BBR tweaks Mazda diesels

BBR tweaks Mazda diesels

Tuesday 23rd July 2013

BBR tweaks Mazda diesels

For those who need more zoom-zoom in their oil-burning Mazda. A lot more zoom-zoom in fact...



It's difficult when BBR and Mazda are mentioned in the same breath to picture anything but turbocharged MX-5s. Yes, the Brackley-based boys have also tweaked Mazda's MPS models, but the link was indelibly established from the MX-5 Le Mans.

Rare diesel CX-7s has potential with BBR kit
Rare diesel CX-7s has potential with BBR kit
So it's quite a surprise when BBR launches new performance upgrades for a Mazda and they're not for an MX-5. They don't even boost any MPS Mazdas either.

Nope, that's because BBR's latest range of tuning parts if for Mazda's diesel range. And before you leave to read about Corvettes or Aston Martins, how does 246hp and 392lb ft sound? Furthermore, if that's not enticing enough, how about in a CX-7 or 5 MPV?

That's correct; BBR's new kits can be fitted to all 2.0- and 2.2-litre diesel variants of the 3, 5, 6 and CX-7. The Phase One package offered by BBR appears little more than a remap but produces some fairly startling gains: on the 150hp 2.2 diesel, power and torque increase by 42hp and 60lb ft respectively, taking total outputs to 192hp and 330lb ft. On the 185hp model, power rises to 222hp (up 37hp) and torque is boosted to 378lb ft, a rise of 68lb ft. BBR claims similar gains are available on the lower-powered diesels.

MPS-like pace and diesel economy? BBR has it
MPS-like pace and diesel economy? BBR has it
But for the full tyre-shredding show, Phase Two is the only option. Comprising a new hybrid turbo, high-flow air filter and the Starchip ECU tweaks, power and torque climbs by 61hp and 82lb ft on the 185hp models. So that opens up the possibility of a 3, 5, 6 or CX-7 with 246hp and 392lb ft when a 3 MPS makes 260hp and 280lb ft. A BBR Phase Two Mazda 5 might make a Zafira VXR driver reappraise who the real daddy cool is...

And the price of these upgrades? Well, the Phase One kit is offered at £499 plus VAT and the Phase Two is £1,499 plus VAT. For those wanting to install the parts at home, those prices fall to £499 and £1,199, including an EcuTek programming kit. Finally, performance spring and damper kits are available to harness the extra power, but only on the 3. Best hold on tight in the back of the 5 kids...

 

Author
Discussion

4star

Original Poster:

331 posts

194 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Superb, I think Mazda are highly underrated and it's great to see BBR investing money into Mazda tuning. smile

MrTappets

881 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
I have a strange urge to purchase a grey 3 with small wheels all of a sudden.

Papa Hotel

12,760 posts

181 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
INBEFORETHETITLE!

Woody

2,187 posts

283 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Makes the Mazda 6 2.2D Estate look even more appealing as an alternative to the Octavia VRS.

seefarr

1,461 posts

185 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
biglaugh 390 lb/ft of torque must make a mess of those front tires in a hurry. What a hoot!

A phrase I never thought I would type:

"goes to check classifieds for diesel Mazda 3"

CraigyMc

16,333 posts

235 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
seefarr said:
biglaugh 390 lb/ft of torque must make a mess of those front tires in a hurry. What a hoot!
I wonder what the gearbox is rated to.

C

omgus

7,305 posts

174 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
MrTappets said:
I have a strange urge to purchase a grey 3 with small wheels all of a sudden.
yes

The sheer q-car appeal of a Mazda 3 diesel with those figures is intriguing.

MrTappets

881 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
178 lbft/l certainly sounds interesting, not to mention 112bhp/l!

Zaim

142 posts

204 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Finally something to make my Mazda3 diesel exciting. Coming from an Impreza has mean't no love being felt as of yet.

Sounds like a good upgrade without the need for removing the DPF, however can't find anything about it on BBR's website yet.

CraigyMc

16,333 posts

235 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
MrTappets said:
178 lbft/l certainly sounds interesting, not to mention 112bhp/l!
The N47 (2.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 525d makes 218ps, so 109ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.
The N57S (3.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 550d makes 381ps, so 127ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.

smile

barmonkey

652 posts

176 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Do want.

I think the 3s have always been under-rated to be honest.

RosscoPCole

3,300 posts

173 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
This could be an interesting family wagon if fitted to the Mazda 5.
It might surprise a few people away from the traffic lights.

sanctum

191 posts

174 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
The phase 2 upgrades look mighty expensive for minimal gains, I wonder what the difference is between the two in the real world? Maybe someone should contact BBR and borrow a pair of 3's for a back to back of the phase 1 and 2 options.

dukebox9reg

1,570 posts

147 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
I'm surprised that the DPF is still in place and its on standard injectors at phase 2

anonymous-user

53 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Or, alternatively, why not just buy a proper "sports" diesel in the first place, you know, like one with a transmission and powertrain / chassis to be able to actually deploy that sort of performance with some sort of decorum!


MrTappets

881 posts

190 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
CraigyMc said:
The N47 (2.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 525d makes 218ps, so 109ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.
The N57S (3.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 550d makes 381ps, so 127ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.

smile
Yup, although I've heard the odd question being raised over the reliability of the 550d. Could be nothing. In a small Mazda though that kind of output's pretty impressive.

dazsmith69

284 posts

191 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
There are more tuning companies that tune Mazdas than BBR Pistonheads.

Don't understand why its just them that get your press?

Soupie69uk

922 posts

216 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
Not normally my cup of tea SUV's but the CX7 is pretty good looking car to me.

If I needed a family car I would have a serious look at them as for £15k you can get a decent one. Then add £1200 for the stage 2 and that would keep me interested in it.

Friend has the 3 MPS and its really quite quick and I love how the early ones look. Think they are quite understated but I would find it hard to choose one over some of its competitors though.

Alfa159Ti

827 posts

156 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
In my experience remapping diesels just destroys clutches and DMFs, despite the remappers rhetoric of 'smooth power delivery, safe torque levels, kinder than a tuning box' etc etc.


thecremeegg

1,952 posts

202 months

Tuesday 23rd July 2013
quotequote all
CraigyMc said:
The N47 (2.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 525d makes 218ps, so 109ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.
The N57S (3.0 BMW turbodiesel) as used in the current 550d makes 381ps, so 127ps/l, with a manufacturer warranty.

smile
Slight price difference though! laugh