Mazda 3 MPS owners here?

SixTwoSix

SixTwoSix

SixTwoSix

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EDIT: Bought something, jump straight to the post here... https://forums.overclockers.co.uk/posts/32095223/

I remember from when I owned my mk1 3MPS Aero a few years ago there were a bunch here who had the same and there was a fair bit of love for the car. I had to sell when baby came along, put up with a lifeless 1.8 civic for a year shared with my wife and then got the Megane Sport R26 a few months back .

Thing is i'm just not enjoying it remotely as much as I did my mk1 3MPS. I honestly don't know the reason, I think it's just a bunch of little niggles like in cabin vibration on the fittings, the god awful stereo/speakers, the rattly windows...none of which I had in the MPS or maybe just wasn't aware of.

I know on paper the MPS has more torque and BHP but it's marginally more than the R26, however the meg feels slower than i'd expected it to be or how I remember the MPS being.

It's got to the point the other day I started looking at getting another MPS. However I have about £8.5k to spend to this puts me in mk2 territory.

I'm not entirely sold on the looks of the mk2 over the mk1...I know, probably in a minority here, I like the sleeper'ish appeal of the mk1.

So, who here still has one or had one and if buying right now, would you go for a well looked after mk1 Aero or go for the mk2?

EDIT: Anyone want to buy an R26 ;)
 
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Diagro said:
I have a Mk2.


Money bags are required for a Mk2. Or not... Get on the MPS Facebook groups, there are a few for sale. One especially good example which is 9k but has every mod under the sun and is kept pristine by the owner.
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Anyone chance you could link me to the one thats for sale? I'm not on facebook but assume I can see it regardless?

The upkeep on the aero wasn't that bad, just the oddly sized tyres cost me a bit.
 
Haze said:
Think you have got the wrong end of the stick with the R26, they are meant to be a more track focused car, and as for the the rattles ect, I am not sure what you expect from buying a Renault, they are all the same
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Yeah, I just liked the look of them when hunting around a few months back and people generally speak highly of them. I've had a few B road blasts but just not feeling it :(

I've previously had a Clio 172 and it wasn't remotely as rattly as the R26, my brother in law also had a regular Clio and it felt much better put together, doesn't really make sense.
 
Haze said:
Has it had any performance mods or remap? Might feel a bit better then, wont help with the rattles though lol. I have mk3 rs Meg, and they are much better put together, if you are looking at a 9k budget for a mazda I would definitely have a look at the mk3 cup spec cars
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Nothing mod wise, only 1 previous owner and I have all the receipts from day one, nothing in there to suggest any upgrades.

Had a brief look at the mk3 on ebay/AT but at my budget not a lot of choice.
 
Diagro said:
Closed groups mate sorry. You won't see them. Send me a trust. Get a facebook account and we can get you connected to them
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Well I do have a 12 year old account, just haven't used it since last October. Might have to log back on just for the MPS groups, think I was still on a few tbh.

The 3MPS you mentioned for sale, not a white 10 plate mk2 is it?
 
Diagro said:
Just seen that one.
Looks like a bargin but a few things leap out at me.
No way is a BNRs4 turbod MPs running just 300bhp. Would be more like 350+...

No information on who mapped it.
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The other thing that puts me off is that it was up for sale a few months back when I was looking and got the R26. I'm fairly sure it had exactly the same photos as well. It's either been sold and someone is quickly trying to get rid or the original seller has been constantly relisting.
 
@EliotG Thanks for the comprehensive and well thought out comparison, I appreciate the time you put into that. It does have me thinking whether to persevere with the R26 and see if the love comes :)

@SC0TTRS Were your alloys black as standard or did you get them done yourself? I do like the red but most have silver alloys that don't do a thing for me.
 
Test drove a mk2 on Saturday, didn't feel worlds apart from my old mk1 but that's to be expected, it's mostly the same mechanically.

However the interior is a world apart without a single vibration or rattle and all the extra little toys...bose stereo with a boot sub, built in sat nav, heated seats, voice control radio, heated screen and a few others. it's really made me reconsider going back to a mk1 again and has made my morning commute in the r26 so depressing today.

Also got my heart set on red now, looks rubbish in photos but in person has a lovely pearlescent effect that shows great in the sun.

Dealer wouldn't budge a single penny and was only willing to add an extra 3 months warranty taking it to 6 months, not enough to tempt me so I had so walk away. Can't stop thinking about it though and trying to justify the cost.
 
Diagro said:
People seem to overlook the toys you get in a Mk2. So much more than the MK1.

If you can do 9k, Gavin miller on Facebook has a really really great example in red. Yes it's modded, but you would only end up adding them anywah
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I was surprised at just how much of an upgrade it was "toy" wise.

Wifey is already balking at the fact I want to spend £8.5k, i've got absolutely no wiggle room here, god I hate being married ;)
 
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