Sorry chaps, you are not best pleased with me I know.
It really was an offer I couldnt refuse. My Dad has recently retired and has (lucky sod) came into a bit of money so has split the funds 3 ways between me and my siblings and the resulting fund he wanted me to buy a newer, more spacious car with it (nothing else). So after looking at the 3 for a few days out of the window, sadly I decided to take on his offer. The new car addresses all the issues that I had with the 3 on a day to day basis. Its just that bit more comfortable, quieter and main thing it seems to be a fair bit cheaper to run. I'm seeing 39-40MPG on the display (if its accurate), a pipe dream for the 3, where the same usage would only hit 32ish on a good day.
It's not that space was a problem. The 3 was fine for space inside and although the boot was spacious for its class, getting the fold down frame and pram in together was more tricky but doable. I've not regretted getting a 3 at all, I love the car and and will miss the V6 sound and smoothness and the fact that it was that bit different.
Last thing was, in the time that I owned the 3, the only major thing that I did mechanically was change the cam belt. Everything else worked fine and didn't let me down but can only assume luck will run out and all the other things would need doing in due course (clutch, wheel bearings, cambelt again)
I've gained a lot of tips and pleasure from being a member. I'll try and pop back in now and again as I'm keeping the 3 but only parked on drive. I'm looking to re assess in the summer, I've got the space for it and it owes me nothing.
Japfest 2011 I signed up but distributer blew 24hrs before event :(
Japfest 2012 couldnt come as mazda was in bits.
Well its still in bits but its progressing slowly!.
Hope to be there for 2013 and spank some high powered cars on the track.
Although its massive facebook battering last year has put me off, but hopefully event people will either book a larger venue or have some sort of plan in place , who knows.
@abec49f104=argentinakidd:
You think if i go to the Mazda dealership i can find one cheaper?
I doubt it, with the age of the MX3, parts like that would cost a bit.
If you PM me your address, I'll get a quote for one of mine, you can have it bud, I'll never use it.
Hi thanks for the response so far, really like the idea of an engine transplant, at the moment I want to drive it and I know if I go down that route now it will be off the road for a while. Sounds like good exhaust, lowering, induction piping and looking at wheels for the mo is a good idea. The car has a front strut brace is this standard? No rear though. I took my MX3 to my friends earlier and he was pretty impressed with it but took the mick before getting in saying why did I buy some old nissan!!!!
djmarco and barrywhite, il pm you both shortly.
disconnect immediatey to the rear of the fog lights, I guess they have usedthat to power the other items, then check the fuses I think that warning beep and interior light are on same fuse
@049ba8ec5b=djmarcopolo:
You can get mos mechanics to make them for you, my dad replaces them and very easy to do with the correct tool for making the ends
Hi my local mobile mechanic said he will just make them up.Thanks
I would go DE then you can bang a turbo on later, otherwise K8 mods is getting a K8-ze, they are standard in the Jspec models and get a full set of stainless headers made as the manfolds restrict the K8 enormously :mrgreen:
Changing your oil can't change your exhaust note.
Changing your air filter can, you didn't change that did you?
Stick on a K&N cone filter or something if you want a bit sportier exhaust note.
Changing your oil could definitely quiet down noisy tappets / engine noise.
Perhaps the whirring was always there and now the engine is quieter you can hear it more?
You are confusing timing belt with 'auxilary' / 'fan' belt. They squeal when they slip, but if a timing belt slipped you'd know about it as your engine timing would be off and it would hardly run.
Also if you are a 'novice with engines' as you say, I would not attempt what Cipher suggested, you could do serious damage if you do not know what you are doing. Best left alone if you are a novice, best to get someone who knows what they are doing to take a look with you.
Thanks for the tips, I'll have a look tomorrow for any leaks. I can't see any leaks onto the ground when the car is running or just been running but guess they could be small leaks. Much appreciated.