Jesters Collection - Mazda 3MPS/RX8 R3/RX7/MINI Cooper S
Discussion
RX7 collection day.
Well what a day it has been. Brilliant wintery day for it, sun shining, pretty cold day for a couple of trains and a drive home. I have had brilliant service from HJA cannot recommend them enough. CSK Automotive have done a great job of protecting the underside for me.
The M25 wasn't too bad and I zipped home in around 1 hour 30 minutes. So initial drive and opinions.
1. She looks amazing, and compared to everything on the road, she is pretty tiny. Almost as small as my ND MX5.
2. Definitely 90's Japanese, interior makes all kinds of noises but that is probably caused by our shoddy road surfaces, oh and the radio is decent.......if you only want to listen to Radio 2 :lol: Otherwise cruising wasn't an issue. She happily sits at 70-80mph.
3. Visibilty is amazing. It is like being in a goldfish bowl. A definite contrast to more modern cars.
4. That engine is amazingly smooth. The sequential turbos hand over brilliantly. I definitely need to learn to drive her and learn the power band. Which when going into winter may not happen quickly as I would rather not wrap it round a tree so the proper learning may not start until spring.
5. The wife commented as I pulled up at home that it is nice and quiet. She was dismayed when I said I agreed, and an OEM looking backbox may have to appear to give her a little more presence.
6. The feeling through the steering is lovely and direct, very unassisted and quick to respond. Very mechanical. Again grip levels and full handling characteristics will have to wait for slightly warmer weather!
7. Brakes seem absolutely up to the job no problems here.
After some waffle, here are some photos from today at HJA.
Then one on the drive and one with the family.
Look how small she looks!
Well what a day it has been. Brilliant wintery day for it, sun shining, pretty cold day for a couple of trains and a drive home. I have had brilliant service from HJA cannot recommend them enough. CSK Automotive have done a great job of protecting the underside for me.
The M25 wasn't too bad and I zipped home in around 1 hour 30 minutes. So initial drive and opinions.
1. She looks amazing, and compared to everything on the road, she is pretty tiny. Almost as small as my ND MX5.
2. Definitely 90's Japanese, interior makes all kinds of noises but that is probably caused by our shoddy road surfaces, oh and the radio is decent.......if you only want to listen to Radio 2 :lol: Otherwise cruising wasn't an issue. She happily sits at 70-80mph.
3. Visibilty is amazing. It is like being in a goldfish bowl. A definite contrast to more modern cars.
4. That engine is amazingly smooth. The sequential turbos hand over brilliantly. I definitely need to learn to drive her and learn the power band. Which when going into winter may not happen quickly as I would rather not wrap it round a tree so the proper learning may not start until spring.
5. The wife commented as I pulled up at home that it is nice and quiet. She was dismayed when I said I agreed, and an OEM looking backbox may have to appear to give her a little more presence.
6. The feeling through the steering is lovely and direct, very unassisted and quick to respond. Very mechanical. Again grip levels and full handling characteristics will have to wait for slightly warmer weather!
7. Brakes seem absolutely up to the job no problems here.
After some waffle, here are some photos from today at HJA.
Then one on the drive and one with the family.
Look how small she looks!
Great stuff, car looks super condition and lovely in the yellow. I like the frontal shot in front of the garage, showing both the curved door and double-bubble roof to best advantage.
They are small, I think because the styling is all in proportion it's not noticeable until you put it next to a normal car. Always good for a game of hide and seek in a big car park! The yellow should help though.
In terms of not crashing, in nine years I've only had one spin, and that was on track - I got her really loaded up laterally and then applied full power, I think it was the second turbo chiming in that tipped me into a surprisingly rapid gyration. In retrospect it was a pretty obvious case of user error! Apart from that it's always been friendly and controllable, the turbos make it easy to lose traction in the cold or wet, but as long as you're not also at the limit of lateral grip it's fairly benign in my experience. Think of it as an MX-5 with 280hp :-)
I have the Racing Beat twin-exit backbox on mine, it moves the soundtrack up from rental car to sports car without being particularly loud, assuming you leave the rest stock. A fairly safe first step with no real downsides in terms of noise or requiring other changes.
You've got a lovely car, enjoy!
They are small, I think because the styling is all in proportion it's not noticeable until you put it next to a normal car. Always good for a game of hide and seek in a big car park! The yellow should help though.
In terms of not crashing, in nine years I've only had one spin, and that was on track - I got her really loaded up laterally and then applied full power, I think it was the second turbo chiming in that tipped me into a surprisingly rapid gyration. In retrospect it was a pretty obvious case of user error! Apart from that it's always been friendly and controllable, the turbos make it easy to lose traction in the cold or wet, but as long as you're not also at the limit of lateral grip it's fairly benign in my experience. Think of it as an MX-5 with 280hp :-)
I have the Racing Beat twin-exit backbox on mine, it moves the soundtrack up from rental car to sports car without being particularly loud, assuming you leave the rest stock. A fairly safe first step with no real downsides in terms of noise or requiring other changes.
You've got a lovely car, enjoy!
trails said:
Fit on our B roads so well...you had a good day today then 
It was a great experience. Definitely happy!Escy said:
Awesome collection.
Thanks! I appreciate that as I follow your trials and tribulations with great interest.samoht said:
Great stuff, car looks super condition and lovely in the yellow. I like the frontal shot in front of the garage, showing both the curved door and double-bubble roof to best advantage.
They are small, I think because the styling is all in proportion it's not noticeable until you put it next to a normal car. Always good for a game of hide and seek in a big car park! The yellow should help though.
In terms of not crashing, in nine years I've only had one spin, and that was on track - I got her really loaded up laterally and then applied full power, I think it was the second turbo chiming in that tipped me into a surprisingly rapid gyration. In retrospect it was a pretty obvious case of user error! Apart from that it's always been friendly and controllable, the turbos make it easy to lose traction in the cold or wet, but as long as you're not also at the limit of lateral grip it's fairly benign in my experience. Think of it as an MX-5 with 280hp :-)
I have the Racing Beat twin-exit backbox on mine, it moves the soundtrack up from rental car to sports car without being particularly loud, assuming you leave the rest stock. A fairly safe first step with no real downsides in terms of noise or requiring other changes.
You've got a lovely car, enjoy!
She is so photogenic I agree.They are small, I think because the styling is all in proportion it's not noticeable until you put it next to a normal car. Always good for a game of hide and seek in a big car park! The yellow should help though.
In terms of not crashing, in nine years I've only had one spin, and that was on track - I got her really loaded up laterally and then applied full power, I think it was the second turbo chiming in that tipped me into a surprisingly rapid gyration. In retrospect it was a pretty obvious case of user error! Apart from that it's always been friendly and controllable, the turbos make it easy to lose traction in the cold or wet, but as long as you're not also at the limit of lateral grip it's fairly benign in my experience. Think of it as an MX-5 with 280hp :-)
I have the Racing Beat twin-exit backbox on mine, it moves the soundtrack up from rental car to sports car without being particularly loud, assuming you leave the rest stock. A fairly safe first step with no real downsides in terms of noise or requiring other changes.
You've got a lovely car, enjoy!
The Racing Beat or the TGS Supertwin are definitely the 2 I need to decide between. At the moment I am leaning a bit more towards the TGS. I do intend on leaving the rest stock, but I guess that entirely depends on how long the stock cat lasts!
So as we are rapidly approaching the end of the year a small fleet update.
MPS
Has been giving me all the pain so far this month. I was tired and feeling a bit under the weather and when I came home from work quite late I managed to gently kiss part of the wall on the front corner of the bumper. Stupid mistake booked in to get done at the bodyshop in January.
But this might have to be postponed. As I was driving home the other day I was doing about 70mph changing gear and the threaded ball insert on my Corksport short shifter parted company from said shifter and gearbox linkage causing me to lose all gearing on the dual carriageway. I pooped my pants and managed to coast into a pub carpark. Initially at the time I thought I had lunched the clutch or gearbox. I managed to frig the car into first gear by manipulating said cables and drive the 0.5 miles home!
I have gone back to VIP Motorsport who supplied it and they have been fantastic about trying to source me a replacement threaded insert. But obviously at the moment they are out of stock. Paaaaaaaain!
RX7
Done 150 miles or so now. Took her to work. Looking so sexy. Now have a long shopping list of bits I want to buy and get her properly sorted.
RX8
Screaming along. Eating all the fuel.
Yaris
Took it home to see my mum. Munching the miles easily. Incredible thing.
MPS
Has been giving me all the pain so far this month. I was tired and feeling a bit under the weather and when I came home from work quite late I managed to gently kiss part of the wall on the front corner of the bumper. Stupid mistake booked in to get done at the bodyshop in January.
But this might have to be postponed. As I was driving home the other day I was doing about 70mph changing gear and the threaded ball insert on my Corksport short shifter parted company from said shifter and gearbox linkage causing me to lose all gearing on the dual carriageway. I pooped my pants and managed to coast into a pub carpark. Initially at the time I thought I had lunched the clutch or gearbox. I managed to frig the car into first gear by manipulating said cables and drive the 0.5 miles home!
I have gone back to VIP Motorsport who supplied it and they have been fantastic about trying to source me a replacement threaded insert. But obviously at the moment they are out of stock. Paaaaaaaain!
RX7
Done 150 miles or so now. Took her to work. Looking so sexy. Now have a long shopping list of bits I want to buy and get her properly sorted.
RX8
Screaming along. Eating all the fuel.
Yaris
Took it home to see my mum. Munching the miles easily. Incredible thing.
Mid January update for the fleet.
MPS
Has been a bit cursed, just before Christmas I was running errands in her, and part of the gearstick linkage parted company as I was changing into third at about 70mph. Bricked myself and managed to coast to safety thankfully less than half a mile from home.
Managed to jimmy the car into first gear and crawl home, and I am waiting for a threaded ball insert in my Corksport short shifter to arrive. But as with everything at the moment. It is taking foooooooorever. As such I have had to postpone the bodyshop appointment as for obvious reasons, I cannot drive it there yet!
Yaris
Nothing to report, performing faultlessly.
RX8
Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point. Waiting on braided brake lines and a lambda sensor to arrive. She is still booked in at TPS in Orpington at the end of the month for a full fluid change and MOT. Where I am hoping she passess emissions fine with the sports cat.
RX7
She has moved just the once since the last update and this was only because I have had some driveway gates fitted so she could be parked behind them.
Now she probably won't move till the Spring, and I am more and more thinking of getting a carcoon for next winter. But I am sure she can survive a few British winter months outside, while hooked up to a CTEK.
I have managed to find an FD Brodit proclip from a kind chap on the FDOC that he was no longer using. Mated it to a holder for my Pixel by having to drill a hole or 2 and secure with nuts and bolts. But voila one super solid phone holder solution.
Out of shot is also a little bag to help stop condensation, but after a few weeks of weather I am happy to see there doesn't seem to be any dampness or leaks inside the 7.
I managed to secure a secondhand Racing Beat Twin exhaust from someone else from the owners club. It is basically brand spanking at a very good price. In keeping with the OEM+ style I'd like to go for.
Oh and as Tegiwa were doing 10% off on Boxing Day I have also ordered some Ohlins DFV's. Just waiting on them to get delivered!
MPS
Has been a bit cursed, just before Christmas I was running errands in her, and part of the gearstick linkage parted company as I was changing into third at about 70mph. Bricked myself and managed to coast to safety thankfully less than half a mile from home.
Managed to jimmy the car into first gear and crawl home, and I am waiting for a threaded ball insert in my Corksport short shifter to arrive. But as with everything at the moment. It is taking foooooooorever. As such I have had to postpone the bodyshop appointment as for obvious reasons, I cannot drive it there yet!
Yaris
Nothing to report, performing faultlessly.
RX8
Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point. Waiting on braided brake lines and a lambda sensor to arrive. She is still booked in at TPS in Orpington at the end of the month for a full fluid change and MOT. Where I am hoping she passess emissions fine with the sports cat.
RX7
She has moved just the once since the last update and this was only because I have had some driveway gates fitted so she could be parked behind them.
Now she probably won't move till the Spring, and I am more and more thinking of getting a carcoon for next winter. But I am sure she can survive a few British winter months outside, while hooked up to a CTEK.
I have managed to find an FD Brodit proclip from a kind chap on the FDOC that he was no longer using. Mated it to a holder for my Pixel by having to drill a hole or 2 and secure with nuts and bolts. But voila one super solid phone holder solution.
Out of shot is also a little bag to help stop condensation, but after a few weeks of weather I am happy to see there doesn't seem to be any dampness or leaks inside the 7.
I managed to secure a secondhand Racing Beat Twin exhaust from someone else from the owners club. It is basically brand spanking at a very good price. In keeping with the OEM+ style I'd like to go for.
Oh and as Tegiwa were doing 10% off on Boxing Day I have also ordered some Ohlins DFV's. Just waiting on them to get delivered!
Jester86 said:
RX8
Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point.
Ours used to do this regularly. Think in part because our drive was quite a slope. Checked it every time but levels were fine. Think it's a bit of an issue with them but was never enough to worry about replacing it. Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point.
Fastdruid said:
Jester86 said:
RX8
Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point.
Ours used to do this regularly. Think in part because our drive was quite a slope. Checked it every time but levels were fine. Think it's a bit of an issue with them but was never enough to worry about replacing it. Coolant bottle level sensor is starting to occur more often. Causing me paranoia, but coolant levels are fine and no sign of any coolant in the oil and temp guage is at the usual point.
RX8 went to TPS in Orpington for her big service and MOT. It has only been 2.5k miles since she was last there, but you can never pamper a rotary too much after all.
She had the following done.
Oil/Filter change.
Air Filter
Brake fluid change & fit of braided HEL lines.
Radiator/Engine coolant flush.
Gearbox oil change.
Diff oil change.
Post cat lambda sensor change to try and stop the P0137 error code popping up at random intervals.
MOT.
I was told by the previous owner that all the fluids had been done by Mazda but never supplied an invoice. But the gearbox oil was overfilled and worryingly the coolant bolt didn't have a rubber washer on, which may have been causing me a slow coolant leak. A replacement bolt/washer, which are plastic surprisingly, has hopefully cured this. But have been advised just to keep an eye on the levels over the next couple of hundred miles. Great service from TPS and more than happy with how the car feels post service.
Emissions on the sports cat was borderline in one part, but hey, a pass is a pass!
She had the following done.
Oil/Filter change.
Air Filter
Brake fluid change & fit of braided HEL lines.
Radiator/Engine coolant flush.
Gearbox oil change.
Diff oil change.
Post cat lambda sensor change to try and stop the P0137 error code popping up at random intervals.
MOT.
I was told by the previous owner that all the fluids had been done by Mazda but never supplied an invoice. But the gearbox oil was overfilled and worryingly the coolant bolt didn't have a rubber washer on, which may have been causing me a slow coolant leak. A replacement bolt/washer, which are plastic surprisingly, has hopefully cured this. But have been advised just to keep an eye on the levels over the next couple of hundred miles. Great service from TPS and more than happy with how the car feels post service.
Emissions on the sports cat was borderline in one part, but hey, a pass is a pass!
Gilhooligan said:
I can imagine rotary engine and sports will be a tough combination for emissions. Good luck next year 
Yellow RX7 still looks sensational.
Next year it will be fiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiine! Thank you, we are only a month or 2 away from Spring so I cannot wait to be taking her out on a regular basis.Yellow RX7 still looks sensational.
Small MPS update.
Finally the near 2 month wait is over, as all she needed was.....
The threaded ball has arrived for the short shifter. I have made sure I nice bit of loctite has been added this time so it shouldn't disappear on me. Battery had dropped just below the required voltage needed and no central locking or ignition lights as a result. A few hours on the CTEK and the battery had the green tick of approval and she fired right up once reinstalled.
Just taken her for a bit of a shake down run and can confirm she still pulls incredibly well on the new turbo!
So more mapping and a bodyshop appointment to rebook is back on the cards. Huzzah.
Finally the near 2 month wait is over, as all she needed was.....
The threaded ball has arrived for the short shifter. I have made sure I nice bit of loctite has been added this time so it shouldn't disappear on me. Battery had dropped just below the required voltage needed and no central locking or ignition lights as a result. A few hours on the CTEK and the battery had the green tick of approval and she fired right up once reinstalled.
Just taken her for a bit of a shake down run and can confirm she still pulls incredibly well on the new turbo!
So more mapping and a bodyshop appointment to rebook is back on the cards. Huzzah.
Fleet update, mid Feb!
Yaris
Nothing to report, still great. Have foregone the 6 month safety check, personal choice but don't see the need to let Toyota walk round the car and tell me my tyre tread is fine and I still have my car mats fitted. First service coming up in May. More than likely get the diff oil done at the same time as this seems to be a good idea after the first few thousand miles. She has ticked over 3k miles in the last few weeks.
RX8
Went in for the fuel tank sealing ring recall. Mazda seem to have done a good job as there have been a few horror stories of the work being carried out and being botched with fumes leaking into the cabin or leaks from the tank.
Feeling incredible to drive since the service at TPS. The braided lines and fresh fluid have refreshed the stopping power considerably and I still haven't noticed any coolant leaks or had an error codes (touch wood) with the new lambda fitted.
MPS
Have managed to do a few more logging runs, and now on revision 4 of the map. Driveability is getting better and better with each revision so very happy with how that is going.
Booked in with the chap who restored my RX8 headlights as my DIY job has lasted about 18 months before getting quite yellow again. Bodyshop rebooked for the start of March to correct my scuffed corner of the front bumper.
As with all project cars, scope creep is getting bigger. Eyeing up wheels and big brake kit, along with interior retrimming.
RX7
The car most of you want to see
I broke her out of winter slumber a little earlier, the day before Storm Eunice hit, was a stellar day down in Kent, warm and dry so I took her the long way round to the gym and back. She fired up with no issues, and I am still amazed at how punchy the power feels.
I have chased up Tegiwa regarding the Ohlins, Ohlins seem to be dragging their feet a little at the moment, but Tegiwa are hoping to give me some good news next week when they have been assured the outstanding orders should be delivered.
Probably should start thinking of getting her booked in for a big service as we are knocking on the door of Spring now!
Yaris
Nothing to report, still great. Have foregone the 6 month safety check, personal choice but don't see the need to let Toyota walk round the car and tell me my tyre tread is fine and I still have my car mats fitted. First service coming up in May. More than likely get the diff oil done at the same time as this seems to be a good idea after the first few thousand miles. She has ticked over 3k miles in the last few weeks.
RX8
Went in for the fuel tank sealing ring recall. Mazda seem to have done a good job as there have been a few horror stories of the work being carried out and being botched with fumes leaking into the cabin or leaks from the tank.
Feeling incredible to drive since the service at TPS. The braided lines and fresh fluid have refreshed the stopping power considerably and I still haven't noticed any coolant leaks or had an error codes (touch wood) with the new lambda fitted.
MPS
Have managed to do a few more logging runs, and now on revision 4 of the map. Driveability is getting better and better with each revision so very happy with how that is going.
Booked in with the chap who restored my RX8 headlights as my DIY job has lasted about 18 months before getting quite yellow again. Bodyshop rebooked for the start of March to correct my scuffed corner of the front bumper.
As with all project cars, scope creep is getting bigger. Eyeing up wheels and big brake kit, along with interior retrimming.
RX7
The car most of you want to see
I broke her out of winter slumber a little earlier, the day before Storm Eunice hit, was a stellar day down in Kent, warm and dry so I took her the long way round to the gym and back. She fired up with no issues, and I am still amazed at how punchy the power feels.
I have chased up Tegiwa regarding the Ohlins, Ohlins seem to be dragging their feet a little at the moment, but Tegiwa are hoping to give me some good news next week when they have been assured the outstanding orders should be delivered.
Probably should start thinking of getting her booked in for a big service as we are knocking on the door of Spring now!
Your first pic shows off one of my favourite aspects of the styling, how little sheet metal there is above the front arches - the bonnet barely rises higher than the top of the wheel wells. The blue sky / yellow car contrast works well too
And yeah, they do feel quick - the sequential turbos give instant power from almost anywhere in the rev range, and with under 1300kgs to push it just leaps forwards and makes the driver feel
And yeah, they do feel quick - the sequential turbos give instant power from almost anywhere in the rev range, and with under 1300kgs to push it just leaps forwards and makes the driver feel
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