Interesting info
 

I have heard lots of you complain about the cold engine chatter and found a similar problem with the newest gen on M3's. In this months issue of Automobile Magazine they discuss their long term test on a green 2002 M3. Supposedly it too has a problem with clutch problems and engine noise when cold. BMW's solution to this problem, extend the engines warranty to 100,000 miles. So it is my assumpion that if they extended the warranty than they were fearful of lawsuits and unhappy customers due to premature engine wear. If this is the case for BMW, I am wondering what it maybe It is the same for our Proteges? just thought I share what I read.

if mazda was aimed at consumbers buying $30000+ sports cars then I think they might do that for us too.....

who cares about the "cold engine" rattle...it will only be there for a few mouths, unless ya live in Canada...and its just a sound!, nothing else....just crank up your radio if ya dont like it.

hm.... I think a lot of us are concerned deeply by the engine rattle.... is its very very very annoying.... sounds like your engine is gonna explode....

happens 365 days of the year.... even when it is hot..... becasuse your engine is still cold when you start the car....

it has affected my driving a lot... I no longer go over 2500 rpm until the temp gauge reaches about 1/4 way up....

I agree with tttp5, i hear the rattling every morning even in 60 dergee mornings in California. And price has very little to do with extending a warranty on a car. If you drive a $10,000 or $60,000 car, loyalty is loyalty and I can tell you, if something happens to my car and Mazda doesnt fix it, I cannot say that I would opt for another. I will go somewhere else for a reliable, godd looking and performing car. The auto maket is definately not a monopoly.

That's what your supposed to do anyway...

There is nothing to fix, there is no problem, it's just a sound that everyone is overreacting about.

BMW raised the engine warranty becuase of their faith in it, and that the noises created where completely normal. If they were affraid of lawsuits or constant repairs, it wouln't make sense to raise the warranty, they would only need to cover more vehicles and new vehicles longer. If it was abnormal and a problem, they would either A.) do nothing and deal with fixing the cars that had the problem or B.) recall the parts that caused the problem and fix them for no charge. The choice would be made under a formula that considers the net cost of both, and which would be cheaper for BMW...

Mazda did release a memo or something that told dealers what to do if customers wanted the noise vanquished, but also stressed how it did not effect engine longevity. It goes away in 10 minutes, deal with it...or tell the dealer and have them repair it...

If anything the annoying rattle is beneficial, it prevents you from over revving your engine before normal operating temperatue, which is directly related to your engine's service life. The noise starts at around 2800 rpm, which you should be under anyway when the engine is cold...Without that rattle you could be more inclined to rev it higher, which is worse for the engine than the rattle in the first place...