Hi all....

I heard that this 2010 Mazda 3 sport have its rim installed CKD, either the rim is from japan or here, i'm not sure.

Is this true, guys?

Is it?

So is 1.6 got local-made rims, or japan-made but assembled here?

Is that's the case, 1.6 variant is not 100% CBU then, isn't it?

How much is the latest price increase, Delvin?

Just lately coming to think of this, can the rear plate number be arranged in two tiers? I mean, like the alphabet on the top and numbers below it.

And Delvin, I think u didn't answer me yet in regards to the origin of the sport rims for 1.6 variant...

I not sure about that, gahpadu. Most of the time I'm leading the pack after traffic lites without revving much + current FC 25-40L/100km. But after that it kick back down to 10-15L/100km, with enough inertia already, of course. Not that I want / like to dash like a maniac when it's green-lite, but that's what happen everytime i'm in the front line, bro...

Highway driving also my M3 1.6 is quite competent, with enough power at cruising speed of 120km (cur FC 7-9L/100km).

So far, being a non-revving kaki myself, I believes 1.6 gives me a little bit more than enough power and great FC, am very satisfied!

However, mine odo only 1.8K though. Should I expect the lagging as you experienced?

FC is quite good so far, full tank get 597km, latest.

I've no regret with M3 1.6, man! Especially after I ditch the 15'' rim and pasang 17'' like 2.0 ones.

Just miss the autocruise function, is all...

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 11 2010, 09:56 PM

I will, gahpadu, once I transfer all my pix into my PC

Coming back from Alor Star yesterday after spending CNY holidays wt family, I make a detour thru the backroads. Being warned off by the radio of the heavy trafffic and jams in several PLUS highway's checkpoints, well, it is the time to test the handling refinement of M3!

I use old roads from Taiping-Beruas-Parit-Bota Kiri-Kg Gajah-T.Intan-Bidor-Slim River. Then slim river use highway onwards to KL.

Taiping-Beruas-Parit road are pretty rough, with crazy, snake-like swirling corners and bad patches of the good old roads. I never expected this, but luckily the traffic is almost non-existent, thanks to the time i choose (7pm), the mazda 3 is the only car to tackle the curves and patches! Hardly can drive above 100km/h, but my M3 tackle the corners like a king! Not to mention wife and baby at back are having a nice sleep (obviously cozy and unaware of the road condition!).

When there are obtrusion like lorries, slow trailing cars etc, the auto transmission is more than enough to convincingly overtake these. Sometimes I do switches to the manual mode, and I can say it's like an overkill already. Auto mode is good enough, unless u really wanna take that lorry off near a bent / curves. It speeds like mad!

Coming into this, I realize that what sort of power do u really need for a car, but for some speeding occasions on the highways and for overtaking jobs on the back roads? Mazda 3 at its 1.6 engine can provide u just that! Of course many cars can provide that too, but how many can provide that with superb handling and retain a comfortable level especially for its passenger?

Hi D-Zire,

My car is only the 1.6 variant.

Just imagine how good 2.0 acceleration and power will be, in regards to the condition of the testing I've done. You could double-up the confidence level when overtaking and challenging other cars on the highways.

Even with 17'' rims (I've been advised to upgrade only 1'' = to 16'' rims, but what the heck) I didn't feel any sluggishness / heaviness, but the tire's a little bit noisy. Perhaps I should depressurize the tires, maybe to 30 kpi instead of 35/33.

Furthermore, with 1.6 I won't fret so much on the fuel consumption after those manoeuvrings.

We can't have it all, can we?

Hi D-Zire,

8L/100km is the current FC. Just figured out that each single bar of the tank's volume (displayed below the tachs and speedos) give u approx 50km of driving. Of course, your driving style would determine the output.

Hell yeah I love every bit of it (while it still new - of course!). However, I was not related to Mazda / Bermaz, nor did they pay me to give those petty reviews, so I wouldn't swoon if there are any problem with the car.

Or maybe I should list down things that I don't like about Mazda 3 (1.6):

1. The bodypaint is somehow quite sensitive. If u wipe the car's exterior with extra force, like accidentally scrubbing it, you will see it'll leave some marks. Not that obvious, but u can detect it when lights reflected thru the affected area. So be extra careful, don't overdo it.

2. I heard that the paint is layered with some coatings, so hence the "mica" came in the picture. It works like some kinda lacquer to the bodypaint, but if exposed under direct sunlight long enough (2 years? 4 years? I dunno..) it will start to freckles. But this will not happen to "silver metallic" paint, since it's, erm, metallic. I don't know HOW MUCH TRUE is this (I heard it from somebody with good automotive knowledge), but maybe someone can really explain and correct me here.

3. Rear legroom. I dont need to explain this, i presume...

4. Accelerator pedal's vibration - Mr Gahpadu has already complaint about this. Irritating but it's not so obvious when cruising / low RPM speed.

5. The spare tyre. Ouch...

I hope the list will ends here. As for now.

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Added on February 19, 2010, 4:29 pmD-zire, do u own a mazda 3? 1.6 or 2.0?

I agreed with u, the premium do justify your extra monies.

Wouldn't say that Lancer and Civic are inferior to Mazda 3, these cars are good in it's own right too. But the problem is that there's too much of Civic on the road already and Lancer, well, have better design than previous 1.6 Lancer but certainly not as sharp-looking as Mazda 3. It's a fast, tough looking car, but Mazda is sexier IMHO.

I believe Mazda 3 is an acquired taste.

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Added on February 19, 2010, 4:50 pmHi redz3,

I've driven Vios but only on several occasion. Hence I could not give you the qualified and fair verdict on this.

Am very sorry to say this, but I also drove Myvi once or twice, or triple. I feel that it's more engaging than driving Vios. Not that I have anything against Toyota, but this is what I feel and of course there are several conditions that contribute to the accelerating factor.

As for Mazda 3 1.6 with 17'' rims, well, at the moment everything went just fine. As I wrote before, I am not a person who hit the pedal to the floor in every traffic lite, but I can feel no sluggishness. However, maybe because it's still new, I dunno what will be in next few months...

I suggest you test drive 2.0 RIGHT JUST AFTER you test drive the 1.6. Then you can have a better feel of the difference between both engine.

If u really want to know my personal experience with this kind of testing, well, I can tell u I did not feel any obvious difference. That's why I choose 1.6. Nevertheless, if I can test drive both for half a day each, I think I could tell u what's what. Unfortunately, we can't do that

Just one day before my 1.6 being delivered to me, I am tempted to change to 2.0, but my SA would not allow me change already. This is because I want all the toys inside 2.0, not because the engine. It saves me RM20K but I know I will missed all the features dearly.




This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 19 2010, 04:50 PM

Hi strikefreedom,

Pardon me, but I don't understand how is the watermark spot are there in that trip computer screen.

At the moment, I did not see any marks on mine.

Have u check it with the SC / SA? Hope they have the answer to this.

If the spot is permanent, I guess it can be changed.

It may seems funny to change the screen due to this, but I have this funny experience with Perodua. Wifey's Viva got signal indicator getting kaput. Only the left turn indicator. Still under warranty (clock in at mere 18k mileage), so we go to Perodua service centre and lodge a complaint. Initially I think they going to change the LED only. But guess what? They change THE WHOLE METER PANEL! So now we have the Viva with 0000 mileage and a working left turn indicator. Gosh!

I can only congratulate you on this very right choice u made!

Superb handling and built quality is spot-on; something u could see and feel. You will feel it and see it once you are in the car.

About the exclusivity, it's quite subjective. It depends on what kind of person that u are. Some people might like to be like others and play it safe - common cars have cheaper parts etc....u got what I mean. Meanwhile, some people like to be different, like to enjoy new challenge and don't mind pay extra money for it.

I strongly believe people who are dare to be different will have more satisfaction with their decision. Your wife's story is a good example to claim my statement. And I am happy for her too. This kind of feeling, u can not buy no matter how much money u get.

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Added on February 21, 2010, 11:48 pmIt's always a pleasure to be the first batch of owner. U are like a big brother to us, pal!

I do aware of the pedal vibration but I don't think it is that obvious, especially at 2.8k RPM. As even mine are at 4k RPM, the vibration is there but I can't say it is annoying either.

I hope those SC can settle this problem for you.

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Added on February 21, 2010, 11:58 pmHaha. Yeah I guess we will only concern about the rear legroom when really big guy is taking a ride with us, rite? As for me, most of the time it's my kid or my wife's kid sister is in the back there, so I hear no complaint.....well, I guess if we're going to register a taxi out of the Mazda 3, then only we should concern about the rear legroom!

I reckon we're on the same page about lancer and civic

I can only envy your toys for now. That's a great decision, 2.0 is worth the price I would say...

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 21 2010, 11:58 PM

Were there any solutions arise for the same problem in SG club? Did SG SC manage to tackle the problem?

Haiyo, such a small prob still take 3 days?

Did u try to open the boot with your 2nd remote?

Bout the pedal vibration, even it is not so noticeable, SC should be able to fix it, or come with a good explanation on this.

Hope they didn't ask u to drive barefooted and consider the pedal vibration as an I-gallop for your feet!

Hi gahpadu, here are the pix!



The front rim looks OK, and I personally think it will be better with 18'' rim.





From different angle. Looks even better. I don't really mind the noise (have u seen top gear UK review? - they say Mazda 3 sport don't do well in cabin quietness anyway), as the looks could kill.





But I was really put off by the rear rims, because of the absorber setting is really high! If u look closely, the car is somewhat inclined to the rear side. There must be a good reason for it, but it makes even 17'' rim looks abysmal there.


I have a question, can a Mazda 3 (1.6) use 18'' rim? Will it compromise a lot (with lagging / heaviness etc)?

Those Interlagos 18'' from stock Scirocco do look tempting to me!

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Added on February 24, 2010, 10:08 amThat's a responsible way to go, bro...

However, I wonder whether mazda corps will do anything about it. Malaysia is way to niche a market for them.

But we do hope they'll listen...

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 24 2010, 10:08 AM

Got it for 1.1k (used, of course). Bridgestone accompanying tyres (new) at 350 each. Total 2.5k after trade in.

They take 600 only for our good 15'' and all the tyres.

I guess for tyres can get it cheaper in klang. Way much cheaper.

When u mentioned about sacrificing the comfort, well that will deter me into getting those 18'' actually...

If I want to buy something worth of above 5k, I always use the brain-mind-cognitive methods.

Brain do the math for u. It's simple; you won't buy things you can't afford, rite? But basically it works a little bit harder than that. It also calculates how much more disposable income u have over the car installment, house installment etc.

Mind, is dangerous. It makes you think twice, it makes u feel u need certain things. It's the one who tells you that you need Mazda 3. It's the one who told you that your present car is small, crikey etc...

Cognitive works when u go for test drive, showrooms etc. You actually feel and see the things. You compare M3 with Civic etc...

But let me tell you, it's always gonna be mind-over-matter rite? So just follow what your heart's desire, man...

Yeah. You also will see the reason why mr gahpadu are still smiling eventhough has been drivin it since last few months....

If I bought a civic, I will be bored by it in a matter of few weeks. No pun intended. Most of Malaysian might not but I believe I am...

With M3, every curves giving you new excitement each day. Superb ride refinement...means we don't have to step hard on the accelerator to enjoy what perks it gives, every other time...

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Added on February 24, 2010, 10:42 pmThanks for the recommendation, Delvin.

However, lowering the springs means tempering with the ride comfortability, isn't it? I dont want to sacrifice that

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 24 2010, 10:42 PM

Really? How did he find the handling n ride after adjusting the springs? Is it so noticeable?

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Added on February 26, 2010, 1:31 amYeah I believe they're all forget that Mazda's curvatures are already hit the shore!

Or maybe it's way too sexy...

Mazda designs are always ahead of it's time. Think about astina and lantis. Those lantis sure looks like they're released just before Gen2 are introduced...

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Added on February 26, 2010, 1:48 amThat's certainly true...

Seeing a civic is quite a routine already nowadays. It's like everyday eat nasi nasi and nasi, until your face turns blue...

I got a couple of friends buying civic last year. I dont recall anybody say anything about it, unless a "wah...new car eh?"....with this M3, the least compliment I get is "Wow, that's a damn good looking car!"

Not that I cared about those remarks, nor did I give a damn about it. If you really wants attention, you'll get it with M3 but I am not looking for that. What I really look for is, a car that make me feel longing to drive to work tomorrow. Longing to go to the mall at weekend. You'll keep trying to make a reason to drive out, even though nobody will stop u...This sickness, is way larger than the attention factor. It's more than that.

You'll know it when you owns a Mazda 3. God I dont know when this pandemic will ever stop.

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Feb 26 2010, 01:48 AM

Basically your shortlist consist of the best cars on the budget of its range. So you should not be able to make too much a mistake here, pal. The pros and cons between each choices is too narrrow.

If you bought things that you really like, your purchase is money well-spent. With these 3 good cars, you aint gonna make too bad a choice already

You definitely have a point there, bro.

But as annoying as I am about the similarities to Persona (i reckon its more into Persona than gen2), but only the rear section. Only the rear section.

However, that issues was easily shunned by the M6-reminiscence tail light. That alone have put a big "sexy" tag on the rear section!

Meanwhile, both the sides and front distinctively retaining it's Furai influences and looks great.

If M3 is really look a lot like Persona, or Gen2 as u mentioned, I just can't fathom why all the headturns we used to got, keep occurring. I have no doubt Gen 2 and Persona is a great, good cars and all, but I won't have my eyes tailing them everytime they pass me by...

Design ahead of times etc...is really a subjective issue. I agree with you. As for me, I believe Lantis and astina is still a good-looking car after all these years, way before I owns a Mazda. The beauty of Mazda car designs will last longer. I believe M3 will also looks good in 5-8 years to come...

Again, it is a subjective issue so you can take your own opinion on this.

Wont be rugi if Bermaz allows existing customers to enjoy this promo. If they really know what customer service and brand image is all about.

How rugi is in "not charging any labour charge"? Those SC still need to pay their mechanics nonetheless.

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Added on March 8, 2010, 12:16 pmDelvin, the 2.0 rim can use wider tyres? How wide can it go?

At the moment I use 215/45 bridgestone. Can I use 225/40 or even 235-245?

This post has been edited by furiezachs: Mar 8 2010, 12:16 PM

Choosing between these 2 will not be easy.

You pay less with Forte 2.0 and get most of those toys they throw in for you. But toys will be just toys. It is fun to have, like having toys...Anyway the most important thing is u got 2.0L engine against 1.6, and paying less for it.

On the other hand, you pay more with Mazda 1.6 and get even lesser toys (almost none, actually). You got smaller engine too...but its ride and handling blows your Korean counterpart in no time.

I've driven a Forte 1.6 sx, which was owned by a friend, and it's a fine and nice car to have. Keyless entry, the trunk automatically opened when u leave the remote inside etc....great toys. Nice look, bigger rear legroom. However, comparing this two beauty, my friend do remarked on how good Mazda 1.6 cockpit looks, especially at night (even a 1.6!), and how good the ride and handling is.

After driving the Forte (1.6 sx), I suddenly realize why some people see Mazda as "BMW from the east". The ride and handling prowess is far superior.

Of course, u can't use this post as your guide. If I had driven a Forte 2.0, I might find a better drive. It might blow mazda 3. Who knows? I do also heard that a Forte "handle curves like a Golf GTi" so, logically, it could be the 2.0 variant.

The best way to know is to go and test drive Forte 2.0 and Mazda 1.6 for yourself and do it again and again until u find out which one really meant for u.

This is why I told you earlier, choosing and comparing between these 2 is hard.