How Can You Tell

[styles_t]

how can you tell just by looking at the car if the car is a 3s or 3i
- Just wondering -

[Loose]

how can you tell just by looking at the car if the car is a 3s or 3i
- Just wondering -
Usually there is a diffrence in wheel, trim and options. The 3i is the base model and the 3s is the "sport" model.

[protegeV]

from the front the easiest way is the grill.
3i = black mesh looking grill
3s = vertical slats painted body color

from the rear, the tails give it away
3i = all red tails
3s = black lenses.

[SilverM3s]

I believe the Mazda 3S has foglights and the 3i does not.

[styles_t]

are you talking about the grill at the bottom of the car or the one with the emblem on it - i do have fog lights

[protegeV]

the grill with the emblem in it...

the 3s comes standard with fogs, its an option on the 3i ;)

[Da 6]

hatch=3S
earlier models didn't get badges so don't rely on that alone....so If you see a 6 with no badges and no whip antenna don't assume it's a 2.3 and run it (wink) (owned)

[protegeV]

uh, i think we were talking about the MZ3 ;)

[Da 6]

hatch is s class only on the Mz3 but both 3(2.3) and 6(V6) don't have badges for early 1st year productions. I brought it up as a don't rely on no bages=base model

[styles_t]

so the hatch is the 3s with 2.3 engine and 160hp?

[Da 6]

so the hatch is the 3s with 2.3 engine and 160hp? In us spec...the hatch gets the 2.3....everywhere else I can't confirm cause there are 2.0 awd Mz6 wagons in other countries. I don't have my pdf's any more so I can't confirm if 3i has a 17's package...anyone wanna chime in for that one?

[styles_t]

aight cool - i just wanted to make sure i do have the 3s hatch and that the dealership didnt rip me off

[protegeV]

lol, the hatch ONLY comes in s trim with 17s and the 160hp 2.3

the pic in your avatar is a 3i though(dunno)

[theice]

Are you sure the car you bought is even a Mazda? Hello?? ANYONE IN THERE?

[black03mazda]

The 3 hatch only comes in the S. His avatar shows a 3s...

The 3i has the all red taillights as mentioned before.
The 3s has the clear red, orange, yellow lights.

The badges on the 1st yr MZ3s did not show up on the side with the 2.3 numbering. Mine was built in April of 04 and has the badges on the side.

The rims are another indicator of whether or not its an S or an i...
The wheel covers are smaller and do not feature the niceness of the 17's on the S.

The S model features actual alloy rims that are on 17 inch tires.

Also, the front grille is all painted. If it isnt, then it is an i.

They are easy to spot! B03M

[styles_t]

damn - i got my 3s hatch in March and i dont have the 2.3 on the side doors - i like how that looks - the reason i asked was because i just came back from FL. and i saw the 3 hatch that said 2.3 on the doors and i was wondering whats different and how come its there - i guess nothing special

[theice]

Here you go!

These are the chrome badges on the front fenders. Quantity 1, Mazda part # 0000-8R-L16

http://www.mazdastuff.com/product.cfm?ProductID=1866

[SilverM3s]

Just e-mail Mazdausa.com. Thats what I did and they sent me the badges free of charge. I just got them in the mail the other day. I also heard of people getting free touch up paint, so again I e-mailed Mazda yesterday and they said they had put a bottle in the mail for me today. Just make sure you include you VIN number when you e-mail MazdaUSA. Hope this helps.

[buckeye3s]

S sedan 16 inch alloys standard

[Da 6]

were the 17"s a package?

[LilMissGS3]

you guys are freaking me out.

I'm getting a GS with sport package, it doesnt have the fancy grill, just the plain black thing. I asked about the painted grill and was told it was 600$......As for the fogs, my car dont got those either.....WTF!? I'm confused.

[Da 6]

some things were optional and some weren't. guess thats a mazdausa pdf file question unless one of the 3 gurus can chime in...

[goldwing2000]

Most of the rules that have been stated don't apply to Canada. You guys have a whole different set of options and trim packages.

[LilMissGS3]

Most of the rules that have been stated don't apply to Canada. You guys have a whole different set of options and trim packages.


gotcha, I had a feeling that would be why............

that sucks!!!!!!!!!

[wongpres]

As goldwing says, nothing in this thread applies to Canadian trims. But as an FYI, for Canada, the body-coloured grille is only available on the GT sedan with GFX, and both the hatchback trims.

As for foglights, the sedan GS trim (regardless of option package) will not come with factory foglights. However, you can add foglights as a dealer-installed accessory. In fact, the dealer-installed accessory foglight will look identical to the foglights that come from the factory on the base GT sedan. The GT with GFX sedan has slightly different foglights (circular ones).

[GimmeA3S]

I like the "S" grille so much better that I'm considering transplanting one onto my "i". I can get one from Mazda, painted to match for $115....Then, the only distinguising feature between me and an "S" will be the side sills and the taillights (although I think I've seen an "S" without the side sill extensions - don't know what that was about).

[Armyguy1104]

My 3s doesnt have side sill extensions because its a option even for the 3s. My 3s is about as basic as you can get with one because the only option was wheel locks (woo hoo!!!).