MAZDA MX-3Timing chain or Belt?

The Mazda MX-3 is a four-seater sports coupe manufactured by the Japanese marque Mazda. It was sold between 1992 and 1998, lasting only one generation. This sports car is also known by other names such as Eunos 30X (Australia) or Autozam AZ-3, which was Mazda’s brand of small vehicles.

The MX-3 shares its platform, called ‘EC’, with the Mazda 323‘s BG platform. Originally, this car was available with either a 1.6-liter inline four-cylinder engine with a single overhead camshaft (SOHC) or the 1.8-liter V6 with dual overhead camshafts. As development continued, a few more engines were offered.

Shortly thereafter, the MX-3 received a V6 engine with an even smaller displacement (1.6 liters). This was done to comply with Japanese environmental regulations.

In 1998, with the state of regulations and market, this model no longer made sense. The Mazda MX-5 was selling better, while users who wanted a more interesting vehicle still had the RX-7 as an option, even though it was already reaching the end of its cycle.

Among the competitors of this vehicle we can find cars such as the Mitsubishi Eclipse, the Nissan 240X or the Toyota Celica.