Anyone try Monroe Quickstruts in these cars?
 

So I've been looking at new shocks and struts for my wife's Mazda 5 and I noticed that the Monroe Quick-struts are the only ones that actually have a different part number for the 5 than the 3. A lot of companies try to claim their preassembled struts are interchangeable but the MZ5 is significantly heavier than the 3 so I don't buy it. Monroe says their individual struts for the 3 and 5 are the same so I'm guessing only the spring is different.

However, it got me thinking that maybe their MZ5 quick-strut would be beefy enough for the MS3? I need new shocks and struts as well and money is super tight right now. Both cars need new tires too. I also need a comfortable ride as the MS3 is my daily driver and I transport the kids every day.

I put in the Sensen shocks and struts about 3 years ago but they've failed already. I can always swap out the springs with my OEM springs if I don't like the ones that come with the quick-struts. What do you all think?

No, haven’t tried that. Given the performance suspension improvements of our cars over standard versions, it seems prudent to make sure compression, extension and rebound valving are consistent with the higher handling expectations for our cars. That would usually point to Bilstein or Koni. It’s not just “beefy”, it’s the valving that maintains or improves handling.

I'm sure you are correct, however I cannot really justify spending that kind of money on a car that I may not keep for more than another year or two. Especially since I don't know how much longer the engine is going to last me. I don't really ever push the suspension to the limit and the Sensen Mazda 5 shocks and struts seemed no worse than OEM while they lasted. I did utilize my OEM springs though. I'd actually like something less harsh than the OEM springs but I don't know how the Monroes would hold up to the extra torque.

Right now I'm slamming into the rear bump stops hard especially with the family in the car so I just want to throw something in there, at least in the back.

Understood. Maybe just put new Sensen Mazda 5 struts and shocks back in if you were satisfied and got three years out of them?

Edge Auto Sports has OEM front struts for $128 each, OEM rear shocks are $94 each. They don’t last as long as Bilstein or Koni, but should get you three years or so. They are tuned to go with OEM spring rates and sway bar size.

Their Koni STR.T struts and shocks Speed 3 specific are almost the same price as their OEM prices and are way better.

https://edgeautosport.com/koni-str-t...d-3-2007-2013/

rear coils are stiffer on the 5 and also CX7 are longer and more stiff but i have no idea for the 5 front. I would imagine the front 5 isn't that much heavier with the same engine...

All that said, shock for shock, weight difference may not be the larger factor but valving configuration for more comfort or more handling....I did try Monroe just 1 time over 25years of driving and for me it is a ''never again''....I got sensatrack on a Ford Probe and at that time, i was more spirited driving than now but those made the car a bit dangerous from what it was with the factory leaking ones...

Also check your bump stop and coil height. Sometimes coil fatigue bring them lower and extend the shock travel to fail more easily....

Many used GR2 on MZ3 in my area with good feedbacks....

Have you shopped on Rockauto? I see they have Gen1 Sachs struts for $70ea and rear shocks are $36ea. Front strut/coil assembly are $119ea.

I wouldn't recommend it but there was a guy on here not too long ago that fit MZ3 Bilstien B4 on his speed with modification to the brake line bracket. Maybe the brake line bracket is the main difference between MZ3 and MS3 struts part numbers??

Just run the sachs. I'm running their front struts (313411, 313415) and shocks (313419). It's cheap. Touches your tip. I've had them since 98k miles and so far they are still rocking at my current 135k.

Save up if you really want the good shit. Quit mix and matching what isn't exactly for your car.