This was fun. Slow, but fun.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...36a50b36b9.jpg

The 135 is going back to the shop for the 4th time in 6 months, or 1000 miles. Oil change, then Oil Filter Housing Gasket, then reprogramming the transmission, now to find out what this very odd, metallic noise is. It doesn't sound like rod knock and N55s aren't known for wastegate rattle particularly. I'm hoping it's a loose heat shield or the belt tensioner and not the wastegate or bearings.

But honestly at this point, I may just go trade it in on a cheap, used Focus hatch or Mazda 3 hatch for the next year or so. It's hard to enjoy the car when it's constantly having issues.

Pretty ridiculous for a car that doesn't even have 34k miles on it.

I may have a Mazdaspeed 3 (2007) for sale soon if you're interested. Where are you located?

Thanks for the offer, not really interested in a 12-year old turbo car and I already owned a 2010 Speed3 years ago.

The point would be to get a few year old economy car, that's already taken a nice depreciation hit, still has some of the factory warranty and will generally not cause me a bunch of grief, while having modern amenities.

my parents BMWs ALWAYS had the flapper on the exhaust ports come loose and i'd have to replace the pin to hold the actuator arm back in place. could be that?

Are you talking about the wastegate on the turbo, or the valve at the back of the exhaust that controls volume?

Wastegate - If it's that, it needs a new turbo, apparently it can't be replaced on the N55 like it could on the old twin-turbo N54s.
Exhaust valve - I'll have him rip it out or rig it or something.

I really hope is the exhaust valve or belt tensioner. Those would be reasonable enough to be fixed.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a50eb3a40f.jpg


Picked this up last month with strong incentives from Mazda. Leftover '18 HB.

I suspect the incentives wouldn't be strong enough for me. If I trade it, the point would be to get as close to the 10k mark for something that isn't going to hassle me for the next 18 or so months. At that point, only remaining debt would be my mortgage, and then I could basically buy anything I want under $70k.

But I still probably won't even do that given how little I drive. I'm starting to get a hankering for another project car. So in that case, a truck as a DD to be able to tow an HPDE car makes more sense. But I'm not sure if I'll have the budget to do as much HPDE as I want, so that may not make sense.

Main thing right now, the amount of maintenance per mile since I've had this car has really bummed me out, to the point I don't really enjoy driving it anymore.

EDIT: I did go look for the heck of it, the Mazda dealers around here are advertising $5500-ish off '18 hatchbacks. If I planned on keeping it for awhile than giving it to the better half to replace her fit in a few years, that would be a hell of a deal.

I did better than that, but I was at the right place at the right time. Wasn't really in need of something right now, but the deal was too good to pass on.

Yeah, I bet I could do better. Just saying even advertising that much off makes it a pretty good deal.

I've never negotiated a car through an internet sales team. I sent them an email and got an unbelieveable offer. I assumed the offer included every rebate that I wouldn't be eligible for. I was wrong. No rebates in the offer and I was eligible for owner loyalty.

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...21a7db5220.jpg

The wife's sedan....purchased one week prior. She did really good. We were looking at Corollas but couldn't get past the CVT trans.

Yeah, there is a '16 Focus Titanium trim hatch with 33k miles on it for $13k down here. But I think that still has the despised DCT in it.

I am surprisingly satisfied with the 6spd auto in the hatch. I was growing tired of a manual in traffic. No it doesn't shift as fast as a DCT, but it is better than most autos I'm familiar with. Putting it in manual mode, sport engaged and using the paddles takes the boring out as needed. I believe it shifts a tiny bit faster in sport mode.

exhaust valve. we had two BMWs and MINI all do it. just replaced a circlip or something on all them.



Coworker showed me his appreciation in the parking lot today:

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...a06f9fecca.png
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...bef92caac1.png

my 135i was a giant pain in the ass too. I had all sorts of issues with the DCT gearbox randomly throwing an overheating fault, even when the sensors were reading normal temps. Traded the car in and never looked back.

As for the rattle, the n55's aren't as prone to it as the n54's, but it can happen. I had a similar rattle on mine that turned out to be the belt tensioner however. Worth checking that out first since it's cheap/easy to fix. Braineack also brings up a good point on the exhaust valve flapper. IIRC (and im a little fuzzy on this since I got rid of my 135i back in 2015), you can just go into the driver side trunk near the taillight, disconnect line running to the actuator and jam a golf tee in the line to disable it.

I also recently took advantage of some pretty incredible savings on a 2018 Mazda3 for my wife. Got the Bose and sunroof package for significantly less than the base model prices and she absolutely loves it. Win win. Seems to be a good little car so far, especially for the price.


https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...76fdbaf1f4.jpg

Yeah. I have to say, it's a great car to drive, but my idea to drive halfway across the country to buy a 1-owner, low mileage car (27k when I bought it last January) has thus far been met with mediocre results. I couldn't get it to make the noise on the way to work this morning, but noticed that oh-so-familiar click as I pulled into the office parking lot today.

At least one of the rear 245/35/18 Pilot Super Sports has a nail in it. At least it's in a place that it should be an easy patch job.

I had all the adaptions reset in the DCT, and that seems to have fixed most of it. But talking to other owners, most have resigned to the fact that they have to do it once, maybe twice a season to keep it acting right.

Worst fears confirmed, rod knock. Only noticeable at high rpm/load. It is someone else's problem now.

A used Mazda 3 is in the garage.

lol that was quick

I had a feeling that's what it was and started shopping used cars on Sunday evening. It's not like you can save an engine once it has rod knock, if you can hear it, the crank likely needs work as well. No point in continuing to drive it and have it ventilate the block.

It's a '18 Mazda 3 Touring, only 33k miles. So I'll be an adult for a bit, pay some stuff off. I was planning on trading in the BMW next summer, now I'll just wait until spring 2021.

I don't think I've posted but I guess this is an appropriate time. Just paid off my daily so that's pretty cool. It was my first big purchase in life that required financing. Also you guys getting crazy deals on the nice optioned '18 hatchbacks, I'm jealous. My little sister just got one with all the bells and whistles for only like 1500 more than I paid in 2014 and it has the 2.5l. I got 500 off via a referral and that was it. I think it was like 22k out the door and they would not budge because it was the first year of the Gen 3 and they were selling like crazy.

Mine is a pearl white 2014 Mazda 3 Sport Hatch, cheapest config you can get (other than the "premium" paint color) with a 6 speed manual and the 2.0l Skyactiv. I put some 17x8" RPF1's on it that I had laying in the garage and that's it.

Currently has 115k miles (50k of that was in the first year, I was a private courier). It still gets about 35mpg for my normal commute to work and I've had no major issues.

Have just done oil changes with 0w-40 M1 Synthetic and Wix filters every 5 to 8 thousand miles, other normal maintenance, spark plugs and Redline MT90 trans fluid at 100k. Crazy thing is that the brakes are still original and still have like 20% life left, and the clutch is original as well and hasn't showed any signs of needing to be replaced.

Only things that have annoyed me is that the horn is too quiet, people can't hear it, and the center console lid pivot point kind of broke but it still works fine. Probably an easy fix just haven't bothered. Also the road noise is a little on the loud side compared to some other cars but doesn't really bother me, and of course it's pretty slow but still enjoyable to drive compared to most other econoboxes on the road.

Hoping it will last out to 300k without needing to replace the engine or trans.

I added a second horn to my Mazdaspeed3 for this same reason. I put in a low tone to compliment the really puny high tone horn that Mazda put in. Significant difference for just a few bucks.

I also ditched an N55 135i daily for something a little more economical. This little thing is a blast and gets a solid 30-32 mpgs all day.


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...ac69d2c784.jpg
https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...192e659663.jpg

I really like the way it looks, the silver looks really sharp. I'll take a few pictures of it once I can wash it (their wheel guy was their that day fixing a bit curb rash on one of the wheels and asked me to wait a couple days to wash the car). I admit, I already looked up lowering springs and wheels. Also having them tint the window, apparently, their bullshit doc fee includes that shit and they wont' budge on it. But I'm not going to do that. The other half has already said that she wants it once I get something else and we will ditch her '16 Honda Fit.

I need to play around with it a bit, which I haven't really had a chance yet, the stock stereo in the 3 isn't nearly as big of a downgrade from the HK in the 135 as I thought it was going to be.

Pro Tip: I thought I'd be good buying a 5 year old, 1 owner BMW with only 27k miles. It was my fourth BMW, unless somehow in my career I start making Joe P money, that will be the last BMW I've ever owned. The good looks, comfort and speed, were absolutely now worth the PITA it took.

Shit really? That's odd for such a low mileage n55 to have rod knock. Those motors are pretty stout. Either way, glad you got out of that mess before it got worse.

Good looking car and lol @ 3 of us owning 135i's and dumping them.

My mechanic told me the N55s are more reliable in basically every way, except they are more prone to bearing issues than the N54. He said it wasn't the first time he's seen a stock N55 eat itself with such low mileage.

No kidding, i didn't know that. Mine had about 90k and the motor was perfectly fine. The DCT transmission however...

He said it still isn't common, but he has seen it multiple times over the years. A buddy who owns an Indy shop in Nashville, and another in (crap now I can't remember) said on average they do 1 engine replacement per week on N55s because of rod bearings.

The 3 will go to the girlfriend next fall, then I will own my third Miata.

After a lovely 12 years with my suzuki sx4 its become painfully clear that it probably won't fit 3 car seats in it... My twins are going to start daycare in the next month or two so I'm in the market for a soccer dad vehicle.
@curly , @18psi , @dleavitt , do you guys have a dad tank? Recommendations?

I'm looking at sedans.... the huge ones... Its frightening to think things like chevy impalas and the ford taurus are appealing to me. Have any mazda6 owners fit a rear facing car seat on here?
My commute is 35 miles roundtrip, all highway, and this will be a daily. A soccer dad truck would probably work, but they're realllllly expensive and have beds that are smaller than my mini-truck's... I still haul lumber and 10' metal sticks so the 5' bed is a pretty big turn off.

Edit: My driveway has some challenges associated with it, so awd doesn't hurt:

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...042e80122f.jpg

Holden Commodore

Go check out the 6, they are absolutely fantastic cars, with plenty of room that knock down excellent mpg

Would make an awesome kid hauler. Unfortunately, unless you're into the whole "it's kinda rare and somewhat collectible" there are far better options that are cheaper. G8 perhaps, though those are getting kind of old and getting the stupid "collectible" tax for a low mileage nice GT.
Not to mention the whole having to drive one in the MN winter.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...b65f80bfc6.jpg

Chevrolet SS

we got a 17 toyota sienna for a family hauler. LOVE IT
and it lets me keep my toy cars :D

Love our odyssey, not made to the same caliber as my bmw however. On my phone so I won’t get into that right now. Sienna has AWD I believe, and now has apple car play/android auto. That and magic sliding seats made me get a Honda, but we put three seats in the 2nd row, so we can’t slide them anyways. Deviett has a odyssey too.

We had an '07 Odyssey (sold it to Fae!), it was easily the most reliable car I've ever owned. 100K miles and the only mechanical repair it needed was a transmission park/neutral switch at 90K. Zero warranty claims.

I've driven a few Siennas -- the ergonomics suck, they're very uncomfortable to drive.

--Ian

Wife has a '04 Highlander with 240k and zero repairs aside from replacing the A/C condenser due to catching a rock on the highway. Still rides tightly and has fantastic interior materials quality and durability. Available with v6 and 4wd, although ours is the 2.4 4cyl. Plenty of room for adults in back seat and large payload volume. Rear doors are slightly longer than some others which aids ingress. Back seats fold down with enough length to sleep if camping in it. Has roof rack for oversized/extra items. My wife takes good care of vehicles and will likely drive it well past 350k because Toyota. Will likely cross shop the newer RAV4 next go-round because they have grown larger.

Coming from the country where they're the default option.
They aren't actually that good.

They are good value, in that here in 'straya you can grab them for pretty cheap in general.
And they're the cheapest way to buy a V8 anything.

But unless you're buying an SS, Clubsport, or GTS, you're getting something that handles like a boat and has an interior filled with cheap feeling plastic.


The Ford equivalent (Falcon) has a slightly nicer interior quality, but seems to feel nicer in the corners (still not great though)

The bargain pick is probably the Falcon XR6 turbo.
4.0 straight six turbo, with 360hp factory.
But stupid strong bottom ends, to the point there are shops offering drive in drive out 670hp packages without touching the internals.

The Chevrolet SS is/was a Commodore variant available here. Ford stopped making cars here except for the Mustang and one other. More profit in trucks and SUVs.

I guess kids can fit in the back of a new Mustang with a Coyote motor if you want to take that leap. The new ones are supposed to actually be built well, unlike past versions.

The input is appreciated. We have a 16 traverse for the main kid hauler. I just learned that the odyssey can fit full sheets of plywood... hmmm
My better half has informed me that we purchased 3 diono car seats that are the narrowest on the market (for nearly $600! That's a whole miata). They say it(they) will fit in a mid size car. The plan is that I will drop the kids off and my wife will pick them up, so this car won't be the main family tank.

2001 b5 s4
 

I dd a 2001 Audi s4.

Bought it with 216k and we are still going on original motor, turbos and transmission at 304k

few mods.
coils
rear sway
bbk all around
stage2 custom tune

I feel obligated to counter some of the recent Odyssey praise and love with my experience.

We have an ‘08 Odyssey Touring. Bought it just over 6 years ago with only 14k miles on it. Now it has almost 130k miles.

We've used and abused the thing, and it’s generally done well but it’s not holding up nearly as well as I expect from a Honda/Acura. At this point it’s ~12 years old and it’s basically falling apart.

Here’s a random list of issues we’ve had or are having:

Oil consumption...a fairly concerning amount
Leaky trans seal
Engine mounts started failing as early as 40k miles. $800 just for the parts...
Both front sway end-links are fubar’d
Both auto-slide doors have had issues and had to have the sliding track repaired
Rear AC unit (blower?) just recently quit.
Water leaks in the rear hatch and rear taillights
Battery positive cable and terminal had to be replaced
Rear wiper failed
Power steering goes in and out randomly (I’m pretty sure this was a recall)
Roof trim pieces did not hold up well and are in a trash bin
General poor fit/finish on the dash, has led to some squeaks and rattles


Thats all I can think of for now. We have gotten a lot of use out of our Odyssey, but after 12 years and 130k miles ours is really not holding up very well. This maybe normal for a big 3 or Korean product, but I had much higher expectations for the Odyssey.

Our experience may be the exception...perhaps our van was assembled on a Friday afternoon? Or maybe a Saturday during an Alabama/Auburn football game?

I was really hoping to get another two years out of the van but based on its current rate of decay, I’m not confident we'll get there.

Of course...we’re looking at 2012-2014 Odyssey’s as a replacement (wut?)

https://cimg2.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...4277242dc9.png

May as well total it.

I would expect a Mercedes to hold up better than that. Definitely less reliable than expected.

I wanted a boring DD to have on hand while i'm job shopping and entertaining the idea of maybe having to commute again, so i bought this.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...38f0aca7_b.jpg
2019-07-03_01-59-21 by concealer404, on Flickr

I bought a new daily for myself yesterday.

It’s a Ford.

It’s a 2016.

It’s turbocharged.

It’s from CoPart.

It was stupid cheap.

I have a problem.

Mercedes tax. The door ding on my BRZ was similar (but it was down to the metal on the crease).........shop fixed the door and repainted it for $350.

I realize DC is more expensive than OKC/Tulsa, but $1000 to repaint a door? That's robbery.

Heretic!

That quote was from the more premiere certified porsche/maserati shops in the area. But then again, the tiny little bolt imprint on the rear bumper of my subaru when i got tapped was roughly $600 from two random shops...


im pretty sure someone kicked their door open into mine it what's most annoying about it, that and it was like the one day i didnt park in my end spot cause i was being lazy and parked close.

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...0f1f1d57c.jpeg
https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...7b0a09766.jpeg

It's broken!

I did say it was from CoPart...?

Welp, a lady decided throwing her car in reverse at a red light to shift a lane over would be a good idea. Bent upper radiator support, bent latch, broken grill and the hood itself has a slight bend. I hate people.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...11d36077da.jpg

The Block. It's not illegal to go around it and come back.

25 years ago I was test-driving a car (a 1994 Probe GT) when a guy in a pickup truck decided to do that. He mangled the front end of that car pretty badly -- I'm just glad I had the salesman in the passenger seat. I let him handle everything.

--Ian

Happened to me in my first Miata. The guy said his wife just did the same thing a week earlier like it was some kind of excuse.

Silverstone metallic :likecat:. You'll love it, just keep an eye on oil levels as those f20's eat a bit of oil. Owned one about a decade back. Still miss it to this day

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.mia...afec1f6f27.jpg