Tell me more about the MS3--------

[shamrock]

Well I have been a wrx guy for a long time now and I hate the new body, so now I am looking at a MS3. How is the MZR 2.3L turbo motor. I know that both MS3 and MS6 share the engine, only diff is AWD. Is it a legenday engine like mazda claims. Here are some questions

1. CAI I know are bad for WRX's because the lean them out, but why are the good for MS3, and what is the best. The MS CAI?
2 When doe boost kick in, at what RPM?
3 How are the drive trains holding up?
4 I know there is a engine mount recall, but is there anything else.
Finally is there anything else I should know. I plan on getting an 08 sport, if that helps any.
Sorry for some of the newb questions, but Im new to MS3 and just trying to get all the info I can.
Thanks everyone

 

[SwampAss]

There's been debate over the restriction of the stock airbox. I can only speak from my experience. I fitted the Mazdaspeed CAI and was very pleased with the results. I've seen dyno increases posted from 10hp up to claims of 20hp. I have no first hand experience in the actual increase. Only seat of the pants. It was substantial in my case. The boost is dependent on the amount of throttle you give the car. Boost kicks in @ almost any RPM. It reaches full boost according to my gauge @ about 3k. A bit sooner in 1st and second as it tops @ about 11psi vs. 16psi. There was debate earlier that the MS CAI was of poor design in regard to the location of the MAF in relation to the bend in the intake. CPE apparently made one with no serious bends and with an air foil built in to make sure the MAF reads correctly. It's my understanding that the MAF airflow issue may not be as much of an issue with a stock tuned car, but once an access port or PNP stand alone is available, that would definitely be more of an issue.

Aside from the occasional missed shift from 2nd to 3rd, my transmission has been very solid feeling. I think the shift issue is a combo of engine movement and me sucking at shifting sometimes. If I am deliberate in my shifting, I never miss 3rd. Sometimes it's in the heat of the moment I grind it. I've only done it maybe 4 times.

Most say that the BOSE is not worth the money. Personally, I have the non-BOSE and it's fine. Most owners rave about the factory HIDs but say the rain sensing wipers are sometimes a little too sensitive. I bought the no frills sport model and frankly, couldn't be happier.

 

[jhowey]

Great car, get it, you wont be disappointed in any way.

 

[shamrock]

So if you get the MS3 CAI, I take it that it wont void your warrenty, but if you get another brand, will that void it or not(dunno)

 

[SwampAss]

This has been discussed ad nauseum. The Mazda factory one is treated as a stock part. For example, if your MAF took a doo doo and you had a CPE cold air intake, you'd prob not get it covered under your warranty. If you had the Mazdaspeed one, they'd cover it as it's seen as a factory part.

 

[TheDutchGun]

So if you get the MS3 CAI, I take it that it wont void your warrenty, but if you get another brand, will that void it or not(dunno)

They can't just straight up void a warranty, they can only deny certain claims if aftermarket parts have been used. This is at least the case in Canada.

 

[meha11]

So if you get the MS3 CAI, I take it that it wont void your warrenty, but if you get another brand, will that void it or not(dunno)

if an alternate brand is directly responsible for causing something to break then yes.

roll the dice and take your chances but the odds are with you on this one.

 

[shamrock]

When does boost start, at what rpm

 

[Hikaru9]

When does boost start, at what rpm

I can hear it around 2700rpm.

 

[shamrock]

cool, that seems close to what the srt-2 used to boost at. My friend had one and it seemed like that turbo would start spooling at 100rpm

 

[Kshaw5]

It's worth your time to test drive the new VW gti 4 door back to back with the MS3 - because it's another turbo FWD wagon with a similar price. The mazda motor is peakier (though that peak is higher) The vw is a more refined car in most ways and appears to have more grunt at the bottom of the rev range (under 3k). The feedback in the MS3 is more aggresive.

 

[MS3ICA]

the cia does make the boost spike up to 20psi in the upper gears , but a ecu mod like xede fixes that problem

 

[MS3TR]

It's worth your time to test drive the new VW gti 4 door back to back with the MS3 - because it's another turbo FWD wagon with a similar price. The mazda motor is peakier (though that peak is higher) The vw is a more refined car in most ways and appears to have more grunt at the bottom of the rev range (under 3k). The feedback in the MS3 is more aggresive.

GTI's are fun cars but they really don't compare to the performance of the Speed 3. I think the R32 would be more comparable although it is AWD. Too bad it weighs so freak'n much.

 

[shamrock]

No Im lookin at an 08 WRX/08 MS3. Leaning more way more towards the MS3.GTI's look good, but they are under powered compaired to other cars in its class. Just trying to get as much info as possible, thats all
Thanks guys/girls(drinks)

 

[Hikaru9]

I don't think you can go wrong either way.
Whatever you end up deciding to get, enjoy!
I personally think my MS3 *looks* better, but beauty's in the eyes of the beholder, right? *^_^*

 

[shamrock]

I don't think you can go wrong either way.
Whatever you end up deciding to get, enjoy!
I personally think my MS3 *looks* better, but beauty's in the eyes of the beholder, right? *^_^*

Oh hell yea it looks alot better, plus the wrx is like $1,500 more. Is mazda going to stop making the MS3 after 08 thouogh. I will be getting an 08, but was just wondering