Reliability of bone stock MS3?

[Sport6]

2007 Stock except a MSCAI and filled rear motor mount, though only at 29500 right now.

But recently just had some stuff done.
- Replaced front control arms (not 100% it was needed but the dealer wanted to make sure the clunk I was getting was completely gone.)

- Replaced front sway bar bushings and endlinks (same clunk problem, likely the bushings causing it)

- EGR valve was replaced because of the insufficient flow CEL but luckily I was still under the 3/36 and was covered.

-Replaced front shocks (all the clunking issue).


All that happened in October at 25,000

 

[Sport6]

As I understand it, the TSB in question doesn't apply to the MS3. In any case, it's a moot point as I hope to sell the thing to Carmax as soon as the weather clears up a bit.

Yeah mine was replaced because of that code. Though others have successfully cleaned their's and the code didn't come back. So that might be an option for you if you keep it longer than that.

 

[ohioan]

Replacing turbo's at low miles doesn't seem fun. How much is it for a replacement stock turbo?

 

[SomnoSpeed3]

Just bought a turbo on ebay for $180 and the rebuild kit is about $100. Interned knowledge for the how-to is free!

 

[cudaman]

Stick with 2008 + 1/2 and/or 2009 MS3's with low miles if possible. Should be no problems. First model years of any car will have the issues taken care of during the following years. I got my 2009 8/09 and have no problems. Interior and exterior is nice in 1st gens IMHO. Electric stearing on 2010's is nice, until the battery goes out. Then you have no steering for 5 minutes after start up. Hence, I will take a power steering pump. With a set of Hotchkis sway bars on front and rear, the 2009's handle just as good as the 2010..... and no smiley faces or hood scoops.

 

[ElGaspo]

for what it's worth....1 month away from its 3rd bday, but only 9k miles. A few mods [see sig line] , zero issues. Has been 1 pleasant surprise after another, in my experience...others may differ.

 

[TruRed]

I have 70k on my 2007 MS3. Only issue I have had is after about 20k, when I get on it a little, it will buck and blow black smoke out the back. I have taken it to numerous dealers, but of course it wont do it there and they said the black tail pipe is normal for these cars(fight)

 

[8.5MS3]

10:1 AFRs at WOT will do that...its normal

 

[skyspeed83]

Appoarching 25k miles on my 08.5 and have no problems yet...only thing it might need soon is a new set of tires.

 

[Ace Deprave]

I've got a stock 08.5 with 45,500 and have had no problems.

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

stock this car is like anything other new car. As soon as you mod your always gonna have some kind of problem.

So far I've replaced the idler pulley, and rear motor mount. 22K on it.

Sorry to thread jack: Were you getting a funny wine out of your motor cold when you went in to have that pulley replaced?

 

[8.5MS3]

i get that every once in a while when cold, sounds like a belt squeak if i let off the clutch too fast from a start, wonder if i have the tensioner thing too...

 

[mazdaspeedster3]

2008 w/ 40k miles. No problems to date so far.

 

[eg6motion]

i get that every once in a while when cold, sounds like a belt squeak if i let off the clutch too fast from a start, wonder if i have the tensioner thing too...

I get that too. Can be easily replicated by slowing loading/slipping the clutch.
Quick VID
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmbW59IFx9I

 

[8.5MS3]

I get that too. Can be easily replicated by slowing loading/slipping the clutch.
Quick VID
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jmbW59IFx9I

hmm never tried to actually make it happen, figured it was a cold thing. ill try it tonight and report back. are you bringing it to the dealer?

 

[eg6motion]

hmm never tried to actually make it happen, figured it was a cold thing. ill try it tonight and report back. are you bringing it to the dealer?

unfortunately it's a cold-based thing and it's been too warm to replicate again.

 

[8.5MS3]

unfortunately it's a cold-based thing and it's been too warm to replicate again.

gonna be 38 tonight, gotta love the Northeast

 

[Biggie B]

Stick with 2008 + 1/2 and/or 2009 MS3's with low miles if possible. Should be no problems. First model years of any car will have the issues taken care of during the following years. I got my 2009 8/09 and have no problems. Interior and exterior is nice in 1st gens IMHO. Electric stearing on 2010's is nice, until the battery goes out. Then you have no steering for 5 minutes after start up. Hence, I will take a power steering pump. With a set of Hotchkis sway bars on front and rear, the 2009's handle just as good as the 2010..... and no smiley faces or hood scoops.

How can you tell if the car is a 2008 or a 2008.5? Does it say on the carfax?

Thanks

 

[Hank3]

08.5' have the glossy piano black trim on the inside. And if it's the GT, it'll have Alcantara seats.

 

[dan1101]

35,000 on mine, stock. Put new Pirelli tires on it, that's about it. I don't drive it hard, and when I do push it I'm smooth.