WHICH SPRINGs!!!!

I haven't found a lot of info about it yet - so I'll ask here like the noob I am.

The mazdaspeed coilovers, how are they? How do they compare to say, following the cobb upgrade (springs + f&r sways)?

In my vw/audi suspension upgrade past - coilovers almost always handled better + more comfortable than upgrading springs alone, or a spring+shock combination.

Any comparisons threads on here with real data + feedback? I saw the cobb advert of cobb vs. oem but I need a lil' more data.

I want to take this MS3 to the track and chase the expensive hardware around :) I think the oem suspension is pretty decent, but I've had the mod bug for years and it's fun to improve a car even if it doesn't "need" it. I had intended to stay stock so I could run in SCCA D-stock autocross, but to heck with that. I'll just get my ass handed to me by modded STIs and EVOs in STU. It's fun to be an underdog.

I like the idea of all Mazdaspeed parts, for the harmony of it all, not to mention warranty concerns.
 
yes, the shock upgrade would be reccomended because it will definitely enhance your ride, but really its not the first thing you have to worry about. The stock struts will hold up if you treat the car right. If you drive the car hard a lot you will need to upgrade to a stiffer strut sooner.

...or if you live in pothole hell like i do...=/
 
Huh? What do you mean by staggered spring rates? All applications I've seen call for different spring rates for the front and rear. Is that what you mean? Or actually side-to-side? Never seen that on a street application. Not that I've seen all that much to be honest :)

ya, i meant the front and rear and not side to side! ;o

i was just theorizing that if you add more stiffness to the rear suspension of your car and lay off a little on the front, it will shift the weight a bit more toward the front when you accelerate. that is what you would be doing, in effect, with the cobb 15%/25% split.
 
ya, i meant the front and rear and not side to side! ;o

i was just theorizing that if you add more stiffness to the rear suspension of your car and lay off a little on the front, it will shift the weight a bit more toward the front when you accelerate. that is what you would be doing, in effect, with the cobb 15%/25% split.
It's not shifting weight to the front when you floor it, it's preventing you from shifting weight AWAY from the front when you accelerate. Pedantic difference, but important. It's the preventing of the weight shift that has the Cobb springs fighting wheel hop.

I'm interested in knowing how the Cobb springs ride, too. I live in an area with pretty varied road conditions. Some are pretty rough because of heaving over the winters.
 
I installed H&R springs, and i will be replacing my shocks with Bilstein. I think my stock shocks are blown. How good do u guys think Bilsteins are? I think I blew my shocks especially the rear. Everytime I go over bumps a clapping sounds comes from the rear of the car as if the stiffer springs would bound and rebound several times thus making the clapping sound. Is that why I hear the clapping sound? Would I get rid of it after putting in the stiffer bilstein shocks? I checked for loose bolts but didnt find any from sway bar and endlinks. So I dont know where it's coming from other than the possibility that it's from my blown stock shocks. Would the dealer fix it for me even though I put in aftermarket springs and (soon)shocks?
 
Blacksheepms3- Try pushing down on all bumper corners, if the vehicle rebounds more than once, at each corner, then -yep they're blown. The clapping sound could be your bumpstops bottoming out, because the shocks are blown.

Didn't know Bilstein made shocks for the MS3. Check into Koni or Tokico. I remember having a set of Konis that came with a lifetime warranty. Didn't do me any good though, because they were very well built, never managed to blow them. But then again, if you are in area with crappy roads, then maybe you should rethink about dropping your ride.

Dealer will fix it, but you'll more than likely have to pay him. Most warranties don't include things like struts or tires, they are fair, wear, and tear parts. Then of course you'll probably have pay more $ to get a realignment. Might as well install stainless brake lines too while you got the tires and struts removed...
 
Anyone wanting the H&R's, let me know! They are on backorder, as usual, but I can keep anyone updated who's interested.
 

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