Help with buying used Mazdaspeed 3 Gen 2

[ElPolloDiablo]

So,

As you guys maybe already read in my introduction post: I have been riding motorcycles since I was 18 and never cared so much for cars. Until now. Figured it can be handy every now and then. But if I want a car, it has to be a cool one. So I decided to go for the Mazdaspeed 3. Gen 2.

I have been reading most of things to be aware of, like the VVT and worn out turbo, which can be seen by smoke coming out of the exhaust when idling 10-20 minutes. Now, I found a used Gen 2 in Holland from early 2010 which has kind of a history according to the owner. I would really appreciate your thoughts on it, though I'm technical on a basic level (mostly with motorcycles), but I'm new to Mazdaspeeds.

First of all, the car: https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/auto-s...mps-2-3-turbo-slechts-114dkm-nieuwe-apk-turbo

Had phone call with the owner. I will write what he told me. He is a car trader and mechanic himself. He bought the car in 2019 for his son in Germany but they had a lot of troubles with it. Basically they bought a shitbox, as far as I understand. The previous owners fitted a bigger turbo (400hp), but never did any other adjustments, which more or less ruined the engine. Basically what he said is that the previous owner raped it. By not changing oil in time, not adjusting the tune to the other turbo, and so on.

They spent +5000 euro's on it to get it into mint condition, full engine revision, or so he says. That means according to him, turbo revised, distribution chain done, VVT's done, new bearings. Of course he said that most of the other Mazdaspeed 3's are most likely cheaper, but are technical not in this condition, because basically everything engine-wise is new. He has _all_ the documents from the rebuilds they did. He is open to a professional inspection done by a mechanic.

Asking price is 13,999 Euro and the average in Holland is around 12-13. Most likely I can get a similar car (year/mileage) from Germany for 10-11.

Now I'm a bit sceptical about the "whole" engine rebuild. But maybe that's not right. I would really like to hear the ideas of the actual Mazdaspeed owners. Thanks so much.

Stephan

 

[Mtnbker3531]

I'm sure others will be along to chime in but to me him fixing the car adds nothing to the value. That's just part of doing business. I would not pay more because he took the time to fix a broken car. The reason I feel this way is I have a 13 with 140 k miles and I'm looking at installing a new motor. I know I'll never recover that cost but to me it's more about enjoyment of the car.

That being said I believe there is plenty of documentation here on the forum as to what to look for. You have named a few that have already been addressed.

I would want to see compression/leakdown for starters.

 

[L337TurboZ]

See if they have receipts for all the work. If the engine was refreshed that much you should be able to see it clean with fresh gaskets etc. It seems to me they are asking 1-2k more than what they usually go for but repairs don't necessarily mean the car has a higher value.

As for the "big turbo" mods and stuff did they tell you anything specific about what's on the car? If it had an upgraded turbo and all the other supporting mods then the 1-2k over normal might not be bad if you planned on doing those mods anyways and it saves you money/time.

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Thanks for the quick replies! Here is the link again: https://www.marktplaats.nl/v/auto-s...mps-2-3-turbo-slechts-114dkm-nieuwe-apk-turbo

 

[L337TurboZ]

It looks really clean in the pictures but there aren't any engine pics for the work they've claimed. It wouldn't hurt to check it out. Does it say it's consignment? I guess the higher asking price is because the owner is using a third party company to sell it and they are trying to make a money too.

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

It says consigment indeed, but the story behind that is that he selling it for his son. So he says.

I asked him now for photos of the engine. I'll post them once I have them!

I'll definitely do a compression/leakdown test if it comes that far.

 

[Easter Bunny]

Body and interior look clean.
I see aftermarket wheels, shifter and steering wheel.

Very curious about what they actually did to the motor

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Here they are with some additional information:

Cylinder was taken off, hydro cleaned (?) pistons, new piston rings after they "honed" the cilinders. Don't know if this is the right word, my English in car terms is not good enough, haha. When you have scratches in your cilinders, there is a process to revise them. After they renewed the crankshaft and camshaft bearings. All gaskets new and swapped the installed turbo for a revised stock one. New valve seals and grinded them.

He has all the old parts to see as well, as evidence. He is open to any check and even offered to let me talk with the mechanic that worked on this.

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

So in the end i'm just wondering one thing: let's assume it's been rebuild properly. Why would you completely rebuild an engine that is not dead (it was just a mess he said but no engine failure), spend tons of money, time and energy on it and then when it's finally good, sell it? This is what makes me sceptical. His answer: we are just sick of the car because of all the bad things we had with it.

 

[Easter Bunny]

Honestly they are probably selling it because it's not really 100% and are sick of dealing with it

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Decided not to get it. Story doesn't add up and overal have a weird feeling about it.

Meanwhile, something else came on my path now. Got in touch with the owner of the Dutch MazdaSpeed Club. The "mechanic of the club", who rebuilds and does the fixes for all the members, is rebuilding a 2010 now as we speak. He has a solid reputation. Going to pay him a visit tomorrow!

 

[Raider]

https://www.mazdaspeeds.org/index.php?threads/what-to-look-for-when-buying-a-used-mazdaspeed.10009/

Also this.

 

[Cfoldone]

After looking closer at pictures, I agree with your views on reasons to not buy. Most of the pictures are of engine in teardown not in rebuild. When you want to sell a modified or rebuilding a motor from block up...you don't use the old teardown, you use the pretty clean new pictures.
The one that got my attention was the side end view of VVT and exhaust cam... Those are Chinese parts, not oem. I have two oem and two Chinese...even use once bolts are not oem.
A example of a pretty clean build>>>

 

[Awafrican]

After looking closer at pictures, I agree with your views on reasons to not buy. Most of the pictures are of engine in teardown not in rebuild. When you want to sell a modified or rebuilding a motor from block up...you don't use the old teardown, you use the pretty clean new pictures.
The one that got my attention was the side end view of VVT and exhaust cam... Those are Chinese parts, not oem. I have two oem and two Chinese...even use once bolts are not oem.
A example of a pretty clean build>>>View attachment 20809 View attachment 20810 View attachment 20811

Good catch! Those vvt parts are certainly worrying

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Thanks guys. Appreciate all the thoughts and tips.

Things happened today again. So, after I was welcomed at the Dutch MPS (Mazdaspeed 3) Owners Club and invited to the guy from the community that is "The MPS Mechanic", today I visited him at his workshop and gave me tons of information. He does all the repairs, rebuilds and maintenance for the MPS owners as a hobby. Often he buys MPS's with broken engines and does a complete engine rebuild. He is known to be greatly competent and known for his quality.

He is now rebuilding the engine of a 2010 Gen 2 with 190.000km. Bought it from a guy that did 200kmph+ with almost no oil in it and the killed the engine. And he is selling it soon. Maybe I'm going for this one. Basically I would have a complete new engine, but the only thing that is worrying me is the 190.000km on the car. Not technically, but when I want to sell it again later.

Also, a member of the community is selling his red 2010 with 134.000km. Red is my favorite color, so I might go for this one. Maintained by the same mechanic and has a upgraded and revised turbo. Should be in mint condition. Going there on Saturday, so I'll keep you guys posted!

The red one

And the white one where he is now working on selling it later

 

[Awafrican]

Looks like you found yourself in the right crowd, I think both could be really good options.

 

[Fulltilt]

Red is faster than white.

 

[ElPolloDiablo]

Looks like you found yourself in the right crowd, I think both could be really good options.

Agree. I have a good feeling about it. Those guys know where they are talking too, which is of a great value to me with those "sensitive" cars.

Keep you updated after I went there next Saturday!

 

[dudemancool1904]

these cars are rare in the sense not in production numbers but rather qualified individuals who know and are willing to work on them. if you have a solid mechanic then i say go for it. for my generic stuff i go to a local auto shop but for anything Mazdaspeed3 specific i make the 110 mile drive to a specialist who knows these cars backwards and always fixes the car right the first time.