#51 of 54 bumpy rattly MS3 vs even-worse penalty box by creakid1

Jul 13, 2008 (9:13 am)

http://recp.rm05.net/ctt?kn=28&m=1136043&r=Nzc1MjMyMjY3OQS2&b=0&j=MTE1MDE0ODU5S0- &mt=1
 
Personally, I'm proud of finishing up another project from my 4-car collection -- castrating the sport-suspension springs/shocks off my E36 '99 328is & replaced w/ the longer std springs plus adding torsen limited slip differential & the quick-ratio steering rack from the Z3. Now that's what I call reckless fun in the real world of bumpy roads.

#52 of 54 I'm sure glad I bought a reliable Mazda... by roadburner

Nov 07, 2008 (10:30 am)

As some of you know, I passed on a couple of really nice E46 BMWs(a 330i ZHP and an almost-new M3) in order to try something "different"- i.e. a new 2007 MS3. Well, the sled hasn't reached 27000 miles yet and I've already had to replace a blown LF strut as well as the turbocharger. If the parts had failed outside of the warranty period I'd be looking at $2500 worth of repair costs. And for the record, I've never had to replace a strut before 100000 miles on any of the nine BMWs I've owned.
So much for the supposedly knowledgeable claims concerning Mazda's stellar reliability and inexpensive operating costs that were made by some "experts" earlier in this topic...
So much for my thinking that the MS3 would make a durable and entertaining track toy...
As for driving pleasure, I'm finding my 1995 318ti Club Sport to be a much more involving drive. Ditto for the 1975 2002 I just picked up on eBay. Most of the time the MS3 only sees duty as my work beater. Having said all that, my dealer(Kings Mazda, Cincinnati) has provided excellent service before and after the sale. Too bad the car itself didn't measure up.

Replies to this message:

• txg60 (Dec 09, 2008 4:02 pm)
  • roadburner (Dec 09, 2008 5:33 pm)

#53 of 54 Re: I'm sure glad I bought a reliable Mazda... [roadburner] by txg60

Dec 09, 2008 (4:02 pm)

Replying to: roadburner (Nov 07, 2008 10:30 am)

Man..sorry you are having so many problems with your MS3..I just recently hit the 35K mile mark which includes some track sessions and tons of mountain roads..no issues thus far....

Replies to this message:

• roadburner (Dec 09, 2008 5:33 pm)

#54 of 54 Re: I'm sure glad I bought a reliable Mazda... [txg60] by roadburner

Dec 09, 2008 (5:33 pm)

Replying to: txg60 (Dec 09, 2008 4:02 pm)