Elkins45
Site Donor 2026
There’s a 2009 Mazda5 with a manual transmission for sale locally. Being a 2009 it has the 2.3L MZR engine. Are these decent engines? Any particular things to look out for?
Thoughts on the 2.3L MZR engine?
- Thread starter Elkins45
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The whole MZR family is a solid engine. Most of the problems were in the earliest versions. I put 150,000 miles on our 2012 before an idiot who was apparently blind, T-boned me. My brother put almost 300,000 on his 2010 before a similar idiot took his out. I never had issues with oil burning, or really anything else for that matter. When I was on the Mazda forums of the time, I did seem to read about the 2.3's having more VVT issues than the 2.0 or 2.5, but even then it wasnt too widespread.
The 2.3 MZR turbo was a ticking time bomb.
The 2.3 MZR turbo was a ticking time bomb.
I will double down on the MZR being a reliable choice.
Those 2.3s were a very stout little engine.
I have put a few hundred thousand miles on my MAZDA3 with 2.5 MZR. At 300K, running a 0-40 its still as smooth as our newer CX-5 (which has the SKYACTIVE, that I am not in love with, but thus far they are also proving to be good engines).
Years back I had a GF who's Dad raced 4cyl Pure Stock (dirt track cars), they ran Mustangs with 2.3s and 2.5s and it was at that time that my appreciation for 4cyls sort of began. They were crazy, I forget the HP (I think around 400) but they would run up to and into 9k RPM coming out of turns just screaming! Oh the smell of CAM-2 race fuel.... ITs like the smell of morning coffee!
Those 2.3s were a very stout little engine.
I have put a few hundred thousand miles on my MAZDA3 with 2.5 MZR. At 300K, running a 0-40 its still as smooth as our newer CX-5 (which has the SKYACTIVE, that I am not in love with, but thus far they are also proving to be good engines).
Years back I had a GF who's Dad raced 4cyl Pure Stock (dirt track cars), they ran Mustangs with 2.3s and 2.5s and it was at that time that my appreciation for 4cyls sort of began. They were crazy, I forget the HP (I think around 400) but they would run up to and into 9k RPM coming out of turns just screaming! Oh the smell of CAM-2 race fuel.... ITs like the smell of morning coffee!
Solid engine. Had one in a Ford Fusion and a Mazda 5. That engine is very reliable, good on mpg and has good power especially when paired with a manual (as both of mine were).
We bought a 2009 Mazda5 in 2013, and passed it down to Jr a few years ago.
The 2.3/5MT combo has been great - reliable, easy on gas, and fun to drive.
One of the plastic bits of the cooling system failed a couple of years ago, and the engine was run with low (almost no) coolant for several days. Surprisingly, there was apparently no harm done to the engine. It still runs great, now at 224,000 km (c. 139,000 miles).
The 2.3/5MT combo has been great - reliable, easy on gas, and fun to drive.
One of the plastic bits of the cooling system failed a couple of years ago, and the engine was run with low (almost no) coolant for several days. Surprisingly, there was apparently no harm done to the engine. It still runs great, now at 224,000 km (c. 139,000 miles).
I bought a new Mazdaspeed 3 in July 2007. When I sold it in January 2016 it had 158k miles on it and used oil analysis showed the motor to be in excellent condition. The OCI ranged from 5k to 7.5k using Mobil 1 5W-30.
If Mazda had not kicked their Mazdaspeed division to the curb I’d probably still be driving one.
If Mazda had not kicked their Mazdaspeed division to the curb I’d probably still be driving one.
My in-laws have automatic they picked up 7 years ago. The only thing really to look out for Is rust.
Had a 04 Mazda6 liftback with the 2.3 MZR motor. Had no problems whatsoever for the 75K or so miles I owned it. Sold it to my next door neighbor and they still have it and it's got around 160K miles on it now. Only issues have been normal wear and tear (brakes, water pump, CV boots, etc.). Motor was a little down on power and fuel milage when compared to current Skyactiv's but not terribly so. It only had a 4 spd auto but that was rectified a few years later. My brother liked mine so he got a 06 Mazda6. It felt a lot peppier and got better fuel mileage than mine. His lived much of it's life in the outdoors of northern Michigan and adapted well to the environment. He kept it for 10+ years until a big white tail decided to commit suicide one night and the car was also declared dead on arrival.
