Mazda 3 2.3 MPS anyone?

T

TitanTim

Elite
I have been half heartedly looking at something to replace the Z3 since taking delivery of the Z4, still love the Z3. I was hoping to swap it for a 130i but there are not many around in my price range and what ones are tend to be on the high miles side 90K plus. I have seen this Mazda 3 advertised locally which looks appealing,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Mazda3-2-3-DISI-6-MPS-aero-sport-pack-full-service-history-/330822321801?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d068c0689

Anyone have any experience of these? it looks to fit the bill, decent performance, roomy and a hatchback with added bonus it should be reliable being a Mazda. I ran a 323 for 20 years as a second car and it only ever needed a battery.

Is the MPS all wheel drive as it suggests in the ad?

Cheers,

Tim.
 
As far as I know only the 6 is 4WD and the 3 is a front crawler. I quite like them, probably a bit uncouth.

Keep the Z3 :rofl:
 
Wondermike said:
As far as I know only the 6 is 4WD and the 3 is a front crawler. I quite like them, probably a bit uncouth.

Keep the Z3 :rofl:
Click to expand...

Will have do some googling on them, like you say I thought they were front wheel drive, I quite like it as it doesn't shout performance.

I've had the Z3 over 4 years, never missed a beat, still gets admiring looks, if I had some room I would keep it.

Tim.
 
I almost signed the dotted line to buy one, but thought to myself 'I want a convertible' so bought the Z4 instead! Then wasn't keen on open top motoring so bought the MC! They are very very fast, I did ALOT of research on them, weeks and weeks...

They are a lot of car for the money, performance is epic. 0-60 in under 6secs, in gear acceleration is brilliant. They are FWD, ensure you get the aero edition which has eibach springs, better mirrors and spoiler etc. Unfortunate is the high tax, some reviews say the handling lacks feedback but I found it very involving and fun on test drives. If you can afford, get the newer one which has anthracite wheels, aux with upgraded Soundsystem, alcantara seats and some other bits. Also some came with cruise control and extra functions on the steering wheel which the one you've posted above doesn't as the right side of the steering wheel is blank. I really really like them, see some of my research here, it will really help you:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/171331-3-mpsand-hpi-questions/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/166486-mazda-3-mps/
 
Think the Mazda 3 is a platform share with the Ford Focus. Not sure if that means the 2.3 is a stablemate of the ST?

Edit, yep I think they are.

http://www.pistonheads.com/doc.asp?c=52&i=25472
 
Woody said:
I almost signed the dotted line to buy one, but thought to myself 'I want a convertible' so bought the Z4 instead! Then wasn't keen on open top motoring so bought the MC! They are very very fast, I did ALOT of research on them, weeks and weeks...

They are a lot of car for the money, performance is epic. 0-60 in under 6secs, in gear acceleration is brilliant. They are FWD, ensure you get the aero edition which has eibach springs, better mirrors and spoiler etc. Unfortunate is the high tax, some reviews say the handling lacks feedback but I found it very involving and fun on test drives. If you can afford, get the newer one which has anthracite wheels, aux with upgraded Soundsystem, alcantara seats and some other bits. Also some came with cruise control and extra functions on the steering wheel which the one you've posted above doesn't as the right side of the steering wheel is blank. I really really like them, see some of my research here, it will really help you:

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/171331-3-mpsand-hpi-questions/

http://www.briskoda.net/forums/topic/166486-mazda-3-mps/
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info Woody and other replies :thumbsup: that is really helpful :) Think I will have a look at the one I posted above and see what its like, if only to have a drive, mileage is a tad high for what I would normally go for and the price seems a bit high compared to others I've seen on e-bay with less mileage. The Z3 still has only 24K. The facelifted version is little out my budget :( hovering around 10K for an early facelift model. Its a shame the Z3 is worth peanuts :|

Thanks again,

Tim.
 
Yer shame about the Z3 :(

I don't really like the facelift one, its a bit too Halfords body kit for me. The first one looks very discreet but still nice. I was going to buy a white one with the alcantara interior on 15k miles for £10k but bailed last minute...

Look forward to hearing the results of your 3MPS test drive... :)
 
I had one earlier this year. Was a very good car, quick, comfy and very under rated. Watch out for the lsd on them, when cold give it full lock and give it a bit of power. Mine started whining really bad and the dealer (stratstone) didnt want to repair it so gave me my money back. Easy to get extra power from but you have to uprate the internals of the hpfp at around 300hp. Only downsides are the £450 tax and 26mpg average
 
TitanTim said:
Thanks for the info Woody and other replies :thumbsup: that is really helpful :) Think I will have a look at the one I posted above and see what its like, if only to have a drive, mileage is a tad high for what I would normally go for and the price seems a bit high compared to others I've seen on e-bay with less mileage.
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So how was it Tim, did you take it for a spin?
 
Woody said:
TitanTim said:
Thanks for the info Woody and other replies :thumbsup: that is really helpful :) Think I will have a look at the one I posted above and see what its like, if only to have a drive, mileage is a tad high for what I would normally go for and the price seems a bit high compared to others I've seen on e-bay with less mileage.
Click to expand...

So how was it Tim, did you take it for a spin?
Click to expand...

Hi Woody,

Sorry for late reply, yes I did this morning :) Unfortunately the weather was against me as lashing it down and blustery and couldn't really put my foot down too much but heck it felt quite nippy. Ride and handling were a pleasant surprise but I found the steering a bit woolly, unsure if that is normal. Car was in good nick overall apart from the drivers seat was a bit worn on the bolster. I also took this for a drive which was on the forecourt,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2010-Alfa-Romeo-MiTo-1-4-veloce-blue-and-me-alfa-warranty-03-2013-/330748876261?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d022b55e5

Never thought of one before and actually quite liked it, bit down on power and the ride felt quite jittery all of the time, maybe tire pressures were too high. I talked some figures and went away. I've been looking at the Mazdas specs and now realised its actually longer than my E89 which means its unlikely its going to fit in the garage :( the Z4 only just fits so will have to discount the Mazda. I've also found a new model Swift Sport at local dealer which is 12 months old but a bit out of my budget but as I'm hankering after one of these will take a look.

Any views on Alfa Mitos? realiability etc? Likeing the shape and interior is pretty reasonable.

Cheers,

Tim.
 
TitanTim said:
I have been half heartedly looking at something to replace the Z3 since taking delivery of the Z4, still love the Z3. I was hoping to swap it for a 130i but there are not many around in my price range and what ones are tend to be on the high miles side 90K plus. I have seen this Mazda 3 advertised locally which looks appealing,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Mazda3-2-3-DISI-6-MPS-aero-sport-pack-full-service-history-/330822321801?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d068c0689

Anyone have any experience of these? it looks to fit the bill, decent performance, roomy and a hatchback with added bonus it should be reliable being a Mazda. I ran a 323 for 20 years as a second car and it only ever needed a battery.

Is the MPS all wheel drive as it suggests in the ad?

Cheers,

Tim.
Click to expand...

20mpg? Cheaper to run the Z4!
 
Maniac said:
TitanTim said:
I have been half heartedly looking at something to replace the Z3 since taking delivery of the Z4, still love the Z3. I was hoping to swap it for a 130i but there are not many around in my price range and what ones are tend to be on the high miles side 90K plus. I have seen this Mazda 3 advertised locally which looks appealing,

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mazda-Mazda3-2-3-DISI-6-MPS-aero-sport-pack-full-service-history-/330822321801?pt=Automobiles_UK&hash=item4d068c0689

Anyone have any experience of these? it looks to fit the bill, decent performance, roomy and a hatchback with added bonus it should be reliable being a Mazda. I ran a 323 for 20 years as a second car and it only ever needed a battery.

Is the MPS all wheel drive as it suggests in the ad?

Cheers,

Tim.
Click to expand...

20mpg? Cheaper to run the Z4!
Click to expand...

Lol it would be but appealed as alot of go for the money and not too old. I'm struggling in carrying around an 83 year old plus wheel chair in the Z4 so looking for a hatch of some type that I can drop the back seats.

Tim.
 
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