Hey Scotty, have you ever worked on the Mazdaspeed 3 and the Mazdaspeed 6? Are they reliable if taken care of properly? What exactly needs servicing on the VVT of their 2.3 DISI engine? Why does it need servicing? How long do those engines last?
Adding @Dan to the discussion
Mazdaspeed 3 and the Mazdaspeed 6? Are they reliable if taken care of properly?
They're decent, not great not bad. Better than most European competition.
Realize that the 2.3 DIS is based on the Miata 2.0, but unlike those it has a lot of tech around it and things will and do break.
This engine notably shares the cylinder block and other components with the 2.0/2.3 EcoBoost and those weren't great either.
Add to that bad maintenance, people beating the hell out of it and you end up with an unreliable car.
With good maintenance and reasonable driving they can be quite alight.
What exactly needs servicing on the VVT of their 2.3 DISI engine? Why does it need servicing?
I'm currently unable to access service bulletins, but generally you replace the VVT sprocket with the chain.
Ford / Mazda VVT sprockets did have a lot of issues during that time, MIL lights, misfires, rough operation, noises, etc.
Apparently, according to the web, the VVT can have an error that delays/advances the timing in a manner that can cause over revving - but I haven't really heard of that.
How long do those engines last?
If you replace the engine oil every 3k-5k miles, If you only use quality fuel, make sure to not drive on a bad chain / VVT sprocket, make sure there is no sludge clogging the turbo oil supply, and not run on low oil - it can maybe go 150k miles, sometimes more.
generally it's meh, an old European spec Ford with an early, though slightly more reliable than later ones, EcoBoost.
Hey Dan, Im looking at a 2013 Mazdaspeed 3 Touring with Tech Package. Has 159000 highway miles. All stock, not modded(super rare). Everything works, and drives great. All maintenance was done by a professional mechanic for the last 125000 miles under the second owner. That is due to the owner being wealthy and he takes care of his cars. Leak down and compression tests check out. I asked about the VVT and the mechanic said that he see no issues. According to him, its when oil changes, and bad oil arent met properly and people driving them like mad that the VVT goes out, particularly the solenoid. He understands the manufacturer has a recommendation, but under his inspection he saw no reason to replace anything. Ran fine.
What you think about it, is it worth the buy? I am searching for a family friendly vehicle that will last me at least another 100000 miles.
Look, it's a high millage car - everything and anything can and eventually will go wrong.
I would not expect a turbocharged car, or any newer car in general, with 160k miles to last, especially not another 100k miles.
If you want a family friendly Mazda, just get a 3rd generation Mazda3 naturally aspirated 2.5L with less millage - they're so much better. I get that it's "only" 185 horses and not 260 but it's still enough to make it move with the added bonus of being rated at 30 MPG combined.