I'm sorry for the long story, but here goes...
I've had my '05 6MPS from new (nearly 4 1/2 years). I've done 40,000 kms. I don't drive hard, and I've never 'launched' it. DSC is always on. In fact I could probably count on 2 hands the amount of times I've gone over 5000 rpm. Some might ask why the hell I have this car... but that's another story.
I've been having a minor issue (for nearly 2 years) where if I put the car into reverse, drive a few metres, then brake, I'd hear a loud 'Clunk' sound. If I then went forward a few metres (changing into 1st gear) and braked, 'Clunk'. I had no idea what it was and in normal driving, there was no noise when braking. It seems that it will only happen when changing directions.
I took it to Blacktown Mazda about 18 months ago and told them about this, and they reset the anti-rattle clips and 'tightened the suspension components'. They said it might be brake disc related and would have to live with it until replaced. After a few days it started 'clunking' again. I just ignored it.
I took it to McGrath Mazda Liverpool on Feb 2010, and asked them to check this (car still had 2 months manufacturer warranty). They basically said the exact thing that Blacktown Mazda did. Clunking persisted.
Last week I took it to McGrath Mazda for the 40k . Dealt with a guy called Elie. Really nice guy (I overheard a conversation he was having and apparently he's only been there for a week, came from Holden). I told him about the 'clunking'... again.
This time, it's a whole new story (car is now out of warranty). It would seem that the 'bushes' (suspension??... I don't know too much about the nitty gritty of car components) are damaged and need replacing, and that is what's causing the 'clunking'.
Elie volunteered to see if they can get the work done under 'warranty' as I have complained about this issue for nearly 2 years.
Mazda got back to him and said NO. Elie wasn't happy with this and can't understand why they have rejected this claim. He is going to talk to a Mazda rep next week.
To say I'm pissed off would be an understatement. As much as I love the car (and the various RX-7's I've had along the way), I am now in a position where I may have to look elsewhere for any future car.
I have some questions. Does the problem sound like it is related to the bushes? (for the love of god, what are they and what do they do?)
As they quoted about $1000 to replace (including labour), are there any alternatives to the stock mazda components (maybe from a performance point of view )?
Thanks for reading.