N00b

[berkleyboost]

Hey guys new to the MS3 scene and I just picked up what is basically a barn find. A 2008 MS3 Sport with 76000 miles on it. Its only been driven 400 miles since its last oil change in September of 2017. I'm going to start with Cobb stage 1 but before that what are some maintenance things to get out of the way first? This car is completely stock. Obviously it needs a good wash lol


https://imgur.com/a/gp3q2Ep

[g00s3y]

Do some more reading. You can get much better for your money then going to Cobb and getting their "stage 1" package.

[kTaLgsTo]

You should also check your vvt and continue reading

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by kTaLgsTo You should also check your vvt and continue reading

I set an online appointment with the local mazda dealer....any chance they'll cut me a break with the recall n shit? How much should I expect to pay otherwise?

[Fstrnyou]

Originally Posted by berkleyboost I set an online appointment with the local mazda dealer....any chance they'll cut me a break with the recall n shit?

No

[Vansquish]

Originally Posted by berkleyboost I set an online appointment with the local mazda dealer....any chance they'll cut me a break with the recall n shit? How much should I expect to pay otherwise?

As far as I'm aware, there's no "recall" at all. Only a technical service bulletin and an extended warranty program for specific parts. I'm pretty sure your car is outside the limits for all of those things, so you're going to be paying through the nose. You're looking at something in the neighborhood of $1100-$1200.

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by Vansquish As far as I'm aware, there's no "recall" at all. Only a technical service bulletin and an extended warranty program for specific parts. I'm pretty sure your car is outside the limits for all of those things, so you're going to be paying through the nose. You're looking at something in the neighborhood of $1100-$1200.

I can deal with 1200 to make it a solid runner.

So whats the first mod i should make after the vvt job? Accessport? SRI? I value everyone's experienced opinion. First boosted car. First tuner type care with any real potential.

[crankshaft]

Nice find.
Feel the Bern

[Bingo]

Just tossing this out there, but there may be a reason that it hasn't been driven in a year. I would do a compression and leakdown test (of course now I'm gonna do that on every car I buy)

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by Bingo Just tossing this out there, but there may be a reason that it hasn't been driven in a year. I would do a compression and leakdown test (of course now I'm gonna do that on every car I buy)

I've got an appointment for the vvt shit in august. i dont mind throwing another 3k to get it tip top (shouldnt take anywhere near that for the milage.) The previous owner bought a CX something because of the traffic in SF. They got tired of the manual transmission. lol his loss.

Originally Posted by crankshaft Nice find. Feel the Bern

Thanks! that sticker gotta gooooo! lol

[Vansquish]

@berkleyboost;, you should look at your welcome PM, and the links it includes. There's a wealth of information in there.

I would start with HPFP internals, an Accessport, and an upgraded rear motor mount. Beyond that, start looking at SRI/TMIC/FMIC/Downpipe, and so forth.

Before doing ANY air or exhaust-flow modifications, you 100% need the upgraded HPFP internals and a tuning solution.

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by Vansquish @berkleyboost;, you should look at your welcome PM, and the links it includes. There's a wealth of information in there. I would start with HPFP internals, an Accessport, and an upgraded rear motor mount. Beyond that, start looking at SRI/TMIC/FMIC/Downpipe, and so forth. Before doing ANY air or exhaust-flow modifications, you 100% need the upgraded HPFP internals and a tuning solution.

Thanks man I will do exactly that. Additionally, who has the best rear motor mount?

[Carskick]

Originally Posted by berkleyboost Thanks man I will do exactly that. Additionally, who has the best rear motor mount?

Search with google.com like this:

https://www.google.com/search?ei=7qh....0.aYQ0njPBA84

There are a TON of threads an opinions on Motor Mounts. Including my own thread...

RMM Comparison Opinions: CP-E S2 vs JBR 70 vs E-Focus?

[Vansquish]

If you're looking for a cheap-o alternative, you can buy the Ford Focus Electric rear motor mount for about $50.00.

https://www.tascaparts.com/oem-parts...hoCoo8QAvD_BwE

Otherwise, you're looking at about $100-$200 for an aftermarket one. The parts from Damond Motorsports, CP-E, Cobb, Corksport, Steeda, are all fine pieces. You really just need to spend some time looking and see what you think you might like. Unless you want a loud, rattly, vibration-prone driving experience, I would recommend getting something with a bushing with a durometer no higher than about 80.

[Fstrnyou]

Your next step should be making a visit to your tailor.
You need to get fitted for a flame suit if you're going to ask those questions.

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by Fstrnyou Your next step should be making a visit to your tailor. You need to get fitted for a flame suit if you're going to ask those questions.

What questions? Normal reality based questions? Like the ones i've been asking?

Originally Posted by Vansquish As far as I'm aware, there's no "recall" at all. Only a technical service bulletin and an extended warranty program for specific parts. I'm pretty sure your car is outside the limits for all of those things, so you're going to be paying through the nose. You're looking at something in the neighborhood of $1100-$1200.

you'll love this...called mazdas all day...so far the cheapest i've found is $2054 out the door and thats at a dealer an hour away... still gonna get it done tho.

additionally i thought i was hearing the chain under acceleration a couple days ago but today after it warmed up the chain got tight again and sounded fine...so im hoping i wont need all the shit in that quote...

[Solarsurge]

Dude...VVT kit + Massive Speed timing tool is $473.97 on Edge Autosport. Half the NATOR community already has the tool and has already done this or at least been present during one. You can probably just buy the kit for $409, donate $25 to become a member here, access your local NATOR forum, and ask for help. Sure beats $2054 from a dealer. Hell, even if you're antisocial and don't want to make new friends, you can pay $25 and download the shop manual in the VIP section and do it yourself. There's no chance I'd pay $2000 at a dealer for anything that doesn't include a new engine.

Edit: Oh...and one more thing... You'll also save enough money to buy HPFP internals ($350), a Cobb AP ($650), a RMM ($125), a Full Intake ($250), a Test Pipe ($144), AND a e-tune ($100)... Just sayin...

[berkleyboost]

Originally Posted by Solarsurge Dude...VVT kit + Massive Speed timing tool is $473.97 on Edge Autosport. Half the NATOR community already has the tool and has already done this or at least been present during one. You can probably just buy the kit for $409, donate $25 to become a member here, access your local NATOR forum, and ask for help. Sure beats $2054 from a dealer. Hell, even if you're antisocial and don't want to make new friends, you can pay $25 and download the shop manual in the VIP section and do it yourself. There's no chance I'd pay $2000 at a dealer for anything that doesn't include a new engine. Edit: Oh...and one more thing... You'll also save enough money to buy HPFP internals ($350), a Cobb AP ($650), a RMM ($125), a Full Intake ($250), a Test Pipe ($144), AND a e-tune ($100)... Just sayin...

But the warranty man the warranty! The dealer will take the parts i provide but if something goes wrong later...it'd be solely on me. I like having someone else to blame ya know? im gonna call around soCal to see if i can find a better price...i dont mind making a trip out of it.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by berkleyboost But the warranty man the warranty! The dealer will take the parts i provide but if something goes wrong later...it'd be solely on me. I like having someone else to blame ya know? im gonna call around soCal to see if i can find a better price...i dont mind making a trip out of it.

Mazda acknowledges there were faulty VVT units. Mazda revised the design on those units to limit reoccurrence of failures. Mazda refused to honor warranty repairs even knowing they were 100% at fault. They then took it a step further to defeat a class action suit regarding said faulty VVT units. Do you honestly believe in some magical corner of the universe there is a Mazda technician that has NOT received specific instruction to charge full price for this exact repair and deny warranty claims? I mean shit... I’ll fix your VVT for $2054 and I’ll warranty it. I could use the extra $1600.


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[Fstrnyou]

I think he means Mazda will warranty the repair work if they screw up the repair.

[Solarsurge]

Originally Posted by Fstrnyou I think he means Mazda will warranty the repair work if they screw up the repair.

They absolutely will not cover the new VVT under warranty for the same reason they won't cover the original under warranty. Their official stance on VVTs are that there are too many ways the owner could cause it to fail. Do your own oil changes? Fail. Use anything other than full synthetic 5w-30 oil? Fail. Use anything other than genuine Mazda parts anywhere in your car? Fail. You would literally have to dump THOUSANDS of dollars into Mazda OEM parts and never get any service done anywhere other than Mazda and have a pristine paper trail of all work performed on the car and mileage records for them to ever cover it. And let's be realistic, that's just not going to happen. This is Mazda's official stance, not mine. But he can go ahead and try to prove me wrong. lol

https://www.aboutlawsuits.com/mazda-...-defect-70072/

https://www.carcomplaints.com/news/2...ismissed.shtml

[Fstrnyou]

I'm fairly certain an auto shop is required to warranty craftsmanship.

If you get your tires rotated and they all fall off 5 miles down the road, the shop is at fault and are responsible for damages.