MS3 in the snow?

[ageless_strange]

Question 1: I'm thinking about buying a MS3 now and I live in an area that gets moderate snow during the winter. Will the MS3 perform fine in the snow as a commuter car? It was snowing pretty good when I testdrove the car and it didn't perform great (slipping). I'm assuming that was because of the summer/performance tires on it? Will I be okay if I put winter tires on it? I'm worried that it's impossible to press the gas lightly enough to crawl through the snow without trying to use all the torque at once....Any thoughts?


Question 2: Also, second question any thoughts on the service record for the car I'm considering: '07 MS3 25k mi from a dealer....Brakes and rotors already replaced? Do you see anything fishy below? Is this car a lemon?


Mileage: 22731
Complaint: CEL CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-CHECK AND ADVISE
Cause:
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
7283 9642 IMU F0816XRX PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH, R&R


Mileage: 22643
Line Code: A Booker: 3399 Comeback: N
Complaint: 1 SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSPECTION SERVICE
3399 9642 IMU BRKS FRONT BRAKES PADS REPLACED MACHINE ROTOR
Complaint: 10 REPLACE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS


Mileage: 22643
Complaint: 10 MACHINE FRONT ROTORS


Mileage: 22643
Complaint: 10 REPLACE 3 DAMAGED LUG NUTS


Opened: 20AUG09 Closed: 31AUG09 Mileage: 22642
Complaint: CUSTOMER STATES AROUND 2500 RPM SEEMS TO SURGE AND JERK
Cause: .
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
7283 9642 WM F0008XDX EGI SYSTEM, DIAGNOSIS
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 153.00 MSC$ 0.00
7283 9642 WM F0811ARX OXYGEN SENSOR, R&R - ONE OR TWO



Mileage: 22642
Complaint: CUSTOMER REQUESTS PLEASE PERFORM RECALL 4807H
Complaint: CUSTOMER REQUESTS PLEASE PERFORM RECALL 4907H

Mileage: 5192
Complaint: 10M RECALL 4607F MOTOR MOUNT

Mileage: 1181
Complaint: CEL CLIENT STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON
Cause: 9W
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
9161 5261 WM F0008XDX EGI SYSTEM, DIAGNOSIS
PTS$ 56.14 LBR$ 48.00 MSC$ 0.00
9161 5261 WM F0607ARX SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY, R&R
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 24.00 MSC$ 0.00
9161 5261 WM F0009XDX EGI SYSTEM, DRIVE CYCLE
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 40.00 MSC$ 0.00

 

[DaViper]

You will need a set of snow tires if you're going to use it in the snow. I went with Blizzak LM-22's, and so far they've been excellent. The bottom part of my driveway is at an incline, and I've had no trouble getting up it with a few inches of snow on the ground. If you're going to put snow tires on the stock rims, most people will recommend you go with the Blizzak LM-60's, or the Michellin X-Ice's. What most people do is buy a second set of wheels (either aftermarkets, OEMs, or steel wheels), and swap the wheels for the winter. Usually when you get a second set of wheels for snow tires you want to go with a smaller size wheel than the stock 18" wheel, however, as I said I'm using Blizzak LM-22's on my stock wheels (I will be putting aftermarkets on in the spring), and I've been through a few storms here with no problems.

This was also my first manual transmission car, and I've only had it for 5 months. With the snow tires I'm not having problems getting traction coming from a stop. Of course you can break the tires loose if you're trying to pretty easily, but you'll be fine getting around with snow tires, just don't drive like an idiot.

 

[cmw08.5cwp]

I went out and pick up a set of 16' wheels off of a tribute and put a set of 205/60 16 Firestone Winterhawks on them and I love it. I've gotten through stuff that my buddies STI(stock high performance tires) got stuck in. Overall I would say this car is great in the snow when properly equipped.

 

[jmcdonald56]

This car is horrible in the snow with the stock tires. I bought some blizzaks and it is like driving a different car in the snow. With winter tires you should have no problems using it as your daily driver.

 

[ageless_strange]

Thank you folks! I'm feeling a lot more confident making this purchase. I plan to get winter tires and 16" rims from tirerack if the car deal goes through. Any reason to get the alloy wheels as my winter set?

 

[jri4]

I think 16" steelies fit fine, but an actual 16" alloy rim might have issues clearing the brakes... So be careful...go 17

Personally, if you are going to get new, nice set of aftermarket rims for the good weather season, then just use the stockers for winter on winter rubber... if not, steelies FTW

Good luck!

 

[Sport6]

I think 16" steelies fit fine, but an actual 16" alloy rim might have issues clearing the brakes... So be careful...go 17

Personally, if you are going to get new, nice set of aftermarket rims for the good weather season, then just use the stockers for winter on winter rubber... if not, steelies FTW

Good luck!

Well I had the exact opposite problem there.

I had 16" steelies that I bought for my Mazda6 for the winter and kept them when I bought the Speed3. They didn't clear the brakes. Though I know the TireRack steelies do clear them, these were a 2-piece design wheel (hub part of the wheel is welded to the outer tire part, and it actually rubbed on the welds).

Sooo I bought 16" Sport Edition wheels and they fit fine on the car, though it is close with wheel weights on the inside part of the wheel.

 

[cmw08.5cwp]

I think 16" steelies fit fine, but an actual 16" alloy rim might have issues clearing the brakes... So be careful...go 17

Personally, if you are going to get new, nice set of aftermarket rims for the good weather season, then just use the stockers for winter on winter rubber... if not, steelies FTW

Good luck!

My wheels are 16" alloy off of an 05' Tribute and they are REALLY close. I would go with a 17".

 

[ageless_strange]

Guys, hate to be a pest but here's the service record for this '07 MS3 with 23k (buying from a dealer). Brakes and rotors already replaced? Do you see anything fishy below? Is this car a lemon?


Mileage: 22731
Complaint: CEL CUSTOMER STATES CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON-CHECK AND ADVISE
Cause:
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
7283 9642 IMU F0816XRX PARK/NEUTRAL SWITCH, R&R


Mileage: 22643
Line Code: A Booker: 3399 Comeback: N
Complaint: 1 SAFETY AND MAINTENANCE INSPECTION SERVICE
3399 9642 IMU BRKS FRONT BRAKES PADS REPLACED MACHINE ROTOR
Complaint: 10 REPLACE REAR BRAKE PADS AND ROTORS


Mileage: 22643
Complaint: 10 MACHINE FRONT ROTORS


Mileage: 22643
Complaint: 10 REPLACE 3 DAMAGED LUG NUTS


Opened: 20AUG09 Closed: 31AUG09 Mileage: 22642
Complaint: CUSTOMER STATES AROUND 2500 RPM SEEMS TO SURGE AND JERK
Cause: .
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
7283 9642 WM F0008XDX EGI SYSTEM, DIAGNOSIS
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 153.00 MSC$ 0.00
7283 9642 WM F0811ARX OXYGEN SENSOR, R&R - ONE OR TWO



Mileage: 22642
Complaint: CUSTOMER REQUESTS PLEASE PERFORM RECALL 4807H
Complaint: CUSTOMER REQUESTS PLEASE PERFORM RECALL 4907H

Mileage: 5192
Complaint: 10M RECALL 4607F MOTOR MOUNT

Mileage: 1181
Complaint: CEL CLIENT STATES THE CHECK ENGINE LIGHT IS ON
Cause: 9W
SA... TECH. TYPE. OPCODE....... CB-RO.. DESCRIPTION.............................
9161 5261 WM F0008XDX EGI SYSTEM, DIAGNOSIS
PTS$ 56.14 LBR$ 48.00 MSC$ 0.00
9161 5261 WM F0607ARX SOLENOID VALVE ASSEMBLY, R&R
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 24.00 MSC$ 0.00
9161 5261 WM F0009XDX EGI SYSTEM, DRIVE CYCLE
PTS$ 0.00 LBR$ 40.00 MSC$ 0.00

 

[3speedy]

I wouldn't buy it. Sounds fishy and I think it has been driven hard.

 

[LukeP]

I can't speak to the shadyness of the purchase or the quality of the car (Three broken lug nuts? yikes.), but I can definitely comment on the car in snow. The clearance is actually really good on this car, and when you combine the limited slip differential with Bridgestone Blizzaks chewing through the snow you can get out of almost any kind of rut or deep snow situation (I'm talking this much snow.) I recommend turning off the DSC to reduce unnecessary brake wear under these conditions. The car's computer nanny doesn't really know what to do in all that snow and ends up getting confused.

DO NOT drive in any conditions other than dry pavement with the stock Bridgestone Potenzas. You will die. You will be dead and die.

 

[blh_wakeboard]

Lug nuts sounds interesting, this isn't probably related but my friend bought a brand new 09' Metro Grey MS3 a year ago, beginning of last summer he started noticing a weird vibration on turns or under acceleration, sounded a lot like a CV going out. He took it in to the dealer and it turned out that his lugs on his front right wheel hadn't been properly torqued and were coming off and were eating his studs/lugs. He had it replaced by the dealer and no problems since but I wonder if Mazda did this to any other MS3s? I'm guessing that should have been something they check before shipping to the dealer or the dealer is supposed to make sure their torqued properly upon receiving them?

 

[jabba]

1. As others have said, get winter tires, I have Blizzak WS60 on 16" steelies (the Tirerack special), and they are quite good in the snow/ice. I had previously replaced the stock summer tires with all seasons, but once all seasons start wearing down (I'm near 4/32" of tread), they start sucking big time in the snow.

1. If you look closely, you'll see that the owner seemingly had no issues between 5192 and 22642 miles, which is actually quite amazing. At 22642 it seems he went in and got a whole bunch of stuff done, maybe because he was thinking of selling? In any case, these seem to be small things...oxygen sensor and brakes are nothing that scream lemon, especially since the car wasn't taken in for the same work twice. If you think it has been driven hard, I would focus more on turbo issues (smoke out of the exhaust, a "dentist drill" noise on boost, boost leaks) that might indicate the turbo is about to swim with the fishes.

 

[shuura]

DO NOT drive in any conditions other than dry pavement with the stock Bridgestone Potenzas. You will die. You will be dead and die.

THE MOST funniest thing I've read in a while!!! thanx for the laugh LukeP!!

I can attest to the stocks in snow... they SUCK in snow, ice, and slushy crap!!
Jersey origins may be the reason why I'm able to manage, at least until I get my snow wheel/tire combo!

 

[JamesCH]

The stock tires are no good around or below their rated temperature of 36F (if memory serves) the compound hardens up in cold temperatures and they won't develop anywhere near their potential grip on dry pavement, let alone snow and ice.

I've got Dunlop M3s and Toyo Garretts on 16" alloy wheels for my winter setup and I've never come close to sliding off the road or getting stuck. The DSC does a really good job of controlling engine torque, though the car is very controllable and DSC has really only kicked on when I've been "playing" in snowy parking lots. Haven't had a single issue with slipping or sliding so far. These winter tires also do very well on dry pavement.

 

[AutoEuphoria]

I have Blizzacks and it saved my ass last weekend up at SnoDrift. Actually was able to drive around in about 6" of snow and ice in the back roads trying to get to one of the stages. It's not EASY...but it makes it POSSIBLE. I would still be stuck there today if I relied on the stock tires.

 

[OnebigTymer11]

I wouldn't buy it. Sounds fishy and I think it has been driven hard.

A turbo'd car driven hard? nah never!

 

[fastmazdams3]

Nah, its definetly not a lemon, but there are some repairs that shouldn't go bad on a car that early. An o2 sensor at 22k miles???

and YES stock tires will kill you in the snow, there was 1 inch of snow on the ground, and I slid into the wall of my bay going 5mph with the stock tires. ( I was bringing it in to put the snow tires on : ( )

 

[bani]

car is fine... with snow tires.

even the "super awd rally car" subaru sti can't do s*** in snow on stock tires. an sti needs snow tires too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZjLi4645DQ

 

[blh_wakeboard]

car is fine... with snow tires.



even the "super awd rally car" subaru sti can't do s*** in snow on stock tires. an sti needs snow tires too.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9ZjLi4645DQ

^ MS3 snow plow FTW! haha but he is right, snow tires make a huge difference regardless of the vehicle, I wasn't a believer till I gave in and got some this year. With our limited slip diff and proper snow tires the speed3 will do pretty damn amazing in the snow...