Lowering Suspension

Lowering your new MX-5 and alignment

Why is the MX-5 higher than previous models ?
Mazda designed the new MX-5 to be lower than it actually is in the UK, this is due to EU regulations stating that the front of the vehicle had to be a certain height for pedestrians safety, but Mazda have been allowed to fit a lowering kit as a dealer fit option to lower the car back to the original designed height.
What are the advantages and costs ?
The most obvious advantage is that it makes the car sit as Mazda intended, it lowers the car about 35mm all around and evens up the gap around the wheels, It makes the car look like a sports car again, while retaining an excellent ride quality. Advantages in handling are noticeable, cornering flatter while steering is sharper. It certainly makes the car feel a lot more tighter. Some critics have said that the new MX-5 does not handle like the older generation MX-5, this completely solves the problem and the car now handles as Mazda intended it to. I would certainly recommend getting it done, it should be without doubt the first modification done to any new MX-5. The cost involved is minimum in comparison to the purchase price of a new MX-5, and with a bit of hagling you may be able to get it done free of charge if purchasing a new car. The option for lowering the car at a Mazda dealer is £299 which should include a full wheel alignment (I will explain more about this further down this article)
Can it be installed yourself ?
The springs can be purchased from Mazda for around £150 and can be fitted yourself if you are competent enough with this area of work. Mazda Part Number (Eibach Lowering Kit) 4100-77-774A The springs can also be purchased from the like of www.mx5parts.co.uk for around £80 If installed yourself then you will need to have a full wheel alignment done after installation. (again more about this later)
Why is there such a difference in price ?
	Ok a little confusing: The springs bought from Mazda a made by Eibach and are blue this is so I believe Mazda can automatically see that they are genuine Mazda parts. The after market springs made by Eibach are yellow, these are however exactly the same part even down to the number printed on the springs.
What about the Mazda warranty ?
With regards warranty Mazda may have an issue with the after market springs, any warranty claims may be effected if genuine Mazda parts are not used, and the same applies if not fitted by a Mazda dealer. It would however only effect things related to the suspension for example tracking, steering etc. If for example your radio failed to operate than the warranty would not be affected. Alternatively if the dealer fits the genuine Mazda lowering kit made by Eibach (blue) then the warranty on you vehicle is totally unaffected. This is however my personal opinion and worth inquiring at a Mazda dealership and finding out before you fit yourself.
Do I need to tell my insurance company ?
Yes you need to tell your insurance company of any changed to your vehicle and this includes suspension changes. This may well increase you premium a little, but I solely believe in telling the truth when it comes to insurance.
What's this about wheel alignment ?
Right now for the technical bit. Put simply ,there are number of things on the chassis of a car that determine how it handles and steers, for example toe and camber etc. This is to make sure the wheels are all pointing exactly in a straight line and are sitting to the ground at the correct angle. Now if fitting the springs yourself you will have no way of knowing if your car is set up correctly or not (99% chance it will be wrong) You can see from the diagrams opposite the basic principle of toe and camber, it clearly shows the effect it would have on you tyres let alone the handling and steering. There is of course a lot more to four wheel alignment than this but this perhaps this explains the concept in its simplest form.
If you have had the springs fitted at a Mazda dealership make sure you ask for a printout for the alignment work, every wheel alignment offers a printout for the customer, make sure you have your copy, otherwise you will not know if it has been done or not. If it is not done or not done correctly you may experience a pull to one side, or you may experience uneven and premature tyre wear. It is however believed that when the Mazda lowering kit is installed it brings the wheel alignment back closer to the perfect setup (but again this still needs to be checked and adjusted accordingly)
If the car is not aligned properly you are only experiencing 50% of the cars handling characteristics.
So where can I get the wheel alignment done ?
Well you can get your car aligned at any Mazda dealer, but as with all things its probably better left to a company that specialise in this line of work and do on a day to day basis. While there are numerous companies that offer this type of work I can personally recommend a company called "Wheels-InMotion" Tony Bones, the founder of Wheels-Inmotion has been a geometry advisor and tutor to the industry since 1985, and now brings his unrivalled knowledge and experience of the subject into the domain of chassis dynamics. Tony at Wheels-Inmotion prides himself on setting a cars alignment to near as perfect as humanly possible, I can personaly say that my car was transformed after visiting Tony Bones. The average cost for a full wheel alignment is about £85+vat Something also worth noting is that your car can benefit greatly for a wheel alignment even if the car has not been lowered. Here is a direct link, http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/

Below are some photos taken of my car before and after the Eibach springs were installed
Before: Standard Mazda Springs		After: Eibach springs installed by Mazda


Above you can clearly see that the space around the front wheel is uneven (left photo), while the lowered car on the right evens up the gap around the wheel, just as Mazda intended.


Any questions on lowering your car and other related subjects please feel free to email me at: paul@mx5-3rdgenerationlimited.com