[darin180sx]

I figured I should consolidate my mods into one thread to keep better track of my car's progress. So anyway, this is my 2017 Mazda 3 Hatchback Grand Touring. I bought it from the original owner with approximately 24k on the clock. I like to do OEM+ style mods so don't expect any crazy body kits or vinyl wraps😂. I try to keep part numbers and install instructions so if there are any parts you see on my car that you'd like more info on, let me know!

2017 Mazda 3 Hatchback
Eternal Blue
Automatic
Grand Touring
Premium Package
i-ACTIVSENSE Package

Exterior Mods
OEM Front and Rear Parking Sensors with On-Screen Display
OEM Rear Bumper Guard
OEM Aero Front Lip
OEM Aero Rear Bumper Diffuser
OEM Aero Rear Spoiler/Wing
OEM BP Mazda3 Hatch Emblem
OEM BP SkyactivG Hatch Emblem
OEM Hood Insulator
OEM Rear View Camera Automatic Cleaner
OEM Door Sill Plates
OEM BP Illuminated Door Sill Plates
IkonMotorsports MP Style Side Skirts
AutoEXE Exhaust Tips
AliExpress Mirror Black Pillar Covers
AliExpress Strut Tower Cover Caps
Nissan Versa Front License Plate Bracket
THESPEEDLINE Hood Dampers
AutoEXE Hood Dampers
Spieg Power Folding Mirrors
AliExpress Automatic Folding Mirror Module
AliExpress LED Rear Reflectors (Rear Fog Lights)
AliExpress Power Liftgate

Interior Mods
OEM CX-5 Steering Wheel Full Script Buttons
OEM EU Rear Seat Belt Sensors
OEM EU Indicator Unit
OEM Remote Start
OEM CX-9 Black Overhead Console w/LED Downlight
OEM CX-9 Black Rear Dome Light w/Buttons
OEM Frameless Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror
OEM Mazda6 Passenger Kick Panel w/insulation
OEM Android Auto/CarPlay Module
OEM Rear Trunk Carpeted Mat
OEM Rear Cargo Area/Rear Seat Back Cover
OEM Cargo Net and Clips
OEM Canadian Premium Floor Liners
OEM Aluminum Accelerator Pedal
OEM Aluminum Brake Pedal
OEM Aluminum Dead Pedal
OEM Cargo Tray
OEM European Center Dash Vents (Open/Close Wheel)
OEM CX-3 Chrome Tip Window Switches
Illuminated Passenger Window Switches
OEM Mazda6 Auto Up/Down Chrome Tipped, Illuminated Passenger Window Switches
OEM Vietnamese Window Switch (Chrome Tipped & Power Folding Mirror Switch)
OEM CX-9 Driver's Window Switch (Chrome Tipped, Power Folding Mirror Switch, Illuminated Lock Button)
OEM Mazda6 Auto Up/Down Window Motors
OEM Rear Fog Light Headlight Stalk
OEM Black Grab Handles
OEM Black Sun Visors
OEM EU Dash Buttons (Including Parking Sensor Button)
OEM Lower Dash Rear Hatch Button (Open/Close Power Liftgate)
OEM CX-5 Liftgate Button
Amazon Red Start/Stop Button Cover
Velcro Tape for Center Console Tray
AliExpress Automatic Sunroof Closer Module
AliExpress Aluminum Seat Adjustment Knob Covers
Felt-Lined Glove Box
AliExpress 10.1" Screen Android/OEM Radio/Nav Unit
AliExpress Integrated Dashcam
PPF Lined Window and Shifter Trim


Lighting
OEM LED Footwell Interior Lighting Kit
OEM DRL Lighting Kit (Halo's Only)
OEM LED Luggage Compartment Lights
Kia Glove Box Switch and LED Glove Box Light
SiriusLED Front Turn Signals
SiriusLED Rear Turn Signals
SiriusLED Backup Lights
SiriusLED License Plate Lights
SiriusLED Dome Light
SiriusLED Map Light
AliExpress Sequential LED Mirror Turn Signals
LAMIN-X Yellow Film on Fog Lights



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When I first picked up the car:

First thing I had to take care of was the unsightly dent in the driver side rocker panel:

Figured the cheapest way would be to cover it up with a side skirt (and a good excuse to buy some). I decided on IkonMotorsports MP Style skirts as they came painted and fully covered the dent. The OEM skirts wouldn't cover it:

After "fixing" the dent, I decided to tackle the horrible condition of the steering wheel. Previous owner must have worn tons of lotions, creams, and make up as it had become a coating on the wheel:

After many passes with leather cleaner:

I prefer using Android Auto so next was to update the CMU and install the OEM unit:

(Also wrapped the shifter surround panel as I couldn't stand the scratches)

 

[darin180sx]

Next I did some basic mods like Bumper Protector, Cargo Net/Hooks, Cargo Tray, and Door Sill Panels

Couldn't figure out why the car did not come with a glove box light, so I used an OEM Kia switch and used the existing empty bulb holder to add my own:

Continuing the interior mods, I added the OEM LED Footwell kit:

I also changed my Auto-Dimming Rear View Mirror out for the OEM Frameless model:

I also added the CX-9 Black Overhead console and wired in the LED downlight:

Finally found the open/close center air vents from a seller in Poland, so in they went:

(Not the best picture, but they're there 😂 )

Finally I added some velcro strips to the sliding tray in the center console to keep it from moving around constantly:

 

[darin180sx]

Back to the exterior, I decided to add the optional AutoEXE exhaust pipe tips:

I eventually painted the stock pipes black so they can't be seen inside the tips.

Also installed the BP Mazda3 and Skyactiv-G badges as they are a cleaner design:

The front bumper had previously been damaged before I bought the car. I thought I wouldn't let it bother me, but of course it did. I ended up buying a new bumper and installing an OEM front lip on it:

I did not want to put the front plate back in the OEM spot, and I was unable to find a plate relocation kit so I made my own. I used a Nissan Versa plate holder and simply zip-tied it around the posts in the lower front bumper. It has been perfect ever since:

I also wanted to do some more JDM mods so I found the OEM DRL-Halo Only kit and installed that when the bumper was off the car:

The switch is above the fuse panel on the driver kick panel. It can be seen in the bottom of this picture (with the OEM Footwell switch) as well:

I also installed the OEM rear view camera cleaner which shoots out puffs of air when the car shifts into reverse to clean off water droplets from the camera lens:

(Hard to see, but its the half-circle plastic piece above the lens)

Also found and installed the OEM Hood Insulator along with some Speedline hood dampers:

 

[darin180sx]

After a ton of searching, I found the BN styled mirror switch with power folding mirror option. Most of the ones I found did not have the door lock/unlock, or had all 4 windows AUTO, or did not have the chrome tipped switches to match the other 3 chrome tipped CX-3 window switches I have. I had to source this from Vietnam:

(Strangely, the lock and unlock buttons did not illuminate, only the Auto switch did. I removed the LED from my stock switch and wired it into the new switch to illuminate the lock button and it works perfectly)

After finding the switch, I decided to install power folding mirrors I purchased from Spieg along with some AliExpress sequential LED mirror signals:
https://flic.kr/p/2mcHyqF https://flic.kr/p/2mcJB41
The LED DRL Halo-Only kit can be seen working in this video:
https://flic.kr/p/2mcHyqa
Also installed door handle LEDs from Aliexpress:

I also installed some AliExpress gloss black pillar vinyls on the exterior as the matte ones didn't look that great:

There's more little things that have been done, but these are the major aspects. I hope you enjoy my build, there will be more to come!

 

[darin180sx]

Love that rearview mirror!! Where did you get it from and how to install it??

Contrats, really nice car!!

Thanks man, the rear view mirror I got from BAM wholesale:

Mazda Mirror, Auto-Dimming, Homelink 0000-8C-L48 | Auto Parts

2017-2018 Mazda 3 0000-8C-L48 - Mirror, Auto-Dimming, Homelink | Auto Parts

www.bamwholesaleparts.com

It was easy to install, it includes instructions and basically you just have to tap a wire in the A-Pillar, install took me maybe 20 minutes.

Also the glass has LEDs integrated into it so you can see only when the button is pressed.



Sent from my SM-G988U1 using Tapatalk

 

[darin180sx]

Many thanks! I have OEM auto dimming mirror, but w/o mirrorlink. Installation will be just replacing it?

Yep, it connects to the same mount as the stock mirror and just needs the wire tapping to be done behind the A-Pillar which just pops off. After you tap the wires (the kit includes some taps), you just tuck the wire under the headliner which you can get to easily by dropping the sunvisor. Then just connect to the mirror and you're done. Homelink and autodimming should work with just those wire taps.

 

[darin180sx]

That's what I like to see. Subtle mods that don't stand out too much, but makes the car more attractive and you can enjoy being in it.

Thanks! Yeah I agree about doing subtle mods. My thinking when I do them is I want it to look like it came from the factory that way. If they stand out too much it clashes with the overall appearance of the car.

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[darin180sx]

Did you glue the rear spoiler or drill in?

That's the stock one, I am still on the fence about buying the optional wing. The mazda instructions call for it to be drilled though so I would probably be safe and do that.

 

[darin180sx]

Please explain this camera cleaner thing???

Basically when you put the car into reverse, there is a small actuator mounted in the trunk lid that pulses shots of air through a rubber tube that attaches to that piece on the camera. The air actually blows the water off the lens. It wasn't a big job to install, but you will need to drill a small hole for the rubber tube. Here are the instructions trimmed down to just Mazda 3 Hatcback non-360* (I had to translate the Japanese instructions so the translation may not be the best, also entire pdf of the instructions is attached to this post):

 

[darin180sx]

Ah man, I could really use that. Do you have the part number for that kit, or a link to where I can get it?

Sure, the part numbers are:
BM02V7545 - Mounting kit for BM/BN Mazda 3
C900V7540 - Air pulsing actuator

I ordered them from Yahoo Japan, using Buyee as the shipping/purchasing agent:

Mounting Kit - https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/shopping/hyogoparts_bm02v7545/category/
Actuator - https://buyee.jp/item/yahoo/shopping/marucorp_C900V7540-CX3

 

[darin180sx]

Took the car up to Maine for some camping:

Once I got back I installed some parts I had laying around.
Started with the:
OEM Canadian Premium Floor Liners
OEM Aluminum Accelerator Pedal
OEM Aluminum Brake Pedal
OEM Aluminum Dead Pedal (installed onto the floor liner itself otherwise it would just be covered by it)

Lastly I sourced some rear seat belt buckles with sensors from the UK and installed them to go along with a new indicator unit panel from Poland which displays when the rear seat belts are buckled or not (green/red). It also displays the Passenger Airbag lettering in white instead of yellow which looks much better in my opinion.

This was a very straightforward install. Each buckle has 2 pins. One is ground and one goes to a pin on the RBCM for each buckle. Here is a list of the pins on the RBCM and where the new wires go:

Besides the wiring at the RBCM, the indicator unit is plug and play, and only 1 value needs to be changed using ForScan. If anyone wants more information on the installation let me know!

 

[darin180sx]

Spent the last few days doing some small mods:

Bought these "aluminum" power seat control covers from eBay, I think they look pretty good with the other pseudo-metallic interior bits:

Also installed some self-adhesive felt liner to the glove box. Definitely makes the car feel more premium instead of the shiny plastic.

Installed the OEM remote start kit. It works great, but the car does turn off when the door is opened.

Installed the OEM Luggage Room LEDs. I did not place them where Mazda indicated as my cargo tray would block them. I decided to get them as the tray blocks the stock light pretty good. I installed these a little further towards the hatch opening and aimed slightly down so they would not get blocked by the tray.

Here is the hatch area with no light (my camera was in night mode so it will appear brighter than normal, its basically pitch black in there):

Here is the hatch area with just the stock trunk light on (albeit with an LED bulb installed):

Again this picture is way brighter than reality due to night mode activating. Basically this light does next to nothing with the tray installed, If anything it slightly illuminates the left front corner of the hatch.

Finally, here is the hatch area with the new LED light panels installed:

The trunk is now fully illuminated even with the cargo tray installed! The light again is not anywhere near this bright, it is a nice modest amount of light, but it does the job great!

It also came with a switch which I installed right above the light on the driver side. The lights come on when the trunk is opened just like the stock bulb, but this switch can be toggled so they don't turn on at all if you prefer that:

 

[darin180sx]

Spent an afternoon washing the car and installing some parts:


Since I have the front lip and aftermarket side skirts, I decided to complete the look with the rear. So on went the OEM Rear Lower Bumper Diffuser and OEM Rear Roof Spoiler/Wing:

I also always liked the look of window visors, I went with the OEM set as they look nearly seamless and subtle:

Finally, I removed the OEM BM/BN Door Sills as I wanted illuminated ones. The BM/BN ones felt really out of place with the red and gray in the graphic which did not match any other aspect of the car.

I took a chance and purchased the OEM 2019+ BP Mazda 3 Illuminated Door Sills. I already have the BP Mazda 3 rear emblem and skyactiv-g emblem so using the door sill plates matched that and did not have any bright colors on it. Happy to say they fit just fine and work great!

Not the best picture, but a good indication of how it looks when opening the door at night:

 

[darin180sx]

Question regarding the rear badging. It’s my understanding that the “Mazda 3” badging has pins on the back. Did you fill in the holes when putting on the new lettering? Does the new lettering have pins that line up with the old? How’d ya do that?

It did indeed leave 2 holes. I didn't fill them after removing the old badge however. The new badge did not have any pins on the back and I just stuck on the new badge and adjusted it so the letters completely covered the holes. You could probably put some silicone on the backside of the panel to be safe, but I sprayed it with a pressure washer and drove it in heavy rain with no leaks at all.

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[darin180sx]

Installed some new wheels and tires!

Went with
OEM Mazda M011 Gloss Gunmetal
18x8.0 et 45

Tires I wanted some good all seasons so I got
Michelin CrossClimate2
225/45 R18

So far they're awesome and the wheels look incredible, especially in person.

Please excuse the crappy pics!

 

[darin180sx]

I’ve reeeally been eyeing these specific wheels for my 18 hatch. Seeing them now makes all the more harder to pull the trigger especially since mine is Eternal Blue as well. Maybe after winter passes here. Only downside for me is that I have the base sport trim and I’m torn between new wheels, or wanting to buy and install the GT style LED headlights and the more I read and research, the more that may be impossible.

Honestly as great as the wheels are, I would go with the LED headlights if you can pull it off. Otherwise you can't go wrong with these wheels (best OEM option IMO).

 

[darin180sx]

Installed some AliExpress switchback LED front turn signals. I really like the look it has with the DRL headlights and helps complete the front end, lighting wise.

They are white whenever the car is on and running, but have a sequential orange LED for the turn signals:
https://flic.kr/p/2mGGhTT

 

[darin180sx]

Where did you get the hood insulation from???


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I got them locally, but here are the part numbers and quantities I used.

Here's the links on Tasca:

Insulator Bonnet BPM4-56-681 | TascaParts.com

BPM4-56-681 - Insulator Bonnet

www.tascaparts.com

2007-2021 Mazda Insulator Fastener TD11-56-694 | TascaParts.com

2007-2021 Mazda part # TD11-56-694 - Insulator Fastener

www.tascaparts.com

2014-2017 Mazda 6 Insulator Protector - Passenger Side (RH) GHP9-56-9Z1B | TascaParts.com

2014-2017 Mazda 6 part # GHP9-56-9Z1B - Insulator Protector - Passenger Side (RH)

www.tascaparts.com

2014-2017 Mazda 6 Insulator Protector - Driver's Side (LH) GHP9-56-9Z2B | TascaParts.com

2014-2017 Mazda 6 part # GHP9-56-9Z2B - Insulator Protector - Driver's Side (LH)

www.tascaparts.com

 

[darin180sx]

Changed my mind yet again on the overhead console. Installed an OEM 2020 Cx-9 console LED version. I really like the fact that it has illuminated logos on the buttons and sunroof switch. It also has the LED down light.

I also installed the OEM CX-9 rear dome light LED version as well. It also has illuminated buttons for each LED.

Finally I vinyl wrapped the door sill panels brushed titanium and I think they look great.

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[darin180sx]

That is pretty cool. Can you provide me a link for the items, please? thank you!

Sure, I got it on TaoBao:

https://item.taobao.com/item.htm?spm=a230r.1.14.18.7cbd45ebbp7XqA&id=653484198332&ns=1&abbucket=8#detail

I had to use a forwarding service. They do not ship to USA, not sure about other countries.