hey guys, i have a few issues and questions on my m3 and would appreciate any advice.

1. Every once in a while, there's a loud cracking sound around my dashboard, it sounded like a stone hitting the windshield. At first i thought there was stone hitting my windshield and i was scared but this kept happening for 5 months since i got my car, now i am sure it is not stone hitting my windshield cause i dont see any stones everytime this happen. I start to suspect the sound came from my dashboard, probably some plastic parts in the dashboard which cause this sound? Anyone of you experience the same thing can tell me where the sound came from?

2. i notice a hissing sound around front passenger seat everytime i go over road that's not very even. the sound is constant like some part is loosen. My friend manage to trace and it seems to be coming from under the passenger seat. There's a black box thingy with wires, but i checked everything is sturdy. Again would like to get some advice is you guys had encounter this? my 10k service is due in 2 months, thought i should find out the problem and tell them to fix it.

3. Passenger seat reclining adjustment lever is very 'tight', need to use a lot of force to pull it only can recline. I'm afraid someday it will break the thing. Does yours pull easily?

4. Not a problem but just want to know whats the average FC you guys considered normal. My FC averagely around 8L/100km, 50% highway 50% city drive. Is this considered ideal? normally full tank i can travel around 500KM only with 2 bars left. I read some can go 600KM+. I tried to sail smooth whenever i can, but also some heavy footed driving when i'm alone and in highway.

5. Had some scratches on my bumper, meteor gray is EZY Touch Up Paint any good? or will it come out as ugly patches and better to leave it as is?
Thanks!

anyone tried buying from this site before?

http://www.mazdaparts.org/mazda-3-2014-all...-floormats.html

and the scuff plates look sick, too bad in USD 

BTW. I got 1 question. I wash my car myself every weeks mostly, how to prevent scratches from the cloths ya. I already separate 2 cloths and still cannot prevent.

I second that. Our M3 sedan has got nice dual exhausts but Mazda decided to hide it behind the rear bumper/diffuser. But the hatchback's dual exhausts are visible and looks good.

Admuser

Refer this

http://www.mazda.co.uk/videos/technology/h...ore-convenient/

Did someone ask for meteor grey with black oem bodykit? 






Sorry it's a little dirty. This colour is a dust magnet and is proving to be quite a b*tch to clean.

I already did the coating, never regretted it. When it rains all the water shoots upwards to my car roof as I speed like some star wars epilogue hahaha. Yeah, it does blend in, but IMO aluminium with black bodykit much nicer 

OK, I'm nearrleee convinced...what sort of coating did you use? Appreciate some info....

I paid way more than I should have, with 5 years warranty I should have thought about whether I'm still using the same car or not after that long. Mine is called glass coating with 9H hardness to protect against "light" impact, with gimmick like coat my engine/tyre and sanitize my car and leather seat maintenance which is very cheap thing actually andnot even sure if necessary. My car is very shiny and easy to wash though, and very high visibility during rain. I was advised to bring my car only to proper carwash in case they simply use cloth that has rocks and etc which I thought was complete bollocks since according to the 9H hardness shouldn't I need to be less careful and not more?

I paid RM2k which brings the average to RM400 per year; I'm sure you can find cheaper with same benefits elsewhere. I regret the price but I never regretted the coating. I heard Sierra Glow is recommended.

That's why stated "light' impact only lo. TBH I really kick myself that I didn't know got self healing coating/wrap or else I would get that within a heartbeat.

Mazda 3 Skyactiv GL, CBU, Hatchback OEM cruise control activation service now available!

https://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?act=ST&f...0#entry79168251

There is a possibility to enable the ACC, but equipment cost will be expensive. For ECU side too is a complicated process. It is not something simple as directly go in and enable a particular function (some BCM function yes, such as OEM drive off auto lock function, but without the proper hardware installed, it won't function, still under investigation how to enable it). To enable cruise control has something to do with mathematical programming.

Yes, hardware you can source yourself or you can ask the shops whether they have any cheaper solution for hardware, the installation RM80 are the workshops I went asking around in KL. Pay directly to your supplier/workshop.

RM350 is ECU software activation will be done by me with an appointment and payment to me.
Yes, Bluetooth OBD with Torque Pro phone app.

Damn it.. My car just 1 week didn't wash ( White ).. Just now evening washing and notice the front hood the dirt mark / water mark below side mirror was unable to wash away ady.. Shit.. Is it any way to remove the mark other than using polish machine?? Polish by hand is possible?? White car is indeed not easy to maintain huh...

Just floor the pedal, wouldnt even realise you reached 160.... pushed the car to 210 as max so far, just get ready to smell strong burning scent in cabin when you do that lol...

I think what they mean by "brake pedal not smooth is normal" is ABS feature.
Can't because our version dont have door lock switch:
The switch is like this:

Seriously without the door lock/unlock switch really inconvenient.

Ahh ok. I thought it meant the unlock button on the key fob. Didn't think about the one on the door console.
Does that pedal sound you mentioned previously happen while braking on a clean smooth road as well?

BTW, regarding your auto high beam control, try covering the sensor with a thick dark cloth while parked instead of driving fast and fiddling with the switches. Safer to test that way.

Hullo peeps,

I went for a test drive of the High Spec...i like what i see and the drive is good. The interior is a kind of cramped or "cosy" if want for a better term...Lol. Currently driving an Inspira 2.0..getting tired of it..or shall I say bored of it.
Engine is smooth revving but the tyre roar is although its about the same level as the  Inspira which is riding on 60-series tyres Michellin Primacy ST3. Shows how bad the Inspira's wheel well soundproofing is  =.=
After that i went to test the Passat...itchy backside since the Passat is on Promo at about the same price as Mazda 

Of coz can't compare lah..2 different segments...The Passat no doubt is a much refined vehicle, very powerful too. But its at its at the end of its life cycle and god knows what the resale value will be in 4-5 years time. And i think i'm not ready for a D-Segment Conti at the moment, even though the Passat's pricing is very tempting.

For short-term car owner can go for VW, 
I never owned a VW nor friend. Can't comment much. But from your previous car and the type of car you're testing, I think VW suite you? Seem like you like fast car. lol

True the rear passenger space is a little cramp...i'm comparing against the inspira. Anyway, I hardly have rear passengers...most of the time the front passenger seat is only occupied.

Somehow i felt the sound system in the Mazda 3 (6 speakers) to be better than the Passat (8 speakers)..to my ears lah. I always have music on when driving...so its one of the criteria that i look for in a car. If only the High Spec comes with Bose..wishful thinking 

Hmm for me, the pedal feels a bit soft initially but brakes firmly as I press further.

Yeah, agree with the lack of compartments. My arm can't get in a good angle to retrieve my smart tag and keys from the centre console box. Glovebox is nice and deep but also makes it hard for me to lean over and get stuff while on the move.

Yes, a very nice family car, quiet and solid ride and some more got rear aircond vents, just that the key not so "advanced". For the current price for a 2015 car, the passat is a real steal...would have genuinely consider it if not for the purchase of my mazda 3 much earlier. Well, all is still well and I still like driving the mazda 3   
I also was once an owner of the 1st vios, I agree that it is a fuel saving car but the mazda 3 is not a slouch on this aspect either. I'm driving harder and faster with the Mazda but I'm getting close to 90% of the fuel economy of my old faithful vios. Do take note that the Mazda3 has a larger capacity engine, heavier body and larger wheels. If I drive like the pace of the vios, I will handily beat the fuel economy  :thumbsup:

This is a good question but dont know how to answer haha.
Normally when I go to work at the morning, between my house to the toll got a 3-4 traffic light, normally at that time I din turn on A/C until I get off from toll. Like that the istop activated longer. Not to purposely do that to let istop activate longer but just my habit, even not with this car. Except the weather is damn hot but at the morning still ok la. At the noon, normally I will just off the istop cause weather now is terrible. haha

Yea..already decided what car to get..just of matter of deciding which showroom 😉

Blue reflex brings out the shape of the car. Meteor Grey is a "garang colour  Lol

Pening kapala now 😂

Well, saw a 3 with its' long snout shortened by a few inches in Cyberjaya. My guess is a Hilux tried to shoot for a gap crossing the road and got t-boned by the 3. Almost happened to me in the past.

I must admitted that Cyberjaya is a place where you can find accident for really stupid reason.

May I know what type of battery Mazda 3 is using? Q-85? If it is the same as Mazda 2, I managed to find a company which sell Q-85 battery at half the price quoted by SC. Need to check whether it is maintenance free or not. My SC tells me stock battery is under the 3 years / 100,000km warranty and can change only once throughout. Anyone can reconfirm this statement?

Reply from then said company Millennium Battery Sdn Bhd:

Good morning. Thank you for the email. Yes, we are selling a similer spec as per ABXAGM, it is called KOBA UHPB (Ultra High Performance Battery). If you need detailed information, you can call us.
The details:
Code: 95D23L
Brand: KOBA UHPB
Unit Price: RM350.00
Please contact us at 03 – 9221 1281 / 1285 if you have further inquiries.
Thank you.
Regards,
MeiWan

Mind sharing what type of Leather conditioner you guys use for seats and also dashboard? Thanks
hi admuser,
i did siera glow too... mind to share if your car has alot of water marks? my car still has alot of obvious water marks even after i wash thoroughly. i can clearly see it on the hood and also roof of the car. Meteor grey color.