Forgive me if you’ve covered this subject before but I’m new to this forum.
I recently had the Mazda Eibach lowering kit fitted to my 2007 MK3 RC at Wrights of Norwich and am delighted with the results. The car is now about 1.5 inches lower and the ugly uneven gaps around the wheels are gone. The handling is greatly improved and the steering sharper. Ride quality hasnt suffered at all and I havent grounded on any speed humps or potholes.
I would recommend this modification to any MK3 owner - but do check with your insurance company first. I phoned Mazda Insurance after having the work done and was told that my policy would have to be cancelled as they don’t insure modified cars! I spoke to a supervisor later that day who promised to speak to their technical department and call me back which she did on the next day. She apologised for her inexperienced colleague and confirmed that as this is an approved Mazda dealer fitted option my policy would not be affected and there would be no extra charge - what a relief.
Well done Woody. Don’t forget to make sure that the bushes have not been twisted. Final tightenings must be done when the car is back on their wheels and not before.
You’ve got the car back to the way it should have been in the first place. Your experience with Mazda Insurance sounds almost identical to ours.
With the benefit of the experience of two lowered Mk3’s, I would suggest that fitting the springs is only the first half of the process.
The second half of the process is a visit to WIM to get the alignment checked and adjusted. This will take the improved ride and handling to a whole new level.
Wrights Mazda charged me £300 inclusive of parts, labour VAT and alignment. No doubt an independent garage would have been cheaper but I had to stick with Mazda as the car is under guarantee until November.
Wrights don’t have laser 4 wheel alignment equipment so I paid an additional £58.75 to Bosch Autotest of Meteor Close on the Airport Industrial Estate Norwich to have the alignemt checked. They were excellent providing a print out to show that although Wrights had done a good job they had to readjust one front and one rear wheel to get it spot on.
£358.75 does sound like a lot of money but believe me my enjoyment of the car has increased so much that it was definitely worth it.
Disappointed to hear that you had a similar experience with Mazda Insurance. I had assumed that they would at least have a list of approved Mazda optional extras and deal more professionally with Mazda owners. Sun Alliance only recently took over from Zurich so hopefully they will improve. I only went with them because, in the event of an accident, I would have no trouble getting the car repaired by a Mazda dealer.
I should have mentioned in my original posting that I did have a 4 wheel alignment check when Wrights admitted that they didnt have the laser equipment necessary. Bosch Autotest of Meteor Close Norwich let me watch them test the car and provided a print out. I highly recommend them although you have obviously found your own tester.
To be honest, although my driving enjoyment has been greatly increased by this project, it is the improvement to the appearance of the car that gives me the greatest pleasure. I’m sure the cars pictured in the sales brochure didnt have such large and uneven gaps around the wheels and the clearance of a 4wheel drive. I would suggest anyone buying a new MX-5 should negotiate a price to include the lowering springs. Out of season a dealer might be prepared th throw them in for free to make a sale.
Am I correct in assuming that american safety regulations have forced the raising of the suspension. At least we havent had to suffer the addition of hideous black rubber bumpers like the MG Midgets and Bs’ of the seventies when they had to be raised to meet new regulations.