MAZDASPEED Mazda6

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  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    really wonder if I can take the Speed6 to the local quick change place.

    It isnt worth it....So far this year we have replaced 6 engines (all models) thanks to quick change oil places. It's not that the MS6 requires some sort of advaned degree to change the oil but many quicky oil changes places just don't have qualified workers.
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    I second that. I've had both quick-change and the dealer screw up oil changes (repeat after me: I will always double check the oil level MYSELF after a service, I will always double check the oil level MYSELF after a service, etc.). But if it's the dealer that screws up, you're gonna have a lot less hassle getting it fixed.
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    Sorry it is $900. Still a good investment. Everyone I talked to seemed to advised to get it. There are different levels to the extended warranty. I beleive it covers roadside, loaner car, cup of coffee..etc.. Going tomorrow to get it.

    thanks
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Does the engine some with synthetic from the factory? Just wondering.

    The quick lube places have drained the gear oil from the transmission on a couple of Subarus in our club. Then they overfilled the crankcase oil.

    So the owners drove off with no gear oil at all, and the motor oil double-filled. :mad:

    Just supervise if you go that route.

    -juice
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    FWIW a co-worker of mine with a Mazda3 2.3L took it to a Jiffy Lube a couple of weeks ago for an oil change and was told they would not touch it and he should take it right to the dealer for the service. It probably worked out best in the end for my co-worker and the teenager who was about to get a lesson in docked pay if he touched the car. :D
  • harddriveharddrive Member Posts: 5
    Thanks for the advice. I'll call the local non-Mazdaspeed-certified dealer and see if they will change the oil. Those stories are horrible.

    HDD
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    "Does the engine some with synthetic from the factory? Just wondering. . . .."

    I think it's a part synth, part dino Mazda blend.
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    The non Mazdaspeed dealership should be able to change the oil. I believe it is the same filter and set up as the regular 6's. Make sure you keep your receipt for all service you do to the car. If you don't then down the road if you don't show some kind of proof you changed oil, did reg. service checks per your car manual they can void warranty work. If you change to synthetic I was told to wait until after 5000 miles. I haven't decided if I will go to a syn. or not yet. Let me know if you do.
  • m3nmsp6m3nmsp6 Member Posts: 21
    I take my wife's 06 Mazda3 Hatchback with the 2.3L and was always serviced for a oil change. I go home and check the level and look at the oil, even though I watch what the tech is doing when he does the change.

    Maybe that Jiffylube had a bad experience with a customer who had a Mazda3 2.3L...
  • m3nmsp6m3nmsp6 Member Posts: 21
    This trip was done yesterday and the drive was great. The MSP6 performed beautifully and at 85-95mph range the engine didn't feel or sound overstressed. This engine really feels like V6.
    The fuel economy was great and dead on with what Mazda advertised has HWY MPG. I was right about 26mpg. I was able to go on 1 full tank from Downey,Ca. to Alameda,Ca about 397 miles one way.
  • baggs32baggs32 Member Posts: 3,229
    Don't know what was up with that Jiffy Lube. I'm just the messenger. ;)

    He did also state that the Jiffy Lube employee told him that the "parts" were not available to them because Mazda won't release the specs and no stores carry them. Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you buy the filter in just about any auto parts store and the special tool is all you really need right?
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    He did also state that the Jiffy Lube employee told him that the "parts" were not available to them because Mazda won't release the specs and no stores carry them.

    BS! This is the reason why I don't go to Jiffy Lube.

    Correct me if I'm wrong, but can't you buy the filter in just about any auto parts store and the special tool is all you really need right?

    Correct.
  • artourartour Member Posts: 22
    I had my 1st oil change recently. It was done by a Firestone Tire Store. They had purchased a few filters(?) from the Mazda dealership where I bought the car. In order to change the filter, there is a plastic protective cover under the car which has to be removed first. It wasn't a difficult job, just more time consuming than a regular oil change. Also, the oil called for in the Mazda manual is not a regular weight oil, they had to send out for the oil also. BTW, I was charged the regular oil change price. They, like some other places that do oil changes, charge for getting rid of the old oil filter, so I told them to put it in a bag for me & I would dispose of it myself - they threw it away for me & didn't charge.
  • harddriveharddrive Member Posts: 5
    I called the non Mazdaspeed dealer and they confirmed they can do all regular maintenance, just not repairs or other warranty service. I think I'll go there or the Firestone tire place to get the oil changed. My plan is to change oil now (1.8k miles) using regular oil and then switch to synthetic at 3k or 5k. This will allow for two runs with dino oil to get all the break-in wear debris out before going to longer intervals between changes using synthetic.

    Good advice on the receipts - I always keep a file with all records just for the purpose of maintaining the warranty.

    HDD
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    I would recommend changing to synthetic after 5k miles. I haven't decided if I will change to synthetic or not.

    You can order the special oil filter cap wrench from Mazda. The part # AKS75140.

    I also ordered the shop manual(part# 9999-95-063B-06).
    It's thicker than a phone book. I highly recomend it if you are a do-it-yourself kind of person.

    Also ordered the all weather floormats. (part# 000-8B-H05A)
  • msandalismsandalis Member Posts: 20
    How sure are we that they are going to be produced next year.

    I drove one, loved it but I am 3 months away from my current lease expiring and would love to wait but they are drying up in my area.

    Thanks,

    Michael
  • xplorx4xplorx4 Member Posts: 621
    I had my stock MS6 dyno-tested on a Mustang Dynamometer this weekend, and I thought y'all might like to see the results.

    Ambient temp in the shop was about 78°F, and the car was fueled with 91 octane. All pulls were done in 4th gear.

    Dyno Run 1
    Max power: 213.6 @ 5500
    Max torque: 251.4 @ 3000

    Dyno Run 2
    Max power: 215.2 @ 5250
    Max torque: 252.0 @ 3000

    Dyno Run 3, run about 15 minutes after runs one and two, which allowed the engine to cool a little:
    Max power: 222.7 @ 5750
    Max torque: 249.4 @ 3250

    The guys at the Gruppe-S performance shop who performed the dyno test were pretty impressed. They hadn't yet tested an MS6 and said the max numbers were very similar to a stock Subaru STI. And of course, as many MS6 enthusiasts have observed, the graphs confirm that the engine runs out of steam at 5500rpm.

    image
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    I just noticed this afternoon that 3 of my brake rotors have several worn grooves towards the outer edge. Has anyone noticed any on theirs? I have close to 400 miles on my MS6 now. (NO hard braking) Going to show them to the Mazda shop maybe tomorrow to see what they say.
  • fireguy3fireguy3 Member Posts: 1
    Hey everybody, just a new guy on this site, but correct me if I'm wrong. Doesn't this vehicle require at least 93 octane to achieve MAXIMUM numbers.
    And yes I am the very happy owner of a new Speed6!

    Just curious if those numbers would increase with the higher octane.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Anyone else catch that report on TV? They busted 6 LA-area shops for not doing work they charged for. ATF flushes, fuel filter changes, etc.

    The chain fired all 6 staff and said they would re-train managers in the region. But it had been allowed to happen...

    :mad:

    -juice
  • xplorx4xplorx4 Member Posts: 621
    93 octane is recommended for best performance, but here in CA, the highest you can easily find is 91. A few stations in the region sell 100 octane, and some MS6 owners have reported that they can tell a big difference in performance when 100 octane is used.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    How sure are we that they are going to be produced next year.


    They will be produced next year. I'm not sure if they will produce the same number (6000) as 2006, but, it will be made.
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    Crossbow posted a photo of an official 2007 spec sheet on another site, so that seems like pretty good proof to me.
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    Does anyone have the sales numbers for the MS6 so far? I have noticed the dealership here is not moving them. The 3's are moving like hotcakes. I don't understand why someone would buy a 6 over a speed6 either?

    The dealership told me that Mazda is making the speed6 next year but only in limited numbers. Mostly because the mazdaspeed vehicles are a one year poduction run. Also the Mazdaspeed 3 is due out next year also.
  • xplorx4xplorx4 Member Posts: 621
    I don't understand why someone would buy a 6 over a speed6 either?

    Price, maintenance cost, fuel economy, and hatch/wagon availability. The Speed6 is a driver's car. The 6 is the affordable sporty family sedan.
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    Yeah, 5000 06's was apparently about twice as many as they can sell at MSRP. So, I bet they only bring 1/2 as many over this year.

    The MS3 is already on it's way. Aviboy says his dealership just placed their first order and he expects to have the car in September.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    A lot of folks also simply prefer a V6 over a turbo, not matter how well it performs. You can say that about most Americans, actually.

    -juice
  • harddriveharddrive Member Posts: 5
    I think a big reason is the MT. Americans just want autos these days.

    When I was shopping the Audi A4 2.0T I could only find 1 MT in Colorado in red with wood trim (and it had 2k miles as a dealer demo), but there were plenty of autos with the same options.

    A Honda salesman told me all of the young buyers going to his dealership wanted autos. None of them even knew how to drive a stick and had no desire to learn. So I think a car that is MT only has a major handicap over autos or auto-sticks.

    Not that I mind, I like having a car that no one else around here has. :D

    HDD
  • once_for_allonce_for_all Member Posts: 1,640
    I wonder what the theft stats show for autos vs manuals?

    Maybe we should be getting insurance discounts for choosing a manual :D

    John
  • audia8qaudia8q Member Posts: 3,138
    I think you nailed it...An auto trans would be big. We have had folks pass on the car because it was manual only.
  • SylviaSylvia Member Posts: 1,636
    Yesterday I had the absolute delight of going to Mazda for a meeting. While I did get to ride in the CX-7 (very nice) and snap a few photos with my camera phone of a pre-production Mazdaspeed 3 (check out that discussion)... the blast part of the day was riding in the Mazdaspeed6 and taking a very tight curve at 70+mph. I have to say, this car can corner. Yes, an absolute delight.
  • ateixeiraateixeira Member Posts: 72,587
    Kewl...
  • importknight84importknight84 Member Posts: 6
    hey guys check out this site
    www.therpmstore.com
    it's got performance parts for all mazdas
  • importknight84importknight84 Member Posts: 6
    i'm planning on getting a new exhaust and an intake system. Would you suggest the magnaflow or the CPE exhaust? Which one sounds better and which one has the better performance increase? Would you suggest the AEM intake or the CPE intake? Which combination would you advise me getting? Thanks in advance.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    You folks might be interested in a new discussion: Acura TSX vs. Mazda6 s Grand Touring - come join in!
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    You're kidding right?
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    Is there any difference between the 2006 and 2007 MS6?
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    No, someone asked for it. If you don't think it belongs, feel free not to participate! ;)
  • mz6greyghostmz6greyghost Member Posts: 1,230
    In a nutshell, no.
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    Sorry, but in an MS6 forum that's kind of like asking 8th graders if they'd like to come play ball with the 5th graders. Kind of a snooze. Also, shouldn't the name of this forum be Mazdaspeed6? That's the name of car, after all. Same for the Mazdaspeed3 forum.
  • patpat Member Posts: 10,421
    Then don't bring your bat and glove! ;)

    Regarding the name of the discussion, that is dictated by the categories in the Make/Model search feature on the left side of the page, which in turn are tied into the host site's search. I have no control over that. If you want to pursue it, click on Help on the left side of the page and use the Contact Us form.
  • aviboy97aviboy97 Member Posts: 3,159
    We have had folks pass on the car because it was manual only.

    Same here. I've posted that before. No auto tranny might have been a mistake considering this car is targeted for the 30+ age range, not the boy-racers.
  • mach9mach9 Member Posts: 30
    Same here. I've posted that before. No auto tranny might have been a mistake considering this car is targeted for the 30+ age range, not the boy-racers.

    I agree.. I think Mazda should have looked at the sales on the Mazda 6's based on automatics vs. manuals. Then produced numbers to please all buyers. I would of strongly considered the automatic MS6, since I'm a 30+ old man. :shades: But I do love the manual don't get me wrong.
  • ccletzgoccletzgo Member Posts: 32
    I think the manual makes the car more exclusive to people that really want to drive there car. vs. transportation purpose.
    I like the fact that its a manual only. :D
  • donzydonzy Member Posts: 5
    Tire Rack recommends a 17" Blizzak for snow tires over the 18" Dunlop M3 snows, but sell both. Anyone out there experienced with either? Going to make a purchase soon and would like some insight. Apologize for changing the current subject. Thanks in advance.
  • seanwms6seanwms6 Member Posts: 121
    Yeah, but if they don't sell, what good are they doing anyone. My local dealer had 15 sitting on his lot when I drove by today. Given this I think it would have been okay if they used a 6 speed with paddle shifters like the IS350. The IS350 ONLY comes with ATX, so that tells you something about the market for $30K+ sports cars.

    Edit: I just read that the Evo X will have a clutchless 6 speed with paddle shifters. So even the boy racers will apparently be transitioning to semi ATX. It's a very short hop to letting the semi ATX do all the work when you don't feel like shifting. Looks like it won't be long before MTX goes the way of roll your own smokes.
  • rworrellrworrell Member Posts: 149
    Not on a MS6, but I have had both Blizzaks and Dunlop M3s on my BMW 330i...and the Dunlops win by a huge margin. They are very good in the snow, great on ice, and completely acceptable on dry pavement. The Blizzaks were slightly better on snow, about equal on ice, and terrible on dry pavement. They roll over on themselves, feel really squirrely, and kept triggering the DSC on my car. The Dunlops are so good that I've read reviews on TireRack that people are running them year-round. Not me, but I will say that I bought another set for my wife's car. I would definitely go for the Dunlop M3s.

    The only thing I would point out is that smaller is often better on a winter tire--it's entirely possible that their recommendation is based partly on the fact that they can fit a 17" Blizzak, but only an 18" Dunlop. That's a thought worth considering.
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    There are many flavours of Blizzaks.
    What Blizzaks?
    LM-22 and LM-25 are comparable with Dunlop M3.

    I would still take Dunlops but H rated Blizzaks are not that bad.

    Krzys
  • donzydonzy Member Posts: 5
    WS-50 is the Blizzak they recommend (215/50/17). Better reviews on the Dunlops (225/45/18) - I understand the Dunlops are a wider tire, but the difference, 215 vs. 225, is negligible, and I would think, cannot make a difference in snow traction. What do you think?
  • krzysskrzyss Member Posts: 849
    It is based more on numerous reviews than first hand experience.
    It is called disclaimer ;-)

    Blizzak WS-50 is very good ice and snow tire. It is not that good in cold but dry (nicely plowed roads for example) conditions. Its multi-cell tread compound wears out quickly in dry and even more in warm. It is Q speed rated (if I am not mistaken) which means no more than 99MPH.

    Blizzak LM-22 and LM-25 are H rated winter tires that are so so on ice, quite good on snow and very good in cold and dry.

    Dunlop Winter Sport M3 (if I recall the name of the tire properly) is H rated winter tire that is one of the best among high performance winter tires. It is so so on ice, very good on snow, very good in cold and dry and supposedly very good in slush.

    So...

    If you mostly drive on plowed roads and enjoy spirited driving then H rated winter tires are better choice.

    If you drive mostly on unplowed roads or want to be able to handle icy conditions then WS-50 is better choice.

    Krzys
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