Question 1

A short history of the Mazda 3 (BL Series)

Accepted Answer

Although 2008 saw Mazda entrenched in the Australian automotive top five, the bigger goal of gunning for market-leader Toyota, with its massive presence in the off-road market proved impassible.

But there was still the opportunity to outsell Toyota's wilting Corolla in the small car segment and, in June 2011, Mazda3 not only bettered the Holden Commodore’s 3809 sales for the month to achieve local market leadership, but did it convincingly with a massive 4212 units – which obliterated the Corolla’s in-decline monthly tally of just 2152 sales.

Price had been, and would continue to serve as a major factor in the Mazda's success. In 2004 the popular Maxx hatchback with four-speed automatic transmission hit dealership floors at a sticker price of $27,770. Eight years later Mazda was charging $25,700 for virtually the same car but included a five-speed auto and extra features such as reversing sensors and switchable traction control.

The BL Series had more than added value on its side. From the outset the Mazda had claimed bragging rights as the most stylish car in its size and price categories and the revamped version didn't let the team down.

A new nose incorporated fashionably shallow headlamp/indicator units either side of a low-slung air-intake. Corporate buyers perhaps weren't influenced at all by the sleek shape, but those in the used market were, and that ensured consistently strong resale values.

Bottom of the BL Series pecking order was the five-speed manual Neo. Even at a mingy $21,330 it was well supplied with comfort and safety features including a six-stack CD system, remote central locking, driver and passenger airbags and traction control.

However the base car initially didn't manage the same maximum ANCAP safety rating as more costly versions. Lacking the side and head-strike airbag protection found in Maxx and SP models, the Neo achieved only a four-star rating.

Next step up in the model range were the Maxx and Maxx Sport. Both versions were very strong sellers throughout the BL model's lifespan and today are easy to find in a competitive market for used Mazdas. The base model and the Maxx Sport offered similar equipment levels and were identical in power output.

However the Sport went an inch bigger in wheel diameter – 16 inches vs 15 inches – and helped justify slightly higher pricing with a body kit and climate-control air-conditioning standard.

Even cars that have done 200,000-plus kilometres still have plenty of life. Complete service history is essential when buying something that is well out of warranty, and professional pre-purchase inspection is vital.

Ignoring for now the turbo-engined MPS, Mazda's BL Series range-topper was the SP25. This feisty four or five-door boosted power to 122kW and, with six-speed manual transmission, was listed at $29,255.

Diesel versions of the Mazda3 are hard to find in the used market, simply because so few were sold. The 110kW engine was a gutsy performer and reportedly reliable, but the fuel savings over petrol models were negligible and didn't justify a selling price of almost $30,000.

The diesel was made even less relevant in 2012 when Mazda announced its SKYACTIV G petrol engine. Despite a compression ratio more akin to diesel than petrol engines, the new engine ran on basic 91 Octane fuel and still developed more power.

Fuel consumption with automatic transmission was claimed to average 6.1L/100km.
Accompanying the SKYACTIV power unit was a new SP20 model. It cost $28,000 but for just $3000 extra there was a Luxury version with leather trim, bi-xenon lights and a top-spec Bose sound system.

Question 2

On the road in a used Mazda 3 (BL Series 2004-2008)

Accepted Answer

Anyone who has owned or experienced a BK Series Mazda3 won't find too many hidden terrors.

However, one major disappointment remained.

Despite years of complaints from owners, reviewers and probably its own service people, Mazda continued to skimp on sound deadening and NVH engineering. When launching the BL version, Mazda made a point of claiming an 11 percent reduction in noise.

However, that still left a noticeable combination of body thrum and tyre noise to annoy occupants, although post-2011 Series 2 cars offered further improvement. Tyre selection is said to help, so try a few cars on different brands of rubber.

The engine should start quickly and rev willingly to its 6500rpm redline. The six-speed manual transmission is slick and fun, and can be left in fourth gear around town to minimise shifting without losing too much performance.

The five-speed automatic is also well suited to the rev-happy engine, yet fuel economy seems not to suffer terribly. Flogged mercilessly by magazine road-testers the automatic still managed 10.5L/100km and just below 8L/100 when pottering. Post-2012 versions can do even better.

Throttle response is very good and performance tests show the Maxx auto will run from a standstill to 100km/h in just below 10 seconds. For brisk overtaking, use the manual over-ride slot which will see 108kW cars hit 100km/h just as the engine cut-out makes its displeasure known.

Accommodation up front is excellent, although not so spacious for those in the rear. Seats in even the low-end Neo have decent shape and plentiful adjustment. The steering, with 2.8 turns lock-to-lock, is direct, with decent but not astonishing road feel.

That may be a compromise wrought by Mazda's desire for excellent insulation against road shock and torque steer. Even with traction control disabled and the wheel jiggling in your hands, the non-turbo Mazdas never turn nasty in the way an MPS might. For improved turn-in response, try an SP with its improved wheel/tyre combination.

One annoyance in the otherwise smooth and economical SP20 is the i-Stop system that turns the engine off when idling at the lights. Any fuel saving in these efficient cars would be negligible and constant restarts must have a long-term impact on mechanical components.

Question 3

What to look for on a used Mazda 3

Accepted Answer

>> That prominent nose is vulnerable to people who park by feel and the rear is not much better. Look carefully for poor panel alignment and make sure the clips that hold the bumpers in place haven't broken or been dislodged. Next check under the centre of the car for sill-crushing or exhaust damage due to contact with speed bumps.

>> BL Hatchbacks were recalled to rectify a quite strange defect. Poorly painted hatch struts had to be replaced because corrosion could cause them to fail. Check that any car you're considering has been repaired.

>> Front-end thumps and rattles, sometimes from just 40,000 kilometres, point to worn suspension bushes or premature engine mount failure. Most should have been replaced under warranty but it may have happened again

>> Cars that have spent their lives in the open can display sun damage and cracking to interior plastics. Heat and direct sun cause the leather steering wheel cover to split as well, and in extreme cases the control stalks can disintegrate. Both are costly to replace.

>> Squealing discs and pulsing through the pedal under light brake application indicate a car needing some brake work. This isn't a big issue, but the cost needs to factored into your purchase price. A car that's down on brakes may have been driven harder than normal and could be suffering other problems as well.

USED VEHICLE GRADING:
Design & Function: 14/20
Safety: 16/20
Practicality: 15/20
Value for Money: 14/20
Wow Factor: 14/20 (SP25)
SCORE: 73/100

ALSO CONSIDER: Volkswagen Golf 2.0FSi, BMW 120i, Hyundai i30

Technical information courtesy of Red Book Inspect.

Buying a used Mazda3 (2009-13)

A short history of the Mazda 3 (BL Series)

On the road in a used Mazda 3 (BL Series 2004-2008)

What to look for on a used Mazda 3

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