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i've worked on the mazda 3 since launch and they aren't too bad a car , but i did find the road noise was a bit obtrusive , might depend on the tyres though , we had problems with creaking front shockers but i think this is cured on later models , a lot of the parts are identical to the new Focus/C-Max so if you get quoted stupid money for a part i'd check if its a Ford part and see what their price is , 1.6 engine and gearbox is all Mazda though

Nice review

Not sure what would cause the front end to go light under heavy braking - normally with all the weight shifting to the front, it's the back end that should get lighter, or at least remain the same...... :confused:

Chris

Not sure what would cause the front end to go light under heavy braking - normally with all the weight shifting to the front' date=' it's the back end that should get lighter, or at least remain the same...... :confused:

Chris[/quote']

Agreed, physics says all the weights at the front. Maybe it was the steering getting lighter for some reason. Will try to replicate when safe to do so . But only 600 miles down so don't want to push it too hard. Dealer said no need to run it in carefully, just drive it normally he said...

The other thought with the braking was that I just wasn't braking hard enough. Once I get up to around 1000 miles, I'll give it everything in a test.

ric04vrs - yeah, 40% commonality with the Focus/C-max and the volvo S40/V50. Road noise is all relative, compared to a 13yr old design supermini its a dream! Maybe I wouldn't put up with it after a few years of refined motoring. Been looking through the manual and can't find anything about timing belt change intervals. Does the mazda 1.6 engine have a belt or a chain? I read chain somewhere but have never been able to find it again since.

Been looking through the manual and can't find anything about timing belt change intervals. Does the mazda 1.6 engine have a belt or a chain? I read chain somewhere but have never been able to find it again since.

thats a good question , and one to which i do not have the answer , not had one with a high enough mileage and never had to take an engine apart yet , i will look it up tomorrow for you , i have a sneaking suspision its a belt ,but probably wrong though

Good review

Saw the 3 MPS at the motor show - mighty impressive