R3 Suspension - springs vs coilovers

[craigy85]

Some of you may have read my previous post about my recently acquired R3... Today its had a full service (all belts, fluids and filters replaced) after changing the coils, plugs and leads last week, so quickly getting through the list of jobs.... Next up - suspension!

Both of the rear springs have cracked so I'm going to have to replace them, but I'm torn between 3 options:

1. Just replace the rear springs and keep the original front springs and bilstein dampers (they're looking a little rusty and a couple of rubber boots have split but no leaks and still feel great). However, I understand the springs are only available from Mazda and are not cheap?

2. Lowering springs all round and keep the factory dampers (Tein S, Eibach and Racing Beat seem to be pretty popular). £150 - £250 + fitting?

3. Go all out and switch to coilovers (MeisterR ZetaCRD+ or Tein Flex Z appear to be the top options without melting the credit card). £750 -£850 + fitting and setup?

So has anyone got any feedback on any of the above options (or any others I haven't considered in the same price bracket) vs stock R3 suspension and whether coilovers are worth the extra outlay?

I'm not planning to track / race the car (maybe the odd trackday at some point in the future) and think Mazda's balance between comfort and handling is pretty much spot on for daily use, so wouldn't want to stray TOO far from that... although I do think the car sits too high so wouldn't say no to a bit of a height drop!

[craigy85]

2. Lowering springs all round and keep the factory dampers (Tein S, Eibach and Racing Beat seem to be pretty popular). £150 - £250 + fitting?

You can't fit S1 aftermarket lowering springs to the R3 damper units.

There are some S2 lowering springs listed in the US but they didn't get the same dampers as the R3.

Last time I checked, the R3 rear springs were £164 pair, plus VAT, dealer retail.
That was January last year. The Mazda EPC is currently down for maintenance.

[350matt]

having just changed my dampers on my S1 to PZ bilsteins the biggest issue is the PZ (and I'd imagine the R3 springs are the same) uses a flat base spring wheras the S1 dampers have a stepped base to accommodate the spring
so I had to make some conversion parts to adapt the stepped spring to the flat damper seat

so if you want to use S1 style springs like the Teins then you'll also need some adaptors

I will say the conversion for me was totally worth it
the quality of the damping of the Bilsteins is superb and a excellent upgrade over the stock parts
and I'm on the Tein S springs which are uprated over the stock part so it appears they work well with the PZ dampers

[craigy85]

That's odd Dave... the lowering springs I mentioned are listed as being compatible with both Series 1 and R3, e.g:

Racing Beat - https://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/Mazda- ... Spring-Set

Eibach - https://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/Mazda- ... Spring-Set

I've picked on MRP but seen the same on multiple websites (although I notice the eibach ad says they won't fit the PZ?)

Would be interesting to see what the current price is for a pair of standard rear springs... that's not as bad as I was expecting from Mazda!

[mi60o0]

Some of you may have read my previous post about my recently acquired R3... Today its had a full service (all belts, fluids and filters replaced) after changing the coils, plugs and leads last week, so quickly getting through the list of jobs.... Next up - suspension!

Both of the rear springs have cracked so I'm going to have to replace them, but I'm torn between 3 options:

1. Just replace the rear springs and keep the original front springs and bilstein dampers (they're looking a little rusty and a couple of rubber boots have split but no leaks and still feel great). However, I understand the springs are only available from Mazda and are not cheap?

2. Lowering springs all round and keep the factory dampers (Tein S, Eibach and Racing Beat seem to be pretty popular). £150 - £250 + fitting?

3. Go all out and switch to coilovers (MeisterR ZetaCRD+ or Tein Flex Z appear to be the top options without melting the credit card). £750 -£850 + fitting and setup?

So has anyone got any feedback on any of the above options (or any others I haven't considered in the same price bracket) vs stock R3 suspension and whether coilovers are worth the extra outlay?

I'm not planning to track / race the car (maybe the odd trackday at some point in the future) and think Mazda's balance between comfort and handling is pretty much spot on for daily use, so wouldn't want to stray TOO far from that... although I do think the car sits too high so wouldn't say no to a bit of a height drop!

Mby is your lucky day I have nearly new flex z covered less than 600miles 450 collected if posted will be about 500. For insured parcel. I'm located in Greenwich or can leave them near Luton Airport.

[kopite72]

Meisters all day long,highly adjustable should you decide to take the car on track and a top quality product aswell.

I have an MX5 and I'm putting on lowering springs soon so you might say why am I recommending Meisters when I'm not fitting them myself? Well my plan long term are a set of Meisters but for now springs will do.

Meisters are a highly recommended coilovers, you won't he disappointed should you go for them

[craigy85]

Mby is your lucky day I have nearly new flex z covered less than 600miles 450 collected if posted will be about 500. For insured parcel. I'm located in Greenwich or can leave them near Luton Airport.

I could be interested.... d'you mind me asking why you're getting rid after less than 600 miles? And were they on a S1 or R3? Either way, how did you find them compared to stock? I've just been reading some threads on here about the Flex Zs bottoming out / coil binding easily and possibly being undersprung so was on the verge of discounting them...

Also found another option this morning - https://www.tarmacsportz.co.uk/bilstein ... n-kit.html

Again, any personal recommendations appreciated...

[mi60o0]

Cuz I'm striping my car and selling the car mate.

[Claire Bear]

hiya Craigy ..My partner ran our R3 on the Eibach springs...... First mod done actually.. So that's the factory Bilstein's and eibach springs combo. We found it to be a really good set up for the road... Still very comfortable with a definite more firm feeling when pushing on through the corners.

[warpc0il]

Have you fitted R3-specific Eibach springs?

I recall this... viewtopic.php?f=19&t=73692

[CLOVERLEAF159]

you know what warp, I'm not sure if our eibach springs that were fitted were R3 specific or not tbh...

[craigy85]

Thanks Cloverleaf, really useful!

I'm think i'm leaning towards the Bilstein B12 kit at the minute... My thinking is;

- The current dampers are now 12 years (/ 70k miles) old so probably not giving their best any more and the front dust boots are both split so they should be replaced or it'll be an MOT advisory (or I could remove them and likely speed up failure)
- If I have to pay someone to replace the springs (or be brave and do it myself), the dampers are going to have to come out anyway, so why not replace springs and dampers together, and have them properly matched (rather than OE dampers with aftermarket springs)
- Knowing my luck, if i replace only the springs I'll have the damper(s) failing / leaking in 6 months and have to do it all again!
- The B12 kit is cheaper than (decent) coilovers, should give the right amount of lowering (25-30mm front, 25mm rear), improved handling and it's fit and forget... So I can't be tempted to fiddle constantly with the set-up and probably make it worse!

i just can't find any reviews / record of anyone fitting them to an R3

Dave - All of the sites i've looked at suggest no difference between Series 1 and R3 springs (but quite a few specifically exclude the PZ) so is it possible it's only the PZ damper which uses a flat base?

[CLOVERLEAF159]

is b12, the most extreme set up kit they do then? as in terms of lowering and stiffness....?

[V8 Power]

You could always go for the PZ kit (shocks and springs) proven to fit and work very well on the R3.

[craigy85]

is b12, the most extreme set up kit they do then? as in terms of lowering and stiffness....?

The B12 pro kit is basically the next step from OEM - lowered and stiffened, non adjustable. then they do the B14 (pre-load / ride height adjustable) and B16 (fully adjustable) coilovers

You could always go for the PZ kit (shocks and springs) proven to fit and work very well on the R3.

But then i'd be in the same boat with 12+ year old kit... if i don't go for the B12 kit i think i'll stick with the R3 dampers and just get a set of springs (e.g. eibach / tein)

[V8 Power]

You could buy a brand new set of PZ suspension from the club shop presuming there is still some in stock.

[craigy85]

You could buy a brand new set of PZ suspension from the club shop presuming there is still some in stock.

Ah -ha... I hadn't realised they were still available brand new! Do members get any shop discount?

[Ollie]

600 quid cost if you have a years membership.

[craigy85]

Ooooh, now that is tempting!!

Dont suppose any of the R3 owners who have fitted the PZ suspension could give me a ride and handling comparison vs stock, and maybe a pic or two of the PZ 'stance'?

[V8 Power]

viewtopic.php?f=24&t=81760&p=1264201&hi ... Z#p1264201

[craigy85]

Thanks V8 Power - that doesn't suggest a great deal of difference over a stock R3 though (no difference in height and 'potentially' slightly softer sprung)?

[V8 Power]

I think the PZ and R3 suspension set ups are very similar.
Don't forget though that it will be brand new so an improvement over old worn suspension anyway.

[craigy85]

Very true... but i was looking to lower the car too (not much, maybe an inch or so)

[mi60o0]

A bit out of subject the coilovers are sold. Good luck with your choice.
If you do pz suspension you can skip declaring it to the insurer looks the same as oem bilsten on your.
If you go with adjustable coilovers some insures are a bit funny.

[V8 Power]

If you want a drop then coilovers are the way to go.
Some on here including myself (on my S1) have Tein Monosport which I have to say are superb.
You can adjust the ride height and damping, the springs are stiffer than standard.
In my opinion with the dampers adjusted to half way (8clicks from full hard) the ride is pretty much the same as a standard R3.
You can also fit Tein's edfc system that allows you to control damping from the drivers seat or even automatically.