Not sure exactly how much it would widen the track, but if you're making one of the arms longer, the tire has to pivot outward some thus increasing overall width.

I was using the Camber links to keep my rear camber right at nominal (-1 degree) I put 25K miles/year on my cars at a minimum, so that would be very expensive if I had to replace my tires every year.

I actually sold my 3 last year with 52,000 miles on it. The car was still like new. Nothing wrong with it, just re-aligning my priorities with my expenses. I hated the idea ofdecreasing the value ofmy car to nothing with all of the mileage I drive for work. In the 52,000 miles I drove it, the value went from ~16K to $10,500 (they got a great deal on the car as it had a ton of things done to it outside of the springs/links).......so it cost me 5,500 over the 2 years. Not bad, but.......

In May 2007 Ibought a 2000 Taurus with 90K miles for $4500 that runs me $450/year insurance and gets 26/27 mpg.....i.e. very cheap overall transportation. It now has 116,000 miles and still feels new. I have no qualms about driving this Taurus into the ground. They routinely last over 200K miles and are very inexpensive to fix if they do break.

 

[sm=smiley19.gif]that's a bummer.But you gotta do what yougotta do and unfortunately you never get what you put into it.

I actually just picked mine (043s hatch)up in February with about 80K for $9400. I had a Celica with 120K, but with babies on the way, the Toyota just wasn't gonna cut it. Got $4K on the trade so just paid the balance off out of savings so the title is free and clear. I hope it proves to be just as reliable as the Celica. No problems so far. I hope to drive it into the ground. I too put about 20K on a car so tread wear is a concern.

Thanks again for all the info!!

 

He WAS right at spec before installing theMS (MazdaSpeed) links. They pulled the alignment back in to -1*, where it ought to be.That's wht he's trying to say.

Also, you don't gain any track w/these. They push to top of the tire outward (they are longer than the OE's are)allowing a better static road to tire tread contact patch. They are ONLY for alignment purposes, not formodding the track of the car.

 

got it. Sorry for all the questions, but all this info has been extremely helpful. The negative camber is definitely visible now with the drop, so I need to getsome links on.

You need someone to buy thoseoff ya?

 

The SPC's? Not a chance, Pal.

The part# for them though is 67420, and you'll need two as they are packed individually.

 

Just kidding. I did order a pair (SPC's)through www.streetunit.com for right at $162.00 including shipping. It was the best pricing I saw between 3 to 4 different sites. So I should have 'em in a few days and hopefully installation won't be too much of a pain.

 

Oh, I didn't take your offer seriously.I knew you werekidding, and so I was just playing along.

I don't wanna tell you what I paid for mine. I got a real deal and knew I'd need them/want them, so I bought them long before doing the springs and shocks/struts.

 

Hey, Jason,
'Thought you might like to see this....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/SPC-R...QQcmdZViewItem

As good as that price is, I did better w/mine.MUCH better.It pays to be patient sometimes.

Just rubbing it in... and j/k.

 

That's a pretty good price (for those of us that aren't as lucky as you). I paid the buy it now price, but my shipping was included in that...so I did a little bit better - but I know - not as good as you [:@]. It does pay to be at the right place at the right time. Gotta give you props for that. I should have the links in within the week, but like you I'm sure there are going to be non-mechanical priorities that will get the attention first.

The springs do feel like they've settled a bit now and the overall ride is a bit stiffer, but no where close to unbarable. At least not for me. For my wife the story's a little different, but she is 33 weeks pregnant with twins.......so she has good reason to be uncomfortable aside from the ride quality of the 3. She's much more comfortable inour MPV

[sm=massbounce.gif]
Let me know if you get the SPC's installed. I'd be interested to hear how it went.

 

Ahhh..... Women are such wusses. Congrats (I think) on the impending family.
I'll bet she is more comfortable in the MPV. The 3 doesn't ride that well stock. It's not a plushy car in the first place.
I'm wondering what the H&R's I have are gonna do. I bet they'll ride harder than either the Progress or the Pro Kit. But they are quality, and again, I waited and got a really good deal on 'em, so I'll try them out.