Heat soak/octane issues- Boost was retarded and max power not made unless you could find and run 94 octane. Widley reported in reviews.
So what did Mazda do to rectify this for the MazdaSpeed3? Aside from the number of drivewheels, I thought they were the same powertrain, no?
And FWIW, I didn't find the clutch all that difficult to modulate in my admitedly short drive.
I KNOW from what I've read that Mazda issued ECU reflashes to try to correct the problem on the 6.
I can't find the info right now but I think I read that underhood cooling and intercooler polacement differs from the 6 to the 3 so there may be something to that. The 6 came first so the problem would have been more widley seen and then corrected for the 3.
As for the clutch I have not driven a Speed 6. I am only going on the reviews which would have colored peoples opinion. Lots of posts on Mazda forums about the high release point of the clutch
Mazda issued a TSB..but as I said before by then the damage to perception had been done:
TSB: 05-003/07
2006 - 2007 MAZDASPEED6 - CLUTCH PEDAL IS DIFFICULT TO OPERATE
APPLICABLE MODEL(S)/VINS
2006 - 2007 Mazdaspeed6 vehicles with VINs lower than JM1GG****7*107613
DESCRIPTION
When releasing the clutch, the height of the pedal where the clutch starts to engage is higher than other vehicles making a smooth engagement difficult. Higher pedal pressure is required to depress the clutch pedal at the point of clutch engagement.
The following mass-production changes have taken place:
Feb. 21, 2006 - Improved clutch pedal characteristics.
May 26, 2006 - Improved clutch cover release load characteristic.
July 1, 2006 - Improved clutch disc cushion deflection.
