2005 Mazda 3 - 100,000 KM Review

[xg3]

After 100,000KM... the car is... perfectly fine..

So for those who are interested...

Oil Change: Penzoil Platinum 5-30W every 8000km - 10,000km
Engine Cleaner: Every 30,000km

Changed Transmission Oil (Auto) @ 45,000KM (complete flush, repeat the flush process about 5 times)... Doing it once or twice at 70,000KM

Clean the car weekly.. wax it every month during summer, sometimes 2 months depending if i am busy...

Major repairs at dealership: Ball bearing (left side)

Minor repairs: none.

[wongpres]

No brakes (pads/rotors) and/or tire replacements?

[Tizmee24]

im confused are u selling ur car???
or ur telling us how often do we need to do the oil change/transmission oil/wax ....

(slap my head)

damn im really confused idk why maybe i dont understand lol

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

^^^^like what he said, its pretty obvious...its on Mazda3 review thread, and the title of his post says it too...

back on topic.....thats alot of driving for 2 years!, we have same year, mine has 53K mileage on it so far...well its seems your 3 is pretty reliable car....

[ParsM3GT]

Mine is a 2005 and only have 23,000. :) I think my car will be paid off before I hit 100,000kms.

Thx for the review.

EDIT: Devin98 should do a review. He has an 2004 and has over 130,000kms on it and he says it runs fine.

[Iturralde]

xg3,

Thanks for the review. It's good to know that so long as one maintians the Mazda, everything should be looking good at 100k.

I am planning on keeping my 3 for a good 5-7 years, and like you, I like clean it weekly, upkeep the paint job regularly, and of course stick to the maintenence schedule.

Thanks for the review!

X

[mazda lover]

After 100,000KM... the car is... perfectly fine..

So for those who are interested...

Oil Change: Penzoil Platinum 5-30W every 8000km - 10,000km
Engine Cleaner: Every 30,000km

Changed Transmission Oil (Auto) @ 45,000KM (complete flush, repeat the flush process about 5 times)... Doing it once or twice at 70,000KM

Clean the car weekly.. wax it every month during summer, sometimes 2 months depending if i am busy...

Major repairs at dealership: Ball bearing (left side)

Minor repairs: none.


what is a "ball bearing" a major repair?

[Azi]

/\
i'm guessing wheel bearing

[MAZDA Kitten]

I have 120,000km (picked up the car September 18th 2004 - brand new)

Mobil 1 or Castrol Syntec (5w20) every 8000km

Lucas Oil injector cleaner about every 16,000km

Car is solid than ever
I had minor issues that were repaired under warranty within probably the first 60,000

[MAZDA Kitten]

Oil Change: Penzoil Platinum 5-30W every 8000km - 10,000km

5w30?

Does it matter that 5w20 is recommended?

[Flagrum_3]

5w30?

Does it matter that 5w20 is recommended?

Not really, but personally I would'nt use 5W-30 (Warranty issues) and especially in the colder months, ...by the way have you changed your spark plugs yet MK? ...just wondering.


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[MAZDA Kitten]

...by the way have you changed your spark plugs yet MK? ...just wondering.


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OMG - you read my mind
I was just thinking about it this morning and I was gonna dig up an old thread
But I havent yet
I think its time right?

[Perma]

Wow, you drive a lot. I just hit 100 clicks on my 01 :o

[Xerox]

xg3, how about the regular maintenance at 24k, 48k, etc.
Have you had them done?

[MAZDA Kitten]

For myself with 120,000 I've never had any 'major' dealer recommened services done
"Just an oil change"

I've had my tranny oil changed around 100,000km (Redline)

[Flagrum_3]

For myself with 120,000 I've never had any 'major' dealer recommened services done
"Just an oil change"

I've had my tranny oil changed around 100,000km (Redline)

Plug replacement is recommended at 120k, so your time is up:chuckle
Also its a good time to have belts changed or atleast closely inspected other things would be brake sliders lubricated, suspension and steering components inspected; especially CV joints and boots.Oh yeah and an audible valve clearance inspection, then you should be good for awhile.


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[McGuyver_3]

^ from what i have heard all the older mazdas such as the 626's and 323's have terrible valve ticking so deffinatly have that checked out

[MAZDA Kitten]

What belts?
I thought our 3's have a chain?

[McGuyver_3]

What belts?
I thought our 3's have a chain?

ac belt and the motor belt visible on the passenger side

What you are thinking of is the timing chain aka timing belt

timing chain/belt are concealed inside the block whereas the other belts are visible and changeable

[MAZDA Kitten]

ooooooooooooooooooh okay thanks
I'll take a peek this weekend and have them fully check it at my next oil change
Thanks

[monkeyboy]

pretty interesting thread...

some of you really know the ins and outs of your car

are you like a technician or techie person lol?

[Tric]

I have 70,000km on mine and the only time it valve ticking is when its really cold out or has been sitting for a few days but its gone in a 30sec or so.. so I don't think these cars will have the same ticking issue the older mazdas did.

[MAZDA Kitten]

When do chains have to be changed? Around 200,000km approximately?

[FLIPDADY]

When do chains have to be changed? Around 200,000km approximately?
Nope, there is nothing in the maintenance intervals that say to change them at all. Just an adjustment to the valves if noisy at around 120,000km and change plugs. Other than that oil change and coolant every 96,000km.

[Flagrum_3]

When do chains have to be changed? Around 200,000km approximately?

Yeah like FlipDaddy said, according to all schedules; no maintenance is required on timing chains...When and if a timing chain does start to go and I've heard of them lasting like forever or going as quickly as 100k (not on Mazdas by the way), you will have some early signs, such as; irratic idle, loss of power and mileage and also audibly you'll hear the chain.But most likely if it does start to go it will give off CELs has the computer will not be able to compensate for the large timing fluctuations.But considering the quality of timing chain manufacturing today, we should not have to worry about them at all.


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[hotgo]

Wow... 100000km. My poor '04 only has 29k... lol.

[Cosmo77]

After 100,000KM... the car is... perfectly fine..

So for those who are interested...

Oil Change: Penzoil Platinum 5-30W every 8000km - 10,000km
Engine Cleaner: Every 30,000km

Changed Transmission Oil (Auto) @ 45,000KM (complete flush, repeat the flush process about 5 times)... Doing it once or twice at 70,000KM

Clean the car weekly.. wax it every month during summer, sometimes 2 months depending if i am busy...

Major repairs at dealership: Ball bearing (left side)

Minor repairs: none.

Really what does the oil cap say you should use for oil?

[xg3]

5-20...

[zeron]

Any signs of rust?

[FLIPDADY]

Really what does the oil cap say you should use for oil?
Are you being sarcastic?

[lesnar]

Any signs of rust?

so any sign of rust so far?

[Fuel90]

If you are looking for places to find rust.... the inner fenders of all 4 corners, the spot between the rear bumper and the rear 1/4, the window frame/sash/door frame (usually rear frame of front door windows at the weld.) and even in the rocker panels.

My car has 120,000 04 gx, never rustproofed unfortunately, but those are all places to keep an eye on as I have had rust in all of them. Could just be a lemon!

[alhope34]

^ from what i have heard all the older mazdas such as the 626's and 323's have terrible valve ticking so deffinatly have that checked out


The KLDE Mazda engine stock in my 94 Probe GT with 300,000kms on it had horrible valve ticking. Could hear it from a mile away. The KLDE in the Probe (2.5L V6) is the same one as in the MX-6, 626 and the 1.8L variant in the MX-3 Precidia.

[JC-M3S]

Hello everyone. I was just clicking through and came accross this thread. I don't post much, just browse for good info and put my 2¢ in when the time is right, like now.

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Picked it up in Aug of 2006. I'm an account rep so my car is my office, and I'm in my office a lot. As of Apr 10th I have put 117,000 KM on my car. I've had oil changes every month which for me has been 6000 KM give or take. Besides my own stupid faults, my car has had no problems as far as warranty or wear.

I will be making an appointment with MOT soon though to get a once over. Make sure I don't have to spend major money down the road. It seems that most of the people that I've met on the forums or in person have just stuck with the oil changes for the most part. If I encounter anything going forward I will be sure and post an update.

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

^wow, thats a lot of driving for an 07 car...it seems the 3 is a reliable car after all those mileage u put up with no major issues sofar.

[liquidzyklon]

Wow. Someone should start a new thread on a 200,000 km thread :)

[Malcolm991]

Im driving a 06 GT with 64k and still no problems, not even brakes yet

[--StayFly--]

my 04 has 104 000km no problems with mines :bana2too just startin to rust:flaming

[m_a_t_r_i_x]

^rust?where @ wheel wells/fenders?, didnt u had it rustproofed?, mine has 69k and i noticed some spots of rust at the back rear fenders....so much with the dealer rustproofing package...

[--StayFly--]

around the wheel well and under the driver door and passenger door the strip under i dont know whats its called

[Go_Habs_Go]

Did you go and talk to your dealer about the rust spots??? That should be covered under the basic 3 year/80,000km guarantee. Even if you are past the guarantee you should be able to argue that a 3 or 4 year old car shouldn't be showing signs of rust if it's been well maintained!!

[Flagrum_3]

Did you go and talk to your dealer about the rust spots??? That should be covered under the basic 3 year/80,000km guarantee. Even if you are past the guarantee you should be able to argue that a 3 or 4 year old car shouldn't be showing signs of rust if it's been well maintained!!

For everyones info; The Warranty on Rust is 5 years Unlimited Mileage.But they will not cover rust due to stone chips, scratches, or accidents.


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[DumpInfo]

For everyones info; The Warranty on Rust is 5 years Unlimited Mileage.But they will not cover rust due to stone chips, scratches, or accidents.

Really?? I didn't know this. I'll be checking out MoT I have a few spots I gotta clear up.

[Flagrum_3]

Really?? I didn't know this. I'll be checking out MoT I have a few spots I gotta clear up.

Its in the warranty literature you got with the car or you can find it on the Mazda.ca web site!!....The only stipulation is that Mazda says 'Rust Perforation' which they take the definition as 'rust thru' of the body panels.This is where it may get tough to have things fixed.....as they will in most cases blame the rust on stone chips etc, (if you have surface rust showing).


_3

[Effin Itai]

I'm at 99,475kms. LOL!

Oil Changes: every 5,000kms.
Trans. fluid: replaced at 75,000.
Coolant flush: replaced at 80,000.
clean air filter: once a year

brakes: front disks and pads, once.
rears, going on 3rd set. LOL!

rear left bearing: replaced at 95,000.

Driver side power window switch, malfunctioning. LOL! I'm a smoker, so that switch is used way to often. lol.

Other than a few small warranty issues. They car runs pretty fine.

[Zoom Zoom Boy]

Here is a quick review of my wife's 3. In its life, she has driven it about 70% of the time and me about 30% of the time. Neither one of us, are what you would define as "passive" drivers...

2005 Titanium Grey GT Sport Hatch
Dealer Maintained at Dave Wood Mazda

Current Mileage: approx. 55,000 KM

Oil Changes/Service: every 8,000kms. Running Castrol Syntech 5W-20
Trans. fluid: not yet
Coolant flush: not yet
Replace air filter: twice per year

Brakes: 70% still left on the front OEM and 80% still left on the rear OEM at time of 48K service.

Issues to date: Glovebox rattle that was addressed and fixed via TSB. Sunroof/Moonroof was not seated correctly from factory and leaked in high pressure washes. Addressed by dealer, re-mounted and issue corrected. Car has zero rust and has had no other issues.

[Busdriver]

Hello everyone. I was just clicking through and came accross this thread. I don't post much, just browse for good info and put my 2¢ in when the time is right, like now.

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Picked it up in Aug of 2006. I'm an account rep so my car is my office, and I'm in my office a lot. As of Apr 10th I have put 117,000 KM on my car. I've had oil changes every month which for me has been 6000 KM give or take. Besides my own stupid faults, my car has had no problems as far as warranty or wear.

I will be making an appointment with MOT soon though to get a once over. Make sure I don't have to spend major money down the road. It seems that most of the people that I've met on the forums or in person have just stuck with the oil changes for the most part. If I encounter anything going forward I will be sure and post an update.

wow someone loves driving their mazda!

[mazdaagain]

2005 GT sedan - approx 93,000 km

Regular oil changes about every 8,000 kms.

Replaced rear brake pads once.

Replaced rotors all around twice already and getting shimmy again when braking at highway speed which indicates rotors are warped again.

Replaced clutch assembly (not the actual clutch) twice already under warranty because of excessive squeeking.

[mazdathree]

Hello everyone. I was just clicking through and came accross this thread. I don't post much, just browse for good info and put my 2¢ in when the time is right, like now.

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Picked it up in Aug of 2006. I'm an account rep so my car is my office, and I'm in my office a lot. As of Apr 10th I have put 117,000 KM on my car. I've had oil changes every month which for me has been 6000 KM give or take. Besides my own stupid faults, my car has had no problems as far as warranty or wear.

I will be making an appointment with MOT soon though to get a once over. Make sure I don't have to spend major money down the road. It seems that most of the people that I've met on the forums or in person have just stuck with the oil changes for the most part. If I encounter anything going forward I will be sure and post an update.


I just read this and wow! I'm speechless....thats alot of mileage in 2 years...its good to hear that you've had no major issues.

[bhrm]

Hello everyone. I was just clicking through and came accross this thread. I don't post much, just browse for good info and put my 2¢ in when the time is right, like now.

I have a 2007 Mazda 3. Picked it up in Aug of 2006. I'm an account rep so my car is my office, and I'm in my office a lot. As of Apr 10th I have put 117,000 KM on my car. I've had oil changes every month which for me has been 6000 KM give or take. Besides my own stupid faults, my car has had no problems as far as warranty or wear.

I will be making an appointment with MOT soon though to get a once over. Make sure I don't have to spend major money down the road. It seems that most of the people that I've met on the forums or in person have just stuck with the oil changes for the most part. If I encounter anything going forward I will be sure and post an update.

Wow.

I picked mine up last year August 07 and I have 48,000km so far. Oil changes every two months at 8000km, and been doing the dealer recommended service. Royal Purple 5w20 full synthetic for me.

So far nothing.

Brakes and Tires might need to be done next year.

[MAZDA Kitten]

Here is my update: 160,000km!

2004 Mazda3 GT (bought Sept 18, 2004)

*Mobil1 5w/20 synthetic oil changes every 8,000km

*Tranny (manual) oil change at 85,000km

*Clean/oil my K&N drop in air filter twice a year

*Spark plugs done at 120,000

Rotors went around 90,000km (uneven; instead of getting them refinished I just picked up another set of OEM rotors)


Currently running EBC green stuff pads all around; dont remember when I changed them but the rears are due soon (switch to Hawks)

Door rattle since day 1; resolved with TSB/warranty
Squeaky clutch; resolved with TSB/warranty
Engine mount leaked; resolved with TSB/warranty
Rust bubbbles formed on rear wheels wells (Sept 2008); resolved 'extended' warranty


In the next couple of weeks car is getting fitted with new brakes, tranny flush and oil change. Im sure theres been other minor things but cant think of them from the top of my head.

OVERALL: The car is running BETTER than it ever has. Amazing fuel mileage. No rattles or creaks. Couldnt be happier at this point with the car

[linda.jenner]

Just a stupid question....... but doesn't anyone keep their 3 in a garage anymore??????

[bman13]

Just a stupid question....... but doesn't anyone keep their 3 in a garage anymore??????

eh?

[vinu1251989]

Wow. Someone should start a new thread on a 200,000 km

[mido]

wow my 2006 is 74 K km's right now. Im coming ! :(

[bman13]

wow my 2006 is 74 K km's right now. Im coming ! :(

2006?!??! My 2008 has like 70ish k and thats only cause the last 1.5 yrs I've driven less/my commuting habits have changed.