The Mazdaspeed 3 is a beloved hot hatch known for its torquey turbocharged engine and engaging driving dynamics. However, to truly unlock its potential—whether for daily driving, autocross, or track days—upgrading or replacing suspension parts is a common step. This guide covers the key suspension components available for the Mazdaspeed 3, what they do, and how to choose based on your goals. Whether you're refreshing a worn-out setup or building a dedicated performance machine, understanding these parts will help you make informed decisions.
Shop on Amazon
Browse the latest options and prices.
Detroit Axle - Front Lower Control Arm & Inner Outer Tie Rods + Sway Bar Links Kit Replacement for 2
Coilovers
Coilovers are the most popular suspension upgrade for the Mazdaspeed 3. They combine a shock absorber and spring into a single unit, often with adjustable ride height and damping. This allows you to lower the car for improved aesthetics and lower center of gravity, while fine-tuning the stiffness for your driving style.
Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable
Most aftermarket coilovers offer adjustable damping (rebound and compression). Entry-level options may have fixed damping but adjustable height. For street use, a 32-click adjustable range is common. For track use, consider twin-tube or monotube designs with higher performance valving. Brands like KW, BC Racing, and Fortune Auto are popular among Mazdaspeed 3 owners.
Spring Rates
Spring rates are critical. Too soft and the car may bottom out; too stiff and ride quality suffers. Typical rates for a street-driven Mazdaspeed 3 range from 6k/5k (front/rear) to 8k/6k. For occasional track use, 10k/8k is common. Always match spring rates to your intended use and tire grip.
Camber Plates
Many coilover kits include or offer camber plates for the front struts. These add camber adjustment, which is essential for optimizing cornering grip and tire wear. Without camber plates, lowering the car often results in excessive negative camber or requires slotting the strut holes.
Lowering Springs
If you want a simple drop without the complexity of coilovers, lowering springs are a direct swap on the stock dampers. They lower the car by about 1.0–1.5 inches and increase spring stiffness. However, they often pair poorly with aging stock shocks, leading to a bouncy ride. Consider upgrading to aftermarket shocks (like Koni Yellows or Bilstein B6) if you go this route.
Progressive vs. Linear
Progressive springs have variable rates—softer initially for comfort, then stiffer under compression. Linear springs have a constant rate, offering more predictable handling. For performance driving, linear springs are preferred; for daily comfort, progressive may be better.
Sway Bars
Sway bars (anti-roll bars) reduce body roll in corners without affecting ride harshness as much as springs. A thicker front bar or adjustable rear bar can significantly improve turn-in response and balance.
Adjustable vs. Non-Adjustable
Adjustable sway bars have multiple mounting holes to fine-tune stiffness. For the Mazdaspeed 3, a larger rear bar (often 25mm) helps reduce understeer. Brands like Eibach, Whiteline, and Cusco offer direct-fit options. Installation requires careful removal of the stock bar and end links.
End Links
Upgraded end links (adjustable or polyurethane) are recommended when changing sway bars. They provide more precise motion transfer and prevent premature bushing wear. Stock end links are plastic and often fail on lowered cars.
Control Arms and Bushings
Mazdaspeed 3 front lower control arms are aluminum and have replaceable ball joints. The rear suspension uses multi-link arms with bushings that wear over time. Upgrading to polyurethane or spherical bearings improves alignment stability and reduces deflection during hard cornering.
Front Control Arm Bushings
Replacing the front LCA rearward bushing with a stiffer one (such as Powerflex or Superpro) reduces toe changes under load, making the car feel more responsive. This is a cost-effective upgrade that doesn’t require new arms.
Trailing Arms and Camber Arms
In the rear, adjustable trailing arms and camber arms allow precise alignment after lowering. Many lowered Mazdaspeed 3s run out of adjustment range on the stock arms, leading to uneven tire wear. Adjustable arms solve this and enable proper toe and camber settings for track use.
Strut Mounts and Top Hats
The stock strut mounts (top hats) are rubber and can wear out, causing clunking noises. Aftermarket mounts with stiffer bushings or pillowball mounts improve steering feel and durability. They also often include provisions for camber plates. For street cars, OEM-style replacements from brands like Meyle or Febi are fine; for dedicated track cars, consider pillowball mounts.
Bushings Kit
A full polyurethane bushing kit replaces all the rubber bushings in the suspension and subframe. This eliminates slop and improves precision, but it also transmits more NVH (noise, vibration, harshness). If you daily drive your Mazdaspeed 3, consider a partial kit (front LCAs and rear trailing arms) rather than a full set. Brands like Energy Suspension, Whiteline, and Superpro offer comprehensive kits.
Recommended Builds
Daily Driver Performance
- Coilovers: Adjustable with mild spring rates (6k/5k) and camber plates for proper alignment.
- Sway Bars: 25mm rear bar on soft setting, keep stock front bar or upgrade to 27mm.
- Bushings: Replace worn front LCA rear bushings and rear trailing arm bushings with polyurethane.
- Alignment: -1.5° front camber, -1.0° rear camber, 0° toe all around.
Track Focused
- Coilovers: High-end monotube (e.g., KW Clubsport or Ohlins) with spring rates 10k/8k or higher.
- Camber Plates: Adjustable front plates for up to -3.0° camber.
- Sway Bars: Adjustable front and rear bars, set to stiffest for minimal roll.
- Control Arms: Full adjustable rear arms for camber and toe, plus spherical bearings in front LCAs.
- Bushings: Full polyurethane or solid bushing set for maximum precision.
Budget Refresh
- Lowering Springs: Eibach Pro-Kit or H&R Sport springs, paired with Koni Yellow shocks.
- Sway Bar: Just a rear bar (e.g., 25mm Whiteline) with upgraded end links.
- Bushings: Replace all worn rubber with OEM equivalents, or do one poly bushing set on the rear.
Final Recommendation
Start by defining your primary use: daily driving, spirited back roads, or track days. For most owners, a set of adjustable coilovers with mild spring rates (6k/5k or 7k/6k) and camber plates offers the best balance of ride quality and performance. Pair them with a 25mm adjustable rear sway bar and polyurethane bushings on the front LCAs and rear trailing arms. Always get a professional alignment after any suspension work. Avoid cheap parts—they often fail prematurely or degrade ride comfort. Invest in quality components from reputable brands, and your Mazdaspeed 3 will reward you with sharper handling and more confidence behind the wheel.