Jesters Collection - Mazda 3MPS/RX8 R3/RX7/MINI Cooper S
Discussion
cerb4.5lee said:
What I would do for your RX-7! 
The things I did for the RX7 
s m said:
Lovely collection of cars 
Agree, the RX7 looks superb
Thanks! Certainly one of those designs that is aging well.Agree, the RX7 looks superb
trails said:
Ohlins will be well worth the wait, I put some on my S2000 and they genuinely are as good as the hype 
Oh I am definitely looking foward to getting them on. Then sort out some proper geometry!samoht said:
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
Probably helps that it is also really quite a low car, so you feel like a missile! Plus you can hear everything, Mazda obviously didn't believe in much sound deadening back in the late 90's.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
HughG said:
Great collection
Who is doing the headlight work? I need to get my 996 ones done and am also in Kent. Thanks.
Thanks! The chap doing my headlights is Mark from https://www.mi-resto.co.uk/. He is very good, will spend a looooong time working on them.Who is doing the headlight work? I need to get my 996 ones done and am also in Kent. Thanks.
DuncanM said:
Gorgeous collection, owning two rotary engined cars is very cool.
You have an amazing driveway!
Appreciate that, having 2 rotaries is very rock and roll. As everyone asks you how long your apex seals have left. I'd love to have a Prodrive RX8 as well, but I cannot have a third high tax band car, along with the wife giving me a limit of 4 cars. She is such a spoil sport. You have an amazing driveway!
Thank you!
The only hot hatch of a similar era I have driven is the Focus ST. Whilst there are many similarities between the 2, the MPS felt a bit faster and more hot hatchy out of the box. Minus fantastic sounding 5-pot. Although the MPS is now way better than where I started with it. Definitely can give full feedback on the new turbo when the final map is on.
The only hot hatch of a similar era I have driven is the Focus ST. Whilst there are many similarities between the 2, the MPS felt a bit faster and more hot hatchy out of the box. Minus fantastic sounding 5-pot. Although the MPS is now way better than where I started with it. Definitely can give full feedback on the new turbo when the final map is on.
Jester86 said:
Thank you!
The only hot hatch of a similar era I have driven is the Focus ST. Whilst there are many similarities between the 2, the MPS felt a bit faster and more hot hatchy out of the box. Minus fantastic sounding 5-pot. Although the MPS is now way better than where I started with it. Definitely can give full feedback on the new turbo when the final map is on.
We had the bigger brothers to them both. The Mondeo 2.5T and Mazda 6 MPS. The MPS always *felt* faster and feels turbo charged while the 2.5T doesn't, just feels like a bigger engine as its a low pressure turbo (think only about 7psi max). Wasn't actually that much between them while moving although the 6 would win the TL GP ever time because it's AWD! The only hot hatch of a similar era I have driven is the Focus ST. Whilst there are many similarities between the 2, the MPS felt a bit faster and more hot hatchy out of the box. Minus fantastic sounding 5-pot. Although the MPS is now way better than where I started with it. Definitely can give full feedback on the new turbo when the final map is on.
The Mazda unfortunately suffers far worse for rot and the engine not as reliable though. Certainly cost us a *lot* more to run the 6 than the Mondeo (and that's with putting 80k on the Mondeo and only 20k on the 6).
The 6 was always quite a complicated car that is for sure, we know a huge amount more about the cars now so many of them (that have survived) are hopefully in better condition. But both the Mondeo and 6 are a rare sight.
I remember doing the block mod on my ST, always worrying about driveshafts, fuel economy was never stellar either. But the 3 has its own worries, like sending a rod through the block.
I remember doing the block mod on my ST, always worrying about driveshafts, fuel economy was never stellar either
. But the 3 has its own worries, like sending a rod through the block.Jester86 said:
The 6 was always quite a complicated car that is for sure, we know a huge amount more about the cars now so many of them (that have survived) are hopefully in better condition. But both the Mondeo and 6 are a rare sight.
The Mondeo 2.5T is massively rarer than the 6 MPS, about 1400 sold vs 5k...but no one knows what it is. 
Not that many people know about the MPS either, it was relative rare and one of those cars that mostly only petrolheads know about. To everyone else it was "just a Mazda" that then blew them away off the line.
Had a couple of people ask to buy it, people asking about it etc. Still, was shocking just how bad the rust was and in many ways just due to poor design and poor protection. Had to patch the rear arches/sills, replace the rear arms, exhaust (although I suppose that is to be expected), front and rear subframes were noted as advisories etc.
I checked up on it and MOT has expired on it, the one from last year (after we sold it) at a mere 86k has the following advisories:
Rear Sub-frame corroded but not seriously weakened (5.3.3 (b) (i))
both front struts casing corroded
corrosion to both inner sills
slight corrosion to floor pans
In comparison the Mondeo (at 138k) last year didn't have a single advisory, admittedly it's two years newer but it's 14 years old now, the 6 had been generating advisories for rust from 10 years old!
Loved the RX-8 and the 6 MPS and would love an RX-7 but if were to have another Mazda it would have to be new/nearly new and seriously rust treated!
The MPS has been getting the lions share of the love in the last month.
I was unhappy with the flimsy magnetic air vent mount that I had intended to be temporary for the COBB. So I went looking for a more permanent solution. So being a fan of Brodit mounts I decided to get a Proclip and stick one of the mag mounts to it and hey presto.
Works like a charm.
Then I had the headlights refurbished and they came out really well. Fingers crossed they last way longer than my obviously substandard attempt!
I had my front bumper scuff done at my bodyshop so she is back looking her glorious self, a £200 reminder to pay attention when I park. I am on revision 5 of the custom map and she is very swift!
The rest of the fleet are still serving me well, and still waiting on the RX7 Ohlins!
I was unhappy with the flimsy magnetic air vent mount that I had intended to be temporary for the COBB. So I went looking for a more permanent solution. So being a fan of Brodit mounts I decided to get a Proclip and stick one of the mag mounts to it and hey presto.
Works like a charm.
Then I had the headlights refurbished and they came out really well. Fingers crossed they last way longer than my obviously substandard attempt!
I had my front bumper scuff done at my bodyshop so she is back looking her glorious self, a £200 reminder to pay attention when I park. I am on revision 5 of the custom map and she is very swift!
The rest of the fleet are still serving me well, and still waiting on the RX7 Ohlins!
paulw123 said:
Superb collection but the yellow RX7 is absolutely stunning
Thank you! The weather is getting closer to allowing me to drive her much more regularily!Bright Halo said:
Those headlamps have come up crystal clear! Do you know what was used or the process?
I am not sure the exact process or the products used. But its about 3 stages of surface prep by hand then 2 polishing stages before applying a UV filter sealant. He spent a good 5/6 hours working on them and he said to me they weren't that bad before he started!Unreal said:
Nice collection OP. I also have an RX7 and GRY. Both great cars and like you I've wanted the Mazda for ages.
Definitely a classic lineup already!Seeing as I am coming up for insurance renewal on 2 of the cars I thought I would list the mods to the RX8 and MPS. Here is as good as anywhere to see what I need to declare, should I move from my current insurer.
MPS Mods
Exterior
Full respray in Mazda Cosmic Blue, including gloss black accents and badges.
Mazda RX8 PZ alloy wheels
TRC Front splitter
Maxton sill extensions
Interior
Mazda RX8 R3 Recaros
EONON Headunit
Retrimmed steering wheel.
Custom orange gearknob with engraving.
Suspension/Steering/Brakes
Koni Special Active dampers
Eibach Springs (Aero spec)
Whiteline front and rear ARBs
Braided lines, uprated front discs and pads fitted.
Engine/Transmission/Exhaust
Corksport short ram intake (SRI).
Corksport cat back exhaust + catted downpipe
Corksport HPFP internals.
Corksport short shifter fitted.
CST4 Turbo
Corksport Recirc
Mishimoto turbo inlet pipe. (TIP)
Bypass valve hose replaced.
Mishimoto coolant hoses fitted.
Uprated CP-E top mount intercooler fitted.
Uprated Engine and Gearbox mounts.
COBB Accessport V3 with custom map
RX8
Ryan Rotary 200cell Sports Cat + Cat back exhaust.
Sorted out the insurance for the MPS and the 8 today. I know it is a relatively boring aspect of car ownership but I always seem to forget how much I paid the year previously. So I will pop it here.
I had both these cars on a joint policy with Adrian Flux last year but they increased the premium to just over £1k this year, a good £300 increase.
So after a quick bit of shopping, the longest part is getting quotes for the MPS as it is the most modified car, gave me the following prices. Split policies this year.
MPS with Greenlight at £465
RX8 with Chris Knott at £290
So saving ~£250. MPS a little more expensive but thats due to the fact she now has the turbo and more power! Having 4 cars I am finding that I need to have top notch admin skills
I had both these cars on a joint policy with Adrian Flux last year but they increased the premium to just over £1k this year, a good £300 increase.
So after a quick bit of shopping, the longest part is getting quotes for the MPS as it is the most modified car, gave me the following prices. Split policies this year.
MPS with Greenlight at £465
RX8 with Chris Knott at £290
So saving ~£250. MPS a little more expensive but thats due to the fact she now has the turbo and more power! Having 4 cars I am finding that I need to have top notch admin skills
Those prices seem good.
We used to have group insurance via Admiral for 5 cars but have now weened ourselves off as the price was no longer competitive and the policy not flexible enough when changing cars. We now have 5 separate policies which does take a bit of managing but has saved us around £550 a year.
We used to have group insurance via Admiral for 5 cars but have now weened ourselves off as the price was no longer competitive and the policy not flexible enough when changing cars. We now have 5 separate policies which does take a bit of managing but has saved us around £550 a year.
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