At the front, the Mazda 3 MPS uses MacPherson struts and an anti-roll bar, while at the back is a multi-link set-up with coil springs and dampers plus an anti-roll bar. The steering is a power-assisted rack and pinion design with a turning circle of 11 metres. Braking is taken care of by 320mm vented front discs and 280mm solid rears, and all models have ABS. Brake discs last around 30,000 miles, but the ABS sensor can break. The good news is that a replacement costs around £25 and fitting is quick and simple.
Handling is predictable, if not inspirational
The alloy wheels fitted to the Mk1 MPS are 18-inch alloy items fitted from the factory with 215/45 R18 tyres. These are an unusual size and premium brand replacements will cost around £150 each. Several owners recommend Kumho Ecstas to get good grip and reduce the tramlining experienced with some other brands. Quite a few cars have been fitted Mk2 alloy wheels to increase the tyre size to 225/40 ZR18 to get a bigger selection of rubber. Also check for wear on the inside edges of the front tyres.
Renewing dampers and bushes will cost around £1,200 all in but will transform the handling and feel. Any car with 70,000 miles or more will benefit from this. Some owners find the steering doesn't offer much feel and the MPS was noted for torque steer when new in road tests, so keeping the suspension in fine fettle is essential.
Aero kit desirable with Eibach lowering springs
Mazda's Aero version of the 3 MPS lowered the front suspension by 25mm and dropped the rear by 10mm thanks to new Eibach springs. This kit cost an additional £500 when the MPS was new and it improved the car's turn-in. It also made the 3 feel a little more nimble on twistier roads, but press reports at the time still reckoned the steering provided barely any feedback.
The last point to check with the chassis is the alloy wheels. They corrode, so inspect them and budget for refurbishment in the price you pay.
PHer's view:
"Like any performance car, the 3 MPS needs the suspension to be in top condition to avoid the torque steer when accelerating hard. More steering feel would be nice, but it cruises easily for my daily commute."
Tommy Warrell