Need some Feedback 2007 525i to 2010 Mazda 3 Grand Touring
#1
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Location: Ocean Springs, MS
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My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio
My 07 525i is going in the shop again this week. This is the 7th trip this year. None of the 7 were maintenance exclusive. Anyway I have found a new 2010 Mazda 3 with 6spd manual. Black with Dune leather interior. Navigation, xenons, sirius, comfort entry, 6 disc, dual auto climate control and heated seats. They have offered me cash if I trade my car in. I have had several Mazdas before and they were all problem free. My 525i is my 4th BMW and I must say the worst. The dealership is an hour away and it is getting embarassing telling coworkers why I am in a loaner. I am not in a place where I can buy a new BMW.
Thoughts ................
Thoughts ................
#2
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My Ride: 2008 Porsche 911 Carrera S Convertible. Midnight Blue, 6 Speed.Retired - 2007 997 Carrera S, Midnight Blue, Grey leather, premium audioRetired - 2007 550i, Monaco Blue over Beige, Navigation, Logic 7, Cold Weather Pack, Comfort Access, Sport Package
Model Year: 2008
Nothing wrong with a Mazda 3. Perfectly good car for what it is, but it is a very different car in a different segment compared to your E60.
Mazda in general make some pretty decent cars, they've been on the annual Car and Driver 10Best list about as often as BMW.
Mazda in general make some pretty decent cars, they've been on the annual Car and Driver 10Best list about as often as BMW.
#3
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i like the mazdas nowadays, the "grin/smile" theyre throwing on all theyre cars is silly IMO, but i test drove a CX7 and it was pretty frickin fun. terrible gas milage though w the turbo. i would do it just to get out from under the 5 which im sure will depreciate tremendously now that the F10 is out
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Mazda 3? You mean Mazda 6. Mazda 3 is pretty small and different segment than your 5er.
My friend owns a Mazda 3 and its a perfectly good car. But I think you should look for the Mazda 6 as the Mazda 3 is very small
EDIT: I see you have a mini. If you're comfortable in a mini, I think the Mazda 3 will be ok.
My friend owns a Mazda 3 and its a perfectly good car. But I think you should look for the Mazda 6 as the Mazda 3 is very small
EDIT: I see you have a mini. If you're comfortable in a mini, I think the Mazda 3 will be ok.
#5
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My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio
Mazda 3? You mean Mazda 6. Mazda 3 is pretty small and different segment than your 5er.
My friend owns a Mazda 3 and its a perfectly good car. But I think you should look for the Mazda 6 as the Mazda 3 is very small
EDIT: I see you have a mini. If you're comfortable in a mini, I think the Mazda 3 will be ok.
My friend owns a Mazda 3 and its a perfectly good car. But I think you should look for the Mazda 6 as the Mazda 3 is very small
EDIT: I see you have a mini. If you're comfortable in a mini, I think the Mazda 3 will be ok.
The idea of a cheaper car tag ( in Mississippi car tags are outrageous one this year for the BMW was $1200), Mazda 3-reliability, nav, heated seats, comfort access, and local Mazda dealership is very attractive.
#6
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Join Date: Dec 2007
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My Ride: 2007 530i. Purchased 6/28/07. Titanium Silver Metallic, Black Dakota Leather, Dark Poplar Trim, Steptronic, Premium Package, Cold Weather Package, Bluetooth, Adaptive Control Xenons. 10/30/07 Added OEM 124s with 245/40/18 & 275/35/18 Michelin Pilot Sport A/S tires. Installed red Cal Covers� from BavAuto. 11/21/07 Added OEM all-weather floor mats (for winter, carpet in summer) and coat rack. 6/26/08 installed M5-style rear spoiler. 6/30/08 put on red reflectors. 8/22/08 Euro turn signal stickers applied. 3/20/09 Installed Shadowline Trim. 3/27/09 Added Matte Black Kidney Grilles from Trinity. 4/03/09 Installed Bimmian Shadow Matte Black 530i Badges. 4/04/09 Installed LED license plate lights from Trinity. 5/01/09 Installed Brabus Interior LED Kit and White Angel Eyes. 5/02/09 Put in Brabus 6K Fogs. 5/14/09 Removed charcoal filter. 5/15/09 Installed light smoke LED side marker lamps from Trinity. 5/21/09 Sprint Booster. 6/12/09 Painted exhaust tips flat black. 6/13/09 Pulled red Cal Covers and painted calipers low gloss black. 6/27/09 RPI Ram Air Scoop from Trinity. 8/15/09 Installed Brabus's silver invisibulbs front and rear. 9/24/09 Installed R-Dash license plate LEDs from Brabaus (John).
As you know, it's a very different beast. What about a Mini Clubman?
I know you already have a mini, but two would be twice as nice.
I know you already have a mini, but two would be twice as nice.
#7
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Mazdas are awesome - great cars and fun to drive. My first car was a Mazda 323 and it was the most reliable car I have ever owned (Zero warranty issues). I can understand how you feel - a BMWi is an awesome car but life is too short to have all of these service hassles. Of course, it could be that the car is just going of that maintenance/repair intense hump and that the car will run great without any additional problems for years.
#8
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I have test drove a Mazda 3 when we were looking for a car for my wife. Tried the manual. I enjoyed it, but I guess its hard to get me out of a 5 series. The mazda felt light and more agile and for sure more fun. Its a great car !
We ended up getting my wife a Lexus IS350 since she is power hungry 2 and let me tell you we dont regret.
Coming back to the Mazda, definetely superior to a civic, I would say the best in small car segment .
We ended up getting my wife a Lexus IS350 since she is power hungry 2 and let me tell you we dont regret.
Coming back to the Mazda, definetely superior to a civic, I would say the best in small car segment .
#9
I have both a 2007 BMW 550i and a brand new Mazda 3 5-door hatchback. I like them both. The Mazda 3 is very light and quick. It also handles very well on the highway. Breaks are great (probably due to car weight) and acceleration will be on par with your 525i. The fuel economy is good, but is very dependent on speed (probably due to a 5-speed automatic). At 80 mph I get about 28 mpg and at 60 mph I get as high as 35 mpg (using a cruise control). Fuel economy was important to me since I bought this car for long trips to work and back.
So far I have had only one issue - a defective horn from the factory. It was replaced under warranty. Otherwise, the car is great and the maintenance is very cheap.
I only have two complaints about it. First, the paint job on this car is not very impressive. I notice that with a lot of non-luxury cars coming from Japan nowadays. Second, the floor mats are made from very cheap material and are wearing out very quickly. I guess I can always get a set of rubber mats as an alternative.
Good luck to you whichever way you decide to go!
So far I have had only one issue - a defective horn from the factory. It was replaced under warranty. Otherwise, the car is great and the maintenance is very cheap.
I only have two complaints about it. First, the paint job on this car is not very impressive. I notice that with a lot of non-luxury cars coming from Japan nowadays. Second, the floor mats are made from very cheap material and are wearing out very quickly. I guess I can always get a set of rubber mats as an alternative.
Good luck to you whichever way you decide to go!
#10
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My Ride: 2007 Sapphire Black Metallic 525i. Beige Dakota Leather, Premium package, bluetooth, BMW Assist, Xenon adaptive lights, Sirius radio
At a teen my first new car was a 323. Crank open sunroof. Loved it! Have had 2 Mazda Proteges, a miata, a Mazda 3-2006 and a B2200 Pick up
so that makes 6 Mazdas that I have had, Next closest would be BMW. I have had 4 of those.
so that makes 6 Mazdas that I have had, Next closest would be BMW. I have had 4 of those.