What do u hate about the P5?

[redwagon02]

road noise...



yeah yeah...it's not a luxuary car...but hey, I can dream

Try Yokahama ES100's as your next tire. Extremely quiet tire. I have them on the Miata. That should take care of alot of your tire noise.

 

[VPower]

yokohame es100?

ok...

road noise, windnoise, engine noise...LOL

 

[+ friction]

The rear glass is sort of small so the view is limited.

 

[Padanky]

thin paint is the only thing I hate.

 

[Coqui258]

Oh YEAH, thin paint!!! ARGGGGGGGGGGGG

 

[dupa12345]

when i got it the two most annoying things were

fat as hell grip on the shifter .. got used to it
white dials looked so gay like they are cut out of the inside of a cereal box -- i'm used to them by now .. maybe cause its dark all the time and i like the dimmef orange dials
slow -- once you hit 5k rpm it just rolls to 7k

5k later
its cold engine is realy loud .. its ok when idling but with accelaration it gets pretty lound
the trunk isnt all that big but its short enough to park anywhere
tires suck in any kind of slippery wheather .. big time suck
seat mounts are kind of flaky .. seems like the fronts are holding only on this one lever .. but other then the observation it doesnt give me any problems
view from the left mirror sucks .. maybe cause of the pillars or the small mirror itslef .. i think im getting used to it though .. but i got into turning my head when changing lanes and i never used to have to do that in my prev honda
slow - i've learned to have my fun with it but i can still take naps in the higher rpm's

i like
stereo maybe the 6cd pkg makes it better but it definatelly works for me
wipers ... though id liek to be able to regulate the int positions interval lenght
overal interior finish
tray under the trunk floor for tools and the wheel
flex antenna - doesnt break in car washes or other fiascos

would be nice to have better moonroof controls and windows controls like auto up and down - auto all up and down - auto open close moonroof

 

[webster]

For reference, I have only owned BMW's for the past 8 years. I bought a P5 a couple of weeks ago to replace my '97 318ti
commuter car. I needed 4 doors (kids,dog, etc) and extra cargo space but still wanted a good handling car. I still have a 97 528i.

1. road/engine noise - I measured 92 dB at 80MPH on a brand new stretch of interstate on my way to the airport Monday. I plan to fix this using a combination of GAF Metalmate and Thermwell foil/foam duct insulation. I hope to get it down to around 80 dB.

2. engine refinement - engine seems VERY unrefined compared to the 4 banger in the 318ti. This impression might change once I deaden the car and kill the engine noise. Doesn't get as good gas mileage either.

3. Shifter - Knob is BIG and vibration is excessive. Mazda doesn't dampen their levers. Might try wrapping the lever a couple of times with Metalmate or Peel n Seal to see if it helps. Pic of BMW shift lever attached to show how it is dampened (the fat part of the lever is filled with dampening material)

4. Driving position - too high for my liking (I have the seat as low as it can go). Feels like I am sitting 'on' the seat instead of 'in' it if that makes any sense. This is just compared to a BMW's driving position which feels more like a cockpit. Getting used to it however.

5. Front-wheel drive - this is taking me a while to get used to.

I doubt I would have any of these complaints had been driving other Japanese cars the last couple of years instead of BMW 's exclusively. I'll probably buy a 1series wagon when/if they make it to the states.

 

[GerardPRO5]

webster: to compare refinement between the BMW and the Mazda is unfair. I've owned two BMW's and both have been excellent and refined beyond comparison to the Mazda (the BMW's were a 1980 320i and a 1989 325i).

However, maintenance costs have also been diametrically opposed...my Protege5 has been maintenance-free, while my BMW mechanic knew me by name.

you are correct in indicating that our 4-cylinder engine gets horrible gas mileage...blame it on the gearing and the engine management.

noise problems are easily fixed by insulation...it is strange that at 1/4 volume, I can hear the stock stereo system of the Mazda from OUTSIDE the car with the windows closed, but on my 325i, I had Nakamichi components and Alpine amp/sub combo and turned up to 3/4 volume, you wouldn't even hear a peep outside of the car.

given the choice, I would take a 2004 325i Sport Wagon any day, but I sure don't want to pay for the premium fuel, high insurance, and maintenance costs (after the first 50,000 miles, that is).

remember...the Mazda is an economy car and corners will be cut. the BMW is a luxury car and you pay for extra niceties.



it took me a while to get used to the front-wheel drive and its nature to understeer.

 

[tzh]

There is no rear cupholder. My RSX has total 5 cupholders front and back even it only can sit 4 ppl. The gas milage is a bit low 25city 30Hwy, RSX(base type with 160HP) has 27/33 gas milage. Well one thing you can't go wrong with it is the price, by now you can get the P5 with really good deal.
We got our Sliver P5 couple of months ago, it is fully loaded with the price a little bit over $16k(includes tax and title stuff)

 

[misbehave]

- poor oil filter placement

- Sound insulation worse than my 1994 Toyota Corolla.

- Weird position of the driver side power lock button, and lack of power lock button on passenger side.

- Weak engine

- Stock tires wear out fast, and useless on wet road surface.

- Lack of all the nice stuff you can find in the Japanese Version.

 

[uclap5]

actually the p5 does have a kinda of dampener on the shifter. its the part that people remove to make a "short shifter"

its not as big as your bmw one though.

 

[webster]

webster: to compare refinement between the BMW and the Mazda is unfair.

I clearly pointed out my frame of reference so that a reader could take my comments with that in mind. Remember I am comparing a 6 year old BMW to a NEW P5.

However, maintenance costs have also been diametrically opposed...my Protege5 has been maintenance-free, while my BMW mechanic knew me by name.

All of my BMW's have been very reliable. 100K miles on both '97's with minimal maintenane costs. My old '84 325 had over 250K miles with no issues. BMW dealership labor is outrageous....find an independant. I'm actually discovering that Mazda parts are MORE expensive that similar parts for my BMW. Rotors cost more for example.

My insurance is actually $7 more a month on the P5 than it was on the 318ti.

Also, remember that despite the things I don't like about the P5 I still bought one. Why? $13K new and 90% of the thinks I dislike about it I can fix. Once it is deadened it is going to feel like a totally different car. Interior noise level is to sense of quality as smell is to sense of taste. If you improve the first the second dramatically improves.

 

[loccusst]

I'd have to say the paint. The noise can be fixed by noise deadening the car, something I plan on doing gradually this spring. My wife drives the car to work and school so I see it only every so often and when its bad out since my civic is not set up for winter. The horsepower is weak, but I didn't buy the car for speed. My wife wanted it for the looks and the handeling. We already have one race car is what she said.

 

[Mad Ryan]

The whole bucking in first thing is no biggie if you're used to driving 4X4's with stump pulling rear end gearing. Jeeps are famous for this. It's all in the gearing. I'd be interested in trying the different engine mounts to see if it fixes it. I may just fab my own inserts on one of the CNC mills if I can get my hands on some spares. It will be a while before I can do that tho... Any word on how much Cork Sports is going to charge for theirs?

 

[Mad Ryan]

I'd say that bottom line on the car is this...

It's not perfect, but anybody would be hard pressed to find a better car for the money if this is the type of car they're looking for. Besides, who wants to buy something that's "perfect" right off the lot? Then you don't have anything to tinker with!

 

[motorman54933]

What I hate about the mp5

The dreaded cold engine rattle. Here in Wisconsin It sounds like a Detroit diesel semi engine for about 5 min's when the temp's are in the teen's. Mazda says this is normal. Here's to you MAZDA.(fu)Other wise I love the car.

 

[Lord_Zath]

Noise for me isn't too bad. I like being able to hear everything; that way I can hear "problem noises" (permitting my stock audio sterio w/spare tire sub which I love is not on). Sometimes I purposely leave the radio off just to listen to the car. It's talking to us, people!

I don't like the lighter color headliner. This means that constant contact of my hair or other peoples' hair (with added crap) will darken and discolor it.

I would have preferred a folding front passenger seat for cargo purposes.

Power seems to decline once I reach 4-5k rpm's. No point going higher unless I got myself a turbo.

Paint is very cheap. I had it coated with ZieBart and it has helped.

Side view mirrors are small.

I hate doors that are curved outward at the top and curve inward towards the bottom. That makes them very vulnerable to SUV's and trucks (nowadays over 75% of what might park next to you).

Water likes to puddle in the area above the rear bumper, making it look dirtier faster.

I WANT A 1:18 SCALE MODEL

Minor problem not related to the car - I don't like how I can't get the laser blue paint color when I buy the car (listed as the 323) in Gran Turismo 2.

I'd like all wheel drive.

Placement of the wiper control lever is frustrating. There are times I move my right hand to turn on climate control or the radio and I'll accidentally turn on the wiper. Ugh!

With all that being said, I LOVE MY CAR. I have over 2 or 3 times as many GOOD things to say about it. But since someone said not to say anything good about it... blah!

LZ

 

[toucci]

I hate the rattles. I hopefully can fix the worst one this weekend when I tear out the radio to change some solder joints (I want my amp powering on with the radio, not the car)

 

[Action Jackson]

On another forum:
http://msg.toprotege.com/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?s=3fcd56cc062cffff;act=ST;f=11;t=9589

This is what I posted:

I wish the window lockout switch was placed higher towards the mirror control.

I wish the gearing was slightly taller in each gear AND that there was a sixth gear for fuel economy.

I wish the stupid change holder was built for the toonie [the Canadian 2 dollar coin] not the American coins.

I wish that the power door lock switch was illuminated.

I wish that the center storage area for the CD's was bigger so that I can put in a CD wallet.

I wish the clutch height was adjustable.

I wish there are a feature to pop open the rear hatch just a bit from the remote so that you don't have to squeeze the lever to release.

I wish the glove box had a light.

I wish there was a separate odometer and trip readout.

I wish the tach needle was a different color so that I can read it more quicker at night.

I wish the tach was in the middle just like a Porsche 911.

I wish the rear hatch area wasn't such a PITA to wash, clean and dry.

I wish the paintjob could be better [more layers, stronger finish].

I wish I could get some of the sedan's color choices for the P5 [Mmmmmm, Sand Mica or Titanium].

I wish the vent louvres had independently adjustable vanes instead of just side to side. I hate moving the whole thing up and down.

I wish that I had use of the left inside wall of the trunk area for storage just like the jack location.

I wish the horn wasn't so wimpy sounding.

I wish the ABS didn't kick in so soon.

I wish I didn't have to remove the rear headrests to get better rear visibility.

I wish the oil filter wasn't such a PITA to remove.

I wish the OEM wheel locknuts weren't so crappy and shatter on me.

I wish there wasn't this "police siren wind noise" that I get when I approach 140kph.

Despite all these "gripes", I still love my P5. I really do.

 

[minboost]

Alright. THANK YOU for your honest replies!

Seems to me the biggest gripes you have are the ones that I'm used to. My current car....

1. rattles like a mutha....
2. has a lot of wind noise...
3. has a stereo you can't hear
4. stupid interior things missing, like no power doorlock button

unfortunately my current car only seats two and costs $587/mo + another $110 in insurance. I need a more reasonable car that can also seat 4. Maybe I'll be posting up pics of my new P5 this summer...Thanks!