OT: Mazda3 MPS

MikeVictor · 09-14-2009, 05:51 PM

I was heading down past the MB and Mazda dealerships near my place when I saw a new 3MPS pull out of a side street and gun it.

I can only assume it was being flogged (poor demo

) by the black exhaust fumes and the way it TORQUE STEERED OUT OF ITS LANE!

You know I've read about this phenomenon with high-powered FWD cars but seeing it action made me go

Not something I'd particularly like to live with.

AussieRacer · 09-14-2009, 06:08 PM

I get how FWD cars can handle, but I don't get how FWD cars can handle lots of power. FWD is a space + cost engineering trade-off against driveability - no ifs, no buts!

aus135i · 09-14-2009, 07:46 PM

i had a mkv golf GTi before the 1... it can handel itself pretty well... but that been said all cars has its limits just that FF get there alot faster

janus77 · 09-14-2009, 08:34 PM

I owned a Renaultsport Clio a couple of years ago, handling was very tight, one positive about a front wheel drive is you can floor it out of corners a bit earlier in tight situations because the front wheels pull you out, as opposed to being driven by the rear. Also torque steer on a front wheel drive is easier to control (IMO) than when the ass gets out of shape on a rear wheel drive.

That said, the 125i is considerably faster through corners than the Clio, and the Clio was no slouch!

Both a lot of fun given the right setup

d3syd · 09-15-2009, 02:11 AM

Yes there is a lot of torque going through the front front wheels of the MPS 3 - 380nm I believe. They supposed to have addressed the torque steer problem somewhat in the new model, obviously not completely though.

Massive torque and Front WD can co-exist though. The Ford Focus RS has 400+ nm and still manages to handle well.

dr.bmw · 09-15-2009, 04:25 AM

weird that, there supposed to be truckloads of gizmos in that car to avoid that exact thing from happening...

qship · 09-15-2009, 04:45 AM

Ah memories. I owned the first Mazda 323 SS turbo. And then upped the grunt. The steering wheel was just something to hang on to. Lane changes were just a twich of the right foot. It would spin the wheels in any gear and it had a push button suspension selector that should have read shit, shittier and shittiest instaed of soft, med and firm. Loved it heaps! It was why I then went to 4wd.

It appears some things never change!

BMW86 · 09-15-2009, 06:35 AM

My mate picked up the new Mazda 3 MPS. He came from an 04 wrx with a few mods and so far he is very happy. The interior is a huge step up, very nice nav screen and dash. Very room as well and a sporty theme. As for performance from a dig it really struggles. We used a gtech and he couldn't get close to 6.1 because it's really hard to punch it off the line. From a roll it's very impressive. We need to do some more tests but I think it looks very close and I dare say the MPS is actually faster. Very good bang for your buck car but FWD is not for me.

Joey_T · 09-15-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

My mate picked up the new Mazda 3 MPS. He came from an 04 wrx with a few mods and so far he is very happy. The interior is a huge step up, very nice nav screen and dash. Very room as well and a sporty theme. As for performance from a dig it really struggles. We used a gtech and he couldn't get close to 6.1 because it's really hard to punch it off the line. From a roll it's very impressive. We need to do some more tests but I think it looks very close and I dare say the MPS is actually faster. Very good bang for your buck car but FWD is not for me.

Mazda MPS has much shorter gear ratios, so that means that from a roll 135i needs to be in the lowest available gear to take advantage of it's higher engine's output. For instance if you start from 100 km/h in 4th or 5th gear, the MPS will get advantage. But if you start from a 3rd gear then it is a BMW that will pull away...

MikeVictor · 09-15-2009, 05:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

My mate picked up the new Mazda 3 MPS. He came from an 04 wrx with a few mods and so far he is very happy. The interior is a huge step up,

Anything is a huge step up from a WRX interior

CT135 · 09-15-2009, 11:10 PM

+1

Taymaishu · 09-15-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mattyv

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

My mate picked up the new Mazda 3 MPS. He came from an 04 wrx with a few mods and so far he is very happy. The interior is a huge step up,

Anything is a huge step up from a WRX interior

I concur.

My past Subies have been nothing short than what looks like someone smashed crabs through the interior and shoved in a crappy stereo head unit, then proceeded to layer the car in an oily plastic that belongs in a QANTAS 747 bathroom.

janus77 · 09-16-2009, 12:07 AM

i guess paying over double for a BMW should warrant slightly better interior to a scoobydoo..

d3syd · 09-16-2009, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Taymaishu

I concur.

My past Subies have been nothing short than what looks like someone smashed crabs through the interior and shoved in a crappy stereo head unit, then proceeded to layer the car in an oily plastic that belongs in a QANTAS 747 bathroom.

Love your description....

Blacky · 09-16-2009, 01:54 AM

Black Smoke when stepping on the gas pedal must be a standard option, was behind one the other day and notice this also.

I guess better to run rich and chew some gas rather than detinate!!!

Yep 135 · 09-16-2009, 03:59 AM

I'd say they would come alive with a tune then and be better on fuel.

BMW86 · 09-16-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joey_T

Mazda MPS has much shorter gear ratios, so that means that from a roll 135i needs to be in the lowest available gear to take advantage of it's higher engine's output. For instance if you start from 100 km/h in 4th or 5th gear, the MPS will get advantage. But if you start from a 3rd gear then it is a BMW that will pull away...

mate anytime I race I'm always in the right gear, it makes no sense to sit in a higher gear. even so, the mps looked like it may have had the edge but i think it runs out of steam after 120 or so. like i said, we only had a couple runs and they were poorly timed. on a side note i got to give the new sti a run the other night. very fast on a roll, its dead even with the 135i but i think i take it in the higher speeds.

Joey_T · 09-17-2009, 12:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

mate anytime I race I'm always in the right gear, it makes no sense to sit in a higher gear. even so, the mps looked like it may have had the edge but i think it runs out of steam after 120 or so. like i said, we only had a couple runs and they were poorly timed. on a side note i got to give the new sti a run the other night. very fast on a roll, its dead even with the 135i but i think i take it in the higher speeds.

Hmmm strange, stock for stock should be a difference - but I guess you need a broader speed range to make it obvious (let's say from 100 to 200 km/h, but not on a public road of course!) ... Well either case maybe now it would be a good time to add the JB3 I guess

09-14-2009, 05:51 PM	#1
MikeVictor Brigadier General 210 Rep 3,288 Posts Drives: anything given a chance Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: .au iTrader: (0) Garage List 2016 Mazda ND MX-5 [10.00]	OT: Mazda3 MPS I was heading down past the MB and Mazda dealerships near my place when I saw a new 3MPS pull out of a side street and gun it. I can only assume it was being flogged (poor demo ) by the black exhaust fumes and the way it TORQUE STEERED OUT OF ITS LANE! You know I've read about this phenomenon with high-powered FWD cars but seeing it action made me go Not something I'd particularly like to live with.
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09-14-2009, 06:08 PM	#2
AussieRacer Major 24 Rep 1,058 Posts Drives: 2008 135i Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Aust iTrader: (0)	I get how FWD cars can handle, but I don't get how FWD cars can handle lots of power. FWD is a space + cost engineering trade-off against driveability - no ifs, no buts! __________________ Current: 135i Auto, Le Mans Blue - w/ Bridgestone RE-11 rears, GP Thunder 7500k angels, & "golf tee" mod plus a few M3 suspension bits and pieces...
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09-14-2009, 07:46 PM	#3
aus135i Captain 27 Rep 828 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: SYD iTrader: (0)	i had a mkv golf GTi before the 1... it can handel itself pretty well... but that been said all cars has its limits just that FF get there alot faster __________________ GONE: E82,E83,K46,1199s,RS250,F20,F25,F82,Cayenne,G83 NOW: G07, G20, K66
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09-14-2009, 08:34 PM	#4
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	I owned a Renaultsport Clio a couple of years ago, handling was very tight, one positive about a front wheel drive is you can floor it out of corners a bit earlier in tight situations because the front wheels pull you out, as opposed to being driven by the rear. Also torque steer on a front wheel drive is easier to control (IMO) than when the ass gets out of shape on a rear wheel drive. That said, the 125i is considerably faster through corners than the Clio, and the Clio was no slouch! Both a lot of fun given the right setup __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-15-2009, 02:11 AM	#5
d3syd Major 50 Rep 1,474 Posts Drives: 135i MT, LMB, ProNav Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Scamander, Tasmania iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 135i Coupe [0.00]	Yes there is a lot of torque going through the front front wheels of the MPS 3 - 380nm I believe. They supposed to have addressed the torque steer problem somewhat in the new model, obviously not completely though. Massive torque and Front WD can co-exist though. The Ford Focus RS has 400+ nm and still manages to handle well. __________________ Fun Car: 135i Manual LeMans Blue / Beige Leather / Grey Poplar / pro nav / euro plates. Delivered 24 June 08 Family Car: Land Rover Discovery 4 SDV6 Spare Car: Volvo V70 Sydney Car: MB 420SEL
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09-15-2009, 04:25 AM	#6
dr.bmw Chirurgeon 39 Rep 424 Posts Drives: 125i AW/CR Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: randwick iTrader: (0) Garage List 2008 125i [10.00]	weird that, there supposed to be truckloads of gizmos in that car to avoid that exact thing from happening... __________________ E Pluribus Unum
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09-15-2009, 04:45 AM	#7
qship Disillusioned bourgeois capitalist pig! 21 Rep 488 Posts Drives: Blue Join Date: May 2008 Location: Malbin, Ozstralia iTrader: (0)	Ah memories. I owned the first Mazda 323 SS turbo. And then upped the grunt. The steering wheel was just something to hang on to. Lane changes were just a twich of the right foot. It would spin the wheels in any gear and it had a push button suspension selector that should have read shit, shittier and shittiest instaed of soft, med and firm. Loved it heaps! It was why I then went to 4wd. It appears some things never change! __________________ You can lead a fool to knowledge but you cannot make him think!
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09-15-2009, 06:35 AM	#8
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	My mate picked up the new Mazda 3 MPS. He came from an 04 wrx with a few mods and so far he is very happy. The interior is a huge step up, very nice nav screen and dash. Very room as well and a sporty theme. As for performance from a dig it really struggles. We used a gtech and he couldn't get close to 6.1 because it's really hard to punch it off the line. From a roll it's very impressive. We need to do some more tests but I think it looks very close and I dare say the MPS is actually faster. Very good bang for your buck car but FWD is not for me.
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09-15-2009, 11:10 PM	#11
CT135 Second Lieutenant 8 Rep 238 Posts Drives: M2 Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 135i Coupe [0.00]	+1
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09-16-2009, 12:07 AM	#13
janus77 Lieutenant 36 Rep 526 Posts Drives: 125i coupe Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Sydney iTrader: (0)	i guess paying over double for a BMW should warrant slightly better interior to a scoobydoo.. __________________ 125i, stick shift, M pack w/ 18's, 225/255 Z1's, saphire black, BMW CF rear spoiler, black interior, Midnight tint, business nav, sunroof, Injen intake, H&R sways.
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09-16-2009, 01:54 AM	#15
Blacky Lieutenant 14 Rep 472 Posts Drives: Join Date: Mar 2006 iTrader: (0)	Black Smoke when stepping on the gas pedal must be a standard option, was behind one the other day and notice this also. I guess better to run rich and chew some gas rather than detinate!!!
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09-16-2009, 03:59 AM	#16
Yep 135 Lieutenant 11 Rep 591 Posts Drives: BMW 135 manual Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Canberra iTrader: (0)	I'd say they would come alive with a tune then and be better on fuel.
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