Mk3 Lowering - is it a mod or not ??????

[targa_man]

Apparently Mk3 cars were designed to sit about 30mm lower and they have only been sold the way the are in the UK to satisfy EU regulations on something (bumper height?).

Therefore if the car was actually designed by Mazda to sit lower - surely the lowering process is just taking the car back to what it should be. Do any insurance companies agree with this argument? (or do they all consider lowering a Mk3 car as a mod?)

[Raify]

Lower springs were one of the factory options you could ask for when new, I don't see how it could be a mod. Phone up Wheels in Motion, they know everything about this.

http://www.wheels-inmotion.co.uk/contact-blackboot...

[MX-5 Lazza]

I think the official line is something along the lines of: If it came from the dealer like it then it's not a mod (but should be declared if it's not a standard option). If it's added after then it is.

[hornetrider]

MX-5 Lazza said:

I think the official line is something along the lines of: If it came from the dealer like it then it's not a mod (but should be declared if it's not a standard option). If it's added after then it is.

This is correct.

Before I bought mine I asked my insurer (Flux). Their opinion was - if done by Mazda = fine, if done aftemarket then it's a mod. Specifically, they do not differentiate between factory option and dealer modification.

This may differ for other insurers so probably worth a call.

[Raify]

which means you should be able to take it to mazda, get them to fit the lowering springs option and it's not modded.

ETA: make sure you get the geo done afterwards by someone other than mazda as they'll do it wrong.

Edited by Raify on Wednesday 28th July 10:20

[targa_man]

Thanks guys - that's irritating as I'd rather have someone like Wheels in Motion do the whole job including the geo, and then it's a proper job with no hassle.

[hornetrider]

targa_man said:

Thanks guys - that's irritating as I'd rather have someone like Wheels in Motion do the whole job including the geo, and then it's a proper job with no hassle.

Just get WIM to tidy up the mess - I did

[targa_man]

Hornetrider,
True - but WiM tell me that their springs are heat-treated so will not sag/settle over time, therefore installing their springs & getting the geo done at the same time is 'job done'..........

.........whereas Mazda supplied springs (they reckon)are not heat treated and will settle (sag) slightly during the first year or so - which means the geo really needs to be done (or done again) after they've settled (pain in the a**)

[hornetrider]

I know WIM are the holy grail of alignment settings (other alignment centres are available) but that does sound like a bit of scare mongering hooey to me. At the end of the day, Mazda fit genuine Eibach springs, that's good enough for me. Any 'settling' is going to be miniscule shirley.

I'd be tempted to get an alignment every year or two anyway.

[DH2]

My insurer didn't want to know about dealer-fit options, so I had to change to an insurer who is alot less fussy about mods. Make sure you check with your insurer before going ahead.
I had WIM fit Eibach springs and set the geo about 6 months ago. I don't buy the heat-treating / sagging thing, mine seems to be fine so far.

DH2

[anonymous-user]

In terms of insurance there is no yes or no, depends on the insurer, for example admiral/elephant consider every signle dealer fit from new option as a modification, right down to parking sensors.

[DocJock]

Yep they even classed a Subaru PPP as a mod.

[targa_man]

OK - so my insurers (Aviva) are ok with it being done through a Mazda dealer (& my insurance increase is minimal - £32)

- however, it was a painful process to get the answer - primarily because their call centre people in India don't know the first thing about cars