2014 Mazda 3

[vinrem]

Question is...have they tried it on one?
I've Racing Beat on a 1.5HB. I took the plunge before anyone probably did & was ready to tweak if it had fitment issues. Luckily, only the 2 bolt holes needed slight widening. Quick & easy. It definitely frees up the flow, which is the main purpose of aftermarket exhausts. What you don't want is the opposite...fit an exhaust w/ a smaller bottleneck inlet to a larger midpipe. After about a year, I'm still smiling at the tone & added horses, more real than imaginary.Haha.
Having no 1.5 M3s in the US is the reason why RB doesn't do or list 1.5. Autoexe, being nippon, should have it. It's a known brand but I've no 1st hand take on em.
The easiest way to determine if the stock axleback is restrictive or has room for upgrade is to dyno the car with & without it.
All I can share about the RB is positive....well built, precise fit/alignment, uses all stock mounts, lighter than the stock 2.0, enhances performance, sound & look. What more can 1 ask or long for?
By the way, please note that mine is a hatch. I haven't verified nor compared the sedan's fitment.
Keep us posted on your choice, sir.
1.5HB+RB pics:

With diffuser:

I don't like how the autoexe exhaust sticks out the rear bumper, I like how racing beats made theirs, Here is what autoexe looks like.

[travajante]

I don't like how the autoexe exhaust sticks out the rear bumper, I like how racing beats made theirs, Here is what autoexe looks like.

Oh, that....I'm with you. It doesn't look good. But RBs sedan version will be invisible like stock but you'll know it's there.

[vinrem]

Oh, that....I'm with you. It doesn't look good. But RBs sedan version will be invisible like stock but you'll know it's there.

I've already sent an inquiry directed to racing beat USA asking if it will fit on a 1.5, I'm still waiting for a reply, hopefully I'll get a positive response.

[travajante]

I've already sent an inquiry directed to racing beat USA asking if it will fit on a 1.5, I'm still waiting for a reply, hopefully I'll get a positive response.

Without 1.5s to test in North America, I'm not sure how they can take actual measurements.
PM'd you, sir.

[sparcom2]

Maybe they could take measurements of the scion iA since its a rebadge mazda 2.


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[travajante]

Maybe they could take measurements of the scion iA since its a rebadge mazda 2.


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M2s & the iA may share exhaust measurements & hanger locations....but won't be identical on the 3s.

On the hatch 3s, 2.5s, 2.0s, 1.5s share exact same exhaust dimensions, hanger locations. The difference on 1.5s is a smaller exhaust inlet flange w/ bolt holes that are 6mm closer in between than 2.0s that you can file away.
I presume sedans would be the same.

[b0r3l]

Hi guys

Is it wise to purchase Mazda 3 now especially with the upcoming refresh version? Any news on the refresh release date?

Thanks

[travajante]

Hi guys

Is it wise to purchase Mazda 3 now especially with the upcoming refresh version? Any news on the refresh release date?

Thanks

If you like the facelift features better, you can wait. The aesthetic & interior tweaks are minor except for a couple....Electronic E-Brake & the possibility of GVC.

Personally being old school, I'm not a fan of electronic e-brake. I prefer the current mechanical lever. 1 less electronic failure to worry about. And I dunno how Russ Swift can do his stunt driving w/o an E-Brake lever...haha.

G Vectoring Control:
Revealed recently, Mazda showed off G-Vectoring Control (GVC), which uses slight variations in torque sent to the front wheels to reduce the need for steering corrections and lateral acceleration on the driver. The constantly variable torque applied to the front wheels allows the car to maintain a steady cornering speed, which Mazda says helps improve driving comfort.
Mazda says the maximum reduction of torque possible with this system is only 22 lb-ft, which is subtle enough that the driver wouldn't immediately notice it, but enough to help maximize the efficiencies of the tire. Unlike other torque vectoring systems which use clever differentials on the Focus RS,*braking of individual wheels (all modern McLarens), or electric motors (Acura NSX),*Mazda simply reduces the engine's torque output by recording steering angle and speed.
GVC=torque reduction for comfort...would this be good? We'll soon find out. I hope they equip it w/ a switch like the DSC we currently have.

That said, let's hope the facelift will see improvements on a car that has gathered many new believers to its side....this 1 included.

If you wanna be sure, you can wait & compare, then decide.
No word on PH release date yet. Stocks of the current 3 are still flying off dealerships.

[ohwtfitzsean]

Hi guys

Is it wise to purchase Mazda 3 now especially with the upcoming refresh version? Any news on the refresh release date?

Thanks

I was also thinking about this one for the past months, but when I saw the leaked 2017 version, I still prefer the current model and ended up getting the sould red hatch.

[b0r3l]

+1 for the mechanical e-brake.

I'm expecting an improved NVH for the refresh version of 2.0R but my dealer are willing to give me 20k discount plus the regular freebies for the current M3.

[travajante]

I was also thinking about this one for the past months, but when I saw the leaked 2017 version, I still prefer the current model and ended up getting the sould red hatch.

Grats, sean sir. I would've thought the same.

+1 for the mechanical e-brake.

I'm expecting an improved NVH for the refresh version of 2.0R but my dealer are willing to give me 20k discount plus the regular freebies for the current M3.

I doubt about better in-cabin sound insulation due to weight punishment. Mazda chose weight reduction over sound.
So, facelift or current, sir?

[ohwtfitzsean]

+1 for the mechanical e-brake.

I'm expecting an improved NVH for the refresh version of 2.0R but my dealer are willing to give me 20k discount plus the regular freebies for the current M3.

Sir I had a larger discount + freebies, let me know if you are interested. I can PM you the number of my agent.

[b0r3l]

I'll go with the current

Thanks Sir Travs

Grats, sean sir. I would've thought the same.



I doubt about better in-cabin sound insulation die to weight punishment. Mazda chose weight reduction over sound.
So, facelift or current, sir?

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Kindly PM me sir.

Thanks

Sir I had a larger discount + freebies, let me know if you are interested. I can PM you the number of my agent.

[vinrem]

Does any of you guys/gals experience squeaking sound inside? Sometimes i heard it near the drivers doors, sometimes naman at the backseat, problem is its not often i heard it, nawawala siya and then babalik na naman hay.

[squidol]

Does any of you guys/gals experience squeaking sound inside? Sometimes i heard it near the drivers doors, sometimes naman at the backseat, problem is its not often i heard it, nawawala siya and then babalik na naman hay.

The only squeak i hear is when i do a slight break. Car was just bought few months ago and has 1.7k odometer reading.

[oneian]

The only squeak i hear is when i do a slight break. Car was just bought few months ago and has 1.7k odometer reading.

I'm experiencing the same thing. Gonna have it checked on my next PMS.

[travajante]

I'm experiencing the same thing. Gonna have it checked on my next PMS.

Brake squeak is normal.

[oneian]

Brake squeak is normal.

Really, how so?

[Yatta]

Really, how so?

Sometimes brake dust and dirt accumulates between the rotor and pads causing squeaking, other times due to heavy braking, the brakepad compound becomes "glassy" w/c can also cause sqeaks, uneven wear can also be a culprit. And there are also pads that are known to be squeaky. Cleaning the brakes can help.

[travajante]

Really, how so?

Brake pads will make a swishing, squealing or grinding noise for the first few stops in the morning until the pads warm up and drive off any moisture they've accumulated overnight. You might notice some grind or hiss noise on some rainy day or post wash. It's the pads sweeping off the thin film of rust that's formed on the rotors, perfectly normal.
There are aftermarket pads of varied compositions & teflon coated shims you can choose from...some focus on low dust, some on noise, some on performance, some on padlife, the OEs usually go w/ balance of all the above.