Hi all! I've joined the MPSOC as soon I'm going to be buying myself a facelift Mazda 3 MPS and thought I'd get started on building my knowledge on these cars.

A bit about me:
My name is James, I'm 21 and I run a vehicle wrapping and customisation company called X1 Automotive Ltd. I've been doing this for almost 4 years now and I'm a jap enthusiast.

Going to be purchasing myself an MPS 3 to become my new daily/show car for my company so it will be undergoing a lot of custom work soon after purchasing.

I was wondering if anyone could point me to a thread about things to look for when buying an MPS or if anyone had any tips or words of advice? I've heard about the wheel hop issue under heavy bursts of acceleration and apparently to upgrade the rear engine mount to help correct this?

Hoping to become an active member of the forum once I've acquired my MPS in March

Welcome to the forum pal. To be honest the MPS engines are strong and solid engines so it is pretty self explanatory looking for one. And yes I have heard of you change the mounts it helps with the wheel hop. Lots of knowledge on this forum buddy plenty of people to be around soon to help you out.

I would probably go so far as saying the opposite to Jigg - the engines are not the most solid.

Main issues to watch out for are;

VVT - when you start the car from cold check for a nasty sound of the chain hitting the rocker cover. The actuator wears overtime and will fail totalling the engine. These typically need doing every 70/80k or so, although some have needed it much sooner.

Turbo - If its on the standard K04 turbo it will fail. Best way to check this is to let the car idle for 5/10 mins when warm and make sure no white smoke starts coming out of the exhaust.

If you are looking at a tuned car be very wary - the rods are made of chocolate and its not uncommon for tuned cars to suffer from compression issues at higher mileages.

Ask who tuned the car and avoid anything touched by Total MPS or BBR. Fueling is an issue on these cars so if anything is tuned check carefully if the High Pressure Fuel Pump Internals have been done - MK1's are generally ok with a map (from someone reliable like Justin) Intake/Turbo Inlet and second decat before needing HPFP. MK2's need these pretty much straight away.

Hi and welcome.

There is plenty of advice and a great buyers guide on here, the engines whilst generally reliable have a few common faults. Be wary with tuned cars also and make sure they are healthy and looked after.

Hopefully you should find your perfect MPS in no time

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New motor - 2015 Mazda 2 Skyactiv 115 Sport Nav
Previous motor - 2010 Mazda 3 MPS running BNR S3 Snail and the usual bolt ons.

I'm hopefully going to collect my new MPS quicker than expected on the weekend. Its a 2012 with 40k miles on, totally standard.
Thanks for the heads up on what to look for. I've already very quickly picked up a bad vibe about Total MPS so i'll be avoiding them.

Are some Focus ST-2 parts interchangeable with the 3 MPS as it was based on a Focus? I think the engine mounts fit both cars (or so ive heard) but was wondering if any other parts do?

Hi fella and welcome along. I'm a mk 2 owner and it seems that's the route you're taking. The MK 1 shared the Focus chassis but the mk 2 is stiffer, and is different. The mk 2 is a little more difficult to get aftermarket suspension bits, but brakes and engine are near identical to MK 1. If you have Facebook pop onto the group and say hi! Oh, the Focus R.E.M. Does fit, UK supplier is Neil at VIP motorsport, or US is Nate at New Age Autoparts. Edge Auto Sport also stock lots.

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Autotech internals // HTP 3" Full Intake // CP-E Top Mount // Stoptech Rotors/Pads // HEL braided lines // Corksport Hood Scoop // Cobb AP v3 // GFB Respons // Bilstein B12 Pro Kit // Whiteline Rarb and links // 4" Custom Tips // CFM 9 Peg Army // VVT done at Young Motors // J-Tuned