MP3's problems inherent toward MSP?

[arkitek]

Hi all!

I will soon become an MSP owner but having read all the complaints here on this MP3 forum, I'm a bit worried.

What other problems are there with the MP3 besides the squeaks and clunks related to the struts/swaybar bushings?

I hear some with the transmission here too which is rather worrisome.

Help is appreciated, especially from existing MP3 owners upgrading to MSP!!

 

[MPChi]

Notchy 1st to 2nd gear.

My MP3 transmission holds up fine so far since the mileage is still very low, but the notchy 2nd gear shift is definitely there. The higher rev when you shift, the notchier it gets. Its less noticeable when in regular daily driving, as you shift around 3k. But when you are driving it harder, like shifting around 4 - 6.5k, the stick doesn't move into 2nd gear slot until a split second later and you have to push it in harder, causing a delay when its not suppose to. It feels just like when you are downshifting 2 gears instead of 1, that you need more effort to push it in. Weird, but seems like a common factory flaw in many MP3s.

And seems like MSP is getting the same tranny, it may get the same problem. Hope it doesn't though.

 

[70]

The Mazdaspeed Protege has the exact same tranny, it also has a better clutch (same size), and the limited slip differential.

The tranny will hold up just fine for the Mazdaspeed Protege, as it has on all other Proteges that have the same transmission (which would be all thrid gen Pro's, I think).

The problems with the tranny I believe are limited to specific people, not a common error in all of the G15-MR out there.

 

[PaulMP3]

I read on Protegetech.com they said the msp has a much smoother feel than the mp3 it said there is no more notchiness. Which i dont understand since it is the same tranny. i remeber reading somewhere when i bought my car that we have a Euro-spec transmission with closer gear ratio's. Is this true??

 

[70]

The MP3 has the standard Protege tranny.

You are thinking about the steering box, which is sourced from the Euro-parts bin and used in the MP3. It has a closer ratio than the standard Protege's steering box.