at 2005 (last Mazdaspeed MX-5) for now.

But I'll keep watch. I like the 5 as an idea - though it needed and continues to need the *option* for more motive power to be a true sporting vehicle - it's just that they haven't put it together properly yet.

I'm game for the SR kit, and am willing to pay the $$. I noticed that they specify it is only for the 06/07 years. My guess is that these parts should fit my '09. I'll give them a call and report my findings. If/when I get the parts mounted, I'll also report back. Give me through the summer y'all. My funds are getting tied up in summer plans right now, plus shipping to Italia is sometimes a hassle.

You nailed it the.jack, the suspension on the Mz5 is a glass jaw fo-sho. I also admit kicking it in the jaw as hard as I could, but no less than my old Audi back in San Antonio. Granted, the Germans built the quattro to take a beating in the suspension, but it appears too many FoMoCo parts plague the 5 - my opinion. Though I admit the van is as about as much fun as one can squeeze from a microvan and, in that respect, Mazda did a great job. It just needs some refinement.

As far as cutting losses, I'm not there yet though I am sick to my stomach with how much I've spent on a three year old product made in Japan. I'm up to about $3000 in the last six months on tires and suspension. A good $1500 can be chalked up to the cost of doing business overseas, due to buying snow tires on the EU market in Euros and then the fact that my suspension was not inspected while under warantee because the warantee isn't valid outside the U.S.

The bigger problem for me as a customer is that I've been considering buying the MS3 for myself when I get back to the States, but now after these issues with my wife's 5, I'm not sure I want to get into another Mazda product.

 

[TexAgA4]

I just spoke to SR Motorsports and they tell me that they have discontinued the Mazda5 line of parts due to lack of interest. Bummer. We'll have to look elsewhere. Maybe this leaves some market for JBR to absorb.

 

[Silentnoise713]

Has anyone used one of the Mazda5 intended, upgraded spring applications with a review to share? I'm looking to a spring upgrade for performance and not aesthetics and haven't run across someone on any forum with a shining review for a completed project on the 5. Most attempts to use MS3 products have been mixed with sag issues. BTW, I'm at 35,000 miles, living in Italy, and am already having to entirely re-build the rear suspension. I've busted a trailing arm, and am awaiting the part from my car dealer in Texas, I've replaced the shocks already, and recently the lateral links and upper control arms with camber adjustable parts. Furthermore, the front suspension is starting to give some vibration and now my steering alignment is off. I don't know if European driving is kicking this microvan in the backside, but I def drive it like it a local with a sports car, even with a full load of people and cargo. I don't think Mazda engineers imagined that someone would take the Mazda5 through its paces like that, but when they built it on the 3, and left it with 4-wheel independent suspension and a capable engine...what did they expect us to do with it, drive it like a minivan? Anyway, anyone have luck with a proper spring upgrade that they are satisfied with?

So you ONLY want performance and absolutely don't want any aesthetic benefit that may or may not come with it? H&R (-1.3") and Vogtland (-1.6) are the only two other vendors that offer a model specific spring for the Mz5, that I can think off. Not enough people mod the Mz5 to warrant any manufacturer to offer anything. I'm surprised we have these... Mazdas, in genera, seem to fall short on the aftermarket support.

EDIT: some ideas that come to mind.
1) Buy coil over kit (Ground Control or cheap ebay generics (be warned, the cheapos tend to sag. I was young once) and lower to your desired height. These always use stiff spring rates. You might be able to get away with soft shocks for a short while if you don’t lower it too much.
2) Cut off one coil at a time until you find the right height + tender springs to get to your desired height
3) Buy a true coil over suspension kit (BC for Mz5, or anything for the MS3 but you pay big bucks). If you are willing to try SR's (not cheap) without some feedback then you are probably willing to invest in something a little nicer.

I'd be curious to specifically hear reviews on SR Motorsports' kit as that's supposedly designed for the 5 rather than a set of springs for the 3 being used on a 5.

I'm now on my third or fourth round (depends on how you count) of repairs to my 5's suspension and am not happy about it. I think you are right. Mazda overloaded this chassis to make the 5 and you and I are paying for it. Do I drive harder than the average person? Probably. But I also wouldn't say I beat on it. It's got a big glass jaw and I just keep punching it (apparently).

Once the rear trailing arm bushings are replaced it's going to market. Someone will get a four year old, 50k mi car with many new suspension components, new brakes, sway bars, short shift and two sets of wheels/tires. Have fun, I have to cut my losses at some point, just wished I'd done it sooner. I'm stopping my Mazda interests at 2005 (last Mazdaspeed MX-5) for now.

But I'll keep watch. I like the 5 as an idea - though it needed and continues to need the *option* for more motive power to be a true sporting vehicle - it's just that they haven't put it together properly yet.

Sorry to hear you are planning your exit strategy already. Ashamed since you've invested some much time/money and made some good and meaningful contributions. I feel the same way about the Mz5 and Mazda in general. Would be great if Honda/Toyota made it, at least they somewhat care about the whole package - I'll take that over losing some driving dynamics. Good luck with your next vehicle. I'm also looking at another 5 but not a Mazda5.

Oh, and before you sell the car, sell me the JBR! I can throw in a MS3 replacement, no one will know (sssh). I need to keep this for 4-5 years...

 

[TexAgA4]

So you ONLY want performance and absolutely don't want any aesthetic benefit that may or may not come with it? H&R (-1.3") and Vogtland (-1.6) are the only two other vendors that offer a model specific spring for the Mz5, that I can think off. Not enough people mod the Mz5 to warrant any manufacturer to offer anything. I'm surprised we have these... Mazdas, in genera, seem to fall short on the aftermarket support.

EDIT: some ideas that come to mind.
1) Buy coil over kit (Ground Control or cheap ebay generics (be warned, the cheapos tend to sag. I was young once) and lower to your desired height. These always use stiff spring rates. You might be able to get away with soft shocks for a short while if you dont lower it too much.
2) Cut off one coil at a time until you find the right height + tender springs to get to your desired height
3) Buy a true coil over suspension kit (BC for Mz5, or anything for the MS3 but you pay big bucks). If you are willing to try SR's (not cheap) without some feedback then you are probably willing to invest in something a little nicer.

In respect to aesthetics vs. performance, I didn't intend to speak in absolutes. My priority is performance and the aesthetics would be a welcomed consequence to an upgrade if there weren't any clearance or sag issues. You're right, I don't mind spending the money if the results are worth the cash.

I like the BC coilovers and can't wait to see the complete write-up by Phunky. I'm kicking myself that I bought a complete set of OEM shocks from Amazon a month ago. When I purchased them I was ignorant and thought I could just upgrade the springs and stay with stock shocks. My goal was to get the suspension somewhere between stock and my old Audi.

 

[phunky.buddha]

I like the BC coilovers and can't wait to see the complete write-up by Phunky.

I'm going to try to finish the writeup tomorrow if I have time after packing for Japan... if not, I'll do the writeup in the hotel or even on the plane on the way there. It's hard to find time to mash away at the keyboard at home with 2 young kids.

 

[the.jack]

I just spoke to SR Motorsports and they tell me that they have discontinued the Mazda5 line of parts due to lack of interest. Bummer. We'll have to look elsewhere. Maybe this leaves some market for JBR to absorb.

As Silent says, this is not surprising. They should take it off of their site though!

My primary concern with the H&R is ride height. If you could find spring spacers (the "pucks" not the "h"-bars) at around .5 - .75" those with H&R springs would be a perfect combination, really. Just a little lower and a lot more taut.

 

[the.jack]

Sorry to hear you are planning your exit strategy already. Ashamed since you've invested some much time/money and made some good and meaningful contributions. I feel the same way about the Mz5 and Mazda in general. Would be great if Honda/Toyota made it, at least they somewhat care about the whole package - I'll take that over losing some driving dynamics. Good luck with your next vehicle. I'm also looking at another 5 but not a Mazda5.

Oh, and before you sell the car, sell me the JBR! I can throw in a MS3 replacement, no one will know (sssh). I need to keep this for 4-5 years...

I know it! I've been on the fence for so long but have kept saying "just keep it for a while" and now it's had issues for about a month. And while FoMoCo is the stamp on the bad equipment, Mazda had to ultimately package the vehicle and put their name on the line with Ford parts. As I've said, the Miata is such a solid vehicle and I don't expect to ever see a "FoMoCo" stamp on anything there! It lured me into thinking all Mazdas - while perhaps not the best fit and finish - had as solid mechanicals as you could find anywhere.

Whatever I do, it won't be imminent, despite how much I might want it to be. Too much money (and time!) on one vehicle, as you point out. If I do get rid of it in the near future I'll let you know, though.

 

[TexAgA4]

I'm going to try to finish the writeup tomorrow if I have time after packing for Japan... if not, I'll do the writeup in the hotel or even on the plane on the way there. It's hard to find time to mash away at the keyboard at home with 2 young kids.

No worries Phunky. I get it. I've got two little boy monsters in the house also. We hassle you because you write up was first class and I'm def interested in attempting it. So, Japan? For work or fun?

 

[TexAgA4]

As Silent says, this is not surprising. They should take it off of their site though!

My primary concern with the H&R is ride height. If you could find spring spacers (the "pucks" not the "h"-bars) at around .5 - .75" those with H&R springs would be a perfect combination, really. Just a little lower and a lot more taut.

IRT the SR site, I wrote them an email about it asked if they still had parts in stock they're trying to get rid of. The young lady I spoke to on the phone could not, for some reason, answer my questions in much detail other than to say they were exiting the Mz5 market.

I also called the dude @Protege Garage. He was very helpful and told me he is standing behind the Mz5 100% and will assist with getting us package deals for larger orders. You've probably seen his ads on this forum and some of his comments helping out the Mz5 folks. I bring him up because he mentioned the H&R springs. He told me he had a Mz5 for two years and applied the H&R springs but that the ride was brutally stiff. He recommended the Eibachs.

 

[phunky.buddha]

No worries Phunky. I get it. I've got two little boy monsters in the house also. We hassle you because you write up was first class and I'm def interested in attempting it. So, Japan? For work or fun?

Thanks man, I appreciate the vote of confidence. I guess most 5 owners would be parents too huh?

Japan for work. If it was for fun I would have bought my tickets a year ago! The cost two weeks out is just obscene, and WAY out of my budget.

I'm actually packing (procrastinating) right now. I have to be at the gate in about 6 hours, so I guess I need to get moving. One more load of laundry to do...