[amw896]

How do you guys cope? This mazda3 makes me want an autonomous car lol

[XutvJet]

I can somewhat relate (joke). I put my winter tires/wheels (OEM wheels) back on last week. I so miss my aftermarket wheels. I put 12mm spacers which helped restore some of the looks.

I don't know how you guys do it. Even if I had a M2 Competition and lived in a snowy area, I'd have winter tires for it and drive it on the manageable days and then have a POS on full blown snow tires for the really crappy days. I couldn't park my fun car for weeks and months on end. I like driving way too much.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I can somewhat relate (joke). I put my winter tires/wheels (OEM wheels) back on last week. I so miss my aftermarket wheels. I put 12mm spacers which helped restore some of the looks.

I don't know how you guys do it. Even if I had a M2 Competition and lived in a snowy area, I'd have winter tires for it and drive it on the manageable days and then have a POS on full blown snow tires for the really crappy days. I couldn't park my fun car for weeks and months on end. I like driving way too much.

only reason I store it is because of the salt. My Mazda is a 2013 and is already rusting.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by amw896

only reason I store it is because of the salt. My Mazda is a 2013 and is already rusting.

Huh...who knew!

The wife's MZ3 is a 2015 bought in late 2014, but I've never thought to take all the undercarriage and wheel well panels off to see exactly what the status is. Mind you, the car spent the first three years of its life in Northern New England, so salt-related rust issues are always a concern.

Frankly, the price point at which we acquired her MZ3 left me not very worried about how long the car would last. If I had been, I would have removed the underbody panels two or three times each winter to rinse off the road salt.

[amw896]

Originally Posted by dradernh

Huh...who knew!

The wife's MZ3 is a 2015 bought in late 2014, but I've never thought to take all the undercarriage and wheel well panels off to see exactly what the status is. Mind you, the car spent the first three years of its life in Northern New England, so salt-related rust issues are always a concern.

Frankly, the price point at which we acquired her MZ3 left me not very worried about how long the car would last. If I had been, I would have removed the underbody panels two or three times each winter to rinse off the road salt.

lol I didnt remove panels I just noticed some corrosion on the inside of both passenger side doors.

[LCONE]

Rust on a Mazda? No way! Haha just kidding but seriously when I think of a Mazda 3 all I can see are rusted trunks and rocker panels.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by LCONE

Rust on a Mazda? No way! Haha just kidding but seriously when I think of a Mazda 3 all I can see are rusted trunks and rocker panels.

Yeah I get it, even though we haven't had to deal with rust yet.

While we have yet to see rust on our MZ3 that has spent most of its life in a salty winter environment, we're still extremely grateful for all else that Mazda offers in these modestly priced cars.

I guess that when a very capable general purpose runabout costs only $23,887 (2014 USD), you're maybe less discriminating than you might otherwise be?

[LCONE]

Yikes. $24k USD for a Mazda 3? Maybe inflation is a factor or exchange but I used to have a 2008 Golf I paid $23k CAD or about $17,500 USD brand new, fully loaded off the lot at the end of 2007.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by LCONE

Yikes. $24k USD for a Mazda 3?

Oh noooooo, brah...this unit is NOT your basic stripper, but instead the following:

2015 Mazda 3 5-Door 2.5L MT s Touring.

So you can see how this unit may have been just a little bit more expensive than the same unit in your village. Or...NOT... I mean, who knows, right!

[LCONE]

Good for you bud. I'm happy you are happy with your purchase. Making a jab from one car guy to another's choice on vehicles they bought is pretty normal from where I'm from. Sorry if I offended you with my overpriced and rust prone Mazda comments. But that Golf wasn't your basic stripper model either...MT, leather, moon roof, premium stereo and all the little goodies.

Anyways why are we even swinging our VW and Mazda dicks on a BMW forum? We should be riding together in our 2er's. Holler at me when you're back in your 2 this spring and let's go for a cruise. In the meantime I'll be passing you in my M235i Xdrive with winter tires that I rock year round....but I still make need a pull from the ditch because it doesn't turn or stop any faster than everyone else!

[FX TR8R]

I work from home and don't drive in the snow. Problem solved. :P

[Unicorn123]

Originally Posted by XutvJet

I can somewhat relate (joke). I put my winter tires/wheels (OEM wheels) back on last week. I so miss my aftermarket wheels. I put 12mm spacers which helped restore some of the looks.

I don't know how you guys do it. Even if I had a M2 Competition and lived in a snowy area, I'd have winter tires for it and drive it on the manageable days and then have a POS on full blown snow tires for the really crappy days. I couldn't park my fun car for weeks and months on end. I like driving way too much.

I have to agree with Jet on this one. I'll take winter tires and regular visits to the car wash to clean the undercarriage. Modern BMW's have pretty decent rust prevention and it is way too much fun to park in the garage for the winter...

[XutvJet]

Originally Posted by Unicorn123

I have to agree with Jet on this one. I'll take winter tires and regular visits to the car wash to clean the undercarriage. Modern BMW's have pretty decent rust prevention and it is way too much fun to park in the garage for the winter...

Yeah, I know salt is a problem (we use it here in Kansas City too), I wash the under carriage, wheel wells and fender lips, inside of the doors/trunk/hood of my cars often in the winter. I do know things are different up north as they do use more salt and things stay snowy much longer. Honestly, I don't know how you guys deal with winters like that

It is odd to hear that a 2013 Mazda is already rusting on painted panels. I could understand undercarriage parts where paint is thin and/or bare metal, but rust inside the door openings? Was this car wrecked? Do you just let salt and grime sit on the car for months on end?

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by LCONE

Holler at me when you're back in your 2 this spring and let's go for a cruise.

I just might do that. I'm thinking about taking a trip to Quebec City sometime next year, and stopping in at Guelph isn't out of my way at all.

Originally Posted by FX TR8R

I work from home and don't drive in the snow. Problem solved. :P

I don't work or drive in the snow. Both problems solved.

[B58togo]

We’re getting hit early this year. Already had 16” of snow and saw below zero temps on Thanksgiving. Haven’t driven the car in 12 days (actually still haven’t switched to the winter tires). Last year I made it until December 9th before switching. Just gotta be careful on summer tires on dry pavement, when it’s under 40 or so. I’m trying to be optimistic and think that with an early snowfall, winter will end in late February/early March, but that’s probably a pipe dream. Regardless, I’ll only drive the 240i when it hasn’t snowed in awhile and the roads are dry. From December through March last year, I only did 1200-1300 miles. Traction under 60 mph is pathetic on 225 Pilot Alpins.

[RoundelM3]

I moved to a location where it MIGHT "snow" once during winter and be gone in a day or two. Best solution I've come up with. No winter tires, no storage, no salt, no rust.

[dradernh]

Originally Posted by RoundelM3

I moved to a location where it MIGHT "snow" once during winter and be gone in a day or two. Best solution I've come up with. No winter tires, no storage, no salt, no rust.

I used to go down to Caswell Beach every year. I had no idea you could get snow down there.

[ggggbmw]

I just put snow tires on mine and DRIVE IT ALL WINTER. Why drive a crappy car in the winter? Drive what you love to drive.

It's just a car. If it gets some rust in a few years, well, might be a good excuse for a new one.

Also, modern cars don't generally rust like cars of even 20 years ago. When I sold my 2007 Altima after 10 years, it didn't have a single rust spot after living in very salty Minnesota winters. Being even newer, with even better steels/coatings, I will be surprised (and pissed) if my 235 rusts through in 10 years.

[ehjhey]

Ya, I'm in Southern Canada and I'm kinda worried about rust, but not enough to not slap some winters on the girl and have some fun through the winter. Granted I also have an xdrive. Only blues I have are from missing my Pilot super sports

[RoundelM3]

Originally Posted by dradernh

I used to go down to Caswell Beach every year. I had no idea you could get snow down there.

Yes...although VERY infrequently. We got 5" in one night last winter that lasted 3 days. The previous 3 years we barely even got a light dusting that disappeared within 24 hours. Not so much right at the beaches, but just a few miles inland. This has been a weird year for weather.

[Ron Jeffries]

I drive mine year round, with top-tier winter tires in winter. I bought it with intention of driving it year round, because storing my previous BMW was making me, and it, sad.

[USA-RET]

I drove Corvettes during the winters in Illinois. Never a problem w/ rust at all.