Hi,

New M3 owner here I've been driving the car for 2 weeks now and trying to hit the first 1K mark service so that I can send in the car for checking for a very bad knocking sound coming from the rear right hand side. It just terrible for such a new car to develop this noise on the collection day. I collected the car from Bermaz Glenmarie showroom where the salesman explained the features and took the the road for the nearest gas station for petrol. The funny thing is that, there was no knocking sound during that whole time when I was in KL. The knocking sound was so loud and only developed after I enter the highway heading back towards my home city later that day. The knocking from the rear is more apparent when I apply the brakes or when doing a left turn. At other times, its just knocking even at low speed (25-50kmph) on normal road. Knocking is not heard during higher cruising speed.
So, two weeks have passed and I have done some googling...it seems this is a common problem for Mazda3's? Just wanna get some sharing and experience from Mazda 3 owners here bout this.

Other forums have suggested it could be the rear sway bar linkage that has come loose. Some say that its d rear suspension bushing and some say its the suspension itself that is faulty.

Yikes! Did the service centre sort out d issues for u during ur 1K service?

Hi,
Confirmed the knocking is from the rear coz I had my wife do the driving while I sat at the back seat trying to pinpoint the source of the sound. The sound is definitely coming from the rear right hand side (around rear right wheel area). No issues with steering and I hope it doesn't develop over time on mine

Thanks StevenKEY for the assurance. I hope it can be easily rectified.

Well, i have finally reached my 1K mark and sent my M3 for its first service and also to have the SA look at that annoying knocking noise. The service part only took around 1/2 hr to complete. I sat in the car with the SA during the test drive and he confirmed the sound. I also played a recording of the irritating noise and he looked very surprised. They checked and tightened the under carriage bolts linkages but the sound was still there when we went for the second test drive. About 3 hrs later, the SA told me that they will not take apart the parts because it is a new car. Instead, they will email/log a case with BERMAZ and have their team (a two man team who visits Mazda service centre nationwide) come over to check the problem.
I was told to take my car back first and wait for their call once they confirm the appointment with the Bermaz guys. I will be required to leave my car with them for 2 days then. I wonder when will that be? He told me usually in within 1 to 2 months. I was like.... !
Somehow, I have a feeling that this is going to drag on for ages and I hope they can prove me wrong. They even remarked that I might need to drive down to KL directly to visit BERMAZ service centre to have the issue solved. I am a bit disappointed that they were not able to rectify the problem.
Is this how all Mazda service centres do service? Wait for the guys at BERMAZ to come?

Mine is a Sedan 2.0.

Below is a recording of the sound:
http://www.webfilehost.com/?mode=viewupload&id=8043533

CKD. Yours CBU?

This post has been edited by DataWraith: Feb 2 2012, 02:59 PM

I guess I am the lucky one The demo unit which I drove before I got mine did not have this problem. So, its a random but I read from other forums that it's a known issue. Haih....maybe really got to do with CKD. That's what the SA told me also.
Besides the issue I am facing, the car drives gr8. I will be calling them again if they did not get back to me with an appointment date by nxt Monday.

I got the car at BERMAZ Glenmarie but I am from outstation. I had already took leave to collect the car. In the process of collection, the sales man explained the features of this car and we headed to the nearest gas station to top up fuel. During this whole time, there wasn't any annoying knocking sound. After leaving Glenmarie, I headed to 1U to have lunch before departing for my hometown in my shiny new M3...still no knocking. The knocking started once I enter the highway later that day. Can't u-turn and it was already almost evening. In short, the knocking started the day I collected the car. I have tolerated the noise for 3 weeks.

So, you can imagine what a let down it was today after visiting the service centre

This post has been edited by DataWraith: Feb 2 2012, 04:31 PM

It's not that they don't want to come to my area but rather because I was told that the process of getting them to come may take 1 to 2 months. BTW, I am from Ipoh. Anyway, I will followup closely with them. I won't call it bad service but disappointed because they couldn't solve the knocking noise that is always there. Maybe it can only be solve by the "specialist" from BERMAZ.

My sis sat in my new car during CNY and said: "Eh...Why your new car sound like that one ar?"


This post has been edited by DataWraith: Feb 2 2012, 05:46 PM

enchekere,

Yes, before the Jelapang roundabout. There is only one authorized Mazda service centre in Ipoh.
In terms of service:

1) Front desk customer service were friendly. Offered me wifi password while I was waiting at customer waiting area. One thing to improve is that they should not talk or gossip about another customer in front of other customers. Can do it when no customer is around if it is necessary to talk about it.

2) The tech guys are okay. When I arrive in the morning, a senior guy offered to take me out for a test drive to simulate the knocking straight after registering at the front desk. Once back at the SC, he instructed another to check the undercarriage bolts and stuff. After that, another guy took over and did the test drive with me for the second time. Waiting time wasn't too long. Very engaging with me during test drive and very confident but did not solve my issue in the end It's my first service...just some oil change and nothing much done. It was quick (the routine service part).

How bout you? Whats your experience with them like?

Thanks kaisers. It's never too late to wish.
Haha...yes, it's really annoying and it's always there. I have actually resorted to your temporary solution too but unfortunately it does not work for me
Thanks for the info from the other forum. I will chk it out.



StevenKEY, cheers! Maybe I have even seen you pass by in the car, there aren't that many M3's in Ipoh, hehe.



Yes, the goal is share our experiences and even possible solutions to issues we face with the car. Oh yeah! The central locking is something that I have at the back of my mind and thanks for bringing it up I am planning to get it done up as well.

Anyone got the boot tray and how much does it cost?

Thanks dahool00. Hope to hear from you soon.

Like StevenKEY said, no choice but to send to the SC at Jelapang because it's the only authorized Mazda service centre in Ipoh. I think you don't have much to worry bout the normal routine service unless you too have that knocking issue.

My Mazda SC finally contacted me yesterday in the evening after I made a followup call in the morning. My initial complaint on the rear knocking noise was made on the 2/2/2012 & they said they were going to get back to me on the appointment with Bermaz tech guys. The guy who was suppose to log a report for me sounded like he forgot! I was then told that he did not get any reply from the Bermaz fellas and that's why he didn't update me. I was thinking BUT so many days have passed wor... Bermaz should not take these cases lightly because they have a name and reputation to build if they want to increase the brand sales right?

They have requested me to send my M3 in on the coming Monday and leave my car there for 4 days. I shall update again on the progress next week. Hope all goes well.

The car handling especially during cornering is awesome.
BTW, anybody bought the boot tray for M3? Any idea how much does it cost?

Hi Bros,

I got my M3 back yesterday evening. It only took the SC in Ipoh two days to trace the knocking and fixed it. Initially, they told me to leave my car with them for 4 days. I am happy that the issue is fixed and it didn't take too long.

So happy now and the driving experience is much more pleasant.

Yeah, like sprouted all of a sudden. I already spotted 4 around my office area. M2 even more.

I was told that the top plastic panel (board) behind was loose. I am a bit skeptical (if you have heard my mp3 recording) that it was the cause of the knocking but things can have a funny way of happening I guess. I am so glad it is solved.

Just curious bro. Does CKD or CBU have different mileage efficiency? Engine should be the same rite? 800 is unbelievably impressive!

Yikes, this is the second time in this forum someone reported going over a puddle of water and something bent or fell off. How fast were you going when you run through d water puddle?

Hi bros,

Is this CASKA a OEM brand that makes ICE/GPS for Mazda? I mean genuine...not 3rd party.

I have been thinking of upgrading to touch screen/GPS for my M3 also but there was no demo unit to test at the showroom.

For those who own the ori offered by Mazda...can post some screenshots of the main screen? Tq in adv.
Some say the response is slow. Is it that bad? Hmmm....

Cheers!

This post has been edited by DataWraith: Mar 13 2012, 10:04 AM