Who has lowered their 3?

[Gambino]

I just want an excuse to post more pics of my car its on sportlines

a story about hitting stuff on the road........last weekend I had 4 girls in my car (yeah, p-i-m-p ) and as I was pulling out of the driveway, I COMPLETELY, um, hi-centered?. I actually hit my 4 point ladder brace, which sits about 2.5" off the ground with nobody in the car. The sportlines look great, but it is pretty damn low

 

[bbrich57]

I'm trying to get an idea of what a 1in-1.5 in drop looks like on a 5-door 3.
If you've done this, post up some pics!

You've mentioned being worried about potholes, bad roads and steep driveways/ramps. From what I've read, the Progress and MazdaSpeed kits probably lowers less than most/all of the others... only about an inch vs. +/-1.5" (Eibach) up to around 2.0" (some others.)
Someone on the "other" forum came up with a pretty comprehensive listing and had been updating it as info came in. Check that out and do a search.

 

[Rennoc]

ive got the H&R springs and i like them a lot. they lower it like 1/10th of an inch less than the eibachs which you wont be able to see or notice while driving and they handle awesome... rides a little bit bumpier but not anything terrible

 

[SikwiditMZ3]

heres my car with s-tech

 

[bbrich57]

Nice lookin' ride, Man. Look's good!
Don't the S-Tech drop between 2 & 2.5" though? It looks like your running Phil's (Gambino) Sportlines.
If I didn't know better, and I don't, that parking garage looks like Austin-Bergstrom Airport. Are you local?

 

[SikwiditMZ3]

the s-tech pretty much drops as low as sportlines, i have a friend with sportline and our drop pretty much looks the same except his rear is lower, no im from airzona, the garage pics are at mall here

 

[brettjay]

pretty much how the MS3 should have looked.

those rims grow on you. i like the factory look.

 

[the415]

the s-tech drop is 2" in front and 1.8" in rear.

the spring rates are the highest on the market(at the time i bought in june 06).
160lbs/in - front
240lbs/in - rear

i love mine.

 

[tsunami]

i wouldn't be to worried about pot holes and the such until you +1 your wheels if your keeping the 17s then the lowering isn't bad its when you add the 18" wheels to the mix that potholes and bad road conditions become a problem.

lowered with eibachs and kosie 18"wheels... i love it and my GF is getting annoyed!! love it even more

 

[the415]

i bent and cracked my stock 17" wheel. that's running a 215/45. you can still do it with a 205/50. if you hit it just right and at the right speed, it will bend.

avoid potholes like the plague no matter what size wheels and tires you have.

 

[bbrich57]

...my GF is getting annoyed!! love it even more

Why? You don't make that clear IMO. She is jealous of your relationship w/your car? She doesn't like the bumpy ride?

 

[tsunami]

Why? You don't make that clear IMO. She is jealous of your relationship w/your car? She doesn't like the bumpy ride?

both, but more the bumpy ride like when we're on the way home from work (car pool cause its an hour ride each way and we work at the same company just different buildings) and i am dodging potholes and the occasional washboard stretches of pavement and then she complains b/c the car is to low to get out of...

 

[bbrich57]

Is your girlfriend... are you seeing my wife?

(rlaugh) (rlaugh) (rlaugh)​

 

[tsunami]

lol nope fraid not.... most of them women folks are like this from what i can tell... my mom/sister also complian... my dad and brother don't seem to have a problem though.... ????

 

[bbrich57]

Yeah, funny thing 'bout that.
I've known a few "adventurous spirit" types, my ex was one, but you're right. Actually, even my ex used to complain about the high sided seats I had in another car I owned. For the most part they want a soft ride and easy ingress/egress... and to be able to turn a key and not think about what the car is doing or how. 'Course to be fair, I know a lot of men like that too.
(lol2)

 

[Skull'z 3]

2004 Mazda 3 on Eibach ProKit

Here ya go.

 

[ZoomVT]

oh thats hot.
hmmmm i would love to that to mine....

 

[tsunami]

well get off your ass and buy some springs... i will even offer to help install since i already did mine... (its only a pain the first time cause you dont' know wtf your doing!!! lol)

 

[ZoomVT]

oh yeah? you are gonna come all the way to burlington to install them?
if that is the case then i may jumpo on the protegegarage deal for the progressive springs.

 

[tsunami]

you supply the beer... i have another buddy that lives just outside of burlington that i could see as well.... honestly let me know... might even bring the 3 instead of the gf's toyota this time... lol