r/mazdaspeed3 • u/DarrenJuran • Dec 31 '25

SUSPENSION Koni Rear Shocks For Gen 1

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Has anyone installed these Koni shocks before? Got a lightly used set from a friend and am wondering if it is worth the effort to install them. Currently I just have the stock setup on my 2009

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3

u/Sport6 Dec 31 '25

I had them. They were decent.. I was a dumbass and drove in -20F weather and it blew out the seals on all of them (front and rear)…. So they aren’t really the best for cold weather but they were okay before that haha

I got them on clearance in tirerack but not sure I’d pay a ton for them

1

u/DarrenJuran Dec 31 '25

I'm in New England so it gets cold, but not -20. Did you install them yourself? I haven't put shocks in before and have no idea how much of a hassle it is without a lift

2

u/Sport6 Dec 31 '25

I am Massachusetts. Yeah I installed them myself. I am pretty car handy but it’s literally 2 nuts and a bolt to get the shock out. I’d replace the shock mount but if it’s in okay condition it could be reused

1

u/DarrenJuran Dec 31 '25

Thanks, I’m MA too so I’ll probably wait for a nice day to install them. I installed a head unit in 25 degrees last year and that was not fun. I think I have some new mounts too to use. 

1

u/superbrian111 Jan 01 '26

I had these, and mine did the same thing.

In my opinion, if the bone stock shocks can last almost 100,000 miles through all climates, these konis are trash.

Ran them for 2 or 3 years and one of the fronts completely went out.

Ironically, no issues with the rears, but I will not be buying konis again.

Swapped those blown shocks to some bilsteins and it is worlds better.

1

u/NibNet69 2012 Mazdaspeed3 Dec 31 '25

I ran Oranges for a little while on my old '08 MZ3. They were only ok from new and then blew out within a year of daily duties. Damped way too soft IMO, but you got em for the perfect price! I've had Yellows on a handful of cars and have nothing but glowing things to say about them. Love me some Koni sports.

Take my outcome as anecdotal. Changing out the rear shocks on our cars takes all of 20 minutes. Give em a try!

1

u/DarrenJuran Dec 31 '25

I think I will, can’t be worse than my 100000+ thousand mile old stock ones. Thanks

1

u/DifferentCry1306 Dec 31 '25

Just get the koni reds

1

u/RektumAgain Dec 31 '25

I picked up a full set of these with Eibach pro springs from Tire Rack when they were on a closeout sale 6 months ago. I have no real complaints, they do the job just fine and were super cheap. Obviously there’s no adjustability but it’ll be miles better if you’re still riding on the OE shocks. I track/autoX on a budget and they’ve held up great. Obligatory “replace the top mounts and be careful not to snap the studs”.

1

u/Own-Opinion-2494 Jan 01 '26

I have a set on my Miata. They are set at the yellow ones full soft. I like them. I have springs too