2010 MS3 shifting sounds

[Stavesacre21]

As it's been mentioned in other threads about the new MS3, i've been hearing a sound while shifting the 1 to 2, 2 to 3 and 3 to 4 shift that sounds a lot like a "thunk" or "clunk" sound depending on how you hear it. Might happen from time to time in the higher gears but it's NEAR as noticable.

Car has did this ever since I picked it up at 5 miles, brand new. Didn't know if it might have something to do with being cable operated shifting, syncronizers, or who knows. Heard previous gen MS3 owners mention that they've heard it but i'm not sure if i've head any new 2010's saying the same.

Car doesn't even have to be moving to hear it, although it's a little more pronounced when you're moving then go to shift.

Let's hear some findings. Any input would be great. Thanks!

 

[NathanR]

I get the same thing with my '10MS3 as well. I've had mine since 2 miles. Occasionally, It's very loud and sometimes you can actually FEEL it as well as hear it.

 

[jdillen]

Stavesacre21,

I have the EXACT same issue with my 2010. I've noticed it since day one (had the car since about august 20th and has around 3,500 miles on it). It is slightly disconcerting to me as I'm unsure if its synchros not being up to speed and if this is going to affect the long term viability of those synchros. I'm glad you posted something...I wasnt sure if mine was just a one-off issue or not. Could it be a function of the gearboxes design? I know the ratios have been changed for 2010 but did they do anything else to the box? Interested to hear input from others (including 07-09 owners).

 

[DailyDriver]

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[Stavesacre21]

If it were the same thunk we're talking about DailyDriver, you'd know it. It wouldn't be a one time thing. It's actually kinda hard to miss, especially if you're so picky on hearing things (as you previously mentioned).

I'm starting to wonder if it was just something that affected some of the first MS3's out the gate. What the date on some of your cars? I'm gonna check mine in the AM to see what it reads.

I'm still not sure of it, but i'm almost willing to bet that it's something to do with the tranny syncros or something of the like. The fact that we've got more then one of us here who's heard it has helped to calm myself a little. Now at least i'm not gonna be expecting the tranny to drop anytime soon lol.

Lets keep any results/findings/thoughts going on this. I'm also keeping my eyes peeled for any TSBs on the new MS3. If it's anything like Mazda's other cars, there should be a slew of them within the next 6 months.

 

[Silver Ecstasy]

SEARCH it..it's been discussed.

It can be the following:
-Rear Motor Mount is too soft, causing engine to thunk against firewall during HARD shifts
-Clutch in just a tad sooner before moving shifter into next slot. If you're a tad overzealous and start to move the shifter before pressing in the clutch all the way, you will clunk. I used to do this to 3rd gear all the time.

Try it and report back!

 

[Stavesacre21]

Must be different for 2010 Speed3s, because it will do it reguardless of the time the clutch it pushed in. If you're moving, and you just shift between 2 and 3, back and forth, it will do it when you first move out of gear as well as when you're entering the next gear. This entire time the clutch is pressed in. No engagment/disengagement is going on during any of it.

Doesn't sound like it's the same problem 1st gens have reported, which i had searched out. Indeed, those do sound like the result of overenthusiastic shifting, particularly hard shifting.

The sounds i'm hearing isn't during racing revs...it's normal shifting around 2500 rpms while moving at an average pace of traffic. No racing, no slamming gears, nothing out of the ordinary. You have to REALLY focus and feather in and out of the gates to get it to be completely silent. Tranny mounts seem more likely then motor mounts given these symtoms.

 

[NathanR]

As Stavesacre21 has already stated, my clunk occurs more noticeably at low rpm's and low speeds and has nothing to do with when I clutch during the shifting process.

 

[nadim]

me too iam hearing the same sound from time to time it seems to be normal in our cars

 

[DailyDriver]

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[coololddude]

The 2010 MS3 does have a reworked trans. Clunks are not a plus in transmissions!!

 

[CorkSport]

I'm starting to wonder if it was just something that affected some of the first MS3's out the gate. What the date on some of your cars? I'm gonna check mine in the AM to see what it reads.

We literally got the first 2010 Speed3 on the West Coast at CorkSport and it does not exhibit this behavior.

Jason

 

[Vater]

I'm not noticing any unusual sounds with my shifts. I bought mine on Aug 8th, a day after it arrived at the dealer. It was their first 2010 MS3 on the lot.

 

[jeebusm3]

Yeah I really don't think I've heard anything weird in shift-land. I tried turning off the air and radio today to see if I could feel/hear anything, and it all seemed normal to me. 1200miles on mine.

 

[DailyDriver]

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[NathanR]

It's loud enough where you shouldn't have to actually listen for it. If it's there, you should not only hear it, but feel it as well.

This makes little to no sense, but sometimes, it actually sounds like the clunk is coming from somewhere near the back of the car, almost as if it were a differential noise from a RWD. This kinda leads me to believe that it's a problem at the shifter area and the noise is echoing back underneath the car. It can definately be felt, though, too.

I never think about it, or never have the time to test with the car in the driveway and/or up on ramps. Maybe this weekend, I'll see if I can duplicate it in a more controlled environment to try and isolate it.

 

[Vater]

I've heard an odd, very quick clunk that sounds like its coming from underneath the car near the drivers side rear door. It doesn't happen right as I'm shifting, though...usually just afterwards as I'm hitting the throttle (IIRC). Almost sounds like a rock hitting the underside of the car. It's rare, I've maybe heard it 5 or 6 times since I bought the car in early August. Not sure if this is the sound you're referring to...

 

[El Speed3]

I've heard an odd, very quick clunk that sounds like its coming from underneath the car near the drivers side rear door. It doesn't happen right as I'm shifting, though...usually just afterwards as I'm hitting the throttle (IIRC). Almost sounds like a rock hitting the underside of the car. It's rare, I've maybe heard it 5 or 6 times since I bought the car in early August. Not sure if this is the sound you're referring to...

In my case, you've nailed it, thats exactly the sound I sometimes get.

I test drove the '09 MS3 for a whole weekend and while driving hard, I got it several times. I really came out if I stopped making smooth shifts and made aggresive, fast ones.

In my '10, I havent driven it hard enough (still breaking it in), but I have gotten that sound a couple of times already. As I said previously, I come from a noisy Mini gearbox, which is meant to crunch as you shift, as well as most BMW's do, so I really dont consider this a real problem. However, this is the first Mazda I own, although I did hear it in the '09 as well...

 

[mazda_dan]

my 08 ms3 makes the same noise when shifting ever since new.

 

[Stavesacre21]

I just realized after having FINALLY got a warm day that with the windows down, you can clearly hear it outside the car, almost better then you even can inside. Not so much a sharp sound, but almost more like a dull thump at times.

I really was actually just getting ready to rule this as normal, but it's kinda crazy how this is so hit-or-miss on the board.

I'll be really curious to see if this ends up being anything down the line. Hopefully people keep the thread updated as more info comes out about this mystery.

Reguardless, even with the sound it's making, it's not NEAR as bothersome to me as the MS6's studder and insane clutch, nor any less tolerable then getting 14MPG with the RX8's 159 lb/ft TQ. If this ends up being the MS3's biggest annoyance, I can live with it.