Hello everyone, new MZ3 owner

[kmfdMZ3]

Hi all, just bought an 06 3s a couple weeks ago. Looking to keep this car for a long time but i am already itching to put performance mods into it.

Because I need to keep this car under warranty the whole time (and not give them any excuses to void my warranty), I am thinking of getting all Mazdaspeed parts. Anyone have experience or reviews they could share with me as to the value of the parts available for the 3s? I am looking into the springs/dampeners and short throw shifter kit. I also heard Mazdaspeed will be releasing a hi flow catback exhaust kit and intake as well?

Thanks everyone!

 

[tsunami]

hey congrats on the new car.... sorry to say this but mazdaspeed parts will void your warranty just as easily as some other parts.... sucks don't it.... i would do things like a short shifter, lowering springs, and an intake that if need be you would revert back to stock....

 

[GrayZoom]

Will it still void your warranty if you dealer sells Mazdaspeed parts and will put them on for you? I thought I read in the catalog that they did have a warranty through Mazda. Not as long as our cars warranty, but a warranty none the less.

 

[kmfdMZ3]

yea unfortunately i read about that. but then again there are some dealers do and some dealers dont. in any case i'll have to talk to the service depts for the dealers around me to see what they say. I saw the cai for the mazdaspeed 6, i'm wondering if that can be modified to fit the 3.

 

[tsunami]

doubt it... completely different engine bays, and yes same engine displacement but one is FI with DI and the other is N/A without DI....

 

[WetsuitxNinja]

Per my dealership...if THEY install the parts, the warranty will still be intact, even if its not mazdaspeed stuff.

-an exhaust is safe, I havent read any stories about that causing any issues.
-intake, takes a few mins to swap out for dealership trips.

Just dont do anything permadent if you are worried about it, well the exhaust will be because you gotta cut the stock exhaust off, and unless you have flanges welded onto it...

 

[cbc]

@kmfd - Was thumbing thru the Mazdaspeed catalog at the dealers today & they DO make a cai for the 3 now, along with some supension goodies , perf flywheels/clutches & body parts

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Just so you know, in order to invalidate a warranty, the modification has to relate to the failure in question. For instance if you put in aftermarket springs and shocks and then the engine throws a rod, your dealer cannot deny your coverage based soley on the springs and shocks. A turbo kit? Okay, your gonna be hurting on that one...There are actual laws and regulations that govern warranties that the manufacturers have to adhere to. Unfortunately there are a few dealers out there who have employees who are not familiar with the regs and default to "all modifications will void your warranty" stance. If I can find the link(s) I will post them up.

Also, the burden on proof is not for the owner to prove he has coverage (as long as he is still under the guidelines i.e. 4 yrs/50,000 miles), but for the dealer to prove he doesn't. A slight but important difference.

Now let me go find the info....

 

[RUFFSTUFF]

Also, auto Service Contracts are a whole different ballgame!

Congrats on your new car, I just got one myself and it rocks! Hell, I wish I could convince my wife to drive my brand new Expedition and let me drive the 3, but she's not going for it...

 

[kmfdMZ3]

wow cool, thanks cbc. now im wondering what kind of performance gains one will get through that mazdaspeed cai compared to something like injen or aem.

 

[cbc]

well if nothing more , at least you'll still have warranty coverage (if they do the install of course)

 

[kmfdMZ3]

yea. i read on sema's website that even if they don't install it and it doesn't have anything to do with the failure they can't void the warranty. But then again, it's up to the person to fight with the dealership. hopefully i don't get hammered on "installation" costs.

 

[cbc]

Get several quotes in your area, perhaps you'll get lucky? If not, at least you *do* get piece of mind that the warranty stands in case of problems later on. Let us know your impressions of it once/if you get one installed. I'm curious on the results.

 

[xoxshellie27xox]

I think as far as the mazdaspeed parts its only certain dealers because as long as all the part are mazda parts my dealer wont void my warranty... and I know another dealer thats the same policy....

 

[GrayZoom]

Yes, only Mazdaspeed dealers.

 

[naoki]

ok so will they void your warranty if you do body work to the car such as a body kit or a paint job? I wasnt aware they would void it if you did modifications, how come?

 

[cbc]

If you are changing the car by modding the finish or sheet metal of the car & then later it rusts thru for an example, Mazda would probably not honor warranty repair work to fix the rusting. In other words *specific parts* of your warranty *could* be affected by modifications, if they could later prove that doing so caused a problem with the car from it operating properly.

 

[naoki]

If you are changing the car by modding the finish or sheet metal of the car & then later it rusts thru for an example, Mazda would probably not honor warranty repair work to fix the rusting. In other words *specific parts* of your warranty *could* be affected by modifications, if they could later prove that doing so caused a problem with the car from it operating properly.

so basically, they wont care if you do it, but if it caused it to break then they wont fix it. But in other words mazda just has that rule as an excuse to get around your warrenty?

 

[cbc]

No, I think it's a reasonable expectation that if you wish to have your car maintained under your warranty, you are expected to keep it in good condition, & not to alter it to a point where you have changed the basic functionality of warrantied components. If you've modded your front grill & your intank manifold develops a crack, no worries. If you have drilled holes in the side of your car for ground effects mounting & you find rust spots developing around the holes a year later, that may be harder to get looked after under your warranty for rust protection. See what I'm saying?

 

[kmfdMZ3]

well i'll be heading over to my dealer (Galpin Mazda in San Fernando) to talk with the service dept and see what mazdaspeed parts i can get my hands on. i'll be getting into autox sometime in the near future when i can afford the coil over kit. hey cbc what part of socal are you from?