Which koni kit should I buy?

[bubuski]

I want to upgrade my suspension and go lower at thesame time I'll looking for a kit that wont make the rear end sag in a year or two. I've read a few people complain about sagging rear especially when using 1st gen ms3 springs. I think some people also use rear suspension from mazda3, 1st gen ms3 and I think ms6 too....so I'm not sure which part number I should buy.

H&R and Koni are at the top of my list and list the options on their website.

H&R
1. Sport Spring (1.4 "front and 1.3" rear)
29152

Koni
1) FSD Kit
2100-4045

2) STR.T
Front 8750-1088L
Front 8750-1088R

3) Sport
Front 8741-1490LSport
Front 8741-1490RSport
Rear 8040-1354Sport

4) Sport Kit (1.6" front and rear)
Kit 1140-1521

5) Sport Kit (1.6" front and rear)
Kit 1140-1522


From what i understand..
#1 is a set of four shocks for stock springs
#2 is fronts only, I need to seperately order the H&R sport spring
#3 is a set of four shocks. I need to seperately order the H&R sport spring
#4 and #5 are H&R + Koni paired kit.

So I need #4?

 

[Silentnoise713]

Do you know if #4 comes complete as in new top hat, new strut bearings, new bump stops/boots, nuts/bolts, etc.?? If yes, go with #4. If no, just get them separately. It is likely cheaper to build your own.

Have you read Koni's FAQs??
http://www.koni-na.com/faq.cfm

 

[bubuski]

I ordered #4 already and will recieve it next week. I'll update with pictures.

 

[bubuski]

Do you know if #4 comes complete as in new top hat, new strut bearings, new bump stops/boots, nuts/bolts, etc.?? If yes, go with #4. If no, just get them separately. It is likely cheaper to build your own.

Have you read Koni's FAQs??
http://www.koni-na.com/faq.cfm

The kit arrived today and they do not include bump stops, bearings etc. I've just placed an order for new oem mounts, bearings.

I have an eibach pro kit from a 2010 ms3 and these are slightly beefier springs. Pic later

 

[bubuski]

2010 ms3 eibach vs 2010 mz5 H&R

 

[Davicho]

2010 ms3 eibach vs 2010 mz5 H&R

Bubuski, did you ever run those black MS3 Eibachs on your MZ5? If so, did you notice any sagging from the rear?

 

[bubuski]

Bubuski, did you ever run those black MS3 Eibachs on your MZ5? If so, did you notice any sagging from the rear?

No, never installed it on the mz5.

After I ordered the Koni sport kit I saw the eibach paired with ms3 shocks cheap on kijiji and decided to get it just in case. After comparing visually, I'm sticking with the H&R spring and my reasons are below. The eibach is back on sale on kijiji.

Both are progressive springs which means they are geared for street use and comfort. The tighter bound coils at the top has lower spring rates and cushion the ride, but when pushed hard in a corner the tigher bound coils collapse to let the wider spaced coils of higher compression do the job of handling. Easy on the car when faced with a pothole on street but performs when being pushed.

- Based on coil layout, the Eibach will possibly have a softer ride because it has more tighter wound coils for cushion. My experience with similar springs is with time if they sag, the ride gets harsher and the coils get noisier. The coils that provide the cushion will be too close together and also get louder as the coating wear.

- H&R is very slightly beefier and is an actual mz5 pn# but it could be the coating. Eibach does not have a mazda5 kit. I feel the eibach will more likely sag because they were designed for a lighter car.

- Koni teamed up with H&R for the kit. I'd like to think there is a good reason why.

 

[ROBOTO]

Where did you order kit #4?
I did a Google search for the kit number and the first result was ebay, price is $US $954.72 (Approximately C $1,057.11)

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/Koni-1140-15...spension-Kits-fit-Mazda-5-05-09-/310900539891

 

[bubuski]

I bought mine locally from Eurosport Tuning.

Tirerack had it on sale for US$721 up till the end of August, that is the cheapest I had seen it. Koni usually has 25% off everything in the spring(March-May), that will be the next best deal.

 

[bubuski]

Well all my parts have now arrived. Time to put it together.

I'm contemplating if I should install them now or wait till spring. It will be a long wait so I'm wondering if the ground clearance I will loose will affect snow performance.

 

[bubuski]

OEM bump stops were impossible to find and Fat cats are abit too expensive. The few used OEM ones I saw at the junk yard were pretty beat up so I passed on them

I got these aftermarket ones for ~$14, they are supposed to be Mazda5 fitment but they are a little taller than the ms3 bumpstop that I have. The material is different and it feels stiffer but it could be because it is new

Are OEM Mazda5 and MS3 bumpstops identical? or the Mazda5 onces should be slightly taller? I'll know for sure once I remove the ones currently on the car

 

[bubuski]

Installed

 

[Secondtyme]

Looks great! How many turns are you running in the front on the Konis?

 

[bubuski]

Looks great! How many turns are you running in the front on the Konis?

I set the front to full stiff then backed out 360 degrees.