MS3 issue

[aznballer]

My car is 07 MS3, the car is currently running 56k on it, never changed anything such as brake pads and rotors and the clutch. During the past couple of month I rarely drove it, it sits in the garage alot.

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I was driving one night and when I almost brake to a complete stop I heard a loud noise coming from the front left, the noise repeated once on the day after. Then I started to feel weird when driving it. It feels like the tires are running flat, but I checked on them and they are alright. I tried to do the slalom and the car is responding slowly to the steering wheel.

Here are some questions, thanks ahead for answering them!
1. What might be the cause for this issue?
2. I want to send it for an inspection, should I go to the dealership or just find a mechanic garage?
3. Do they charge alot for inspection at the dealer?
4. My car is just over 3 years, is it still under warranty?
5. Is the above issue might be covered under warranty?
6. How much is it to replace the front windshield at the dealership? Or any other good windshields places for suggestion?

[Unoriginalusername]

Notes/thoughts below


My car is 07 MS3, the car is currently running 56k on it, never changed anything such as brake pads and rotors and the clutch. During the past couple of month I rarely drove it, it sits in the garage alot.

----------Above is the background--------------------------------------------

I was driving one night and when I almost brake to a complete stop I heard a loud noise coming from the front left, the noise repeated once on the day after. Then I started to feel weird when driving it. It feels like the tires are running flat, but I checked on them and they are alright. I tried to do the slalom and the car is responding slowly to the steering wheel.

Here are some questions, thanks ahead for answering them!
1. What might be the cause for this issue?
The noise or the feeling weird? You'd need to describe the noise a bit more, I can't make any guesses based on that description but the handling may be anything from your memory of what it felt like in warmer weather to the differences of how the tires/suspension reacts when its 60% colder outside. If the tires are up to the correct pressure, the lugs are tight I wouldn't be too worried. I would check the shocks to see if you've blown a strut or something like that which does happen on the speed3 from time to time, that would make the car react a lot different.

2. I want to send it for an inspection, should I go to the dealership or just find a mechanic garage?


3. Do they charge alot for inspection at the dealer?
Call and ask, most dealers have posted shop rates... you pay for the amount of time/detail of the inspection. If you are under warranty they would try to diagnose the issue at no cost to you. If you show up and want an inspection for the sake of having one that would cost you money.

4. My car is just over 3 years, is it still under warranty?
The basic warranty for the 2010 MAZDASPEED3 covers all parts found to be factory defective for 36 Months or 80,000 km, whichever comes first. Additional warranties cover Powertrain components for a period of 5 years or 100,000 km whichever comes first, body sheet metal perforation for 5 years and unlimited mileage and specific emission control components for up to 8 years or 128,000 km.


5. Is the above issue might be covered under warranty?
Depends again on what it is, better to look up the shops (like QEW mazda) that are rated really well from a service perspective to have them look at your car and determine if it is a warranty issue or not. The shocks are a common issue on the previous gen speed.

6. How much is it to replace the front windshield at the dealership? Or any other good windshields places for suggestion?
I'd go somewhere else for this... cost depends if you are using your insurance at all or not. Most policies include a windshield replacement every few years

[aznballer]

Thanks for your post! The noise is like dragging a metal shovel on the road, and the noise is very disorderly. I am not really worried about the noise now since it doesn't happen that often. I will take my car to a private garage for a check on Monday.