I ran stock shocks withEibach Prokitsprings (very similar to Mazdaspeed springs)for a long time with no issues. The drop was ~1" and the ride quality was great. (I want to say I installed them at ~14,000 miles and drove it to 52,000 miles before I sold the car...I had the Mazdaspeed struts (never installed, new in box)and I was waiting for the stock struts to go bad before installing them, but the car still felt like new at 52,000 miles, so they never got installed.

Make sure to get your alignment professionally checked and aligned soon after you do your drop.

 

how soon? These springs i am buying aren't new so since they are already broken in should i get the alignment done the second i get them put on.

 

Yes, you should get an alignment, but the MS springs are onlygood for 25-33mm F/R. 25mm is about an 1". And w/the 2.0, 5-spsedan,the lightest of the 3 series, you will probably only see the 1" drop. Not too much at all. W/the camber linksit probably won't take much to bring it back intoalignment... if anything at all.
From the Mazdaspeed Accessories page:

Sport Spring Kit
[/align]MAZDA3 (2004-2007)
[/align]Warranty Level: Green
Reduces the ride height by 25-33mm depending on body style. Spring rate is increased by 30% over OE resulting in enhanced steering and improved cornering. Kit contains 4 springs, 2 Rear Camber Links and new rear bumpers.
Part Number: GRMS-8M-L05
MSRP: * $499.00

 

After my drop (also a i-model sedan), my rear camber was right at the edge of in spec (-2.1 degrees) It handled great, but I needed to make sure my tires lastest as long as possible, so I installed the camber links to get it right back to nominal (-1 degree). There were some other adjustments that needed to be made after the drop (I believe the front toe adjustment ended up off after the drop.)

It's all a matter of tire wear really. It won't be so far off that it's dangerous, but you'll be increasing the wear on your tires if the alignment is out of whack.

 

What he said... ^ ^ ^ What I said... ^ ^ ^

 

my springs are coming in wednesday! So my final decission came down to getting the camber links put on and i wanted a minor drop to avoid changing my suspension and not worrying about buying camber kits and endlinks and what not so even 25-33mm is ok because its better than stock and hopefully you can tell the differance and complement the car instead of getting a question like "you lowered it?"

 

My guess is that the drop willlook likeand be about the same as Tein H-Techs. 0.9"R/1"F
'Not a bad stance.

 

The gap between the tire and wheelwell will now be even all the way around the tire (instead of the big gap at the 12 o'clock position) It's noticable. My wife even commented on what a dramatic difference it made in the appearance (and she typically could care less)

 

A typical reaction for most women and wives.
Finding one that you can live with AND is into the car culture is the hard part... but as you know, don't look at me either.

 

I usually get the "rolling the eyes" look. I know you know what I'm talking about.

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