MS3 Break-in

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Ordered 2008.5 CWP Speed 3GT in late March and took delivery last Monday from Sill-Terhar. Finally!
I absolutely love this car. I've had a lot of italian gt's and not so many british cars. All of course rear wheel drive. I researched all new cars in this class/price range and without a doubt, this is a really impressive car.

Three things
I understand from the Service Mgr that Synthetic blend is in car at delivery. Mazda suggests a 5000 mile first oil change. That's not going to happen. I am going for a fifth of that at best.
Plan to stay with blend for first 5000, several oil changes, then full synthetic. I don't see any spin-on filter mods for this Speed3 on this forum.
Does a adaptor kit exist for the 2.3 Turbo?
Don't you think it's a small filter for 5-1/2qts?

First fill-up took 11gal @ 298 miles. Running the rpm range up to high 5's occasionally, short bursts. My 308 never did what this 3 does. I'm not liking the shift feel so much. The COBB shift kit looks like a nice mod.
Any input for shift kits for tight precise pattern?

When I drove a 2008 Speed in March, I was really surprised by the 'torque-steer'. This car doesn't appear to have the same level of this.
Ever noticed this change for 2008.5?

Thanks for this web site!

tbot · Postby **tbot** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

If i drove a speed I would love to help you out, but I only have the lowly 3i....with an auto non the less

but from what i do know in talking with the other guys in the club, they love the cobb shift kit...i think its cobb anyways...i could be wrong. But I'm sure if you just wait long enough they will be all over this thread with suggestions for ya!

OH!! and congrats on the new purchase, hope you like it!

4doord · Postby **4doord** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Congrats on your new purchase, I know you will love the vehicle. As for the shifting I have heard the cobb is a lot smoother than the twr that I have. The milage is about right for your in town driving but if on a road trip mine gets about 350. Look forward to meeting.

bmwzoom · Postby **bmwzoom** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Welcome to the club! I can't give any advise about your MS3 but just wanted to say welcome! Hope to see you at a meet soon!

mOOsE · Postby **mOOsE** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

welcome and congrats. Mileage will get better, and this car can get VERY good mpg depending on driving habits. I get 30 around town and have reached 36mpg via hypermiling techniques. But I can have a lot of fun and get 30mpg fairly easily still. And you can't beat the space either.

TheNewBlack · Postby **TheNewBlack** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Welcome!!

S4poor · Postby **S4poor** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Full flow filter. FRAM Part # CH9641 fits the MS3 & MS6.

Rich · Postby **Rich** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Hi and welcome to the club

Spin-on adapter kit: here.
And if you want to run lines for oil gauges: here.

As for shifting, I've never driven a Speed 3. For torque steer the ECU is set to manage (read: lower) your boost levels in 1st and 2nd gear to reduce torque steer and wheel spin. Just remember, you have the most powerful car in its class, with 263 HP going to nothing but the front wheels

You'll just have to learn how to modulate the gas when you're in a turn.

mOOsE · Postby **mOOsE** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Rich @ Jul 23 2008, 12:05 PM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=57845]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Hi and welcome to the club

Spin-on adapter kit: here.
And if you want to run lines for oil gauges: here.

As for shifting, I've never driven a Speed 3. For torque steer the ECU is set to manage (read: lower) your boost levels in 1st and 2nd gear to reduce torque steer and wheel spin. Just remember, you have the most powerful car in its class, with 263 HP going to nothing but the front wheels You'll just have to learn how to modulate the gas when you're in a turn.[/b]

good points. The torque steer really isn't that bad. I have been in AWD cars that have about the same amount of torque-shift when launching. But I have also driven and SRT-4 in the past....no lsd....that thing wants to rip you all over the place compared to the ms3.

TheNewBlack · Postby **TheNewBlack** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

As far as the difference in tourque steer for the 2008.5's...everything should be exactly the same from the 08's as far as I know.

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Wed Jul 23, 2008 9:14

Thanks to all for your time and attention.

Does anyone have pics detailing the installation of the COBB shift kit?

My issue with the oil filter is two-fold.
(1) I think it's too small for some reason. I've had canister filters in other twin cam, timing chain cars but those filters are twice the size and the engine is NA. Their also forty years old and some of them held 8 qts.
(2) The skid plate (I guess that's what you'd call it, it's pretty flimsy and requires some time to remove) has the filter access hole one diamter off center. That's weird! I'm going to machine a new access hole that will expedite oil changes without removing this plate. That one change might make a spin-on redundant. It appears that the spin-on mod has a similar sized filter. I still like the idea but I don't see anybody making that mod. I think an oil change should take 20 minutes.

The torque steer at the test drives seemed like a lot at the time. I was surprised. This car just goes like hell and I haven't noticed the torque steer I felt at the test drives. I just took the S-turns here near Boulder and, yep it's a little different pulling rather than being pushed but it goes around those turns like an Elise. Well sort of!

I've read that CMZC like members to post pic's. I don't have any of mine yet but I do have a lot of other peoples CWP MS3's. It's just a stock box for now

kingtut · Postby **kingtut** » Thu Jul 24, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (206b3 @ Jul 23 2008, 06:22 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=57763]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

I understand from the Service Mgr that Synthetic blend is in car at delivery. Mazda suggests a 5000 mile first oil change. That's not going to happen. I am going for a fifth of that at best.
Plan to stay with blend for first 5000, several oil changes, then full synthetic.
Thanks for this web site![/b]

Sounds like a smart guy, I plan on doing the same-

I'll be approaching the 1,000 mile mark in the next week or so...who does one need to talk to (over at Burt) for this "blessed event" of the maiden-oil-changing? :blink:

Tremek · Postby **Tremek** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

Last night, at 1085 miles I dropped by Burt Mazda and had the first oil change done on my 'speed3. I asked what oil they were recommended by Mazda to use and they told me that they were using semi-synthetic and that Mazda didn't recommend full synthetic. I called around noon and asked if I needed to make an appointment and they told me it was just first-come, first-serve. I was there less than 45 minutes and showed up around 4:30; spoke briefly with Jimmy as well and saw greek's car in the parking lot.

206b3 · Postby **206b3** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

<div class='quotetop'>QUOTE (Tremek @ Jul 25 2008, 11:30 AM) [url=index.php?act=findpost&pid=58262]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/url]</div>

Last night, at 1085 miles I dropped by Burt Mazda and had the first oil change done on my 'speed3. I asked what oil they were recommended by Mazda to use and they told me that they were using semi-synthetic and that Mazda didn't recommend full synthetic. I called around noon and asked if I needed to make an appointment and they told me it was just first-come, first-serve. I was there less than 45 minutes and showed up around 4:30; spoke briefly with Jimmy as well and saw greek's car in the parking lot. [/b]

I was told the same from Sill-Terhar. Show up at 7:30am and should have me through in less than an hour. I've had years of experience with new engine break-in, aircraft, motorcycles and cars. Old school says that petroleum based oils allows wear for proper break-in and once 'break-in' has been achieved synthetics can then be introduced to reduce friction. New school dictates synthetics for vehicles like my Polaris ATV. It's break-in was good and that was 1995. It has never had any other oil type. No recip aircraft engine has ever been approved for synthetic break-in. Experimental type is another story.

RM Speed6 suggests FRAM Part # CH9641 fits the MS3 that is $9 at Checker. I think Fram is less expensive that Mazda, not sure. I only have 450 miles at the moment.

I can feel the car changing the more it gets run. I don't miss any of my other GT's.

METHLAB · Postby **METHLAB** » Fri Jul 25, 2008 9:14

4doord doesn't know shit, don't listen to him.

MS3 Break-in

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