I've got a 2007 3 (hatchback), nothing unusual about it. I hit a dog recently, and damaged the front bumper cover - there are now three pretty long cracks (rips) in it. Unfortunately, the cover for the hatch is not the same as the cover for the sedan. (Just a personal rant: Why the crap didn't Mazda use common body work on the fronts of all the cars?!?)

I found a place locally that says they can fix the damage for $200 (that price does not include paint). I've also found a place that will sell a new cover for about $160 (I assume it's after-market and not genuine Mazda). That cover will also have to be painted.

But - the only ones they have available fit the sedan or a Mazdaspeed 3.

So... my question is: Does anyone know (for sure) that the 'speed 3 bumper cover will bolt onto my car? My bet is that it's the same actual part... but, I really don't care if there is a slight difference in the contour.

Any thoughts?

 

I highly doubt it since the speed has built in ("floating") fog lights. The speed hood also has an additional bulge in it that may affect the way it meets the bumper.
I don't know for sure but the fog lights are almost certainly a killer.

 

well its the same bolt pattern and the speed 3 does not have a front mount (worst mistake ever) so i would assume it would fit, i mean i hear/see alot of people doing the speed 3 conversion for there rear bumpers, i would really be surprised if the front bumper didnt fit.

 

It is possible to put a MS3 bumper on the Mz3 hatchback, HOWEVER the hoods on the two cars are different. Both the MS3 and the Mz3 sedan have the grill attached to the bumper, whereas on the Mz3 hatchback the grill is attached to the hood, and the hood continues down to the bottom level of the headlights. Basically you'd end up with both the hood and bumper occupying the same space which is generally not a great idea.

Just keep looking and find an actual Mz3 hatchback bumper and you'll avoid tons of problems.