Lowered my R3
 

I bought Tanabe GF210 springs probably a year ago and finally got around to installing them. I love how it looks now. I also have 20mm spacers installed and 245/35/19 tires. There is a slight rub on the passenger rear. The tire is just barely making contact with the wheel liner where it sticks out to cover the bumper mounting tab. I should be able to modify the liner and not have to touch the mounting tab. I have to call and set up an alignment sometime this week.

Since this thread is worthless without pics here are a few a snapped at the grocery store. I threw one in of my shift knob since I refurbed it the other day. The red stitching had turned light pink and the polished top was all scratched up. I painted the top with some textured black rustoleum and used a red paint pen on the stitching.

Looks good! Interesting idea with the rustoleum.

Looks clean. Tanabes were the first springs I ever installed on an RX-8 over a decade ago. Good springs.

I didn't really like the polished look. Honestly I don't really like the shape of the shift knob, I prefer a round knob. I might end up getting this one from an ND Miata.

Nice R3!

Never heard of Rust-Oleum until now. Looks like a good idea.

As for the OEM knob, I personally find it to be too aesthetically interesting to swap out for another. The round one may feel better in your hands, though.

Can you provide the details on the paint pen you used on the shift knob stitching? Mine has the same problem.

I used a Uni-Paint fine tip marker.
https://www.staples.com/Uni-ball-Fin...product_497792

I don't know how it will hold up but even if I have to touch it up every 6 months it is way better than pink. I have seen people do it with a red sharpie too.

EDIT:
It didn't hold up at all.

Don't bother trying to find the same paint pen. It is back to being pink already after about 100 miles of city driving :crying:

No issues with the rear being raised like I read with other springs? Were these made for the S2?

Nope, the gap is very even. They were not made specifically for the S2. I was worried about them not coming out even but saw a few other R3s on the forums with them and it looked good so I took the chance.

The S2 rear spring perch is higher so it drops the car less in the rear than advertised. If you compare Tanabe to other springs you will see the rear drop is greater, which is another reason why I thought they would work well with S2 shocks.

Tanabe lowers 1.4"/1.2"
Tein S-Techs 1.4"/0.7"
Eibach 1.2"/0.8"

S-Techs seems to be one of the most popular S1 springs because they give an even look.


I think the only time there is no drop or the car is actually higher is with Racing Beat and Tein H-Tech because they only drop 0.5" and 0.3".

Any noticeable difference in handling after the springs and spacers? I have considered both in the past for aesthetic appeal but I love how to car handles too much to mess with it.

Do the fronts rub when turning? I'm thinking of getting spacers too.

Who are you talking to?; the OP sold this car back in June.