I recently bought an 07 Mazda3 S, and I love it. I am wanting to lower it for the looks reason. I recently measured my tire gap from the top of my tire to the top of the fender outside, since that is more likely where the tire will rub if it's lowered to much. I have been looking into getting a lowering kit by

http://www.meganracing.com/products/....x=5&input.y=8

since the Eibach Pro-Kit almost doesn't seem like it's enough of a drop and the Eibach Sport Line Kit, is a little to extensive since I only have 2 inches of clearence all around the car before the tires will rub. Also, I noticed that in the back there is just a strut configuration and the front is a spring and strut configuration. Any suggestions?

Falken Ziex 502 205/50ZR17 93W Tires. Any suggestions? Also, how low can I go before needing a camber kit?

 

You won't need a camber kit if you get a Pro-Kit, however my Mazdaspeed lowering springs (same as a Eibach Pro-Kit), came as a kit with rear camber arms included. You definitely will need a camber kit if you get the Sport Line springs. I think the general rule is if it's lowered OVER 1.33 to 1.5 inches that you'll need a rear camber kit.

I don't think you will rub with the Sport Line's using the stock rims and tires. I've seen many a picture of someone's ride with stock rims and Sport Line springs. With the stock rims, the stock tires will probably tuck right up inside the fender. It's when you use wider tires and rims with different offset that you'll have to worry about rubbing. There are many threads discussing that very topic.

Those Megan Racing springs say that they lower the car 1.5" but I see more gap between the fender and the tire on their car than on mine which is supposed to be 1.33" front and 1.25 rear.

Megan Racing:


Mazdaspeed lowering springs (Eibach Pro-kit)


See what I mean? I know my tires are not stock and the rim is a different diameter (18") BUT my tires are pretty much the EXACT same diameter as the stock 205/50/17 tire.

 

The RX-8 wheels you have are also wider.

Here's Prokit springs on a sedan (I sold this car while back.) I also did put the Camber kit on as I put 25,000 miles/yr on and didn't feel like trashing my tires that quickly.

17x7 wheels, 60mm offset 225/45R17 tires.

I thought it to be the perfect balance between performance and daily driver.

I miss this car.

 

Hence, along with the 50mm offset, is why the wheel/tire appears pushed out to the fender further than the stock 3 rim. I was just making the reference to the VERTICAL space between the top of the tire and the edge of the fender. If I had Sport Line springs, it'd definitely rub being pushed out so far. As it is right now with the Mazdaspeed/Pro Kit springs, it rubs a little on large bumps. Nothing a little rolling of the fenders couldn't fix. Stock rims/tires, on the other hand, should tuck up real nice and not have any rubbing issues, I would think.

BTW, the Mazda 6 rims look pretty nice on the 3! Was wondering what that might look like. Thanks for the pics!

 

No problem....just making sure he had a frame of reference for your wheels as well.

I've always liked the 18" RX-8 wheels. My car came with 15's, so the Mazda6 wheels were a HUGE improvement.

 

Speaking as a former, North-Easterner.... Youz guyz play nice now, willya'?

 

Has anyone thought about using the RX8 R3 Rims on a 3 yet?

 

Well, somebody has... and I'm sure I'm not alone either. I LOVE the way they look, but they are also:
1) Rare
2) Expensive, I'm sure
3) An unknown commodity, meaning that I'm sure they would fit, but how heavy are they? The reg 8's are 24lbs ea, or 5lbs more than the 17" OE 3 wheels. Are they forged or cast?
4) Might be able to get AM's that look similar at a better cost.

So yeah, I've thought about it. Beautiful looking wheels though....

 

I ran into the new look last night as I was on EBAY looking for RX8 Rims. I do lots of research on things, and found another thing. Anyone done the "Balance Shaft Delete" yet, here are a couple links.

http://www.mazdaiii.com/forum/showth...hp?t=123649153

http://forums.focaljet.com/new-produ...cus-2-3-a.html

 

Yeah, Mazda has! They put them on the 2010 Mazdaspeed 3! If they're not exactly the same they're pretty darn close!
That's one thing I can say that I like better about the 2010 MS3 than the previous model. Those ARE sweet rims, IMO!