I'm close to buying a MazdaSpeed3 and am considering having the dealer install a CAI and catback exhaust system. Two questions:
1. Is price fair: CAI, $355, catback, $595, total labor, $300
2. Are these mods worth gettting?
Thanks.

 

great questions new guy!

1. Price for parts is fair I guess...better deals can always be had but the advantage of buying them from the dealer is this can be added into your financing making it easier for you to do all at once. However you end up paying WAY more in the long run... $1300+interest = approx $25/month on your payment. When it's all said and done that $1300 purchase will cost you more like $2100.

I'd suggest buying the parts...having it financed into the deal and installing it all yourself. With basic handtools, jack stands and a simple understanding of nuts and bolts this total project wouldn't take more than 3 hours.

2. VERY worth it. Do it and don't look back.

 

What brand stuff is he gonna put in your car? There's a huge price and quality difference between, say, AutoExe and SS Autochrome.

If's the is exhaust something like Racing Beat, then that's a good price for a catback, but if it's eBay crap, then he's getting over on you.

 

They told me it would be Mazda parts and therefore wouldn't affect the warranty.

 

I'm mechanically challenged, so I'd have to let the dealer do the work. Specifcally how are these mods worth it? I know about the catback (have one on my current Audi A4), but know nothing about the CAI. Thanks.

 

For Mazdaspeed aftermarket parts, those are good prices from a dealer.

Here's an intake for 250. Injen has a great rep, and most of their intakes are even CARB approved.

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/in...281_22_160_258



CAI= Cold Air Intake. It basically moves the intake away from the heat of the engine, and the filter flows better too. Your car will also have a little extra growl to it.

 

thanks, eggynatey

 

the intake is a BIG gain on the MS3/6 as the stock airbox is massive and restrictive. Replacing it with a simple CAI shows gains of 20whp and 25wtq. It is possibly the best bang for the buck for these engines. A full exhaust would be the next.

What part of the country do you live in? I'm sure we have some forum members who could install the stuff for you for free if not at least HALF what the dealership would charge.

If I were charging someone for those installs it probably wouldn't be more than $75.

 

Those prices are pretty good considering they are OEM Mazda parts that do not void your warranty, but I would have a VERY hard time paying that much for simple labor. Catback install is a breeze, especially on a new car. Remove 4-6 bolts, replace pipes, and done. CAI is a little more challenging because you will have to take off some of the plastic pieces from inside the engine bay, but still very very easy to do.

I would say do it because your MS3 will haul that much more *** with those mods, and don't be scared to try and install them by yourself.



By the way: Welcome aboard. Hope you enjoy the stay

 

I'm in Arlington, VA. I'll bite the bullet and have the dealer do the install; don't want any possible hassles in the future related to their not doing the work. It's been known to happen.

This is the paranoia you get from owning an Audi! THE WORST DEALERS IN MY ROUGHLY 40 YEARS OF CAR OWNERSHIP. Looking forward to zoom zooming! I did have a 2001 Miata for a short time, but this will be a better zoom.

 

Yea, I understand the position you're in. I'd probably pay up myself if I wanted to make sure ther were no problems down the road, cuz Mazda dealers aren't known to be much better with customer service. Enjoy the car, those two mods will give you a pretty good upper hand on most other cars on the road, and it will make your zoom zoom sound mean as hell!!

Make sure to post pics when everything is done.

 

now the next step is to actually buy the car!

 

Here's some more info on other Mazdaspeed 3 parts you might want to research. The website is also a very reputable source of high quality Mazda performance parts, so don't hold back if you see something you like.

http://mazda3online.web.aplus.net/in...ath=281_22_160