Hey everyone:

Just picked up a new 2009 Blue R3. The dealers are dealing expecting the 2010s soon. Love the car. It's embarrassing what the Japanese can do for $28000. It was the test drive that got me.

I love the fact that it burns a little oil. I was a 2 stroke GP 250 tuner in another life. Still have CASES of Silkolene (sponsor) premix oil in the garage. 250cc, 240 lbs. wet, 85 HP. We mixed at ridiculous rates, as low as 20:1 with SUNOCO 110 octane leaded fuel. The more oil we added the more horsepower they made.

I hope I can ask a couple of basic questions. Does everyone run the book spec 5W-20 non-synthetic oil? That's some pretty watery stuff. Also I can hear very subtle electric motor like sound from the right when there's no one in the passenger seat. Figured it must have to do with the air bags. Anybody familiar with that?

Looking forward to taking part in the forum.

 

Welcome. Just remember, any questions you have, the search bar is your best friend. As for the oil, there are arguments for all types as well as arguments on premixes. For the electric motor sound, not too keen on the 09's, but is it just when the car is warming up? If so that is normal, and it shuts off after 30 seconds or so.

 

Welcome to the club.
As far as the oil goes most people will recommend a thicker oil, most likely 5w-30

 

I'm good with the search bar. Just thought I'd take advantage of the noob status and throw a couple out. I won't bury you with the same old same old.

As for that sound, it's only when the seat is empty, and it recurs about every 20-30 seconds. It's very subtle, almost inaudible, but it's there.

 

Is all good man. As for the sound, it is either something new with the 09's or I have never heard it before in my ride. My gf drives an 09 R3 and I can't say I've heard it before, but I've only ridin in her car two or three times.

 

Yes alot of people switch to 5W-30. It's all personaly preference.

And lets see some pictures!

Welcome to the club

 

A lot of people run 5w-30 as topgear mentioned its all personal preference. I run 10w-40 Mobile1 Fully Synth during the summer and 5w-30 during winter. A lot of your old rotary enthusiest will argue for years, they sugguest running 20w-50 in warmer climates. But there are plenty of Oil threads in this forum that will keep you busy for weeks. So read up on them and make your own decision.


Also welcome to the club! Don't be a stranger make it out to the local meets in your area.

 

Royal Purple 5w-30.

 

Here she is...................

I personally think it's a really bad idea to have the oil coolers (I'm assuming they're oil coolers but it doesn't matter what's in them) in the outside scoop vents hangin out in mid air with no screens over them. Has anybody covered screened or grilled them over to protect them. Coolers are notoriously fragile. Even if they don't leak from a stone hit, as the fins get bent up they get less and less efficient. Ideas? Pics?

 

Wow, did you seriously only pay 28k out the door? Thats quite a steal if so.

 

Welcome to the club!

I'm currently using 10w-30 bit switch to 5w-30 in the winter

 

Just make sure you check the oil frequently in the R3, she burns it quick!

 

Yes Mazda should have done better personaly. I have a set of Lockwood Grills fitted over here in the UK. I know Racing Beat also make some.

You have a very nice car btw.

 

No I did not. The car was $28,800 and I paid Washington state sales tax on top and about $250 licensing fees. My point is still the same. Mazda only sees $28,800 and that includes commission and something for the dealer. That's incredibly cheap considering what competitors can do for the same money.

Did you guys read the 08/08 Motor Trend (sure this is old news) "10 Best Handling blah blah blah...........? The 8 finished 4th........I was dumbstruck. The next best finisher, BMW M3, cost more than twice as much.

That's my 16 year old, btw. He's second youngest of my 6. Do the pics give you the impression he likes the car?

 

Thanks for the tip, Racerboy. I'll check them out.

 

Welcome to the club! You have a beautiful car there.

And check out rotaryFX.com for some oil cooler grills as well.

 

Thanks for the pointer, but rotaryFX oil grilles appear to be sized for the 03-08 only. I ordered the Racing Beat ones which say they go on '09s too. We'll see.

 

D'Oh! sorry. Brain fart.