I'm having my dealer give me an quote on having a 2002 Protege ES with the "performance" MP3 suspension parts (as listed in Mazda's accessory catalog: springs, struts, swaybar set, strut tower) installed.

This dealer has done this before with a demo ES (plus body kit and muffler), so that's good. They're pretty determined to keep me happy on this and make a sale.

I'm just trying to get an idea of what's a good quote. I know the MSRP on the parts (listed on mazdaUSA.com) and judging from the springs about a 25% markup?

Any idea how many hours of labor it would be to do the swaybars, struts and springs? (I think you gotta drop the lower frame on the front.)

--Soon to be ES/MP3-and-a-half owner?

 

Let us know how it turns out, and the price.

Do a search for a user called Cruzer, he completely turned his ES into an MP3.

 

I should hear from the dealer Tuesday morning with the quote.

Here are the MSRP prices from Mazda's website:
Spring Kit $250
Strut Kit $575
Swaybar Kit (includes rear crossmember) $450
Strut Tower Bar $133

MSRP total $1408

Minus 25% markup? (based on Racing Beat's $200 price on the springs) $1056

Installation? (the swaybars will be the beee-aaach on that one)

Now they did build a black dealer demo ES/MP3 which included the body kit, front bumper, muffler and other bits which came to $4700 (but that may reflect full retail value for internal accounting purposes).

Stay tuned. If anyone has any input as to my guesses on markup and labor, lemme know.

Keep your fingers crossed. This would be financed under their 0% deal which expires tomorrow night!

 

Mazdastuff.com has some better prices it looks like...

You could possibly order the parts or get your dealer to match those.

www.mazdastuff.com

 

And the answer is ... NO SALE!

My salesguy (who's been real honest and more interested in making me happy than just taking my money) talked it over with the district parts manager, the service manager and some other guys involved in building their "MP3" demo, and said I'd be better off waiting and getting a Mazdaspeed cuz it would take SIX MONTHS to get all the suspension parts together! (Gee, no sense having them in a catalog.)

So I'm just gonna shop for a used MP3 (or ES) in a couple of years instead. But would have been interesting to have a custom ES with a full warranty on speed parts!

0% financing deal is still going on thru the 30th is anyone's interested in a new ES.

 

Wait! The plot twists!

Thanks for the mazdastuff link ... they're a dealer 200 miles from me who have the struts, springs, swaybars and tower bar in stock and can add them on to a new ES for $1937 extra (which ain't bad I think for a warrantied modded car). Lots of colors to choose from too. Now I gotta thinks about it!