If within warranty, better stick to berjaya sompo.

The benefit of using berjaya sompo is that you can go straight to mazda's own body/panel workshop, not some external 3rd party frequently used by other insurance. Claim also easier if within 15k and they also have their own adjusters. In short, quality assured of the workmanship.

If renew directly at their insurance office, i think got additional 10% discount. But that was last year's info, maybe it changed.

thanks for the info!

By the looks of how it was priced overseas, it will be priced around VW level in malaysia. Definitely not going to be mass market level kind of sales quantity (other than cx5)...

It is to my opinion that the skyactiv-x engines will only show face in malaysia probably on new generation mazda6, another new higher priced tier of cx5/cx8, or another unlikely scenario of a new low tier of cx9.

https://www.carlist.my/news/mazda-3-skyacti...bmw-118i/56138/




https://www.carlist.my/news/bermaz-ceases-p...-mazda-3/56137/

The joining of this new high strength steel is not really the main issue, not something that will be exceedingly costly to refit in the production line. The main issue is as you mentioned, no volume. If just because of this high strength steel then whole production grinds to a halt, might as well prepare to close the whole brand down as something similar will be implemented on the next generation cx5.

It is the most economical sense for bermaz to focus on cx5 as the cx5 drives a lot of margin. Further still, malaysia is the asean hub for cx5 assembly. So focus everything there to build a sufficient cash war chest.

There is no denying that honda products fall squarely to the majority of malaysian taste, due to the efficient interior packaging. The main cause is the unsound vehicle pricing policies, which prices cars unreasonably relative to income. Buyers feel the pinch, hence want the best value for money. The feeling of more space = more metal = more value for money, is not something to be scoffed at. Myvi is the best case example on this factor.

Further still, the new generation of mazda products is quite a significant pricing jump. So even overseas market commentators are skeptical on how mazda will perform volume and financial wise. Too bad mazda don't have the time to move in smaller pricing increments, that will take multiple generation of product for the market to "acclimatise".

Not everyone likes how the mazda shifts their gears, the lockup is considered quite "severe" compared to other makes which can shift smoother, unless the driver really rev up above 2500rpm and ease up the throttle afterwards. 5th gear requires something above 3000rpm to be considered smooth, which is pretty droning in today's refinement level. I myself just shift the stalk to manual after exciting the house, and shift at my desired point/throttle level.

Probably due to their circumstances, mazda thinks further and harder, using some really weird design philosophy and engineering "stubbornness". I always thought that the skyactiv generation 2 products will have a new transmission with at least one more gear, because it just felt that it really needed just that extra gear to bridge the ratio from gear 3 to 5. But lo and behold, they kept that transmission in view that the SPCCI skyactiv-x engine can largely ignore gearing ratio and rpm as the fueling requirements can remain the same regardless of throttle level and rev range by just controlling the ignition. Fueling requirements no longer follow the default of higher rev/throttle = more fuel. Pretty insane tuning wise, and i can't imagine how aftermarket tuners are going to cope with this as this is just a whole new field to the tried and tested ignition/fueling table. Mazda no need to follow what all other makes does by adding more gear ratios to keep revs low, in order to maintain reasonable fuel consumption level.

They pioneered low compression diesel ignition, thereby taking out the need of further exhaust treatment (AdBlue) to keep nox level in check. No one actually thought of trying that, but mazda did, saving them some complexity away in their diesel range yet at the same time a good publicity. Further savings also on the engine side, as can be made a little lighter because the need to seal the compression is lower, making the diesel engine almost behaving petrol like at the same time.

Unless there's a really drastic upwards change of my financial situation, sad to say that very unlikely my next car would be a mazda, considering the future pricing trend. But it will always be the apple of my eye when they innovate in unconventional ways...

The more i drive it along the years, i realised that the shift quality and points isn't what was expected during the test drive. After all, test drive was rather short and i was concentrating on other factors. It is just me personally, but i'm absolutely fine to adjust, won't continue bitching about something that can't be changed. In the end, i just resort to shifting manually all the time, not an issue to me. I guess it will be a habit i will bring over to the next car even if it is an automatic transmission unit. When i drive my mum's car that doesn't have this manual shifting feature, i'm just freaking uneasy.

I'm just really annoyed that the suspension issue can't be fixed, other than that, i'm still satisfied with the purchase. I still got this weird rattling noise once in a while during a hot day when there is some strain on the higher gear ratio at low speeds. You have any idea about it? Feel like the tensioners are not working properly, or is it engine knocking?

As cars get more and more complicated, nitty gritty stuffs starts popping up once it a while. Kind of accepted that fact, i believe the same will be happening even driving a new toyota.

Not easy to replicate, so no pint bring to SC, but anyway, warranty over. After 5 years, i'm going to change the tensioner and check the timing cover as got very mild oil leaks.

The suspension totally no hope already, after i save up some money, i'm getting a superpro PU bushing set.

Good enough, nothing fantastic, but very rev happy almost like manual.

Just don't expect the ballistic feeling with a turbocharged engine.

If mazda is so intent to this extent, my opinion is that they have to give additional training to the sales consultants on how to really educate the customer on these intricacies of the engineering. Better still, do a measurement of their customer and do an optimal seat position recommendation as part of the new car handover service. Because, after all, if not seated optimally, whatever extra added balance also discount 50% right away.....

Now that sets it apart, i don't think even super car brands do this type of handover process

There won't be ckd version of the 3, judging by the volumes of the current generation. With the price hike, it will be worse volume wise even if CKD. Honda's products offering really fit to malaysian tastes, hard to beat that when mazda is trying to be niche. Bermaz already say will focus CKD efforts on cx5 because got volume and also hub for asean cx5 assembly.

Skyactiv-x engine will hike the price even further, mazda themselves said it is more for countries with stricter emissions regulation (which offsets the competitors pricing advantage). Skyactiv x small change will show up in highest spec new generation mazda6 or cx5 facelift.

Before going paranoid on this, did you really read through and understand what is the issue mentioned in the consumer report?

It is likely due to their tightening wrench/tool for wheel nut setting wasn't correct for certain batches of cars in the assembly process. It is not something inherent engineering or mechanical issue.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jul 2 2019, 11:35 AM

The ongoing mazda3 wasn't selling in good numbers anyway, bermaz literally can do away the volume of the mazda3 honestly. In short, bermaz tak rasa sakit, they can absorb the margin loss of the mazda3 model. In malaysia, when bring in CBU, relegated to being niche straight away.

I guesstimate, skyactiv-x should show up in the new generation mazda6 or a new trim line during the facelifted cx5.

Neh, bermaz wants to solely focus on assembly of cx5. Margin too good i guess, willing to close of mazda3 line to dedicate more resources towards assembling cx5. Can't blame them anyway, cx5 assembly here caters for the region, really good money as got volume. Any good thing is the quality will have certain level of consistency.

Love the car, most hate the price....our market just not willing to pay for better engineering and the fact that mazda just went upmarket. If one really tries to understand the effort behind the product, they can truly understand the value, although a hard swallow because of market perception of mazda built over the years. Not only locally, but also internationally. Only think that this "title" belongs to atas european brands, not cheapo econo japanese brands....

Mazda3 is a test to the market to see how the sentiment is, but their evolution just have to start somewhere and unfortunately (or fortunately), it starts with the mazda3. The real challenge really comes when this new evolution befalls on the future new generation cx5, their genuine bread and butter volume seller...

the ongoing one already rather rare....

But mazda3 a lot in singapore, especially the facelifted ongoing model., Feels like what we see the civic here, like everywhere literally....so mazda does fit to some market's taste, just maybe not so in malaysia.

wa....pm on the day you decided to let go after 5 years

ni bukan mercedes/bmw/audi, boleh buat customised indent order.....

bermaz bulk order, alternatively, you get in touch with the grey importers to help you source, tapi lu bayar lor....

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jul 5 2019, 03:17 PM

gila punya, macma order pink diamond/super car meh....boleh order seunit sekali. If for R&D/testing, then maybe boleh, tapi for sale, jangan harap, macam manyak free meh buat documentation setiap satu kereta...probably batch order every quarter ke, or half yearly ke....most likely satu order besar, tapi split delivery date.

parallel importers, those dealers that deal with grey import cars. They got their source, they know the documentations and fees required. They can help you, at a price of course. Worth it or not, that is another matter. Atau, you source chop shop in japan, order manual transmission set, and import back here. Pay import duty la, tapi easier i guess, but then need to mod locally. Not sure whether miata's transmission can use or not, because different engine placement...although malaysia does sell miata manual variant. So wait for a local miata manual that total loss??!!

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jul 5 2019, 04:29 PM

fuh....quite fast....

not bad to compensate for the price hike....

ps.....

Don't scratch it, outside workshop will have a hard time formulating the paint to look original....

spoiler alert
1) you won't feel a thing even when GVC "kicks in", it was intentionally designed that way to work without the drivers knowledge and it is very subtle. Maybe only really observant drivers of the non gvc model mazda3 could feel a bit. If from other car brand, you won't realise it other than the drive somehow "feels" smoother flowing. Then after driving this car for some time, when you step into another car, you just find something a little "off", despite the other car also good handling.

2) don't expect miracles, it is after all still a mass market brand, but definitely improved compare to the previous generation model. In fact, if you read their product briefing, they didn't really emphasise so much on reduction of noise. They emphasise more on harshness, namely the transitioning between different sound frequency range.

3) can't comment on that, personal preference applies.....even i can't really appreciate my close relative's w205 burmester audio...i suck in this department other than wanting my radio to sound clear without distortion or background noise....

tip : just don't make a direct comparison with the civic as the experience is different; product proposition wise, i hands down say civic fits malaysia market taste better.

The proper way to power your dashcam for parking mode is a proper fuse tap or a power reserve system.

sounds like some metal creaking sound....if you have an older car that's driven upwards of 150k km, you may hear this kind of noise when going over road humps.

try cleaning/replacing the MAF sensor first.

Quite a known issue on the new generation mazda cars, especially on the mazda3, and especially when wet, almost like a "hidden feature"

Mine start creaking just after few months of ownership. Changed mine 2 times within warranty. The latest one lasts a little longer, almost a year but start creaking now.

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jul 17 2019, 10:33 AM

It will still remain on the product pipeline, just very slow sales, just like korean cars.

Bermaz ain't the one smoking, it is mazda itself. All markets around the world selling mazda3 also price up, not only malaysia. Quite a lot of UK/US/AUS automotive journalist also express skepticism on mazda's new pricing and premium push. Just that malaysia market even more sensitive.

The real challenge befalls when the next generation cx5 goes through this upmarket revolution. By then, the true appetite of the market will be known, and mazda themsleves are will aware that volumes will be lower. But will margin levels improve or at least maintain with this upmarket push?

Very unlikely there will be further expansion on malaysia side for assembly operations, it is just one really odd one out in the region assembling cx5. Most likely any further expansion will focused on Thailand as already have a lot of powertrain operations :
https://www.carlist.my/news/mazda-expands-p...achining/49246/
https://www.carlist.my/news/mazda-plans-upg...ant-2020/48512/
https://www.carlist.my/news/mazda-begin-pro...thailand/41148/
https://www.carlist.my/news/pilot-productio...thailand/17584/

This post has been edited by wkc5657: Jul 17 2019, 04:17 PM