<![CDATA[Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional)]]>Well well - after owning my MX-3 for a few weeks now I think it is time to plan what I want to do with it. However - I am not sure yet if I want to keep it or if I will replace it with a V6 sometime soon. Means I don't want to spend big money on it and mainly want to fix all those little things that are not quite perfect. Which should help to sell it if I decide to get a V6. I also want do as much as possible myself. Which might be quite an adventure as I don't have any clue about cars :)

So here is what I found over the last weeks that needs fixing:

Technical problems to fix:

Optical problems to fix:

Things to improve for my own joy:

As said: I want to keep the costs down and will try to do as much as possible myself to get some experience. I'm an engineer so technical understanding shouldn't be the problem. Just never done it before…

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/topic/2058/mission-nice-n-shiny-and-fully-functionalRSS for NodeSun, 15 Mar 2026 11:45:36 GMTMon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:29 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:29 GMT]]>Well well - after owning my MX-3 for a few weeks now I think it is time to plan what I want to do with it. However - I am not sure yet if I want to keep it or if I will replace it with a V6 sometime soon. Means I don't want to spend big money on it and mainly want to fix all those little things that are not quite perfect. Which should help to sell it if I decide to get a V6. I also want do as much as possible myself. Which might be quite an adventure as I don't have any clue about cars :)

So here is what I found over the last weeks that needs fixing:

Technical problems to fix:

Optical problems to fix:

Things to improve for my own joy:

As said: I want to keep the costs down and will try to do as much as possible myself to get some experience. I'm an engineer so technical understanding shouldn't be the problem. Just never done it before…

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/2058https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/2058Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:02:29 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:18:57 GMT]]>good list to start with, if you want double din radio go to the link and put your name down with marco for his :wink:
http://www.uk-mx3.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=4603

usual belt on start up is alternator, the power steering one will squeal on for full lock, the noise from the back might be the heat sheild on the rear box dropped down due to rusting at the bolts ( mine does it )

For the radio, replace all speakers from standards to composites inside the doors and parcel shelf, very easy to do and makes a huge difference over the 12w speakers fitted and the converter plates for the fronts

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/MAZDA-323-MX3-SPEAKER-ADAPTOR-KIT-130CM-SAK-1903-/300378589232?pt=UK_Cars_Parts_Vehicles_Terminals_Cabling_ET&hash=item45eff58830

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24102https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24102Mon, 01 Aug 2011 20:18:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:57:02 GMT]]>I think I will start with the belt and check what can be done about the dents. After that I will probably look into the ringing-noise as it annoys me quite a bit.

The audio-part is something for a bit later when I got some money to spend.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24107https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24107Mon, 01 Aug 2011 21:57:02 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:48:57 GMT]]>Wanted to try this afternoon if I could improve those dents in/behind the door a bit - but it started raining :(

Also had a quick look into the belt-issue but could not really figure out where/what to tighten/check. Guess I really am some noob when it comes to cars…

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24383https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24383Fri, 12 Aug 2011 16:48:57 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:52:10 GMT]]>lol, SNAP!! I'm pretty useless, too, when it comes to cars. Luckily my mates know their way around a garage! The squeaky belt when you start could be the fan belt, other members will know better than I do tho.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24400https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24400Fri, 12 Aug 2011 17:52:10 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:07:22 GMT]]>Made some better quality pics of those ugly dents on/behind the passenger door today. Will ask around for some quotes on fixing them. Anyone has any idea on what price I am looking at? And if it actually can be really fixed?


DSC_0057.JPG by UB80, on Flickr

Also made some pics of an exposed engine. Surely could do with some cleaning and some paint:


DSC_0063.NEF by UB80, on Flickr

PS: Also ordered a new alternator belt today.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24482https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24482Mon, 15 Aug 2011 19:07:22 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:17:17 GMT]]>Rear quarter can be repaired, door needs doing too, I'd say £300 - £400

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24493https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24493Tue, 16 Aug 2011 07:17:17 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:13:16 GMT]]>Got a quote this morning for removing those dents and respraying the two panels (door and behind-door). Adds up to £265 - which is not bad but still quite a bit.

There is also a slight bent on the right wing which I asked for a quote too - but they did recommend replacing the wing rather then trying to repair. Which is probably cheaper if I can get one from a scrap yard.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24529https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24529Wed, 17 Aug 2011 08:13:16 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:57:52 GMT]]>Also got my new fanbelt today. Will change it on Saturday as this should give me enough time to mess around with it.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24548https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24548Wed, 17 Aug 2011 18:57:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:47:41 GMT]]>Ok guys - I need some help. Got a new alternator belt, was thinking everything is clear on how to do the change - but once I had to car up, took the dirt-shield on the bottom off to get to everything nicely I got stuck.


DSC_0062.JPG by UB80, on Flickr


DSC_0071.JPG by UB80, on Flickr

So the left belt is the power-steering-belt and I have to take that one off to get to the alternator belt (right one), correct? Problem is: How?

And how do I then get the alternator belt off? I can see some bolts on that front-part (as seen on the pictures) but can't really see the same setup on the back for the alternator?

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24596https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24596Sat, 20 Aug 2011 14:47:41 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:17:34 GMT]]>While taking that dirt-cover off I also discovered that:


DSC_0067.NEF by UB80, on Flickr

Guess that is some kind of heat-shield around the exhaust-pipe? It was basically just hanging on there - so I took it off to see if that might be the source of that annoying ringing-sound. Unfortunately it was not. What can seen a bit on the picture is that there are some huge hole in the front-box. It seems it is just the outside-box that it rusted away but surely not good :(

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24598https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24598Sat, 20 Aug 2011 15:17:34 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:33:58 GMT]]>Right - haven't changed the belt but at least figured our how to tighten it up and doing that seems to have fixed the squeaking-issue.

Also gave the car a nice wash. All shiny now - but still makes the ringing sound at around 2500rpm :(

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24602https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24602Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:33:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:58:48 GMT]]>That next box is the cat, it does have a heatsheild so it may just be that with a hole unless its making a noise, also your sump looks quite rusty so make sure that oil patch on there isnt from a pin hole in that, they do get a battering down there

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24604https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/24604Sat, 20 Aug 2011 19:58:48 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:06:47 GMT]]>I have not updated this since some time - mainly because I have not done anything on the car and I decided that I won't. The plan is to replace it within the next few months. However - I am still not 100% sure with what I will replace it. At the moment I have a number of options:

a) Get an other MX3. It has to be a V6. And I want leather. Big plus is that it has 4 seats and a boot big enough to call it so. And every time I sit in my car I think "That is such a nice car! Love it!". However - I really hate the noise of everything vibrating and rattling. I did read some stuff about sound proofing and might give that a try.

b) Get a MR2-Mk1. I just like the look and they are for sure fun to drive. However - they only have two seats and basically no boot. At the moment that may be ok - but I would hate to let go of a nice car (especially as I may spend some money on it) because I can't fit a childseat.

c) Get a Golf. No - just kidding ;)

Maybe there are some other nice cars I did not consider yet. Perfect would be a Coupe with 4 seats and enough bootspace but with enough "fun". Looked at the FTO - but hate the back. Won't be driving a Fiat or Hyundai. GTO or Supra are just a bit too "much" for daily use I think.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26702https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26702Thu, 26 Jan 2012 10:06:47 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:19:07 GMT]]>Calibra?

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26703https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26703Thu, 26 Jan 2012 13:19:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:44:37 GMT]]>If you're not sticking with an MX3, you should consider a Mitsubishi Mivec Mirage/Colt, Toyota Levin BZR or a Nissan Pulsar VZR. Quick as fuck, very practical and can be picked up for less than 2k euro over here.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26704https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26704Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:44:37 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:54:15 GMT]]>@e28897a556=tomtom:

I have not updated this since some time - mainly because I have not done anything on the car and I decided that I won't. The plan is to replace it within the next few months. However - I am still not 100% sure with what I will replace it. At the moment I have a number of options:

a) Get an other MX3. It has to be a V6. And I want leather. Big plus is that it has 4 seats and a boot big enough to call it so. And every time I sit in my car I think "That is such a nice car! Love it!". However - I really hate the noise of everything vibrating and rattling. I did read some stuff about sound proofing and might give that a try.

b) Get a MR2-Mk1. I just like the look and they are for sure fun to drive. However - they only have two seats and basically no boot. At the moment that may be ok - but I would hate to let go of a nice car (especially as I may spend some money on it) because I can't fit a childseat.

c) Get a Golf. No - just kidding ;)

Maybe there are some other nice cars I did not consider yet. Perfect would be a Coupe with 4 seats and enough bootspace but with enough "fun". Looked at the FTO - but hate the back. Won't be driving a Fiat or Hyundai. GTO or Supra are just a bit too "much" for daily use I think.

I know where you coming from as I went through all this before I bought my MX3…Thats all im saying :)

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26705https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26705Thu, 26 Jan 2012 16:54:15 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:29:14 GMT]]>@68cfd6ac4b=Ice:

Calibra?

wash your mouth out

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26706https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26706Thu, 26 Jan 2012 17:29:14 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:10:39 GMT]]>Yeah - some Opel (or Vauxhall) is just as likely as a Golf. I remember that one of my mates got himself a Calibra when he got his license - which was in the very late 90s. And that thingi was so shit and broken he gave it back after 2 weeks. Back then that car was maybe a few years old and not like 20 as it will be now.

There really is not much choice of good-looking, fun-to-drive and affordable cars. A Honda CRX or even Del Sol might be an other option.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26707https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26707Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:10:39 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:51:35 GMT]]>lack of choice agreed there! must admit an SiR Delsol could be quite fun but then again would of choosen a MX-5 over that tbh or even an MR2.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26708https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26708Thu, 26 Jan 2012 18:51:35 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:13:07 GMT]]>Compared to the MR2 the Del Sol has at least some boot space. Of course it does not have a mid-engine and the Mk1 is for sure more of a beauty - but the Del Sol is still something to take home ;)

A MX-5 is totally out of question. I like the idea of a T-Bar or a hardtop like on the Del Sol - but no full convertible. And the hardtop on the MX-5 looks out of place me thinks. Also: It still is a hairdressers car :P

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26709https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26709Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:13:07 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:17:42 GMT]]>The Del Sol is even more of a hairdressers car and not a scratch on the MX5 in terms of, well, pretty much everything!

A CRX SiR would be a good choice though.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26710https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26710Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:17:42 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:31:23 GMT]]>Ok, another impulsive shot in the dark, Nissan 200? Ps I only mentioned the Calibra as I had a 4wd one and the boot was big and 4 seats… mouth well and truly washed out! LOL

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26711https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26711Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:31:23 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:38:19 GMT]]>A 200 is a totally different class of car, and a far better one at that. If you can pick up a clean one then you're laughing.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26712https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/26712Thu, 26 Jan 2012 19:38:19 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:29:52 GMT]]>went through the nissan coupe's// had a 100nx (crap)
had a 200sx (one of the best cars ive ever driven)
and unfortunately had a 300zx…. (huuuge mistake)

200sx.. a nice clean one... can't go wrong!!

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/27177https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/27177Wed, 29 Feb 2012 19:29:52 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to Mission: Nice'n'shiny (and fully functional) on Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:06:53 GMT]]>Well - I am pretty much decided now and was checking/keeping an eye on several MR2 Mk1s over the last 2 months. Also have a pretty detailed idea on what I want exactly - just have to find it and pick it up. Unfortunately there are not so many of them around so finding it is not quite as easy.

However - this time I am not in a rush to get a new car as my MX-3 is still running fine. Just hope I find the new car within the next 2 months as I don't want to miss those 3 days of summer.

]]>https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/27301https://www.uk-mx3.com/post/27301Sun, 11 Mar 2012 10:06:53 GMT