Long-Term Test Update: 2007 Mazdaspeed3
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=6664
Cresting the 30,000-mile mark in our MS3 sees us officially 60-percent complete with our long-term evaluation and due for another service. Our maintenance costs so far are but a fraction of either the GS 450h's or XK's when they crossed the same point, perhaps because we are still on the original Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires the same ones Feature Editor Mike Monticello was on for its Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca initiation. Mind you, we are nearing the wear bars, as some recent rainstorms have revealed, but we are impressed with the run we've had on them.
With our brand-new purge solenoid in its rightful place, we haven't been visited by our amber informer since, but have received a couple of service bulletins (4807H and 4907H) pertaining to an ECU reflash and replacement of the variable-swirl shutter valve (which supposedly would stick closed due to a weak spring). After these updates were performed, our MS3 feels to have a better torque band without such an abrupt fall-off at the top end.
So with the powertrain now completely sorted and happy, the suspension was feeling a little left out and quickly told us so. A couple of editors who had taken extended trips on separate occasions in the MS3 had identical complaints that the suspension felt as if it were bottoming out on pronounced bumps so bad sometimes that they pulled over to see if they had a flat. It turned out our right front shock decided to take an unannounced vacation, so a replacement was installed under warranty.
The overall dynamics of our beloved pocket rocket have definitely been restored but we feel we need to revisit the occasionally audible "thunk" coming from the rear suspension as it articulates down some driveways.
"Break out the butter and blueberry jam, because the front shocks are toast! The degraded handling, wheel hop under hard acceleration and increased torque steer really show just how vital good shock control is on a car that sends 263 bhp through only its front tires."
Douglas Kott
Executive Editor
2007 Mazdaspeed3
Delivered price
$26,730
Total miles/miles since last report
29,978/8967
Maintenance costs to date
$374
Repair costs to date
$0
Average mpg to date
22.9
http://www.roadandtrack.com/article.asp?section_id=4&article_id=6664
Cresting the 30,000-mile mark in our MS3 sees us officially 60-percent complete with our long-term evaluation and due for another service. Our maintenance costs so far are but a fraction of either the GS 450h's or XK's when they crossed the same point, perhaps because we are still on the original Bridgestone Potenza RE050A tires the same ones Feature Editor Mike Monticello was on for its Mazda Raceway Laguna Seca initiation. Mind you, we are nearing the wear bars, as some recent rainstorms have revealed, but we are impressed with the run we've had on them.
With our brand-new purge solenoid in its rightful place, we haven't been visited by our amber informer since, but have received a couple of service bulletins (4807H and 4907H) pertaining to an ECU reflash and replacement of the variable-swirl shutter valve (which supposedly would stick closed due to a weak spring). After these updates were performed, our MS3 feels to have a better torque band without such an abrupt fall-off at the top end.
So with the powertrain now completely sorted and happy, the suspension was feeling a little left out and quickly told us so. A couple of editors who had taken extended trips on separate occasions in the MS3 had identical complaints that the suspension felt as if it were bottoming out on pronounced bumps so bad sometimes that they pulled over to see if they had a flat. It turned out our right front shock decided to take an unannounced vacation, so a replacement was installed under warranty.
The overall dynamics of our beloved pocket rocket have definitely been restored but we feel we need to revisit the occasionally audible "thunk" coming from the rear suspension as it articulates down some driveways.
"Break out the butter and blueberry jam, because the front shocks are toast! The degraded handling, wheel hop under hard acceleration and increased torque steer really show just how vital good shock control is on a car that sends 263 bhp through only its front tires."
Douglas Kott
Executive Editor
2007 Mazdaspeed3
Delivered price
$26,730
Total miles/miles since last report
29,978/8967
Maintenance costs to date
$374
Repair costs to date
$0
Average mpg to date
22.9
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