Coilovers or Springs?

[jcutner]

I just got my Mazda3 a few days ago, and come summer, I'm wanting to lower it.

I see a lot of posts about the Eibach Pro-Kits, but my friend suggests that Coilovers would be a better decision, due to the fact that I can choose my ride height on demand.

Any arguments - pro's and con's on that kind of set up?

[mdass52]

If you're willing to invest the money, go with coilovers imo. Like your friend said you can set the ride height on demand. So in summer you can slam it down, in the winter you can raise it back up. Of course, they're not cheap. IF you go with Tein coilovers you set the damper settings too from the drivers seat with the TDFC controller.

[Tsirpas]

Bah, coilovers are not really all that great. At the end of the day everytime you adjust the height you have to get your car re-aligned, meaning you could buy springs a fraction of the cost, and during the winter install your stock springs back on and still pay for 2 alignments only, minus the 1600.00 for coilovers and instead only $400.00 for a decent set of springs (or buy used).

The good thing about coilovers is the custom drop, and the fact I guess you don't have to pay to get them un-installed and installed every season you want to change your drop. In the real long run, you might save 1-2 hundred, but that's all considering you keep this car for 4-6 years or so..

[1flycdnM3]

Ok i dunno if Tsirpas was making much sense here, but he did bring up some good points. Although changing from lowering springs to stock springs isn't something i do (or anyone else for that matter) and springs are generally less than $400, but you are forgetting that shocks are around ~$800 as well, so you are already looking at around $1100-1300 right there. As opposed to $1250 (tein) to $1500 for decent coils. Also, technically speaking, you SHOULD get a camber kit if you plan to go lower than 2" and with adjustable springs, you also SHOULD get an alignment every time you lower/raise your vehicle (which im guessing most people will).

[Tsirpas]

You don't need shocks with eibach's or teins. Camber kits are more advisable, but you don't even need those. And I know a few people that change up their suspension in the winter, they put their stocks back on lol... It takes a toll on their stock shocks but watever you replace those eventually. Iunno coilovers are a long term investment I'd say, but short term definately a wallet drainer.

[dentinger]

in for later.
im on lunch, i'll edit this later....

[Donutz]

You don't need shocks with eibach's or teins. Camber kits are more advisable, but you don't even need those. And I know a few people that change up their suspension in the winter, they put their stocks back on lol... It takes a toll on their stock shocks but watever you replace those eventually. Iunno coilovers are a long term investment I'd say, but short term definately a wallet drainer.

Correct, you don't need struts/shocks or cambers with these springs. Imo, you should invest in a proper suspension setup. At least springs and struts.Look at installation costs; I think I paid $100 for install; it didn't matter if it was just springs or springs and struts, the cost was $100. Total cost for my springs/shocksg/struts including install was approx $900. If you blow your stock struts when you're lowered you'll either end up buying am struts or another set of stock struts, plus installation. I would suggest getting am struts from the beginning and keeping the stockers if you need to convert back to stock. Handling will be much better with am struts.

Someone above hit the topic of coils right on the head. You'll likely need cambers, plus alignment every time you change ride height.

[TurboEight]

You don't need shocks with eibach's or teins. Camber kits are more advisable, but you don't even need those. And I know a few people that change up their suspension in the winter, they put their stocks back on lol... It takes a toll on their stock shocks but watever you replace those eventually. Iunno coilovers are a long term investment I'd say, but short term definately a wallet drainer.

I suggest getting shocks while you upgrade you springs..

or just get coilovers to begin with

#1 You have to replace them anyway so you have to spend money on labour again..

if you do it at the same time, you only pay for it once.

#2 The car will feel much better driving on some "proper" aftermarket shocks.

edit: jason..you beat me to it by 2 min..lol

[dentinger]

eh.

fyi:
coilovers are much stiffer than springs. so if you dont like a harsh ride, they arent for you. everyone says they're going to raise their car in the winter (like me), and it never happened. my car is lowered about 2"-2.5"s, and i get stuck in the snow all the time.
i paid $725 iirc for my Yonaka coilovers, and they are very similer to Tein basic coilovers.
you cant adjust dampening, or rebound, just height, but its good enough for me.
and in the year i've had them, i've had zero problems with them. i've probably put close to 15,000km's on them so far.

i had eibach sportlines before coilovers, and pretty much, they're cheaper (~$260?), softer ride, and its what most ppl go for (or pro kits).
uh... i never changed out my shocks, but alot of ppl do.
dont really have anything else to say about springs, so im just going to leave it at this...

[pahecko]

I just got my Mazda3 a few days ago, and come summer, I'm wanting to lower it.

I see a lot of posts about the Eibach Pro-Kits, but my friend suggests that Coilovers would be a better decision, due to the fact that I can choose my ride height on demand.

Any arguments - pro's and con's on that kind of set up?

If all you want to do is drop your ride, just get the springs. There is enough options out there to get your desired drop or close enough to it that there is no need to spend the money on coilovers just for a custom height.

If you want to improve handling more then what springs will give you, replace your dampers with aftermarket ones.

if you want better then that then go for the coil overs.

[dentinger]

or you can 1up everyone with springs and get coilovers.

nothing is more fun when some asks you what springs you have, and you reply with coilovers.
makes me seem kinda rich when i say it.

[pahecko]

Even though I have a pretty good set up now and it wasn't cheap, I may upgrade (http://www.hrsprings.com/products/coilovers/#) :)

[Tsirpas]

Well I'm installing the Tein S-techs, and I'm eventually going to buy a camber kit as well.

But for now I'll ride without one, see how that goes lol

[Olestra]

So to put most of what everyone is saying here and adding on a little bit of my own opinion:

Coilover pros:
- Customize ride height
- Better handling
- Proper setup (springs and dampers are matched)

Coilover cons:
- Higher Cost
- Much more maintenance (alignment if you change settings)
- Requires more research and knowledgde

As far as getting several alignments as some posts might suggest, essentially you can put the coilovers on, find a setting that you prefer and then just get the alignment done and leave it like that. If you need to change the settings as a seasonal ritual, then your seasonal costs obviously go up.
I've heard people say you have to go to a performance shop to get a proper alignment as regular tire shops won't align non-stock suspensions. I don't know this by experience though so somebody else can chime in on this.

It depends on what you care about.
If you only care about looks and getting a lower ride, springs may be good enough.
If you care about optimal handling and you plan on getting a full suspension set up sometime in your future anyways, get coilovers.

[1flycdnM3]

I know i already said it, but I really would hate someone to say "oh sweet, i can just get springs and everything will be ok" when that is NOT necessarily true. I was told this as well, but i always knew there was a "possibility" my stock shocks/struts wouldn't hold up and sure enough TWO MONTHS LATER one of my rear shocks "blew out" so please stop advising/advertising the whole "you don't need shocks, the OEM ones will be fine" when this isn't always the case.

Next thing you know I will be saying "I told you so" to everyone here.

[/end rant]

[Flagrum_3]

I'd say the best method is a quality set of coil-overs by far! Better all around performance, with the ablility to adjust height and dampening to suit your needs. :)

Worried about doing alignments? Don't!! When you first install them and have the original alignment done, you can find your setting tolerances (ride-height) by adjusting the height and checking the alignment tolerences, aslong as your within the specs your okay....this might limit your drop (say to 1.4"-1.5", but it makes for easier all-around use and piece of mind.


_3

[Fuman]

I know i already said it, but I really would hate someone to say "oh sweet, i can just get springs and everything will be ok" when that is NOT necessarily true. I was told this as well, but i always knew there was a "possibility" my stock shocks/struts wouldn't hold up and sure enough TWO MONTHS LATER one of my rear shocks "blew out" so please stop advising/advertising the whole "you don't need shocks, the OEM ones will be fine" when this isn't always the case.

Next thing you know I will be saying "I told you so" to everyone here.

[/end rant]
how old was your car when you put on your springs? A lot of people here, myself included was fine with aftermarket springs on stock shocks. I was on s-techs for a summer before switching back to stock. I hope you don't run into such a situation again.


you can set the ride height on demand
its not exactly 'on demand', you still need to go into a shop to change the ride height. EDFC is a good add on but its useless unless you track and drive the car daily.

To the OP:
look at these threads as well.
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=29020&highlight=coilovers+springs
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=26264&highlight=coilovers+springs
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=12570&highlight=coilovers+springs
http://www.torontomazda3.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=11650&highlight=coilovers+springs

In short,
If you are rich and want adjustable ride height: Get coilovers
If you are almost rich & don't need adjustable ride height: Springs + aftermarket shocks
(LOOK in to springs rates, actual #s, not other people's perspective)
If you aren't rich: Springs
If you don't know what your financial situation will be in 6 months, save your money.

[Donutz]

its not exactly 'on demand', you still need to go into a shop to change the ride height. EDFC is a good add on but its useless unless you track and drive the car daily.


To add to this, you should also get the corners balanced.

[Hives]

If your a rich guy and would have time to adjust your call w/e, then buy coilovers.

If your a poor guy and dun have time to adjust ur suspension at all, or even wash ur car, then just buy springs.

[froggy]

One thing with coilovers is that since we live in Toronto with all that salt and muck during the winter often the threads get all gummed and corroded, and that's pretty much it for adjustability, once that happens. For that reason I'd be hesitant to get coilovers. If you're going more than about 1 inch lower I'd also recommend new shocks/struts, especially if they've got 30,000km or more on them. Whatever you do don't skimp out and take short cuts like cutting your springs! Have fun with whatever you decide

[Kevin@nextmod]

eh.

fyi:
coilovers are much stiffer than springs. so if you dont like a harsh ride, they arent for you. everyone says they're going to raise their car in the winter (like me), and it never happened. my car is lowered about 2"-2.5"s, and i get stuck in the snow all the time.
i paid $725 iirc for my Yonaka coilovers, and they are very similer to Tein basic coilovers.
you cant adjust dampening, or rebound, just height, but its good enough for me.
and in the year i've had them, i've had zero problems with them. i've probably put close to 15,000km's on them so far.

i had eibach sportlines before coilovers, and pretty much, they're cheaper (~$260?), softer ride, and its what most ppl go for (or pro kits).
uh... i never changed out my shocks, but alot of ppl do.
dont really have anything else to say about springs, so im just going to leave it at this...
Are you sure your yonakas will drop 2inches? IIRC none of the coilovers for the mazda 3 drop that low not even the tein SS. Maybe the front will drop 2 inches but the even the rear? Or unless i'm mistaken. I remember i was looking all over the place for coilovers that will drop my mazda 3 2 or more inches and i had no luck so i went with the eibach sportlines and koni yellows.

And to be back on topic. Just ask yourself, are you lowering your car just for looks or you want performance? if you want looks then just drop your car with springs. If you're looking for performance then save up and get springs and shocks together to save labor as others have said, OR you can go with coilovers. If you're going to go with coilovers, go with a good set of quality made ones to last you longer.

Another thing is, even with coilovers, you still shouldn't drop it too low as the shocks will still blow unless you get the double perch design coilovers. IF you get the single perch ones, the lower you go, you're just decreasing the travel of the shocks and eventually it'll still blow. The double perch ones adjust the housing to go lower and not adjusting your shock travel.

[Flagrum_3]

One thing with coilovers is that since we live in Toronto with all that salt and muck during the winter often the threads get all gummed and corroded, and that's pretty much it for adjustability, once that happens. For that reason I'd be hesitant to get coilovers. If you're going more than about 1 inch lower I'd also recommend new shocks/struts, especially if they've got 30,000km or more on them. Whatever you do don't skimp out and take short cuts like cutting your springs! Have fun with whatever you decide


Okay here we go again! Coil-overs, if treated properly from the beginning "Will not suffer from rusted adjustment threads" as I've posted before> protect the threads from the beginning and every year after that and they will last years.

As for using springs; I put pro-kits on at just under 40k, I'm now at 96k and have no problems with my shocks or my suspension or my alignment, whatsoever....So much for the busted shock theory!!


_3

[froggy]

if treated properly [/B]from the beginning "Will not suffer from rusted adjustment threads"

That's the big thing "IF" treated properly, just like anything if you ignore it and don't maintain it it will go bad

[Nagimao]

And to be back on topic. Just ask yourself, are you lowering your car just for looks or you want performance? if you want looks then just drop your car with springs. If you're looking for performance then save up and get springs and shocks together to save labor as others have said, OR you can go with coilovers. If you're going to go with coilovers, go with a good set of quality made ones to last you longer.

Another thing is, even with coilovers, you still shouldn't drop it too low as the shocks will still blow unless you get the double perch design coilovers. IF you get the single perch ones, the lower you go, you're just decreasing the travel of the shocks and eventually it'll still blow. The double perch ones adjust the housing to go lower and not adjusting your shock travel.

Awesome. Thanks. Been looking on how to improve handling and performance and my friends have been telling me quality springs and shocks and you should be good. This confirms it.