OIL LEAK spotted 08MS3 Do you have one?

[///M Compact]

If your going to post such negative comments regarding the warranty policies, at least check for accurate information.

The turbocharger is clearly covered for the full length of the powertrain warranty as shown below, quoted directly from Mazda's website. If you were an educated consumer you would know the following warranty coverage applies, and discuss this with the service department to be sure that Mazda pays the bill for any required repairs.

You mean that Mazda might-repeat-might-get to replace two turbos instead of just one? Wow! If the so-called "improved" turbo lasts longer I'll probably wind up paying for its replacement anyway. And I'll still likely have to pay for the next bad strut. It's all a moot point anyway, I'm dumping the heap the first chance I get.
So, what's it like to work for Mazda? I hear the Kool-Aid tastes great!

 

[Super Unique]

I wasn't out to start an argument, and still do not work in the auto industry in any way. Just passing along helpful information I have learned through owning several different cars, and dealing with bad cars. The speed3 is far from a really bad car. Toyota is generally praised as among the best, but my experience with them was on the very, very bad end of the scale. Their engine was poorly designed, and failed repeatedly, with proper maintenance. To date that Toyota is the only catastrophic engine failure I have ever had on my own cars. Not once, but 3 times in a row, around 30k miles between each time. Did Toyota repair them each time, yes. but not without going through a LOT of hooops. first of which was automatic blame upon me the customer, with a claim of "Oil sludge caused by owner abuse/neglect/failure to perform required maintenance"... however they didn't enjoy the egg on their face when presented with the complete stack of maintenance receipts from the very same service department. My reply at that point was "why is your service department blaming itself for poor/faulty maintenance?"

 

[///M Compact]

Speaking of which, switching from Mazda to BMW, while complaining of the costs to maintain the Mazda seems a little premature. Wait until you encounter the true costs of owning premium german engineering. Not to say BMW doesn't make a fantastic car which they usually do, but the cost of ownership is clearly much higher.

Thanks for the extremely informative heads-up. It's obvious that you have an extensive and thorough knowledge of BMWs. As for me, I've only owned nine BMWs, but there are just three in my garage at the present time.

 

[Super Unique]

Thanks for the extremely informative heads-up. It's obvious that you have an extensive and thorough knowledge of BMWs. As for me, I've only owned nine BMWs, but there are just three in my garage at the present time.

I never once trashed BMW, they are very nice cars. But they are clearly not in the same class as Mazda economy cars. Much higher cost to purchase, and usually more expensive to maintain. If you have the money go for it, nothing wrong with that. Just don't complain about mazda prices and repairs while doing so.

 

[///M Compact]

I never once trashed BMW, they are very nice cars. But they are clearly not in the same class as Mazda economy cars. Much higher cost to purchase, and usually more expensive to maintain. If you have the money go for it, nothing wrong with that. Just don't complain about mazda prices and repairs while doing so.

I didn't mean to sound so harsh, but I get tired of hearing the "BMWs are super-expensive to fix" mantra. My Club Sport is 13 years old and has averaged @$50 per month to run- and that number includes three sets of W-rated track rubber. My local BMW dealer performed the Inspection II(major) service, flushed the brake fluid, and repaired a curbed wheel on my wife's X3 for $424. Before my first-and likely last-track event with the MS3, I went to my nearest Mazda dealer to get a set of front pads. They wanted $250. Vaseline was extra. Which is one of several reasons I bought from and have my MS3 serviced at a dealer located 100 miles away. The sales, service, and parts departments of the Louisville KY Mazda dealers are uniformly horrible.

 

[Super Unique]

In defense of the brake pads, they are an expected evil on a high performance car. Large, performance pads are more expensive than the regular small pucks on sh*tbox cars. You will likely find the same level of ass raping for other performance cars. If not, then shame on Mazda, but they are really using Volvo parts anyways...

 

[///M Compact]

In defense of the brake pads, they are an expected evil on a high performance car. Large, performance pads are more expensive than the regular small pucks on sh*tbox cars. You will likely find the same level of ass raping for other performance cars. If not, then shame on Mazda, but they are really using Volvo parts anyways...

My point was that the local dealer was was charging @15% over MSRP, which is around $215. And in all fairness, I could get the pads from Online Mazda Parts for $174. Still, I can get Jurid OEM pads for a 330i ZHP(the MS3's likely replacement) for $93. For that matter, I can get Pagid Sport compounds for an E46 M3 for $200. So yes, shame on Mazda.
To be honest, a combination of factors have turned my MS3 ownership into a much less than pleasant experience. If the car was truly entertaining to drive on the track(a major reason why I bought it; I should have listened to the guys at EVO and Performance Car rather than the suck-ups at Automobile, Car and Driver, and Road & Track), OR I had a decent local dealer, OR the car was not needing major repairs at such a low mileage, I could probably be persuaded to keep the car. I really hate to unload a car after just two years of ownership-I've owned my Club Sport since new and my Wrangler since 2002. I was even looking forward to modding the MS3 a tiny bit; I bought an MSCAI w/air straightener and I was planning to add an AP if the 1.03 maps proved to be potent. As it stands now, I'm not at all confident of the car's stock reliability, never mind once it is fitted with a couple of(admittedly minor) mods.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

My point was that the local dealer was was charging @15% over MSRP, which is around $215. And in all fairness, I could get the pads from Online Mazda Parts for $174. Still, I can get Jurid OEM pads for a 330i ZHP(the MS3's likely replacement) for $93. For that matter, I can get Pagid Sport compounds for an E46 M3 for $200. So yes, shame on Mazda.
To be honest, a combination of factors have turned my MS3 ownership experience into an ordeal. If the car was truly entertaining to drive on the track(a major reason why I bought it; I should have listened to the guys at EVO and Performance Car rather than the suck-ups at Automobile, Car and Driver, and Road & Track), OR I had a decent local dealer, OR the car was not needing major repairs at such a low mileage, I could probably be persuaded to keep the car. I really hate to unload a car after just two years of ownership-I've owned my Club Sport since 1995 and my Wrangler since 2002-but life is too short to drive a car I no longer enjoy driving, so the MS3 will be gone sooner or later.
Hopefully sooner.

Wow...good luck with unloading her. (sad2)

 

[RichB]

45k no leaks

46K and Zero problems.

I didn't realize that there was someone else with as many miles as me.

 

[Speed3Rookie]

46K and Zero problems.

I didn't realize that there was someone else with as many miles as me.

Any mods?

 

[RichB]

Any mods?

Injen CAI
Forge BPV
Corksport MM Inserts
TWM Shifter Bushings
Prosport Boost Gauge

These aren't mods but worhty to point out:
Mobile 1 5W-30 oil since first change
Redline MT-90 since 30K miles

 

[Super Unique]

46K and Zero problems.

I didn't realize that there was someone else with as many miles as me.

I will be closing in on you quickly enough, I average 30 to 40k per year, 5 months in and already 14k

 

[RichB]

your gonna have to catch up. I did 30K the first year owning my MS3