New shocks-Need advice

[Palatine]

Hi all, my 07 with 49,000 miles began to produce a clunk in the rear suspension. Thinking it was a loose sway or something, I took it in to my lovely mazda dealer and they told me the right rear shock had leaked all its oil (I did notice and oil stain on the ground weeks ago, and I've always thought the rear sits a little low)

So, $500 parts and labor to have them put new oem's on the rear. It came out to $268 for new rear shocks.

My question is, would I be better served getting something other then oem. I'm fine with keeping my car stock, I'm not looking for anything special.

I feel like I have heard about speed3 and shock failures before...sucks..too much $$$.

Thanks

 

[wassup61]

Get bilstein HDs if you arent going to lower the car.

 

[freeflyfreak]

The OEM shocks are crap.
Go bilstein or Koni.
I recommend Koni FSD's but you would have to replace all 4 in that case.

 

[mr_mazda329]

The OEM shocks are crap.
Go bilstein or Koni.
I recommend Koni FSD's but you would have to replace all 4 in that case.

I would take FFF's advice on this one. He has gathered a lot of knowledge on the FSD's and has a great write-up on em. Why go OEM when they are just gonna fail soon again anyways? Koni or Biltsteins all the way. FSD's for comfort, Bilsteins for more aggressive road holding capability.

 

[79535]

Or, get them to replace it under warranty. Mazda replaced my rear passenger side shock under warranty. I drive an 07 that had 67 000km's on it at the time.

 

[Palatine]

thanks for the info guys. I'm leaning towards putting on fsd's. The dealer ripped $116 Dollars from me when I had them check out the suspension. They told me that the 116 would go towards installing new shocks. What a joke. They are holding my money hostage, I should have refused to pay.

I live in chicago with no garage, so do you think the dealer would install the koni's for me. Are there any fit issues since they appear to be designed for the regular 3?

 

[mr_mazda329]

thanks for the info guys. I'm leaning towards putting on fsd's. The dealer ripped $116 Dollars from me when I had them check out the suspension. They told me that the 116 would go towards installing new shocks. What a joke. They are holding my money hostage, I should have refused to pay.

I live in chicago with no garage, so do you think the dealer would install the koni's for me. Are there any fit issues since they appear to be designed for the regular 3?

If you dont have a garage, maybe try to find someone on here that lives close to you that could help you out. I know that what i would do.

 

[79535]

It's amazing to see how different warranty interpretation is at different dealerships. It frustrates me to see you guys suffering so much. Mazda warrantied my engine despite having Sri, tbe and bpv. As I mentioned, they also installed a new strut for free including parts and labour.

I also find it interesting that you and I had the same strut fail.

 

[Palatine]

It's amazing to see how different warranty interpretation is at different dealerships. It frustrates me to see you guys suffering so much. Mazda warrantied my engine despite having Sri, tbe and bpv. As I mentioned, they also installed a new strut for free including parts and labour.

I also find it interesting that you and I had the same strut fail.

Yeah, after 3/36K I don't believe suspension bits are covered anymore. And yes, by popping around the internet, I've discovered that the stock dampers are garbage.

That is why I'm leaning towards putting something else on. Anyone have any suggestions on chicagoland area installers to recommend for the shock installation. Wish I knew someone with tools and a garage, but all my friends are like me, twenty-something folk living in apartments with outdoor parking.