Good day all. Brand new to this forum so bear with me. I have looked and looked in the suspension forums on stock suspension issues and have not found what I am looking for. My wife owns a 2004 RX8 Automatic w/ the Sport Suspension. She currently has 35k miles on the car. While driving it today, I noticed that the suspension has degraded considerably than when I first purchased it for her. I bought it with 14k miles on it almost two years ago. It is my best guess that the shock portion of the coilover is either going out soon or is completely gone. The spring rate of the suspension is fine. I would say it has the normal "bounce back" from when I bought it. It really feels as if the shock portion is not doing its job. My wife is perfectly happy with the suspension hence me not getting an aftermarket coilover kit. No real pothole driving or off road tours, 95% is short highway spurts and slow suburban transits.

So my questions are these:
Is the Sport Suspension model stiffer than non sport models?

Can I simply replace the shock portion of the coilover with OEM Sport Suspension shocks?

Thank you much

 

all OE type shocks should be replaced every 30000 miles

 

30k miles... Looks as if I am investing in suspension parts. Just priced out the shock portion only thru Mazda parts. Around $160 each for front and $180 each for rear! Thats not including "soft" parts like bushings, washers, etc.

Any suggestions for an entire coilover kit just a little stiffer than than stock?

 

Look in the classsifieds. Usually, there's take-off parts like this one....

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-parts-sale-wanted-44/fs-oem-sport-suspension-shocks-springs-143966/

 

I'm running with these, from this dealer, and love em:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=283&page=2

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=283&page=2

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...cat=283&page=2

You'll see that the MS shocks are less then what the dealer quoted you for OEM. I'm pretty sure Tommy still offers free shipping over 100 bucks.

 

If you want to dind great prices on shocks go to www.waynemazdafactoryparts.com they sell all there parts online for 30% off. Thats where i just got my new shocks