RE: Mazda 3 MPS: Spotted
Discussion
They eat front tyres, especially on the inside edges. Look very carefully if you ever consider buying one
Also turbo made of cheese! Mine let go at 23k fortunately two months before warranty ran out.
Turbo replaced and car sold just after 36 months!
Apart from that not a bad car! Relatively quick
Also turbo made of cheese! Mine let go at 23k fortunately two months before warranty ran out.
Turbo replaced and car sold just after 36 months!
Apart from that not a bad car! Relatively quick
In 1992 Mazda produced its hottest hatch ever. The Mazda Familia 323 GT-R Group A homologation special, that comfortably outperformed the MPS.
It’s a real shame that the FIA regulations don’t demand a production of road version specials for homologation since 1997. We have missed out what could have been many amazing road cars. This is the number one reason for the demise of the WRC.
It’s a real shame that the FIA regulations don’t demand a production of road version specials for homologation since 1997. We have missed out what could have been many amazing road cars. This is the number one reason for the demise of the WRC.
TheAngryDog said:
VVT system is made from chocolate.
Not really car went from 45-66k in my ownership and from there to 100k in my mates .No VVT change , dont tar the mk2 with a same brush as the 6 and MK1As for the rest of it , interior was fine for me. I really liked it , i dont run my nails over the plastics when i have my foot in
. The handling was terrible , the back end couldnt keep up with the front . All over the shop along with having brakes that could only take one decent stop before needing a 10min cool down , so no good for a country blast .
Fuel consumption again wasnt bad at all ,@ 24mpg in stock form its bloody better than a 2.5 ST and you see loads of them around !
Its redeeming features , well they look cool , they are rare and with some choice bolt ons along with a road based tune , the straight line speed was somewhere between a e92 m3 and a 6.2 C63!!
On paper it does everything I want it to do - fast, comfortable, 5 doors, sat nav, heated seats, good looking, reliable & rare, but for some reason I've just never wanted one. I think it's maybe something to do with lack of history or pedigree, such as GTI, RS, Type R renaultsport, M etc. It's a car I could never love, or see it sitting there and think 'oooh I'm going for a blat in that.'
I’ve owned a MK2 MPS for 3 years / 40,000 miles and while not the World’s greatest car it’s a pretty bloody competent all-rounder.
Mine was mapped at BBR but otherwise standard. Torque steer is fine, it exists but is totally manageable and sometimes quite enjoyable. It’s seriously rapid, about as quick a car as I think is sensible/easily useable. £265 a year tax, 34mpg combined on the computer, loads of gadgets, pretty big, no big bills at all in my ownership and no fluids added other than screenwash.
It has an unrefined and quite crashy ride, interior isn’t Rolls Royce quality, it wears tyres badly on inside edges, has crap auto-wipers and a bit of a chav image.
I purchased it for £8900 and looking about think I’d get most of that back today. In my opinion a fantastic car and despite getting itchy feet don’t know what could tick it’s boxes without sacrificing something important.
Mine was mapped at BBR but otherwise standard. Torque steer is fine, it exists but is totally manageable and sometimes quite enjoyable. It’s seriously rapid, about as quick a car as I think is sensible/easily useable. £265 a year tax, 34mpg combined on the computer, loads of gadgets, pretty big, no big bills at all in my ownership and no fluids added other than screenwash.
It has an unrefined and quite crashy ride, interior isn’t Rolls Royce quality, it wears tyres badly on inside edges, has crap auto-wipers and a bit of a chav image.
I purchased it for £8900 and looking about think I’d get most of that back today. In my opinion a fantastic car and despite getting itchy feet don’t know what could tick it’s boxes without sacrificing something important.
I used to sell these when new.
The Mk1 was available in two versions, standard and 'sports kit' (DTM style mirrors and lowered suspension). The latter was very stiff indeed and reminded me of a cheaper, FWD Evo 8 (sold those new at the same time). Straight line performance was similar to the lower powered Evos as well. Never had any issues with the handling and standard spec was good - later Mk1s had Bose etc. The only reliability issue we had when I was there was a poorly gearbox on one, though I understand the VVT and timing chains can give problems on early versions of the 2.3 DISI turbo - shared with 6 MPS (a great car) and CX7 (quick for an SUV).
The Mk2 (as pictured) was even better equipped and had a chassis set up somewhere between the standard Mk1 and the lowered model. In many ways a better car, but possibly not quite as raw or exciting as the original. On the subject of performance, standard Mk 5 GTis and Focus ST 2.5 (brother has the Golf, I have the Focus) could not hold a candle to a standard MPS. BBR upgrade makes them even quicker still. Would I have one? Yes.
The Mk1 was available in two versions, standard and 'sports kit' (DTM style mirrors and lowered suspension). The latter was very stiff indeed and reminded me of a cheaper, FWD Evo 8 (sold those new at the same time). Straight line performance was similar to the lower powered Evos as well. Never had any issues with the handling and standard spec was good - later Mk1s had Bose etc. The only reliability issue we had when I was there was a poorly gearbox on one, though I understand the VVT and timing chains can give problems on early versions of the 2.3 DISI turbo - shared with 6 MPS (a great car) and CX7 (quick for an SUV).
The Mk2 (as pictured) was even better equipped and had a chassis set up somewhere between the standard Mk1 and the lowered model. In many ways a better car, but possibly not quite as raw or exciting as the original. On the subject of performance, standard Mk 5 GTis and Focus ST 2.5 (brother has the Golf, I have the Focus) could not hold a candle to a standard MPS. BBR upgrade makes them even quicker still. Would I have one? Yes.
I always thought these were under-rated - reasonably priced for that amount of power at the time, and the MK2 doesn't get hammered on the road tax. Plus the looks are fairly under-stated, which can be handy if you're in a hurry. 
But I've never had one, and probably never will!
As a life-long RWD fan I'd still prefer a BMW 130i.
Maybe a 6 MPS would solve the torque-steer issues of a 3 though.
But I've never had one, and probably never will!
As a life-long RWD fan I'd still prefer a BMW 130i.
Maybe a 6 MPS would solve the torque-steer issues of a 3 though.
While i am not keen on a few hatches of recent i will say Mazda has really come a long way in making some very desirable cars complete with great value, great warranties, styling and usually include sunroofs and other nice creature comforts as well as many are found to be in good 'ole traditional manual gear boxes..
When i was 19 i remember buying a 96 Mazda v6 626 ES. It was the first car i owned with leather and a power sunroof and cup holders and i remember feeling all uppity at the time lol
When i was 19 i remember buying a 96 Mazda v6 626 ES. It was the first car i owned with leather and a power sunroof and cup holders and i remember feeling all uppity at the time lol
Alex P said:
I used to sell these when new.
The Mk1 was available in two versions, standard and 'sports kit' (DTM style mirrors and lowered suspension). The latter was very stiff indeed and reminded me of a cheaper, FWD Evo 8 (sold those new at the same time). Straight line performance was similar to the lower powered Evos as well. Never had any issues with the handling and standard spec was good - later Mk1s had Bose etc. The only reliability issue we had when I was there was a poorly gearbox on one, though I understand the VVT and timing chains can give problems on early versions of the 2.3 DISI turbo - shared with 6 MPS (a great car) and CX7 (quick for an SUV).
The Mk2 (as pictured) was even better equipped and had a chassis set up somewhere between the standard Mk1 and the lowered model. In many ways a better car, but possibly not quite as raw or exciting as the original. On the subject of performance, standard Mk 5 GTis and Focus ST 2.5 (brother has the Golf, I have the Focus) could not hold a candle to a standard MPS. BBR upgrade makes them even quicker still. Would I have one? Yes.
Was that stuff like the EVO GT-A?The Mk1 was available in two versions, standard and 'sports kit' (DTM style mirrors and lowered suspension). The latter was very stiff indeed and reminded me of a cheaper, FWD Evo 8 (sold those new at the same time). Straight line performance was similar to the lower powered Evos as well. Never had any issues with the handling and standard spec was good - later Mk1s had Bose etc. The only reliability issue we had when I was there was a poorly gearbox on one, though I understand the VVT and timing chains can give problems on early versions of the 2.3 DISI turbo - shared with 6 MPS (a great car) and CX7 (quick for an SUV).
The Mk2 (as pictured) was even better equipped and had a chassis set up somewhere between the standard Mk1 and the lowered model. In many ways a better car, but possibly not quite as raw or exciting as the original. On the subject of performance, standard Mk 5 GTis and Focus ST 2.5 (brother has the Golf, I have the Focus) could not hold a candle to a standard MPS. BBR upgrade makes them even quicker still. Would I have one? Yes.
I had one from 2012 until 2016.
It was pretty quick and a pretty comfortable place to be. No real complaints about the interior. Torque steer could be 'interesting'.
Tyre wear was reasonable. MPG wise I used to see about 28mpg average. Mazda parts weren't too outrageous and servicing wasn't too bad either. I got rid of mine as it started leaking into the boot (water was pooling under the sub) and I missed the practicality of an estate (replaced it with an Octavia vRS estate).
A Mountuned Focus ST is probably the better car of the 2, but as a stock car the Mazda 3 MPS has more power.
It was pretty quick and a pretty comfortable place to be. No real complaints about the interior. Torque steer could be 'interesting'.
Tyre wear was reasonable. MPG wise I used to see about 28mpg average. Mazda parts weren't too outrageous and servicing wasn't too bad either. I got rid of mine as it started leaking into the boot (water was pooling under the sub) and I missed the practicality of an estate (replaced it with an Octavia vRS estate).
A Mountuned Focus ST is probably the better car of the 2, but as a stock car the Mazda 3 MPS has more power.
Interested to know what brand of diff these are running tbh with people talking about the torque steer. I recently had a 2006 Saab 9-5 Aero running around 300-310 bhp and with 19s, poly bushes etc it really wasn't bad at all. Then I fitted a Quaife and it was awesome. No steering feel still but traction superb and torqe steer virtually nil.
JMF894 said:
Interested to know what brand of diff these are running tbh with people talking about the torque steer. I recently had a 2006 Saab 9-5 Aero running around 300-310 bhp and with 19s, poly bushes etc it really wasn't bad at all. Then I fitted a Quaife and it was awesome. No steering feel still but traction superb and torqe steer virtually nil.
GKN Super LSD, similar to a Quaife with a 2.1 bias ratioAlso found on the R53 Cooper S as option 02TA
They had a fleet of these at Thruxton when they were new on the market, to take people around and learn the track. When the instructor did the fast lap, I was mighty impressed with its turn of speed, on the straights and through the bends.
I seem to remember that it didn't really make any appreciable noise; certainly not anything exciting, just a sort-of distant whoosh.
I seem to remember that it didn't really make any appreciable noise; certainly not anything exciting, just a sort-of distant whoosh.
s m said:
EVO mag group test
A group test of four cars that all compete directly, with absolutely no relation to one another, and in varying configurations. A n/a straight 6 with rear wheel drive; a n/a V6 with all wheel drive; a turbocharged straight 4 with part-time four wheel drive; and a turbocharged straight 4 with front wheel drive and a LSD. All available with a manual gearbox, too.You pays your money, you take your pick. What a halcyon time for cars it really was...
Funny isn't it. PH is full of hero types who claim that a RWD car with a billion horsepower is the best thing in the world, despite the fact it would throw you through a hedge backwards as soon as look at you, while apparently a powerful FWD car with a bit of torque steer is too much to handle
I like these. A lot of car for the money, especially when you consider the amount of standard equipment. I did consider one, but couldn't bring myself to choose one over a Megane 265 for similar money. As the prices come down, these do get more and more tempting. The better equipment level and five doors probably make it a bit easier to live with.
I like these. A lot of car for the money, especially when you consider the amount of standard equipment. I did consider one, but couldn't bring myself to choose one over a Megane 265 for similar money. As the prices come down, these do get more and more tempting. The better equipment level and five doors probably make it a bit easier to live with.
s m said:
JMF894 said:
Interested to know what brand of diff these are running tbh with people talking about the torque steer. I recently had a 2006 Saab 9-5 Aero running around 300-310 bhp and with 19s, poly bushes etc it really wasn't bad at all. Then I fitted a Quaife and it was awesome. No steering feel still but traction superb and torqe steer virtually nil.
GKN Super LSD, similar to a Quaife with a 2.1 bias ratioAlso found on the R53 Cooper S as option 02TA
Alex P said:
I understand the VVT and timing chains can give problems on early versions of the 2.3 DISI turbo - shared with 6 MPS (a great car) and CX7 (quick for an SUV).
Has anyone got any further info on this issue? What preventative/remedial work is required? Was it resolved on the mk2s? Gassing Station | General Gassing | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff