I thought only the Mazda 5 Sport is affected by the tyre wear issue. Would you get a TS2 model instead?

 

Thanks for all replies.

Ianso your tyre comments worry me re the 5, there are so many online complaints about this.

My wife prefers the 6 and I lean more towards the 5, although I think the new 6 is a nice car. What tend to sway me is that both the Furano and the 6 TS petrol are the same price, but the Furano has many more extras such as leather seats, bluetooth, xenon light sensitive headlights, rain sensitive wipers, body kit, privacy glass, dual zone a/c, and electrically operated rear doors, etc. There is a bigger discount on the 5 possibly because it is being redesigned for the end of the year. I have also been used to the practicality and high seated vision of an MPV, having had 3 in succession.

However, I am quite nervous over potential problems with the 5, and as you say Jenglish, the estate version of the 6 is an attractive vehicle.

Jenglish, was the extra cost for the T2 worth it, and what colour did you opt for? I haven't seen it in the flesh but this blue looks really attractive.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/MAZDA6-2-5-SPO...item3eff575a05

 

Based on my experience with the 2008 Mazda 5 2.0D Sport I would say keep well away from this model. I had the same experience as Iainso with the front tyres replacing them at 6000miles. They have been okay since a 4 wheel alignment and the car has done just over 20000miles. But and it is a big but - the car is currently off the road awaiting new rear shock absorbers. Mazda have no idea when they will be available. I found the back tyres were wrecked and after reading this website checked the shocks and found them covered in oil. I have had a small courtesy car for nearly 3 weeks and the dealer has just phoned to tell me to arrange a hire car which Mazda will pay for. Clearly he expects this to be not sorted quickly. It seems Mazda are changing the specification of the shocks so recognise they have a problem. They would not even supply original spec shocks as a temporary fix. I also expect them to find issues with other suspension components.

You are suggesting a petrol version - again in my experience this is a safer bet than the diesel which may have oil level issues rising above design.

If after all this you do go for a 5 keep away from the Sport which is where all the main problems seem to be.

Good Luck.

 

Rhodri,

Thanks for your advice.

I really like the practicality and the discount on the Mazda 5 Furano, but it seems that there are too many negatives mounting up.

As you are probably aware the Mazda 5 Furano is a Sport with extras!

 

Update to my situation :-
Finally got new rear shocks fitted after 26 days off the road. Dealer supplied a courtesy car and later a hire car that Mazda will pay for but not a like for like vehicle.

Dealer could find no wear in any of the suspension bushes. Cause of rapid tyre wear is still inconclusive and am waiting for Mazda response to my letter of complaint.

After a long discussion with the owner of the dealership covering several issues relating to suspension/tyres we have agreed to set the alignment at the maximum toe in tolerence rather than in the centre.

New rear tyres are Goodyears - same as I have on the front and which have done approx. 14000miles with no apparent problems.

2008 Mazda 5 Sport 2.0D

 

Been a while since I posted but in the interim I've got on to my third set of front tyres and my Mazda 5 Sport is still only just over 2 years old & @ 24K mileage.
First set went at about 13K when I had a blow out (at low speed fortunately) and it turned out that both Dunlop tyres had uneven wear being down to the core on the inside. True to form MMUK denied all knowledge of a problem. Jon Smith was rude and unhelpful and Robert Hancock does know all about it as I have a letter to prove. (So I'm another witness.) They blamed my driving and the tyres. Said the dealer would send them back to Dunlop for inspection, but that was a year ago and I've heard nothing.What a suprise.

2nd set (Dunlop)went after another 7K ish only weeks after the service and being told by the dealer that all tyres were fine.

3rd set are Falkens, bought having searched the opinions on the forum. So far the car has felt as if it handles a lot better- well until very recently when I noticed a strange sensation and some creaking/groaning from the car. Mindful of all the talk about shocks I visited the dealer yet again (having been in just a month previously and paid best part of £90 to have DPF fixed) and was told it is the anti roll bar bushes. (Means nothing to me sadly.) They have to be ordered and so in two and a half weeks time! my car is booked back in.

They assured me that the car is safe to drive in the meantime and that nothing else will be damage because of it. But as I'm not technically minded I'd really appreciate any of your opinions on the matter.

So far no money back on ANY of tyres but am truly sick and tired of whole saga. Spent an hour in dealer last week going over everything with them. (To be fair, Chap dealing with me was courteous and actually listened very well and has promised to take it up with MMUK) However, he has until end of the month and if no joy then I may just be heading off the court myself.

 

The anti roll bar bushes will be fine if they are just creaking.
They would have heat hardened by the sound of it.
This means they will be secure, which is fine, just noisy. It's when the bushes wear away the problem will be dangerous.

I am surprised by the shock issue, but there have been plenty of cars which go through shock absorbers. Fiats are common for that also.
It might be something to do with the fact that they will need to make the car comfy, but they can be used as load luggers, so too much pressure put on an underrated absorber.

The Falkens are a great tyre. and exceptional value
Though I just had to buy another after getting a puncture, and the wife driving on it all day!

You wont hear anything from Mazda. I never even got a courtesy letter or call from my dealer even after my complaint at the first service with only 8K on the fronts

 

Thanks Coney. Am pleased to say the Dealer called today to say the bushes are in and they will fit them tomorrow. They are still investigating the tyres!!

 

As a result of the comments on this forum, I notified my local Mazda dealer that I will not now be buying a Mazda car.
I provided him with a url reference for this thread.

 

It's pointless sending your evidential tyres to Mazda to 'inspect'. They have neither the tools or skills to give a valid technical opinion. They will never declare that there poor design and specification has caused the front inner edge wear. But they do get your evidence and will dispose of your tyre without your consent, else they will claim they have '..lost or misplaced it'. The only reason also that Dunlop (in the case of original tyres) will inspect their tyres is in respect to warranty (manufacturing or workmanship faults) claim. It is of no value in our case where we are trying to establish and claim that it is the cars fault, Dunlop will not comment on the cause of the wear, they only look for if it their manufacture or workmanship failure on their part. I too had a letters off Mr Robert Hancock (customer assistance manager), Carol Lacey (case manager) and another name that I can't find/recall at the moment, claiming they no nothing of a front tyre inner edge wear issue with Mazda 5 Sport, and spurt out the same old bull about the rear tyre wear discovered in spring 2007.