Mazda 3 MPS

[berg]

Saw one of these for first time today and was surprised, i thought it looked pretty good in a dark grey i think it was.

anyone driven one/know someone who has one?

bet they are a good all rounder for a reasonable price?

a mapped one give a stg 2+ eddie a run for its money?

[sub39h]

standard ones are meant to give over 250bhp

same chassis as the Mk2 Focus is it not? so i'm sure it's got some tricks up it's sleeve

[Edition30]

Im sure they are in the higher tax bracket...im sure they're £400 ish per year 



Seem pretty cheap inside but you can't argue with the figures.

[Matto]

Im sure they are in the higher tax bracket...im sure they're £400 ish per year 



Seem pretty cheap inside but you can't argue with the figures.

I mate of mine had a white one and said it was quick. I never went out in it but did look at them myself. Edition 30 is right, 450 sheets for tax a year. That's why I don't own one.

[tony_danza]

Quicker than you think and come with a diff as standard. Big bang per buck.

[Poverty]

my mate had a standard one on coilovers. Handling was mega

[R32UK]

I had one before the ED30 (probably why the ed30 feel slow). Yes lots of bang for your buck, and come with some good std spec inc xenons, bose stereo (although we could debate if its any good), half leather seats, 18 inch wheels as std. Most importantly it doesnt stand out at all (mk1). Remaps will see a good 300bhp but also have to be run on 99ron even as std. They do share the same engine as the ST however the focus capcity was increased to 2.5 where as the mps is still 2.3 and know to have very stong engine and internals.

Now the bad bit... cheapo plastic interior. 1st n 2nd gears grind in the cold.. a real handful in 3rd gear onwards (1st n 2nd are limited). Had a worse drinking problem than the R32. Boot is quite small and steering feel isnt great.

I was glad to be back in a golf once it was gone  

[berg]

interesting, did not realise was so much tax, forgot they had a diff, and good to hear from someone who has owned one.

thirstier than an r32 too? dont fancy that.

i need a 5 dr hot hatch as my next car so looks like will still be looking at S3 sportback or RS3 if i hand onto the Eddie for a good few years yet.

[Mk5 GTian]

Don't these suffer from massive torque steer? 

I recall reading in several places that this was the main reason for it's lack of sales.

[xjscx]

I had one before the ED30 (probably why the ed30 feel slow). Yes lots of bang for your buck, and come with some good std spec inc xenons, bose stereo (although we could debate if its any good), half leather seats, 18 inch wheels as std. Most importantly it doesnt stand out at all (mk1). Remaps will see a good 300bhp but also have to be run on 99ron even as std. They do share the same engine as the ST however the focus capcity was increased to 2.5 where as the mps is still 2.3 and know to have very stong engine and internals.

Now the bad bit... cheapo plastic interior. 1st n 2nd gears grind in the cold.. a real handful in 3rd gear onwards (1st n 2nd are limited). Had a worse drinking problem than the R32. Boot is quite small and steering feel isnt great.

I was glad to be back in a golf once it was gone  

Engines are not the same mate. Mazda is a 2.3 four cylinder built in house by Mazda. The focus st is a five cylinder based on a Volvo engine

[R32UK]

I had one before the ED30 (probably why the ed30 feel slow). Yes lots of bang for your buck, and come with some good std spec inc xenons, bose stereo (although we could debate if its any good), half leather seats, 18 inch wheels as std. Most importantly it doesnt stand out at all (mk1). Remaps will see a good 300bhp but also have to be run on 99ron even as std. They do share the same engine as the ST however the focus capcity was increased to 2.5 where as the mps is still 2.3 and know to have very stong engine and internals.

Now the bad bit... cheapo plastic interior. 1st n 2nd gears grind in the cold.. a real handful in 3rd gear onwards (1st n 2nd are limited). Had a worse drinking problem than the R32. Boot is quite small and steering feel isnt great.

I was glad to be back in a golf once it was gone  

Engines are not the same mate. Mazda is a 2.3 four cylinder built in house by Mazda. The focus st is a five cylinder based on a Volvo engine

I stand corrected  must have read that incorrectly somewhere.

Don't these suffer from massive torque steer? 

I recall reading in several places that this was the main reason for it's lack of sales.

I wouldnt say torque steer was a massive issue (also it was present) as power is limited in 1st and 2nd gears. 3rd however is wild, and it doesnt do bumpy surfaces well at all. The LSD does help... but ultimately steering feedback and feel was not up to scratch. Have to admit it was alot of fun 

[Jussa]

One advantage though is that Mazda engines are bullet proof!! 

[rich83]

One advantage though is that Mazda engines are bullet proof!!  

Except the one that blew up a few weeks ago on a "enthusiastic" drive in the yorkshire dales. Ironically with a bunch of guys with Clio RS200s... which didnt break down.  

[Jussa]

  was it yours?

[rich83]

was it yours?

No...