civilzues

Hey everyone!
A few weeks away from purchasing still but am thinking of what to add to the 3.
* I want Sirius in the 3 so I have a question, when 'I' add the unit, will there be a unit on the dash or will it be in the button on the dash that control's it. I have also heard that if I add it, I will not be able to use the aux port.
*Also has anyone added the auto start? This is a must as I don't have a garage and it can be added for 'free' using the S-plan!
*Can i upgrade the radio unit to get more information out of the computer? or can i 'unlock' them?
*Are there any REAL problems with the 3, even reoccurring?
*Adding heated seats (cloth) and heated mirrors?

I am pretty set on this car, so even if there is problems I will handle it as I now have a G6

I think I am going to get the S sport auto with the moon/6 disk. Or the BASE S touring, auto. I would like the Phantom Blue (Greenish color).

Who here has gotten there Mazda from the Troy, MI store or any other store in the Metro Detroit area. Who did you deal with and how was that experience. Thanks a lot!!

Cole

icspots

The OEM sirius integrates with the HU and the receiver mounts behind the panels so there won't be anything visible except the antenna. If they're installing it for you make sure they install the antenna where you want it. For example the Mazda install instructions for the sedan put the antenna on the front left corner of the trunk lid..... not even centered! Check what they're charging you for the kit and install as well. You can get it new from Jason at www.onlinemazdaparts.com for $305, and you can frequently find them on ebay for $150. Especially check to see if anyone on the forums has gotten it and doesn't want it. If you're comfortable using a screwdriver then you can easily install this yourself if you don't mind spending an afternoon pulling panels off your car.

As for the ACI (aux port) both it and the sirius use the same port on the back of the HU, so plugging one in disables the other. There is a switchbox available (P/N TD1379CFZ) that allows you to plug in both the sirius and the ACI. It runs about $113.

Do you mean the DIS (driver information system)? That's the Av. mileage, miles to empty, etc. that's displayed on the LCD in the GT trim. It's possible to unlock it on '06 and newer models though.

Unless you replace the seats I doubt the dealer would install heated seats for you. They might charge you money to have them added, but most likely they'd just farm it out to another company to install it. If you're comfortable doing stuff like that yourself then you could get a set online (usually about $75-90 per side) and do them yourself. If not see if you can find a automotive upholstery company, or someone that installs leather as they'd probably do it.

Heated mirrors are definitely a possibility as all the wiring is in the car up to the plug on the door side of the mirror... actually I have a pair in my garage waiting for installation. I suggest going with Jason from www.onlinemazdaparts.com as he's put in a lot of time in helping us figure out how to do this mod. He's a great guy and has fantastic service. There are two ways you can get them.

Way number one is a full replacement. You get two full mirrors/housings for $205 shipped. Unscrew three bolts (each side) unplug the harness and the old mirror comes off. Repeat backwards to install the new ones. Viola! heated mirrors in under 10 minutes. The mirrors come on with the rear defroster, so nothing more extensive to do. Also for most colors you can order them color matched to your car so you don't have to worry about changing the cover. Some '07+ colors they have problems ordering so he'd just send it to you with a black cover and you'd change out your current one.

Way number two is a glass only replacement. You get the glass with the heating element for about $84 shipped and install them in your existing housings. The trick here is there isn't any wiring between the mirror and the mirror side of the harness plug, and there aren't any pins in the plug to mate with the ones on the car side of the plug. So you have to disassemble the mirror housing, run wire through the articulation and fabricate a few pins to insert in the plug. This is the way I'm doing it. If you have some basic wiring/soldering skills you should be able to do this without too much difficulty.

I don't really know anything about the remote start (though there is of course the OEM one) so I won't comment on that. I've had my car since May '05 and haven't had any major problems with it. I have yet to go in and get a few little TSB's taken care of, but that's just my laziness. I'm running strong with 40k+ on the car. Hope that helps you out some, and let me know if you have any other questions.

civilzues

What is OEM. I was going to get the installed by the dealer. It is offered on the car but you never see it.

Cole

icspots

Original Equipment Manufacturer. Basically anything that's made by Mazda that goes on the car. My point is that there is of course the Mazda remote start, there are also lots of other ones that are generally associated with aftermarket alarms.

civilzues

yea! thats the one I would like. Because it will be one unit and not two on the key chain.

civilzues

I put down a deposit today on an 08 Mazda3 S Sport. Getting the auto start, rear wing spoiler and auto dim compass/mirror, it's red. I get to pick it up on the 29th of this month as they are getting it from Indy and i have exams the week before so this way I can play with all day Saturday.

icspots

Congrats, you'll love the car. My first suggestion is to buy a third key. You see if you have 2 working keys (you can have up to eight) then you can program in more keys yourself. If you lose one of your two keys then to get a new one the dealer has to program it for you, and that means $$. However if you have three keys and lose one then you can just replace it and you're good to go. Another regular transponder key costs about $18 and you can program it in in just a few minutes.

civilzues

has anyone ever had a problem wit the auto start system from Mazda? my dealership said don't get it. go after market (which is cheaper).. let me know please