Mazda 3 MPS

[jaycrab]

Does anyone own one? What are your thoughts?

I'm in need of something more practical than the 5, and don't have the largest budget (<20).
This is my thought process so far;

- A 135 would be nice but not overly practical
- RX8 S2 would work but not a fan of engine rebuilds
- Partner doesn't want a WRX/EVO/Falcadore
- VW R36 is quick but likely boring to live with. Can't think of any other affordable Euro/Jap sedans in price range and vintage
- AWD hatch (S3, VW R, AMG 45, Ford RS) would be great but over budget

That leaves FWD hatches...
- the Megane 250/265 is best in class but not overly practical (2 door, I'd rather a 135)
- Golf GTI and Focus ST are a bit meh
- 3 MPS?

All reviews indicate that torque steer is a massive issue and fast launches are difficult, but it looks to be a cheap, practical, reliable automobile. I'd like to know how they compare to a mx5 in terms of 'fun' on a daily basis. Is it just a powerful shopping trolley?
thanks

[smy0003]

I ended up with an RS250 after polling the forum:
viewtopic.php?f=53&t=73543

It has more boot space than a Mazda 3 (but a smaller opening), and is certainly more practical than a 135i (as much as I would've liked a twin turbo straight 6 RWD coupe). Rear seats are for small humans only, if you're friends are like mine (6'+,90kg+) and you drive them around a lot on long journeys forget about it.

A 135i would be pushing that budget a bit from memory, a few around the $20k mark but most seem to ask $25-30k.

Go out and drive them all, find a dealer with a trade-in on the forecourt and go and see how you like them. I also considered the 3 but never got round to finding a dealer with one ready to be test-driven.

[jaycrab]

Awesome. It looks as though we have/had similar requirements.
I had a look at a 265 last week. I don't have any kids now but am hoping that the next car will be around for the 1st, hence ideally after 4 doors.

A child seat in a megane rs looks doable but I think it would be a pita. If it's going to be a pita, I'd rather an equally painful 6cyl twin turbo BMW...but I'll have to take a 3 MPS for a drive.

Is the OzRenault 'for sale' section for members only? I can't remember my login from when I owned a 172.

[smy0003]

Yes, kids and coupes are a massive hassle.
Yes you have to be a member to see the classifieds over there.
Shame the Rex/Evo pair has been ruled out as they are really spacious, almost Camry levels of space.

Sent from my LG-H815

[project.r.racing]

For the ages of 3 MPSs nowadays, be prepared to sink some money into it. Gearboxes and bushes make life somewhat hell for older aged models.

[Blade_Hunter]

Gen V Liberty GT? Either sedan or wagon, decent 2.5T boxer motor, AWD.

Be prepared to wave bye bye to your fuel economy though.

[Lokiel]

Summary: Starboard motor mount should be upgraded and if it's damaged, you may need to replace the driveshafts too.

OEM motor mounts in all Mazda 3 BK/BL series are the same, regardless of specification (poverty pack through to the larger-engined SP23/SP23/MPS) and do NOT handle the extra torque of the larger or turboed engines well.

The starboard-side motor mount (referred to as the "Passenger side motor mount" in LHD cars) in particular is prone to failing early.
It's filled with fluid and when the rubber damper splits will spill out.
You can see this easily in the engine bar so feel around the rubber damper to see if it's split and look for stains on the chassis in that area.

You can hear this easily too when you start the car, you'll hear dull metallic thudding as the engine starts.
When you hit a pothole or drive over speed humps you'll hear solid metallic thumping too.

My SP23 had this problem so I replaced all 3 motor mounts.

I replaced the one under the battery with an OEM one since I couldn't find a better one (not many complaints on this one and my original one was actually OK - it's the hardest to replace too because you have to remove so much crap to get too).

The other 2 were replaced with mounts from James Barone Racing (Durometer 70, Street) so I'll never need to worry about them again:
http://www.jamesbaroneracing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=333_336_346_369&products_id=522
http://www.jamesbaroneracing.com/shop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=333_336_346_369&products_id=916
These 2 were easy to DIY replace.

Front end was still very noisy compared to my previous MaxxSport Mazda 3 so I replaced the driveshafts (was warned that the driver-side one was probably damaged due to the collapsed motor mount) and now the car "sounds right".

The Mazda 3 BK/BL is a great little car, which is why I replaced my hail-written-off car with another one. The only other complaint that some have with them, and Mazda 6's in these years, is that they're noisier in the cabin than comparable makes, especially in the rear of the car - doesn't bother me though, I'm always in the driver seat.

[jpgibson]

I've had a few of your options.3 or 5 door?
MPS3: I had a nearly new series one.One of the most sh1tful cars Ive owned ( out of about 35). Terrible turbo lag, followed by torque steer and horribly harsh suspension. The Series 2 is much better I believe.
RS Megane: had a big bum R26 and a RS250. Both great. R26 more practical. Couldnt see out the back of the 250.
RS Clio: had 172, 182 Cup and 197. All great but the 197 was the best. These ( and the 200) are great buying but need a fair bit of revving to get them going! great comfort and also a ( 2 door) hatch.
WRX: practical, reliable, hatch, bit boring ( mine was a 2008- the most boring!)
Liberty: had a B4. Pretty good
Audi S3: one of my favourites. Very expensive to maintain though ( mine was a 2002)
GTI: was going to get one , but so does everyone else. Probs for a good reason!
Cooper S: great fun, bought the MX5 over this. Great ( supercharged) engine, reasonably practical ( cf a MX5!), but electrical gremlins a la BMW.
So, reliable, good fun, easy to live with and sell=WRX.
If you want something a bit different= RenaultSport.
If you want something a bit classy:S3, but it'll be exxy to maintain.
Good luck!

[Lokiel]

Gen V Liberty GT? Either sedan or wagon, decent 2.5T boxer motor, AWD.

Be prepared to wave bye bye to your fuel economy though.

+1

Ex-workmate of mine just bought the Subaru Liberty GT Spec.B and it's a great sleeper, you can use all the WRX aftermarket parts and it goes like stink but looks classy at the same time (STILL can't appreciate the styling of the WRX) and you wont get hassled by police.

If you don't care about fuel economy, this is a great undervalued car.

As for the "decent 2.5T boxer motor" comment, well it's so "decent" that it won 2 international engine of the year awards in the 2.0-2.5L category (see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Engine_of_the_Year).

[ManiacLachy]

I would love a Gen4 SpecB Liberty wagon as a daily. 3 problems though:
1. Fuel economy is atrocious
2. I would want to mod it just as much as my MX-5
3. Missus wouldn't let me

[ralt]

Hi.
Thought of a ford fiesta st. Built in germany. Will put a smile on your face every time you drive one.

[jaycrab]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I generally know what's out there and have considered all matter of options. It's just a case of competing priorities and choosing where to compromise. A 5 door hatch would be most appropriate for the 'practical' car but if I can't find one I'm happy with, a 3 door is still more practical than a mx5.

The MPS looks good on paper and if crappy engine mounts are the only common flaw, it's just something I can build into the budget. The torque steer and turbo lag wouldn't bother me but my wife may find it unnerving as she hasn't dríven a turbo or powerful fwd. I guess we'll both need to test.

A WRX hatch would be the obvious choice (and my choice) in budget, but wife can't shake the fully sik subwoofa association, so it's a no. A liberty is a bit on the large side and for me, and if I was going the sedan/wagon route I think I'd prefer the R36 Passat. The engine is amazing and I love the interior, but again, I think these are both a bit too big to chuck around and have fun in.

For the ages of 3 MPSs nowadays, be prepared to sink some money into it. Gearboxes and bushes make life somewhat hell for older aged models.

- Really? I'd be looking at the BL series 2 around 2010, so pretty recent in my view. I would have thought a Japanese built, fairly modern hatch would be more reliable than most I'm considering...

Summary: Starboard motor mount should be upgraded and if it's damaged, you may need to replace the driveshafts too.

- A megane is sounding more appealing...

Thought of a ford fiesta st. Built in germany. Will put a smile on your face every time you drive one.

- Can't say that I have, but if I'm going with a FWD 3 door it will probably be a renault sport. I've owned/tracked a 172 Clio, dríven a 197 and they just dominate the competition.

I'd love a 5 door S3 but starting in 2009 they're still $25k+. The 3 doors are cheaper but don't have as much space as I'd like, and in my price range have 1,000,000 Kms. I haven't had a proper look at a 5 door R32 or A3 quattro (same same) but am weary that maintenance may be $$$.

It's a shame that the new breed of 5 door AWD hatches are all out of budget because they're exactly what I'm after

So far the plan is to find a dealer MPS to test and hire a RS265 for the weekend to see if practical enough. The few 135i I've seen at 20k sell very quickly and likely have issues, so realistically I should write this off as an option.

As a side, I find it interesting that MX5 and rotary royalty doesn't equate to 'Mazda' loyalty.

[manga_blue]

The MPS looks good on paper and if crappy engine mounts are the only common flaw, it's just something I can build into the budget. The torque steer and turbo lag wouldn't bother me but my wife may find it unnerving as she hasn't dríven a turbo or powerful fwd. I guess we'll both need to test.

A friend's daughter has one of these as her first car at 17. She's had no issues with driving it at all. She is far from a sensible sort of girl too. At 14 she told me she wanted a track RX7 and would I please teach her how to race it. She has had a blown front suspension lower control arm rear bush (one of the fluid filled ones). Solid rubber replacements were $36 each and a couple of hours work for the pair. I'd factor in around $250 to fix them all earlier and negotiate the price down that much or more in accordance.

[speed]

Thanks for the suggestions.

I'd love a 5 door S3 but starting in 2009 they're still $25k+. The 3 doors are cheaper but don't have as much space as I'd like, and in my price range have 1,000,000 Kms. I haven't had a proper look at a 5 door R32 or A3 quattro (same same) but am weary that maintenance may be $$$.
.

A 5 door r32 is NOT the same. Great car though

An A3 quattro suits your budget and if you don't mind the look of it, worth a test drive.
However, If you are weary of maintenance than forget the R36.

A mate of mine has a fiesta ST and I was quite impressed with it but figure it would be too small for what you're after.

WRX would actually be very sensible and suitable.

Sent from my GT-I9506 using Tapatalk

[rpost77]

Have a 1990/1991 NA (since 1993).

Was only (primary) car until we decided we needed a more practical 5 seater (for schlepping in-laws around etc. when they come to Sydney for medical stuff). So we bought a new 2008 Mazda 3 Maxx Sport (September 2008).

This has been the primary since then (although I did use the MX5 as DD to work and back for 3 years (100 Kms a week) and for fun drives).

The 3 now has 120K on it.

It is a good car for what we use it for and general purposes. Has enough "get up and go" for me so no desire for anything "sportier".

Stuff to consider/that has occurred:

Engine mounts as someone has already mentioned - ours went at around 40K from memory and although a TSA was issued about this in the US there was none here and Mazda refused to cover so we ended up forking out. Think it might be on the way out again as it is making the the metallic noises over bumps (thanks for that info - been complaining of this to Mazda service for the last 2 and they could not find/replicate - but sounds right).

Problem with the power steering hydraulic connections that was covered by a TSA and fixed free.

Air con compressor failed about a month out of warranty and Mazda quoted $1600 for the part. I managed to locate identical for $500 but ended up arguing with Mazda successfully so they replaced free.

Shocks - really shocking! (pardon the pun). Failed around 80K. Mazda service useless (took car in - described noises etc. - their response was to replace rear sway bar ball joints and cracked under tray - took car to Heasmans - described problems (rear left noise - front right noise etc.) and they looked and guess what - both shot.) Replaced with Bilsteins (B6) which are better than the stock shocks (although a bit firmer which I and the other half don't mind).

The crappy stock shocks are a known issue and appear to last only up to ~80k (much internet research done when I had this issue confirms).

Rear tailights (stop) melted - melted all the red off the inside - once again a common issue and I managed to get Mazda to replace at no cost (instead of $600 for each unit) at the 8 year old (105K) mark. Others not so lucky but I think arguing "original bulbs - manufacturing defect and safety issue" helped my cause.

Air con hoses started leaking around the 100K mark - had to replace (hard lines) at around $400 from memory.

Seats (cloth) are really sh*t for drives longer than 2 or 3 hours. They are comfy and I quite like them but after about 2 solid hours the bum starts getting numb. They are just a bit too hard in the rear portion of the actual seat. Both driver and passenger are the same (other half can attest to this from the passenger viewpoint).

Cabin noise is an issue/louder than others. The 2008 model we have (BK) is the face lifted/upgraded model that began in late 2008. My brother-in-law had a 2004 model (Neo) - produced between 2004-2008 and they were significantly noisier. The 2008 model had improvements with the noise. Also - after 60+ Ks we changed from the stock tyres to Michelin S3s and noticed an improvement in sound. When those were replaced (recently) we went with RE003s and these are even quieter so that has improved the sound.

The car has done 120K now and really runs well. To be honest I'm not the most attentive to the car (tend to service around the mileage points rather than time) - not neglecting but not necessarily complacent either - the car has held up really well (in my opinion) and I can see getting another 8 years out of it with it performing to adequate standards if attention to stuff when it occurs (rather than when it is completely shot/failed like a lot do).

I prefer the shape/design/looks of the BK over the BL (2009 on I think) which have horrible pokey-outey silver taillights/headlights etc. The newer version 3s shape/style/looks I quite like.

As an all round utility car and for shlepping stuff/people around I would recommend the 3 (BK) - if going for one the Maxx Sport would be the minimum (the NEOs are missing lots of niceties) or even the SP23 version for more grunt and better appointments. There are low mileage (under 100K) being sold around 8K which (on one hand makes me cry re: value of ours) is (I think) good value.