Last May 2024 I bought a 2015 Mazda 5 Touring MIni van. I absolutely love it and it's a pleasure to drive. However, lately I notice I'm feeling the bumps harder than before. I've had two garages check the struts/shocks and they say they're okay. I want to know if I can use the "soft" struts/shocks I've read about? I'm going to take a long trip before long and I want a smoother ride. I would appreciate any information along these lines from anyone.
Rough ride fix?
- Thread starter Babsy
- Start date
Several things here:
1. You have a Touring trim Mazda5, so that means 17 inch wheels with 205/50/17 tires. You can always go down to 16 inch wheels with taller 205/60/16 or 215/55/16 tires. This will add extra cushion and mitigate road imperfections. But buying new wheels and tires can easily cost more than replacing shocks and struts.
2. What "soft" shocks/struts are you talking about? Details matter. Where did you read about these? The only options I've seen are OEM-equivalents or higher-performance/adjustable shocks/struts.
3. Your Mazda5 is 10 years old. I have no idea how many miles are on it. It's not the worst thing ever to simply replace your shocks and struts. It doesn't have to be terribly expensive, but of course if you're paying a shop to supply the parts and do the work, it'll cost a lot more. I recommend you source your own shocks, struts, and strut mounts. What is your budget?
4. I can personally recommend Bilstein B4 replacement shocks/struts. Also KYB G2 or Gas-A-Just are very decent aftermarket shocks/struts. If you had the budget, you could get Koni Yellow adjustable shocks/struts and place them on the most comfortable setting, but these will really be a much more expensive option.
1. You have a Touring trim Mazda5, so that means 17 inch wheels with 205/50/17 tires. You can always go down to 16 inch wheels with taller 205/60/16 or 215/55/16 tires. This will add extra cushion and mitigate road imperfections. But buying new wheels and tires can easily cost more than replacing shocks and struts.
2. What "soft" shocks/struts are you talking about? Details matter. Where did you read about these? The only options I've seen are OEM-equivalents or higher-performance/adjustable shocks/struts.
3. Your Mazda5 is 10 years old. I have no idea how many miles are on it. It's not the worst thing ever to simply replace your shocks and struts. It doesn't have to be terribly expensive, but of course if you're paying a shop to supply the parts and do the work, it'll cost a lot more. I recommend you source your own shocks, struts, and strut mounts. What is your budget?
4. I can personally recommend Bilstein B4 replacement shocks/struts. Also KYB G2 or Gas-A-Just are very decent aftermarket shocks/struts. If you had the budget, you could get Koni Yellow adjustable shocks/struts and place them on the most comfortable setting, but these will really be a much more expensive option.
Hey not sure if you will see this but just want to ask a few questions about tire/wheel size. I have a 2009 Mazda 5 Sport so it has the 17" wheels and stock tires are 205/50 R17. All 4 of my tires are shot and I've been putting it off for too long so need to get this figured out. From what I am seeing 17" tires are more expensive and way harder to find used around me. I am considering putting 16" wheels on. I found someone on Facebook Marketplace selling (4) 16" Mazda wheels for only $100 so I'm thinking about picking those up because I know I can find some good used 16" tires or worse case scenario I'd buy new.
Are there any downsides to switching from 17" to 16" wheels? I'm not worried about the speedo being off but I can't find a straight answer as to how it will affect the handling. In my opinion it's a pretty rough ride so I def don't want to make that worse. If I do get these 16" wheels what would the "optimum" tire size be that would give the best ride and handle well? Any help would be a huge help as I need to get this figured out this week hopefully. Thank you!
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dlarkin_dc
Member
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- Mazda 5 2007 Touring
Miles? Curent struts?
Soft doesn't sound like a good idea for handling and safety as the 5 is already hard on shocks as it's a stretched up tall 3.
I've found KYB Excel G are OE performance and better than OE durability/longevity.
Extra insulating from road surface is more tire wall.
The I'm wondering if all the bushing are all good. Did the mechanic note them for anything, good, or bad?
Soft doesn't sound like a good idea for handling and safety as the 5 is already hard on shocks as it's a stretched up tall 3.
I've found KYB Excel G are OE performance and better than OE durability/longevity.
Extra insulating from road surface is more tire wall.
The I'm wondering if all the bushing are all good. Did the mechanic note them for anything, good, or bad?
