Dear All,

Tomorrow my 8 will arrive at the local dealer.
9 Month's after ordering. I must admitt that I am a little nervous.
I have to clean my MX5 now which I traded in and somewhere next week I can drive the 8, my 8 for the first time ever.
I hope the dealer will have a list of available extra's, but at this time nothing has shown up in their system yet.
On the 15th next I will go to France to really try out the 8. Looking forward to that.

All the best to you all.

Regards,

Eric

Gratz Eric!

I guess the speeding laws in the Netherlands are more restrictive than France?

What are the laws like in France/Holland? Andy why arnt you heading to Germany instead?

Remember to run it in:) And dont be to nervouse, if your used to an MX-5 driving the RX-8 shouldnt be a problem.

You're wright about speeding laws. France is 130 k/ph, Holland is 100 or 120 k/ph. Germany I will visit when the 8 has properly been 'run in'. I drive my MX5 to the limit and I want to treat my 8 a bit more friendly. That's what I think now, but I guess sitting behind the wheel makes me think otherwise.

Thanks again.

Regards,

Eric

Fine for you, Eric. Enjoy it.
I also expect my RX8 in a couple off days, so it will be the first ones in Belgium, at the dealer.
I am also nervous.

Patrick

Good Luck to both of you guys.

A long wait nearly over and a couple of firsts in your respective countries.

Do you have or will you be starting your own owners clubs?

Enjoy your cars.

Instead of today I saw my 8 yesterday. The inside still wrapped in plastic but the car was superb to look at, to feel, to sit in it and to really was there at last.
I made a long list of extra's I want on the car and probally the 13th of december the 8 will be ready for driving.
What a sensation must it have been for all of you having the car allready.
And to Patrick: I hope you will have the same experience this week. (or perhaps even today)

Regards,

Eric

Hi Harrizone,

I don't think it will be intresting to have a joined Netherlands-Belgian forum. You know there at this moment not so much cars sold.
If you look on the forum, I met 2 other enthousiasts from Belgium and Eric. So ...
I think I will stick on this wider forum where lots of "ZOOMERS" exchange their experiences. And I am now used to this forum; it helped me trough hard times of waiting, promesses and again waiting.

See you all
Patrick

Dear All,
I saw my 8 yesterday.

groet Hilbert

Hi Hilbert,

Nice to meet you here.

groetjes from Belgium

thanks Patrick

my engels is not so good maby i ken do it in dutch.

mijn 8 is binnen staat gepoetst te wachten.
ik wacht alleen tot jan 2004 om hem op kenteken te zetten.
heb het alleen moelijk of ik de juiste kleur heb gekozen.
krijg hem in het zwart.

ik heb vandaag ook even bij de dealer gekeken.
WOW wat een wagen...in het echt nog 10x mooier dan op de foto.

Over 2 weken krijgen ze een titanium grijs binnen...dan ga ik nog eens kijken

Hello Guys,

Congratulations on Buying you 8's !!!!!
Here is an other enthausiast from holland, only I am speeding in a '02 Spirit R Spec. RX-7.
I have seen and been in the first Dutch Rx-8 and that is a great car too, maybe I'll buy one later.......
Ofcourse in Titanium gray mica

Hilbert,

I saw one in black on the trailer and sorry to say but it is not MY favorite color.
Ik denk dat zwart moeilijk rein te houden is; langs de andere kant leent zwart zich uitstekend om je wagen uitwendig te personaliseren. Maak er voor jezelf maar het beste van en ... in welke kleur ook (ik zag ze reeds allemaal - uitgezonderd geel) het blijft een prachtwagen zowel naar koets als naar techniek.
Ik koos voor een "low power" laat ons zeggen zoals het officieel heet een standard power, rood, leder en GPS. Ik zag dat door allerhande taksen bij jullie in Nederland dezelfde wagen bijna 10.000 EUR duurder is dan bij ons. Ik schrijf hem nog dit jaar (nu woensdag) in omdat ik een korting van 250 EUR krijg op de inverkeerstellingsbelasting van 2500 EUR omwille van het feit dat de motor voldoet aan de EUROEMISSIENORM 4.

Voorstel voor ieder uit Nederland en België : laat ons een "Sticky" maken op dit forum (zoals de spaanssprekende leden) en daar verder met elkaar communiceren in het Nederlands). Laat mij eens horen wat je hierover denk aub.

For everyone : have a nice RX8-weekend.

groetjes,
Patrick Belgium

Hi Patrick,

How are things in Belgium. Did you get your 8 yet?
Mine will be further upgraded this week with a lot of options I ordered. Still Mazda does not know if all the extra's are allready available. Called my insurance company just now and asked for the rate. Seems to be rather acceptable.
I was in London on saterday and to my surprise I saw at Titanium RX 8 driving threw the centre. It was one of the highlights of that day.
All the best from Holland.

Kind regards,

Eric

Hi Eric

It isn't working out as my dealer and myself were hoping. I was promised my RX8 for friday, but it wasn't delivered. So this morning I passed by and there was a trailer with also a red on it but ... it wasn't mine, they say they didn(t get it on perhaps because it was flooded. I was a bit pissed of and disapointed.

My dealer made some nasty calls to Beherman and the trailer-compagnie, so now it is "for sure" ??? promised for tomorrow morning at 7.30 h. I realy hope that I'm not disappointed again. That would then be the 7th broken promise and thats A LOT do'nt you think.

I have to take the car in for a carjacking alarm and so I hope driving with it on thuesday. I will let you know. Options will be for begin 2004.

Tell me Eric did you drive your RX8 yet, if so does it give you entire satisfaction ? Did you exprerience any flooding problems or do you have a little trick of iddleling the car before shutting down ?

Kind regards,
Patrick

Patrick,

I am very sorry to hear that there have been so many troubles getting your car at your dealer. I certainly hope for you tomorrow will be THE day.

I did not drive my 8 yet. Since today I have got my licenseplate and of saterday next my 8 has got insurance.

The question about iddling I cannot answer for I do not know what it means. I know there have been problems with flooding, but I really hope I will not have those the next week being in France without any Rotation experts nearby.

Hope you will be lucky tomorrow !!!!!

Regards,

Eric

Hi all,

Saw my car just an hour ago at my dealer, he is now going to the installation plant of the carjackingalarm an tomorrow at 17.00h I will be driving perhaps the first RX8 in Belgium, at least one of the first owners-cars.

I am so exited now, I wich everyone of you that same experience.

See you soon,

Patrick

Nice for you Patrick. I hope you will have a great time behind the wheel of your RX 8.
Belgian dealers seem to be quicker than Dutch ones. I have to wait untill saterday. Perhaps we could meet on my way to France next sunday.

Have a lot of fun !!!!!

Eric

Hi everyone,

I heard the Mazda dealer of Hasselt should have a black rx-8 in his showroom saturday the 13th.
My uncle told me he also was interested in buying an rx-8. I hope he does and let me drive it for a while :D

Eric,
Thanks a lot. I Will enjoy driving for sure, I do not have other hobbies so ... my car was always my hobby.

Hi beemer,

At this moment my dealer in Kuurne (West-Vlaanderen) has a gray one, a tit silver one and 1 red RX8 (and my red that I will pick up tomorrow).
At Bornem I saw a blue one, my testdrive-car, and it looked also very distinguised. I saw for a few seconds a black one on a trailer. Never saw a yellow one in flesh.
So if you want to see other colors, other dealers do have them.

Patrick

Eric,

I live near the border (5 km) of France, so if you let me know when you are comming by, I will prepare the coffee and at your request (or with sat nav) I will let you know how to get to my house.

Kind regards
Patrick

Patrick,

I think you are very hospitable. It is perhaps a good idea to get your address. Next sunday, when my 8 will stick with me (I had a dream about the alarm going crazy, flooding etc) we (my wife and I) are going to France. We have no fixed destination so, when you would like it, we could come for that cup of coffee.
No obligations of course. Did you drive your 8 yet?

Have a nice day.

Regards,

Eric

Patrick,

Congratulations with one of the first RX-8 in Belgium !!

I hope you will be cruising a lot in the region,because when I see you on the road, I will make sure you will have heard me.

Hope you will make time to enjoy your RX-8.

Did you get a personalized plate (f.e. RXB-???)?

Patrick & Eric, on sunday will that be the first RX-8 meeting in the low-countries?
Make sure you get some pictures of it...maybe you can invite the local press (paper-TV)?

Greetings.

Hi Eric,

I live 5 km away from Kortrijk and (tip) 20 km away from LILLE (Rijsel) who is Cultural Captital from Europe 2004. There is from now on a lot to be seen and the "Old City" is superb. Worth a visit.

If you let me know app. when you are coming in I would be pleased.
Let us call it our first "Low Countries Meeting" and "Fromcast" I will post the pictures, for sure.

Eric, I need to tell you that on paper I seem not so young anymore (52) but I am still "young" and my wife even more. But that story is for your eares only while drinking our coffee.

my E-mail : patrick.stephanie@planetinternet.be

regards
Patrick

by the way, "Fromcast" nice to meet you here.

Hallo Patrick

ik wens je veel rij plezier met je nieuwe auto.




Groet Hilbert

Hallo all,

First meeting of the "Low Countries" postponed until the 21th in
Harelbeke-Belgium.

regards
Patrick

hoi hilbert,

is jou kenteken soms 85-NL-ZH ?????????

Saw my car today for the second time. Must say, I could stare at it for hours, what a fantastic car this RX8 is.
Dealer was putting all the ordered extra's on to it, so the car will get more personal for me.
I can't wait untill wednesday next.

I am off now for my holidays and on the 21 I will meet Patrick in Belgium. Photo's will be made for this forum.

Kind regards to you all and have a very nice weekend.

Eric

Today (12/12/2003) at 15u15 I spotted my first RX-8 in the flesh in Belgium.

Unfortunately I saw it only for a few seconds...but it was like forever.

It happened in the town Kortrijk and on the road Doorniksewijk. It was a red RX-8, but I couldn't get a look at the driver. He was standing in traffic at the lights, heading to town-center. I passed him, but was not able to get a close look. I guess his licence plate ended at an 8, but I'm not sure. It was not a garage plate, that I am sure of, because those ones have green caracters.

Patrick, you're the only one I can think of already cruising the car in the region. Could it have been you?
If so, I guess you have no second thoughts about the colour?
I really liked it, even more in open space than under the halo-lights of a showroom.

Greetings.

Hi "fromcast"

Yes, that was me. My plate ends on 808, so you saw it right.
About the color : No, we are totaly satisfied, even more. Velocity Red (with mica-effect) is great and a bit sporty-aggresive. Except for yellow, I saw all other colors in flesh. I must admit that Silver, Gray and Blue are also fantastic, a bit more "classy" in combination with a black leather set. It is just a great car to look at you know, its even a greater car to drive with. A total experience and so easy to control the power in town.
A lot of reported "little things" seems to be strange, at least I do not experience them. No heavy trembling of the gearstick at iddle, not at all flooding-problemes, a excellent climatisation (best manualy used), great gripp on the road (even wet), precise stearing, great brakes and above a great relaxation-feeling while driving.
As my much younger wife (22) said : after 2 minutes of her first drive : I FEEL TOTALY CONFIDENT AND RELAXED. After 2 minutes !
As you see, you are completely right following this car and my believe is that this car will get other rewards as well (hopefully it will be sportscoupe of the year 2004).
We stay in touch.

regards
Patrick

rx-viper

Nee dat kenteken is niet van mij,
ik moet nog even wachten krijg hem 2 januari
moet nog even geduld hebben.


Groet Hilbert

At last ....

We collected our 8 today ...... During the first half hour we could not speak anymore, just staring at the car.
All details were explained by our dealer and we hit the road for a fun drive. I have never experienced anything like this engine. It is really unbelievable, that sound, the acceleration, increadable.

I will post a pic, but it will add nothing to what we allraedy know and have seen, but anyway ..........

Regards,

Eric

Here are the pics

Don't look at that little C3, the RX8 is much bigger (sorry)

First meeting of the lowlands was a very succesfull one.

Thanks to the kindness of Patrick and his family we enjoyed our stay in Belgium very much.

It was a great oppertunity also for our 8, which has done over 1100 km since last wednesday. Fuel consumption is ok until now.
11 liters / 100 km was the best.

Here are some pics of our meeting.

Hope to do it again in the near future.

Regards,

Eric

Pic 1

Pic 2

Pic 3

Patrick, Eric,

Well very nice ... RED and TIT next to each other !
I would have been nice with some snow on the ground ... :-)
I can't see from the pictures if these are 192 or 231 CV ?
On previous Pic I think that I saw Eric TIT had also Brown interior ?

I was not really interrested by the RED until I saw it saturday at a Mazda dealer ... my primary choice until now was the TIT/BROWN !

Do you have more detail on fuel consumption ?
Do you plan to purchase Winter tyres ?
If so which ones.

Baphi

Hello Baphi,

Our 2 RX8's are both 192 HP's. It is a matter off taxes in both countries, so I think here you will see most 192's.

This morning I first drove it on snow (West-Vlaanderen !) and I think I don't need winter tyres, it stays very neutral. Just taking off whitout spinning isn't that easy. For the rest, driving is OK (in 2nd or 3th gear at 2500-3000 rpm.

Eric's car is indeed with black/brown interior, mine is black/red.
They have both their charms, mine is a bit younger and agressive, Eric's car has a classy style.

Eric must be a calmer driver than I am because his best was 11 l/100 km, mine 14l/100 km. Driving style is the factor here.

Glad to meet you on the forum. Did you already buy one if so when is delivery planed for you ?

regards,
Patrick

Hi All,

Happy to see that there are more and more people interested by the RX-8 in Belgium.

I have the tested the Rx-8 HP in Bornem on the 27/10. It was a black one with brown interior. I was really impressed and I decided to order one.

I choosed the HP (231 CV) in Velocity Red and Red/black interior.
It will arrive end-January, I am really becoming impatient.

My dealer in Tournai is driving a LP (192 CV) since two weeks, a black one with some accessories on it. It is also very nice in black.

From what I see, your consumption figures are not too bad. Patrick, when you say 14l, is it for mixte usage (city, highway) ?

Also congratulation for this first RX-8 Meeting.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi,

It was only running around in town, so I am happy that it is not so bad (can show your reply to my wife) hi hi

regards from Harelbeke

Patrick

I said it is not too bad regarding the consumption based on the figures I see they have in UK.

Here is a spreadsheet to measure your consumption (maybe usefull to your wife).

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi,

Thanks RenesisMsa, I'll use it for a while and then publish the results on the forum.

In the meantime, a Merry Christmas for all and a Very Happy Year without accidents of all kind.

regards
Patrick

Patrick,

Well about taxes ... I am STILL living in Belgium also .... I garantee you I have noticed !

So, If I am to buy one it will also be a 192CV/Revolution ...
The price of the car is not really the blocking factor in this case (except for the taxe TMC !), it more the daily usage (fuel, tyres, insurance, ...) I am worried about.
I don't want to go to gas station and each time kicking my head on the BANKCONTACT machine !

The magazine 'le moniteur automobile' tested both the 192 & the 231 CV but they didn't yet have the EURO/KM figures ...
The last 2 years, I only did 10.000KM/year with my car .... but 12.000KM/year on the motobike mostly on the weekends !
I don't need to draw you a graph to point where I find my FUN FACTOR !

Well I am still young :-) and I still want some fun ... so ...
But at the same time I don't want to throw money out the window in the governement pocket !!

RenesisMsa is going for the 231CV ... its going to drink more for sure !

I better decide soon or I have the bad feeling that I also be at the bottom of the waiting list !
Well that is why we have the 25 december day ... maybe a revelation ! Who knows.

The next problem if I am to buy one ... the color;
- I drove the BLUE 192CV at BORNEM
- and a Yellow one two weeks later ... too flashy but not that bad !
So except for the GREEN (never seen!)
The TIT/BROWN is still on top of my list, very discreet color.

The last time I was so interrested in a sports car, it was the HONDA S2000 two years aho, I also testdrive it ... but the Belgian taxes for a 241CV and small boot kill it for me !
And now the RX-8 just arrived at last in Belgium/Europe... it has the good looks + 4 seats / doors + a reasonable boot ... and to bad much more stuff !

I am drowning my self in my job, so I am not thinking about it.

Baphi

Baphi,

I know taxes are much to high here, also on fuel. In the beginning I took 98+, now I filled up with 95+ and I do not notice any difference, so ...
You know the 192HP is more than enough here in Belgium. Just on rare occasions you can use the full power of it . And, in the "FILE" it's no problem.
As far as the tyres concerns the 2 versions come with 18", so there you have no difference, except for the fact that the 231HP can "eat" them more quickly.
Eric had the same TIT/BROWN version, and it is also very "classy" and distinguised. Very nice car. My dealer has a TIT/BLACK version and that's not bad at all. Perhaps you could look at that also.
I agree that the yellow one is to flashy, and for me to "flemmish".
Baphi, I can assure you that it is a wonderfull car in all aspects for a very moddest price. Price/quality ratio is skyhigh.

One little problem I had yesterday : on snow you can't get started whitout desactivating the DCS. Once going I reactivated the DCS to keep it straith. I think I will buy 2 snowchains instead of wintertyres. How many days could we use wintertyres ?

Will you let us know when you decided ?

Even having a lot off work, have a merry christmas and a happy new year.

Patrick

Hi Baphi,

For sure the 231CV will drink more. This and the TMC are the very bad side of it. I decided to go for this version because of my past experience.

I really like nice car and quite powerfull too (I followed a three days Performance driving course at Spa-Francorchamps at the Peugeot school), it is my passion to have some fun with cars on circuit (not on open roads for sure - I have two small children and don't want to injury somebody else, or even damage my car). My previous car was a 406 Coupé but not the V6. As soon as I had it, I felt like having a very nice car with a very good handling capacity but without the engine I wanted. It is why now I go for the most powerfull. Not that I think that the 192CV is not enough powerfull but in order to have the 6 speed gearbox and the Motor Rev's going to 9200 RPM, and also to keep it now for a while as the investment is quite big (agreement with my wife because I hold only the 406 for 18 months and sold it to go for the RX-8 - lost very stupidely some money in order to enjoy of my passion).

I tested also some months ago the S2000, very nice car !!! But only two seats ! Too bad to get the children with you somewhere.
I tested also BMW 330Ci and BMW 325ti. These are also fantastic cars but much more expensive than the RX-8 and the design is less good.
I tested recently also the 350Z, very good too but again only two seats.

The Rx-8 is the best compromise (4 seats, sport, nice look, quality, price ok) and furthermore it has a unique engine, and its handling capacity is incredible. We all agree on this I think.
So as you see, I go for the 231CV because it is my passion and I intend to keep it for a while (and why not never sell it and hold it).

Color choice is for sure difficult. I decided to go for red even if I never had a red car. Because it look very nice, it is also the preferred color of my daughter and I becoming personnaly feed up of cars always in grey or black. But for sure I think that TIT and Sunlight Silver are the most pratical colors. I was tempted to go for Sunlight Silver as usual but let's break monotony.

I hope you will join the RX-8 owner lists soon as you seems to have the same passion. I really have the feeling so far that RX-8 interested people have the same kind of wishes from their cars.

Patrick, yes it would be great to publish your figures.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

I fully understand your choice and I would liked also to buy the 231HP. But you know, I also had a wife to confince to this car, to the presumed (jan 03) long wait. I was afraid that she could possibly kill herself (22 years) with a bomb as the 231HP is.
Now I know that she mannage the 192HP very well but I decided in jan.

regards
Patrick

Patrick,

I think that the 192HP is globally better than the 231HP if you consider all aspects (Le moniteur automobile has the same opinion: 231CV receives 780 points and the 192CV receives 784 points). But as you know the passion push to have the most powerfull because of higher RPM capacity.

My wife doesn't want to drive it (she told this for the moment), but I definitly want that she tries at least (cars are for sure not her passion). I definitly understand you regarding your wife, as she is quite young, it is the danger for any usual driver, it is to get to confident with a car when the experience is not so big. Even more with the RX-8 which is already quite powerfull even in both versions and is a "rear wheels driving".

A question for you, is the red colour not giving the impression to come quickly dirty ? I don't want to have to wash it every week as it takes times and find time with children is difficult.

I don't know, if you noticed but in UK they seems to have sometimes the following problems, do you have them too ?
- Flooding
- misty rear lights (humidity issue)

I wish also already a Merry Christmas and a "zoom-zoom" 2004.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

I do have the impression that the "flooding problem" is taken out off proportion. I must first tell you that my first wife died 12 years ago and that after more than 8 years I remarried, so I am 52 years old. Before the RX8 we drove a rear wheels driving MGF, my wife to. As she is a bit passioned also, after 2 minutes off her first drive, she was reassured and confident, so ... that's OK.

My age makes that I drove wankel NSU a long time ago and BEFORE CUTTING THE ENGINE I ALWAYS REV UP TO 3000-4000rpm. I did that with the NSU as well AND I NEVER HAD FLOODING until this moment. The car is in a open carport and it has been very cold and wet lately. I even drove him backwards for some meter, cutted the engine, washed him and drove him under whitout flooding. So there's no worry about flooding.
The mysty rear lights didn't show up on my car.

As for Velocity Red, if I want to keep it brilliant, I have to clean the car every week. I will clean him today for the 2nd time this week because I don't like the SALT they use on the road. I just use clean water and high pressure cleaner, it takes me 15 min to clean him. I think that if the wetter would be not that wet, once in 2 weeks would be enough.

regards,
Patrick

Patrick,

Thanks for your comments on this flooding issue, it makes me feel better !

Cheers
RenesisMsa

To Patrick and all other RX8 admirers,

It is nice to see that there has been so much writing going on since a couple of days.

Yesterday was a special day for me. I married for the second time in my life (first wife died when I was 40) and of course our car to marry in was our Tit 8. Washed for the first time after a 500 km drive to Patrick and back in very bad weather.
Beacause I took a Waxoll treatment, my dealer adviced me not to wash the car with shampoo. Compared to my recent MX5 there is much more to be washed ......

Flooding problems I did not meet until now. Hope to keep it that way. I took the advice of Patrick tot rev it up before shutting the engine down.

The matter of colour is a personal one. I saw a black one at a dealer, looked very nice, but I think it will not be for long.
The red one looks very sporty, my titanium is a bit chique.

I have got one little problem. When breaking, the car pulls somewhat to the wright. Os that perhaps I break to soft, or due to the wet weather ???

My dealer told me today I should not be to soft on the car. After about 15 minutes I could speed it up to the limit, otherwise it would become to slow. Is that true ??

Alright, enough for this moment.
Wish you all a merry Christmas and a very healthy and safe 2004.

Eric

Again,

Congrats, Eric. Me to I was nearly 40 when I lost my wife.
About being to soft : as my dealer told, I didn't break in the car, I realy push it but not yet to the limit. He told me, as I did with my MGF also, to rev it up quickly, not to brake soft and to go down gears when I have to stop. So I did and that is the reason why I didn't got a min of 11 L/KM.

have nice warm holydays together,

Stephanie and Patrick
Belgium

Eric,

Congratulation for your Wedding !!!
How was the RX-8 handling in the very bad weather condition ? Not to sensible to the wind ?

Merry Christmas and happy new Year to you too.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Patrick, thanks again for your wishes. All the best to you and your very friendly family for the next year !!!!!

RenesisMsa, the handling was unbelievable reliable.
The car felt very steady and I speeded it up a couple of times to over 160 km to find out if I would notice a certain unbalance, but nothing of that kind. The strong wind was no problem, no problem at all. But I think that's the way a real sportcar should be on the road.

Merry Christmas to you also and a very healthy 2004.

Regrads,

Corrie & Eric

Hi guys,

Well still no fully sure for the buy, but all your messages seems to have a good effect on me .... I feel the passion in all of you ...
and that's the feeling I want !
But the angel in me is still telling me to think twice about this ...

I will visit some more dealer saturday ! already saw the yellow, blue, light gray, titanium/brown, red ...
Still missing a black and a green ??


RenesisMsa,
About the flooding it seems that RX8 owners should be aware of it and it seems to be mentionned in the owners guide ...
But for the misty rear lights (humidity issue), see my first/only thread ... after test driving for the second time the RX8 I drove had BOTH of the rear lights with fog in it ... since I wanted to see the TIT/BROWN in daylight I went one hour later to another dealer which had one but 231CV.
The car is in use at the dealer ship ... again after looking at the Ext and Int color :-)
I looked at the rear lights ... the right one was full of mist and it even look worse than the other one ... I pointed it out to the sales ... which didn't even noticed !
I will get back to the dealer and ask what mazda said about it !

Still about the color, it may be a good idea to BREAK the gray habits; VW PASSAT light gray and the motorcycle also !!!
Well the TIT/BROW has mentionned by Eric is chique and discrete ...

Well since we have the Brussels motorshow ... and don't want to wait until next June or more .... I better decide soon.

Also,
Any of you thinking about other standard "option"; for the looks, ...

While testing the RX8, I also tested my parking habilities ...
I found that it was difficult to estimate the rear distances ...
Are thinking about the parking aid ?

I saw a Mazda MX6 late today ... well it still looks great for an "OLD" car !


Late Merry Xmas,

Baphi

Baphi,

For the first time I saw that mysty rear light (only right) yesterday. I noticed it on my own sevice form. This morning it was gone. You are a good observer.

It took me 3 days to get used to the rear distances. The car is shorter at the back than you may presume from inside. So you instinctely take a save marge.

There is one weakness at the interior, whitout a option solution. The inner door sills (for wich there is no alu plate in the option list !) are not scratch resistant. I had contact with a firm who works inox and I plan to let them make inox sills (1 mm) to cover the originals. Once ready I will publish a pic and price.

regards
Patrick

About backwards parking .......
We bought ourselves, put in the rear bumper before delivery, a parking aid. It is an invisible one, without the ugly 4 wholes in the bumper. It is more like a strip put in the bumper. Bumper had to be removed for that matter.
Perhaps it is somewhat less sensitive (we cannot compare it) but it is a really good INVISIBLE aid.
The problem about the inner door sills we spoke about with our dealer.
They are planning on taking away that sill from one of their showroom cars and have it looked at by a expert in aluminium accesseries. It is indeed a missing option on this car.

Hope you all did enjoy the Christmas holidays.

Regards,

Eric

I dont know why they bother with all these beeping aids, they never let you get close enough to get out of really tight spaces. Why not fit a minature camera above the number plate, and have it displayed on the pop up screen?

Cheers
---Dave

Hi Eric,

I am also looking out to let my make those sills. If you have info from your dealer, let us know. If I have info I'll do the same.

Happy New Year to everybody.

Patrick

Hi Eric,

About your Parking Aid system ... please post more information (brand, web site, ...)
From what I could understand from a local carkit, audio, ... dealer it is an aluminium strip fixed in the inside of the bumper but it seems to be sensitive to rain/water ?!
But he had no more information about price, ...

Dave,
if you can create the interface between a rear camera (or multiple cameras) and the GPS screen ... this is more hard than soft ! :-)


About the inner door sills, I talked to a new dealer (took him a while before understanding and finding the accessories list !)

It seems that there is a "drempelplaten + RX-8 logo" in the accessories lists for the small price of 262,57 EURO !!!!
Not installed I suppose ! :-o
Mazda Reference : F151V1370F
The had a picture of it, it is running the all lenght of both door, and it is in aluminum (so it looked!).
I hope that is what you were looking for ...


Patrick,
Yes when I am in presence of an RX-8, I observe ... a lot ... difficult to close my eyes !
I went back to some unknow Mazda dealers today; I saw a RED/RED, a BLACK/BLACK, a YELLOW/BLACK, a TIT/BLACK.
It seems the 8 is to new for them, I have to inform them most of the times ?!
I still love the TIT/BROWN, but RED and YELLOW are also getting appealling to me ...

Baphi

Hi all,

Here you find a Coreldraw file of the RX-8 logo I made for myself.
You can use it to make decals, ...

regards
Patrick

note, the extension must be renamed to CDR

Any chance of a non proprietary version, such as EPS or SVG?

Cheers
---Dave

Hi Druck,

I will make you a EPS.


regards
Patrick

Here it is, rename the zip-file to eps-file; I need to because the forum doesn't accept eps-files.

regards
Patrick

Hi Patrick,

I am able to download both files but my WINZIP says that they both are "not a valid archive" ?
How could I open/see an .EPS file ?

Baphi

Thanks Patrick, looks good.

Baphi its not a zip file, rename it logo.eps

Cheers
---Dave

Baphi,

Dave told you how to do, the forum doesn't accept eps as a extension, so I just rename rx-8.eps to rx-8.zip, but it is not a archive, it is just a renamed eps-file with included bitmap.

regards,
Patrick

Baphi,

About my parking aid, which is a very good aid to trust on, I cannot tell you anything more than that it is a strip on the inside of my rear bumper. It has been recommended to me by my Mazda dealer and they did not charge me for it yet.
About your mentioned 'drempelplaten' I think you mean the accesserie from the price list. I bought those and they look far better than the original ones, but those 'platen' are not the ones we talked about in this thread. Those are not in any list. That are the upper ones you step over finally entering the car. We must find a solution for those.

Patrick,

Could you email me the Coreldraw file. I cannot seem to open any of your posted links. Thanks for your trouble.

Kind regards to you all. Eric

By the way, my last trip I did 14 liters to 100 km (that is 1 op 7) which was rather disapointing but normal for an 8 I guess.

Eric,

I found a solution for those plates, I have someone who will make them in 1 mm brushed inox, I made the profile in alu.

Once ready, I will post a pic.

Have a happy New Year

Patrick

Hello to you all,

In the first place we wish you all the best for this new year.

Saw on this forum that Spain has its own RX 8 club. I think it will be a good idea when we would do the same. I unfortunatelly do not know any other drivers in the Netherlands, so this club will be lonely. Therefore I suggest, we start a Beneluxclub (or something like that).
If anyone has got a better or an alternative idea, please let us know. When there are sufficient drivers that will join, we could meet somewhere to discuss our plans etc.

Again, all the best to you all.

Kinde regards,

Corrie & Eric (from Holland with snow)

Eric,

I am in for a Benelux-forum. I will try to get the adresses from Beherman for Belgium. At least I will try it, because they could say it is incompatible with the law on privacy issues.

Otherwise I do not know how to get the adresses of the Belgian owners.

regards,
Patrick

Dear Patrick,

I could try to send an email to Mazda Netherlands and tell them about our plan. I have promissed a saleslady at Mazda, which I often called to get info about my ordered 8, to let here know how the 8 is doing. I could make use of that oppertunity to pop my question.

Have a nice weekend.

Regards,

Eric

Eric,

Let's just try it. I have send a E-mail to my contact at Beherman.
Otherwise, we could send a E-mail to all dealers asking them to inform the owners who bought by them, asking them eventuely to contact us via E-mail. So the owners themselves take the initative and all laws about privacy are guarantied.

regards
Patrick

Oke Patrick.
Hope our action will be succesfull.
Next week I will try to contact Mazda Holland.

Regards,

Eric

Patrick, Eric, all recent BENELUX owners,

Well still not decided yet ! the L/KM ...

It's 2004 and I still want something NEW & refreshing !!
Except for the S2000 (not really new any more but I still love it) and the RX-8 (192CV / REVO) ...

I think, I have looked to much at the MPG stats from the US :O
and looking at an XLS sheet with the really bad numbers ... doesn't make my day !!!

Any new L/KM stats from you guys ?!

Do you think that it would be possible to held MAZDA (Belgium / NL) responsible,
if the L/KM that is published in their documentation is not what we get ?

Urban 15.1 L/KM
ROAD 8.3 L/KM
MIXT 10.6 L/KM

What I am looking at for the daily use:
- weekdays to work 5x 7x2 km = 70 Km + other week travel
- weekend if I am not using the motorbike :-) get out in the country for long drives ...
if drive like the motorbike, I am looking at > 500 KM per day !
- looking at long weekends in France & Germany ...

Seems that US & Canadians could have their cars bought back ... if this was the case ?
Well I am NOT looking forward to this kind of action.

I have the feeling, after reading most of the forum, that earlier RX-8 cars had really bad problem with the L/KM and the latest delivery seems to be better ...
But this is only a feeling ... my running cost aren't ... and the pay check is not going to improve much !
I don't think that MAZDA can provide us with a better comsumption later this year.

I could be satisfy with an average of 13L at 1.030 EURO/L for an 13.000 KM/year,
but if any of these parameters changes ... I will seriously question my choice !

Help & cheer me up !

Regards,

BAPHI


PS: gonna to look at a second hand S2000 this week, well this is not the new year start I was hoping for...

Sorry Baphi,

The RX8 needs indeed a lot of fuel. I have it now for 3 weeks and just did city-riding. I am not a easy driver, I did already test the car in the higher revs 6K-6.5K. I need 15 L/100 KM.
You can get this down to 13 if you pass to the higher gear at 4K-4.5K. I also think that minor changes to the ECU (steering software of the car) can reduce the consumption, but I must admit that I'm not at all technician on that point. So there we will need the help of our dealer.

Sorry that I can't tell you that you can go with 11 to 13 L. At the other hand, perhaps I push my car a bit to high so ...

regards
Patrick

Hi Baphi,

The RX 8 is a sportscar, so a somewhat higher fuel consumption is normal of course.
I have made 1300 km now. First tank I did 11 L / 100 km. Second time it was even a little bit better. The third time we pushed the car more to the limit, to enjoy it, and that gave us 14,2 L / 100 km.
I guess it will allways be between 15 - 11 L / 100 km.
Given your rides per day, the car will consume more than average.
Short trips allways cost more fuel.
From of the first of January a liter unleaded costs 1,165 per liter in Holland. (I was dreaming about a VW Lupo 3 liter diesel)
A ride in our 8 to Patrick and back will cost us now 72,00 euro.
In the Lupo it will be 14,00 euro's, but without all the fun ........
We wish you a lot of succes in taking a dicision for yourself.

Kind regards,

Eric

Patrick, Eric,

Thanks for the quick and clear answers ...
I just want to be sure what I am getting into and have a view for the coming years !!

I still have the Yamaha for the fun ... well a new Lupo Diesel + a new motorbike ... Naaaaa !
I like the motorbike in a clear dry not windy day ... great for sight seeing and forget about all the little bad things.

I didn't make a tour of all of the belgian dealers yet ... but in the five I already went to just one offered me a good deal.

It seem that 2 dealers that I didn't yet visit are planning an open RX-8 day next Friday-Saturday 9-10/01/2004 !

I better decide soon or the Brussel motor show and the publicity it is getting in belgium will make it soon unavailable for a long time !

Unleaded 1.165 in NL ... could the RX-8 run on milk ?

Well I need to release a little bit of stress ... tomorrow at work !

Are you using 95 or 98 unleaded ?

Baphi

According to Jeremy Clarkson from BBC Top Gear it is running on dubble cream. But I think I will not add that to my tank.

You know, when we are all suffering the same problem about the consumption, we should think of it as "gedeelde smart is halve smart", so we could join and feel the same.
I only use unleaded 95. The 98 is even more expensive over here. Holland is the only country in Europe that has indexed his fule taxes. We are a poor country and our gouvernment is rather narrow minded. They doubled the radarcars to follow speeders, there will be more highways with trajectcontroles, so we'd better leave the car in the garage. Big brother is watching us more and more. We feel like running to Canada or so.

Hope to meet you some time in your 8, together with Patrick and perhaps some other consumers. All the best and good luck again with your decision.

Keep in touch ....

Eric

Hi All,

Happy new year to all.

Good idea for a Benelux club !

Still one month to go before to receive my 8.
In my deal with the vendor, we agreed that he would offer me a set of accessories for free. We still have no decided on which.
Do you have any recommendations ?
I was thinking at the Aluminium finitions for around the exhausts, the lateral aluminium finition also and the rotary front aluminium.

I will have to discuss with the dealer on this next week-end.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi RenesisMSA,

Happy new year to you also,

I don't know for what amount you can choose your options, but you could take the exhaust finishers (they get dirty very quick and don't show that well on every colour). I took them too, and they look oke.
The strikes (lateral) are a great option, I am still waiting for them to arrive at my dealer. The aluminium finishers for the rotary symbol on the front as for the foglight at the back of the car would be great. It is something I am waiting for also.
Options seem to take some time to arrive in Holland.

Good luck in deciding what you are going to order.

Regards,

Eric

Eric,

As we (dealer and me) didn't agree so far on a amount, based on your comments, I will try to get in order:
- The front and back finisher for the rotary symbol
- the lateral strikes
- the exhaust finishers

I hope to get them all, let's see.
It is difficult to have good conditions on such car, due to its image of exclusivity.

A question for you, does the motor warm quickly ?
As I am going to work in Brussels, I take the train each day, so I need only the car to drive 8 km per day during the week. I am a little bit affraid that the motor will not be warm before I get to my destination.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

I think 8 km per day will be not enough to get the best out of your engine. That is, when you are carefull with your engine.
I take my wife to her work, 10 km. After that, I have to drive another 10 km to my work. Those 10 km I can really push it, for it has warmed up. I don't let my car iddle in the morning. I start and drive. You could let it iddle for a couple of minutes before driving, that would be best for that short trip I guess.

I will move later this year and my wife can go to her work by bike. For me it will be still about 11 km. I will buy myself a moped for during the week. For the weekends I can really enjoy my 8 and worry not to much about fuel consumption.

I certainly hope you will decide to buy an 8. It would be great for us to spin around in the weekend with all the Benelux members.

Good luck again !!!

Eric

Eric,

Maybe I was not clear, but I already ordered a 8.
Velocity Red, black\red interior, 231 HP. It arrives end of January. But I still have to agree with the dealer on the accessories. He promissed me some but we didn't put it on paper clearly which one as we didn't know them when I ordered the car.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Hi all of you,

Happy to see so much life on this part of the forum.

Patrick

RenesisMSA,

I am sorry to have misunderstood you.
I think you can push your dealer a little in getting your accesseries. Getting the strakes, the front and back rotary symbol and the exhaust finishers may cost him not so much.

When you will get your 8, we could join, togerther with Patrick, for our second lowland meeting.
You all could come to Zoeterwoude and we can go to the beach wich is only 10 km from here.

Have a nice evening.

Eric

Benelux is alive ! Good !

It seems that Belgian like their 8 in the 231CV shapes ?!

Benelux guys seems to do 7 - 11 KM to work or to the train ??!!
Nice ... but not really good for any cars (except for the Lupo Diesel !) or motorbike ...
Good, I wouldn't be the only one doing 7 km to work if I got for the 8 !

I may request a Mazda bicycle as the free accessorie gift to go to work ?
I could do with a lot more exercices !

The 5 dealer I checked offered me between 1.5% (BAD !) to 7% discount... for a 192CV / REVO.

I would also go for the :
- The front and back finisher for the rotary symbol
- the lateral strikes
- parking sensors (hidden ?)
- Floor Mats

Baphi

hallo allemaal

nog een gelukkig 2004.

ik heb mijn 8 vrijdag afgehaald en ben er erg blij mee.

groet Hilbert

Baphi

The front and back finisher for the rotary symbol

In Nederland kan je alleen de front krijgen als het goed is komt het volgende week bij de daeler binnen .

grt Hilbert

That's wright Hilbert.
Do you know if the rotary symbol for the back foglight will come after that, or is it something that never will arrive. If so, I am going to order it in the States.

What's your car, a HP, Upgrade ?? Colour ???

And do you still have your MX ??


Eric

Hi Eric,

Yes, a little trip to Holland can be very funny.

I got a phone call yesterday evening to the dealer, and we finally agreed on the following accessories:
- floor mats (black and red)
- lateral strikes
- Front rotary
- exhaust finisher.

I am very happy to get them all for free, a little bit normal as the discount was bad. So finally the deal is OK.

Around 3 weeks to have it. It is will be hard to wait as the first time I saw the RX-8 in live was in Paris in Octobre 2002 (Mondial de l'auto), and since then I am expecting to have it.

Are you happy of the GPS, is working good and easy to use ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Congrats, Hilbert,

I hope you will have as much pleasure driving as I have now for almost 1 month.. I had al kinds of weather so ... I know the car now under different conditions and it never let me alone. Good concept, except for the rear lenses who sometimes become condensed. My dealer told me that there is at this moment no solution for this problem; so mounting new ones is not an option. Let's wait and see.

regards
Patrick

Baphi, my RX8 is a 192 HP / REVO

Hi RenesisMSA (I cannot imagine that this your real name ....)

Great your dealer is offering you all those extra's for free.
The two things I got were a full tank and luxury license plates.
We also got a very good deal on our MX5.

The GPS is great when you really don't know the way. If you try it on places you know to come, it sometimes does verry odd things.
When I am coming home the GPS tells me about a roundabout which has never been there and still not is there.
But otherwise I wouldn' like to miss it !!!

I really hope your trip to Holland will be made. I am looking forward to that.

Good luck with waiting for a short while.

All the best,

Eric

Eric/Patrick

Ik heb mijn auto nu 5 dagen.
en heb nog maar weinig kunnen rijden ( klein Griepje gehad)
Ik weet een ding al wel dat je je rechter voet goed in bedwang moet houden, ik heb een een vijftal jaar in een mx-5 gereden
alleen in het afgelopen jaar in een mazda tribute dus dat is wel weer even wennen. vooral het directe stuurgedrag.
Ik heb zelf de rotari embleem besteld ik hoop die volgende week te krijgen, die voor de achterkant is niet leverbaar en denk dat deze ook niet komt.
En Erick je kan hem in de states bestellen maar ik denk dat het niet zal passen vanwege het mist achterlicht.
Als je het aan durf kan je hem mischien pasend maken.
Het is van aluminium dus nogal gemakelijk te bewerken.

groeten Hilbert

Hilbert,

Dat heel directe sturen was ook voor mij een aanpassing hoor. Als ik dit vergelijk met het toch al direct sturen van m'n MGF dan is het sturen van de RX8 nog heel wat naukeuriger. Maar het went heel snel; het geeft het gevoel dat je je wagen volledig beheerst en dat is heel leuk. Niet de auto rijdt met je, maar jij rijdt met de auto.

Ik hoop dat we binnenkort een importeur vinden van Mazdaspeed-onderdelen op het vasteland. Frankrijk, Duitsland, Nederland, ... het maakt niet uit want dan zullen de verzendkosten redelijk blijven.

Ik denk dat je heus niet bang moet zijn om zelf ook wat dingen te doen, zo heb ik een luik gemaakt voor de kofferruimte (ik heb nu een vlakke vloer met berging onder het luik), en ik laat inox binnendrempels maken door iemand uit de buurt.

Groetjes,

Patrick.

Hilbert,

In het begin dacht ik dat mijn auto naar links, danwel naar rechts trok. Alsof hij niet goed uitgelijnd is.
Maar dat heeft te maken met de dikke banden en de directe sturing zegt de dealer.
Mijn rechtervoet wordt steeds zwaarder en het is een enorme lol het uiterste uit de auto te trekken. Het benzineverbruik valt dan wat tegen natuurlijk.
Hoe bevalt de kleur zwart. Het is een unikleur, dus geen blanke lak erover dacht ik. Heb je een waxoll behandeling laten toepassen?? Ju kunt dit nog doen en het geeft een langdurige bescherming tegen redelijke kosten. ( +/- 175 euro)
Als ik de 8 met mijn MX5 of alle Mazda's daarvoor, vergelijk, is er geen gelijkenis, behalve dan dat er 4 wielen onder zitten.
Voor de rest is het een bijzondere ervaring, telkens weer wanneer ik de auto start en er mee rijd.
Veel geluk met je auto en we zien elkaar vast wel eens op een BeNeLux meeting.

Eric

Hi Eric,

Totally right, this is just to keep privacy at work.

Do you have any idea why in Belgium (maybe the same in Netherlands) the Moonroof is not available ?

And why there is no board computer on the RX-8 ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

I have know idea why Europe doesn't get the sunroof. I guess, in a few months, options will be available which were untill now not listed. The RX 8 will than probaly get a special name, like most of the special versions get.
I called Mazda several month's ago about the cruise control. Mazda told me it would not be an option for Europe.
The lipspoiler on the boot is standard in Europe. It is not in the States. We, therfore, cannot mount a larger spoiler (which I dislike BTW)

By the way, Mazda Holland is speaking of a 240 BHP version when they advertise the HP. I think you'd better not make this kind of mistake in the States.

Regards,

Eric

Hi All,

I have just found on a UK web site, the following issues reported, do you have them too ?

- Running water on the inside of the windows (not misting-but dripping & running water!)
- Sooty (dripping black!) exhausts
- White foamy deposits on the dipstick - suggesting a water leak into the sump

Rgds

My MX5 had water in the innerside after washing.
My 8 doesn't get wet on the inside.
Sooty exhaust Iam familiair with, I don't like that fenomenon, and hope it will stop after a few thousand km. The finishers of course, also get dirty. Is it oil, perhaps ????
I have never pulled the dipstick out, so I cannot say anything about that.
When heating the chairs, there occurs a little smell inside the car, could that be the leaher ???

But anyway, I wouldn't want to miss the car for the world and the 3 year warranty makes me feel safe.

Regards,

Eric

It has been quiet for a couple of days.
Must have its reasons I guess.
I have done about 2000 km now since December 19 and washed the car every week.
Fuel consumption is getting worse. Last tank I did 6 km to the liter.
After washing the car and cleaning the exhaust pipes, after no more than 2 km the pipes get black again. What could that be??
Does anybody know if there is a aluminium rotary symbol for the tale side of the car, around the foglight. Seems that Mazda Europe does not have that item.

Eric

Eric,
nice to hear back from you... even if your are getting at 16.6L/100Km ... driving in the City ?! I hope !
And your exaust getting black to quickly !
Not far away of your first checkup !

Well about the tail/foglight rotary symbol ... It tought I saw it in the Accessories catalog but it is the front one ... (101,82 EURO without taxes).
I have a picture (from the net) of the rear one but without the foglight !

Keep us informed of your findings ...

I am still in the process of getting one ... RED or TIT ... soon ...
Please stop with the bad things of the 8 ... I need support for the buy !!

No much news from RenesisMsa and Patrick ?

Baphi

Baphi,

I can't recall writing bad things about my 8.
Even if there would be something negative to say, all the positive things would make up for that.
Today I had a bad experience when I wanted to go home after work. My alarm went off and it was not to stop anymore.
I have had my dealer to mount a Klasse III (SCM) alarm on my 8. The alarm that was on the car, is still on because of electronic circuits etc. I believe there was a sort of shortcut or so. When opening the trunk with the original remote control the problem was solved. I informed my dealer about this and he advised me not to use the original remote anymore.

Today a busdriver flashed with his lights when I came along with the 8. He was very enthousiastic seeing the car. So much attention ............

Red or Tit, both are nice. I saw the silver one, the black one, but no green, yellow or blue.

All the best.

Eric

Eric,

If my dealer can find me a Red one ... I am done looking for !
I already saw all the color :-) except the green one.
ALL beautifull colors !

Do you have the Titanium with black or brown interior !!

I will need to upgrade the 8 alarm for insurance purpose looking at 650 euro !

I had the same problem some year ago with an Audi A3 (company car), I ordered it with the original alarm in it but the leasing added their alarm ... but forgot to disactivate the original one !!!
It took me some times to figure out why it was getting off so often until I saw that there were two distinct movement detector !! disable the original one and problem disappeard !

Regards,

Baphi


Baphi

You are done looking for .......?
Do you only want the red one, if not available, no other ?

I have got the Tit with the black and brown interior. Very stylish.

My alarm was somewhat less expensive but my dealer told me not to disconnect anything because of all the electronica.
When you do so, a lot of trouble will occur they told me.

Have a good night.

Eric

Hi all,

I got some news from my dealer, the car may arrive sooner as expected. Maybe this week. Wait and see.

Why did the insurrance request another alarm ? Is the one by default on the car not secure enough ?
I didn't get this request so far from any insurrance company I visited. Only one requested an anti-carjacking system. But no additional alarm.

Baphi, you should definitly go for an 8, it is for sure a very good car and very nice. The colour doesn't really matter, I personnaly like it in nearly all colors. I toke velocity red for the sport aspect of it. And for sure, the car is taking everybody attention.

Regarding the deal to buy the car, I read in a newspaper that Mazda will do very good DEALS on all cars they sell (no exception) during the motor show. So maybe it is worth to go their or at a dealer during the motor show.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Just got a call from my dealer. All options I ordered have arrived and on the 22th they will mount everything to my car.

The alarm I have gives me less trouble when somebody tries to steel my car or brakes in. Normally you will have to pay more premium, in my case I don't.

Nice to hear from RenesisMSA that the 8 is probally arriving earlier than expected. Are you going for some extra's?

And Baphi will buy the car of course ....

Regards,

Eric

Eric,

What are the extra's you ordered and that will be mounted ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Sorry,

I wasn't here for some time, but a great audit on both my shools kept me working hard.

From my car nothing but good news, for the BeNeLux-forum, I am collecting the E-mail adresses from all Belgian dealers and wil send them a E-mail asking all owners resorting under them to mail me if they are interested in this forum. You will hear of it.

My ass. didn't yet arrive, even not the right mats.

regards
Patrick

Hi Patrick,

Good to see that everything is fine for you.

Since how long are you waiting those accessories ?

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi RenesisMsa,

I have my RX8 since 10/12/03 and I am waiting sice then, so that is now more than one month.

You know, I learned to be patient as I had to wait more than 11 months for my car, so ...

regards,
Patrick

Patrick, great to have you back. I was afraid you were kept prisoner in your own school ........
I hope you will get some reactions from Belgian owners.
I will contact Mazda first thing tommorrow !!!!!

RenesisMSA, the extra's I ordered are:

Rotary crest, brushed aluminium
Air outlet fins, brushed
Exhaust surround trim
B-pillar trim
Pedal set aluminium
Foot rest, aluminium
Passenger foot rest, aluminium
Scuff plates, aluminium
Luxury floor matsBonnet dampers
Leather gear knob with illumination

I hope Mazda will come up with some more in the future, for example those scuff plates for the upper doorstep.

Did any of you order the above or other items ??

Regards to you all.

Eric

Hallo all

Vandaag 1000 km op de teller, alles oke.
Rotary front vandaag gekregen. 110 euro bij mijn dealer

Wat is er mis met het alarm werk perfekt. is toch te vergelijken met klasse 3 (SCM)???

Tot nog toe geen problemen met condensatie van achterlichten.

Laatste tank 8 km per liter gereden.

groet Hilbert

Hi BeNeLux Fans !

Can someone tell me what the 8 "user guide" mention about the installed alarm ?
Does it have a siren, what type, ...

For a 8 192CV/REVOLUTION, my insurance request me to have a VV2 ... and the 8 seems to be a VV1 + VV3 (siren)

I requested some dealer about a VV2 upgrade;
one dealer = 650 EURO for a VV2 alarm installation
another told me that Mazda had a solution; an alarm installator sub-contractor would come to their garage and install a "META" VV2 system = 190 EURO (+134 EURO for the installation)
He is the only one with this story ...

I have received another proposal at the same price but only requesting a VV1 !!
Keep in mind that I have to insure my motorbike as well (in combination with the car)

Anyone has a contact for Mazda Belgium at Bornem (name / phone number) I wish they clarify this.

About my 8 ... don't worry ... I will keep you posted !!! about the what, when and how.

Eric, you took most of the accessories available today !
Not the rotor Key with its leather pocket ?

Regards,

Baphi

Baphi


Waarom zou je een ander alarm laten monteren
de standard werkt perfect. mijn verzekering vraagt klasse 3
of gelijkwaardig.

grt Hilbert

Hilbert,

Ik will alleen een 8 .... de verzekering (die ik gebruikt vandag) vraagt voor the VV2 alarm ! Zeker niet mij !

In BE de prijs van de wage zonder BTW bepaald de type van alarm dat verzekering vraagt de 8 / 231Pk zal zeker VV2 nodig by alle verzekering !

NL & BE verzekering zijn blijkbaar niet de zefde.
Ik heb geen idee van NL "klasse 3" verzekering ...

Nederlands is niet mijn moedertaal ... sorry voor de fouten !

Baphi

Baphi,

Het standaard alarm is VV1 goedgekeurd. Ter zake heb ik meerdere mails gedaan met de technisch verantwoordelijke bij Mazda Beherman. Ik ben dus absoluut zeker van mijn stuk. Bovendien heb ik een kopie van de goedkeuring die Beherman ontvangen heeft van de bevoegde dienst.

Als men een VV2 vraagt dan volstaat het een VV3 toe te voegen aan het bestaande systeem, maar nu komt het. De prijs van een VV3-installatie is duurder dan de installatie van een CJ1 basis-anticarjacking systeem.

Dus ik liet me een CJ1 installeren (montage inbegrepen : ongeveer 700,00 EUR).

Baphi, het is bijna onmogelijk om onze verzekeringsnormen (België) te vergelijken met de rest van Europa waar de verzekeringen werken met een europees goedgekeurde classificatie in klasse 1, .... De normen in België liggen strenger. Dus onze verzekeringen zijn dieven hoor !!!!!!!

Wil je de belgische normering nalezen surf eens naar :

http://www.bvvo.be/publication/to_the-point/antidiefstalsystemen.pdf

in het frans :
http://www.upea.be/pdf/To_The_Point_antivol.pdf


groetjes,

Patrick

It is not allways what your insurance company asks from you. It could also be that you want to something extra for the car and for your own feeling.
The alarm I took is the same as I had on my MX5.
My insurance asks for a Klasse II with SCM goedkeuring, I took a klasse III.
Although the original alarm could be ok, even than you are free to do something extra for this very expensive car .....
It is not always what we HAVE to do, but what we WANT to do.
The investment of my alarm is exactly 1,4% of my cars value.

The rotary key will come later Baphi, and your Dutch is very ok.

Regards,

Eric

Hi All,

Tomorrow I am going to the Motor Show in Brussels, in order to go to see all the possible solutions for Alarms on the market and also see the few prototype cars that will be there.

I will also finalize my insurance discussion soon in order to know what they request at the alarm level as the car is nearly there.

Hilbert, 8 km for 1 liter, it is quite good ! How did you drive the car for this and in which conditions ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMsa,
Keep us informed about your findings at the motor show.
I will probably go next week if my work permits !
But I will also have a look at the motorbikes :-)

Patrick,
Thanks for the information about the insurance, my "broker" is checking what exactly they want for the 8.
I would prefer to go for a CJ1 if they request anything !

Called my dealer today ... RED/BLACK available 22/04 .... TIT/BROWN in stock (2).

Regards,

Baphi

Hi Baphi,

Maybe I have to postpone Motor show visit, because I have been just inform by the dealer that the paper of the car just arrived and car will arrive today or tomorrow.
So in stead of going to the motor show tomorrow (if I don't have the time for it) and I will first go to the Dealer to pickup the papers and go to the DIV and also finalize insurance papers.

Keep you informed.

RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

Congrats, finnaly HE will be there for you. If you could make it to Brussels, could you inform us about compagnies importing Mazdaspeed parts ?

Perhaps I will go to, but I'm not sure. So if you could take the time to look there I would apreciate it very much.

regards
Patrick

RenesisMSA,

Your waiting will be rewarded ......finally.

Hope the weather changes for you can drive in somewhat better circumstances, but also on the wet road the car handles superb.

Regards,

Eric

BTW, I emailed my contact at Mazda about the founding of a BeNeLux group, and Mazda will discuss the item of giving the names and addresses of RX 8 owners.

Hi all,

A unsolved mistery !!
I disassembled a rear lightblock just to see how I could remove damp and waterdrops inside the lense. As I brought it inside the house all the water inside disapeared over 5 minutes. And there was realy water inside, I could see it cleary.
Has someone an explication for this ???

regards
Patrick.

Patrick,
Well I don't ... but that is what I saw in different 8 that I could drive & see on the streets ...

Just 15 minutes ago, I saw again the Yellow 8 that I drove earlier ... just a little damp on the right side !
I didn't see an official response to that problem in my first posted thread.

And by the way did I mention the 8 192CV RED/RED that I just bought ?
Delivery 21/01 to the dealer ... but I don't know when I will pick it up, I still have to sell the old car ... still winter ...




RenesisMsa,
I went to the Motor Show yesterday, (redrive with chauffeur the Blue 8 just for the fun) but I spent most of my time in the accessories part of it !

The only Alarm System (approved UPEA) that I found is sold by the importer WWW.TRIONIC.BE and they represent META SYSTEM.
VV3, CJ1, remote, rear parking system on the parking plate (no holes needed ! (also front available).
TRIONIC in partnership with some of their dealers propose 20% discount on the following products;
- CJ1: M42CJ1 include keypad 150?
- CJ1 + remote : M42CJ1 include keypad and remote (170? can be installed later) 320?
- License plate with 2 sensors for rear parking : SR2 Targa RTG 210?
Price without VAT (21%) and installation costs !
Valid until 25/01/2004, you have to ask ... and you get a voucher for 20% discount BUT since both TRIONIC and the dealer participate in the 20% discount the voucher MUST have the name of the dealer you choose and is only valid at that dealer !

For your information and those interested;
My dealer can for 1500? have full leather install in the 8 !
5 year warranty, seats, side doors, NOT the steering wheel (mazda accessory).
One week between removal of parts (2-3 hours labor) and reinstallation.
Large choice of color, they have a Mazda 3 Titanium where they installed full dark yellow ... beautifull !

Regards,

An happy Baphi !!!!

PS: I don't know if I will sleep tonight !
And of course Patrick was right ... I bought the machine !

Baphi,

You just mentioned it now, congrats.
Tomorrow I go to Brussels and plan to spent a lot of time at the parts-section.

Patrick

Oh Baphi. I am so glad for you. Not that you will not sleep, but that you really bought the 8. Congratulations !!!!!
You now can join the BeNeLux club.
Red is a very nice colour, we saw in in the flesh at Patrick's house.
Leather is no option in the Netherlands BTW. It is standard. There are no 8ths with cloth here.
I hope you will sell your car soon and pick up the 8 right away.

Regards (and a little rest ..)

Eric

Patrick, how are you ?
I hope your mission tomorrow will be succesfull.

Greetings,

Eric

Patrick, about the rearlight ....
I think the cause of the disappearing is perhaps the difference in temperature. It is warm inside, that's why the water vaporises.

I have the problem now in all 4 the lights and mentioned it to my dealer. Next thursday the car is going to the garage for all the ordered options. They will look at it.

Have a very nice sunday and regards to your family.

Corrie & Eric

Hi Eric,

Today I'm going to Brussels and I hope to have the opportunity to talk about this damp-problem with the guys of Beherman.
I'll report on it on the forum.

Have also a nice sunday,

Stephanie and Patrick

Hi all,

I just got it on Friday evening !!!!!!!!

Very pleased and impressed. I did around 170 Km, and all these where so funny ! The car is taking people attention. I even got cars letting me pass in situation where they had the priority just to look at the car.

Next friday, the "metatronic" CJ1 anti-carjacking will be installed on it. I was not aware of the discount (thanks Baphi), I will call the dealer today to try to discuss this.

So I didn't go to the motor show, it will be for thursday evening.

The car was just one day, that I had already some humidity in the rear lights, but it is very limited and dissapear quickly when I put it in the garage.

Do you have some good cleaning products ? Any recommendations ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Very nice for you RenesisMSA.
The attention is addictive, you will get much more.

There was a little boy, 8 years old, that told his little friend details about my car. (He did not spot me) He even knew the price. When I showed up he was very enthousiastic. I had to go and he asked if he could watch the car for some time. Isn't that great ...

I clean my car with Wynn's products. The best shampoo I ever had is the Wynn's Pearls Shampoo & Wax (1 liter).
I polish the car two times per year with Pearls Super Shine Polish.

Lots of joy with the 8 !!!

Regards,

Eric

Thanks Eric !

Finally do you put 95 Unlead or 98 Unlead in the Car ?
My dealer insisted and told me to use 98 (information that the technician of the Dealer received when going to a course for the renesis maintenance).

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMsa,

I don't have a clue where you are located but ...
I went to www.cartonics.be in Wavre and even got a better deal, (without the official deal ! from TRIONIC)
- META CJ1 M42 = 229.0 EURO
- META Keyless KLS42 = 90.0 EURO
- Installation of the above = 120.0 EURO
--------------------
439.0 EURO (15% off the normal price 519 EURO)


- META SR2TARGA plate rear detector no holes ....
169.0 EURO
- Installation 50.0 EURO
----------------------
219.0 EURO (10% off the normal price)

658 EURO for both installation !

Official Dealer pointed to me by TRIONICS ... with the discount = 865.0 EURO :-(

Both installation only valid until end of January ... beter place the order in January .... 3 weeks delay for installation ... they need a full day for both installation and you get a replacement car !
I was well received / informed ... they haven't done an 8 YET ! (even with a mazda dealer just on the other side of the road)
I was going to go for the VV3+CJ1 installation but seems to be to much anoying ! (new remote ...)
Everything is visible in their show room ... and even some gear box stick that were showed in some of the 8 forum threads ...
Nice !

Called my dealer today ... the car should be there by Thursday !
Still need to see what accessories I am going to get installed;
- floor mats (black and red) FREE with the car
- lateral strikes
- Front rotary
- shock absorber of cap (letteral translation)

Never seen the rear Rotor with the fog light ...

Next week, I will try to make pictures of the FULL leather (black) upgrade done on a another 8 at my dealer.

Regards,

Baphi

RenesisMSA,

Unleaded 95 must do it for this car. 98 is really not neccessary.
My dealer, as Mazda Holland, adviced 95. 98 can do know harm though.

Baphi,

The rear rotor doesn't exist. I found that out. It only can be mounted when there is no foglight, like in the States. I am going to look at that and see if I can have something custom made.
What are shokabsorbers of the cap ????

Regrads,

Eric

Baphi, thanks for additional information. And congratulation for your car. It will be there very fastly.
Patrick, yours and mine are Red. It seems this color is the most wanted in Belgium.
At my dealer, they have sold already at least 4 rx-8 (2 black LP, 1 silver HP, and 1 red HP - mine).

It looks like the car is doing quite well on the belgium market.

Patrick, I will try to get more info why my dealer insisted on using 98. Sounds strange - even in the book 95 is indicated.
Otherwise, did you have already to add oil to the engine ?

Rgds
RenesisMSA

My dealer e-mailed me about the problem of damp in the tale-lights.
They told me that they had ordered new seals to fit them on to the lights. Also the fog and brakelight have damp in them. They also will look at that.

I have not chequed the oil level until now. 2000 km is not enough I guess to add oil. And there is a meter that gives me the idea that I have enough oil. Should I check it ???

Regards,

Eric

RenesisMsa, and the rest of the BeneLux guys,

Well I HOPE It will there fast and I MEAN FAST !
This evening (19h00) I blow up my gear box on my previous car .... :\{

I still don't quite get it ?! Don't have a clue, I stopped the car decide to reverse and park when a big crack happend ...
Could not move anymore.
Was the car still in movement ... didn't really noticed !?
After a while it smelled BAD ... oil !

The boken car is already a the garage they were still open ...
I hope they can have a look tomorrow.
I need an explanation ... what the hell did I do wrong .... 5 years without serious problems ... or was it a mecanical problem due to happen ?!
I WILL call my MAZDA dealer ... just to check if I completly run out of luck ... it should arrive thursday ...
I have a replacement car until sunday ... and not an 8 !

In the best case Saturday ... I may have my 8 !
That is the only thing that should bring a smile back on my face.
I didn't plan to get it on the road until mid-februaryt / ealry march.

Regards,

A broken Baphi

Eric,

You could beter take a look at the oil-level. I have a bit more then 2000 km and I had to add some oil; the level was a bit above the half-way between to upper an lower marks.

It is not that dramatic, it just needs a survey.

I will get the E-mail adresses of all major dealers in Belgium, but afthet the show in Brussels, they have now a lot of work there.

regards,
Stephanie and Patrick

Sorry to hear, Baphi, bad mechanical luck ?
I hope with you to have your 8 by the end of the week.

Patrick,

Thanks for your concern, I appreciate that. Tomorrow my 8 will go for the options ordered so I will have my dealer look at the oillevel.

Baphi, I am sorry to read about your problem. Hope that thinks will turn out good for you at last.

Kind regards,

Eric

Hi Patrick,

What is the oil you use ? Is this one coming from your dealer ?

I will request a liter to the dealer on friday when the car goes in for the options installation and the anti-carjacking.

Eric, this is interesting, so it seems that Mazda Holland is able to fix the light problems. I will check with the dealer on Friday.

Bad news for you Baphi, but think you will drive your 8 even sooner.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Hi,

Yes the oil is coming from my dealer. I asked him for 1 liter I always have with me in the car.

If Mazda Holland can fix the problem, so Mazda Belgium will have to do it also, today I'll check on it with my dealer.

have a nice day all of you

Patrick

The oil you need is the 5W30, I also carry one liter with me in the trunk.
I will report what the outcomings are.

Eric

Hi All,

Any idea what could be the noise you may hear when you go forward just after having drive backward ?
Sounds like something engaging itself to enable to drive forward.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

I have no idea. When the noise continues you should consult your dealer in case it should be something serious.

I took my car to the dealer this morning and saw an official memo from Mazda about the renewel of the seals for the talelights.
I did not get a copy, but it is official that all cars will get newe seals !!!!!

My car will get all the extra's I ordered some time ago. I look forward to collect it this afternoon.

Could we organize perhaps a meeting sometime in the near future ?? Exchange ideas etc.

A good day to you all.

Regards,

Eric

RenesisMSA,

I also have no idea on the noise you talk about. I never noticed something. Perhaps it's because I always have the music on. I will check on it this weekend.

regards
Patrick

Hi Patrick,

The noise is just like a "little knock on a door".
I heard it two times already now, but didn't try to analyse it further, I will test it again tonight before the car goes in tomorrow at the dealer for the CJ1 installation.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Hi All,

Just collected my car. Oh, what a beauty she has become.
All options I ordered have been put on. The bonnetdampers are great. The vins are very nice to see.
The gearknob with the light inside also is very funny.

Mazda Europe took care concerning the new seals in de rear lights and my dealer solved the problem with the rear fog- and braking light.

They also added some oil. The 8 only used 0,3 liters on 2000 km.
I wish petrol consumption was that low .........

The next thing I am going to do is to let the brakeclaws (??) (remklauwen) paint in Sunlight Silver.

Regards,

Eric

Hi Eric,

Good to hear that she is even more nice.
On friday, my accessories where also added (only missing front rotary) and it is totally true that she is quite more beautifull.

I have now about 500 Km, and she drinks around 15l for 100 Km.

The CJ1 wad added also, since then I got two false alarm (car alarm going on without any reasons), I need to monitor this.

Sunday I noticed that on wet roads it is better to be carefull but the DSC is there to help !

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

What did you experience on the wet roads?
When I left Patrick, we did 250 km in terrible rainy weather and the car felt very safe and reliable. I tested that by accelerating to 160 km/ph.

What accessories did you order ??

About the alarm, I think it has to do with the standard alarm. On friday my second 'beep' did not function. That is to provide opening the car from the inner side.

15 liters on 100 km is about the average I am doing now.

Regards,

Eric

In fact I was in 2nd gear when just coming out of a little right turn, when re-accelerating the rear wheels started to slip (having the feeling the rear of the car wanted to pass the front).
In straigh lines, I didn't notice any issue.

Accessories: Lateral strikes, exhaust finishers and front rotary symbol. I have also made sure that the wheels cannot be stolen, by changing one of the bolt on each.

About the alarm, I saw in the book that it may be very sensitive to the surrounding of the car (car wash machine in metal in close proximity can trigger the alarm). So it could be difficult to determine what can be the problem.

Rgds
RenesisMSA

RenesisMSA,

With my CJ1 I had 4 false alarms in 2000 km, but I can desactivate it while driving, so not a big deal. I was told that interference with surrounding magnetic signals can cause these false alarms. I had it twice around the radiostation of Radio 1 at Kortrijk, so I can believe this possibility.

I must push my dealer for my accessories, they didn't yet arrive I was told, although I ordered them early december. At the end of the week I must go in for the first checkup at 2500 km, perhaps they could be in.

regards
Patrick

Hi guys, I am back ...

I am still on foot ... that's good for my health !

Old car still broken ! I will have it probably investigated has my insurance might cover me for this.

But the 8 arrived late Tuesday ... I still didn't see it / she / her ...
I will pick it up Saturday, accessories maybe already fitted by then !

They made sure at work that I didn't have too much time for dreaming.

Seems CJ1 alarm are giving some little problems.

Did any of you install a GSM car Kit yet ?
If so any details available.

Lets hope weather improves ... I need to clear my mind !
AND HAVE A LOT OF FUN !

Regards,

Baphi

Hi all,

My RX8 was in for the first time, everything OK. The car used 1 liter of oil for 2600 km what is the first estimate; just right we all think. Pedals fitted, just lovely.

Now it is my turn to make some tuning my self. Pictures will follow.

have a nice day all of you,

Patrick

Baphi,

I am sorry to see that your car is still broken. Your health will improve though, all the walking .......
Your car will arrive than, at last. The weather will improve I have been told. A little rain, but that's all. Hope you enjoy. Take care.

Patrick,

Did you also get the aluminium footrest on your side and on the right side. They are very nice too.
And what about your own tuning ?? What are you going to do??

Have a nice day to you all.

Kind regards,

Eric

Hi All,

Good to hear from you all.
1 liter of oil consumption that's ok for 2600 km.

Today, it is two weeks that I have the 8. And for sure it is the best one I ever had.

I didn't have any new false alarm so far. Wait and see.

Have a good week-end !!

Rgds
RenesisMSA

Greetings Benelux !

It is RED, it go fast and already has 225Km, it has done 14.94 L/100 Km.
It likes ... gusty wind of 100 Km/h and a lot of rain ! (well Belgium !)
Made a little trip Brussels / Huy / Dinant / Namur / Brussels.
Curvy & bumpy roads ... DSC light came up at 60Km ... :-)
Didn't dare to push it too much ... I could have ended in the fields or in a tree !

Missed, one radar police car already !, and a lot of debris on the road.

And I have the same BIG smile on my face that you enjoyed already some weeks ago !

WHAT a drive even in those VERY bad weather condition.
I took me a little time to KILL the woman voice telling me where to go !

I only have the floor mats with a little red on it and the front rotary installed, the rest is on its way to the dealer.


Baphi feel MUCH beter !

Baphi, you're in. It is indeed a fabulous car. I have 2700 km now and I still have that wonderful feeling getting in the car and driving around. For the second time now I had a Porche-driver pushing next to me just to look and greeting me. I had several times to show to car, even the engine to "stranger". The list at this moment is endless.

Yesterday I went in at the dealer who disassembled the rear light to take digital pictures of that "aquarium". It will be replaced soon as Beherman is now aware off the damp-problem.

Yesterday I put in 2 red interior-lights (ambient lights) shining on out feet and the alu-pedals. It is just a lovely accent.

Have a nice sunday BeNeLux.

Stephanie and Patrick

Baphi,

I am so glad for you, for I know how you must feel. And so do a lot of others.
You have driven the most beautiful and exiting car you can get on this moment.
Take a little bit care in the beginning.

I really hope we can meet with some of the other owners in the BeNeLux in a while. I also would like to see the red lights of Patrick.

Regards, and lets all keep enjoying .....


Corrie & Eric

I am happy for you too Baphi !
Everybody really like this car.

On my side, I didn't find out immediately that after the CJ1 installation, the radio receiver was not working anymore. Probably they forgot to plug-in back the Antenna in the back of the radio.
So I have to go back on Saturday to have this fixed. It is a little bit ennoying me !!!
I don't like that they unmount the dashboard for a second time.
I would be happy if I could do it my self ? Because I am probably more precautious than them.
If you have any info how to detach the panels, you will make me very happy ?

Regards and take care !
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

I found some good info for the job on this forum because I must get some panels off to mask the cables for the feetlights I'm installing; here are 2 links :

http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=19381&highlight=console+center

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/9-13-03.html


regards,
Patrick:o

Hi Patrick,

Thanks for the links !
I was going to start this morning, but had finally to leave, the first step to unscrew the shift knob is already a challenge for me because it seems very hard to unscrew.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,


I removed this morning the console. It is easy and you can't brake anything. Do not be afraid to use some force to unscrew the shift knob; just just get a "clic" an then it comes off very easy. It is just 30 seconds of work.

regards,

Patrick.

Patrick,

Thanks again for your comments.
I will try this evening again.

I suppose you finished the installation of your feetlights ?
Probably very nice and cool !

Regards
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa, hi,

That's right, I just finished the installation without having to drill any hole. The little red lights are great and feeded from the cigar lighter. No problem for me as for my hole life I never smooked in any car. The adaptor has a switch, so I can turn of the little feetlights. It gives a nice light-accent on the alu-pedals.

regards and succes this evening,
Patrick

Hi Patrick,

Great that it was so easy for you.
On my side, I succeeded yesterday evening in one hour to plug back the antenna thanks to your recommendations.
For sure the car is very well made and it was not too difficult to detach the panels and so plug the antenna back.

I am very happy to have done it myself because I had some surprises. The alarm installator not only forgot the antenna, but lost the famous hidden bold and one other bold was even not screwed. I suspect that the lost bold is somewhere under the floor mats in the deep of the car. I will call them today to complain about this.

I hope to find it back this week-end or I have to find a new bold that can fit into it.
Do you know by any chances the spec's of this bold (size, length ..) ?

Thanks
RenesisMsa

Hello RenesisMsa,

Good that you did it yourself.
I do not know the precs of that famous bold. I think your dealer can help you, they have a CD-rom with all the details of the car. How I would like to have it my own, this CD really includes every part of the car, in detail. Great stuff.

regards
Patrick

Good to know (now I understand what I heard when the dealer requested to the alarm specialist to get back the CD's), so I will try to get a copy of the CD from the dealer.
If I succeed, I provide you a copy.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

If you could get a copy it would be very nice to have one to, I will gratefuly pay you back your expenses. I'm sure that CD's will make a lot more clear personalising our car.

Thanks a lot,
Patrick.

Hi BeNeLux,

Just reviewed "Le Moniteur Automobile n°1308" ...
stop here if you don't want to read about money !
exist also in Dutch :-)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Price Euro per month for 4 years / 30.000 Km ...
RX-8 HP 1.177 EURO/MONTH
RX-8 LP 997 EURO/MONTH

Just to compare :
Toyota Celica 1.8 TS 1.017 EURO/MONTH
BMW 330Ci coupé 1.187 EURO/MONTH
Nissan 350Z 1.235 EURO/MONTH
Honda S2000 1.251 EURO/MONTH

This for Belgian based RX-8; taxes, insurance, tyres, carwash, ...
Not bad for my LP ... my second choice would have been the Honda S2000 but since this Belgium ... and we like taxes.

Check their web site if you want to make your own calculation.
www.automagazine.be

And by the way the TMC (taxe to put a car on the road) will be cancelled as of 2005 ... are WE happy ! :-(
TMC for HP = 5.000 EURO and for LP = 2.500 EURO !!!!!!
I am not sure what we are going to pay for the TMC this year, any idea ?


RenesisMsa,
I am interrested if you can get hold of any tech doc on the car; CD, DVD, ...

Regards,

Baphi

Hi Baphi,

As I introduced my LP in december I have a rabat of nearly 250 EUR on the TMC of 2500 EUR (euro 4 emission).

I think this year you will pay the full 2500, that is why I didn't wait until jan 2004.

regards and a nice weekend,

Patrick

Baphi,

Based on your numbers, we can definitly conclude that the RX-8 maintenance costs are the lowest as the consumption is the biggest and taxes are in the middle (more than a S2000 but less that the 330ci).

I am quite happy of my HP in comparison with the costs of the 330ci and the S2000.

Regarding the TMC, I have the car for 24 days now, and still no invoice for this. But I am rather sure that we will have to pay the full amount.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi Patrick,

Just to tell you I found back the famous bold, it was under the car carpets, it was difficult to find it and have it back but with a lot of dexterity it was possible. To locate it, I had to scan every inch of the carpet to hear it hitting the "chassis" and then with a lot of contorsions I succeded to reach it without to have to detach the carpets.

So a good recommendation when detaching the radio, is to unscrew with the hand this famous bold in order to not let it fall in a very difficult place to reach.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Good for you, RenesisMsa, that you found that bold; I will pay attention on this when detaching the radio. Just got my "BIV" : 2230,00 EUR AND 12 months "verkeersbelasting (14 PK) : 539,88 EUR. I had a "ECO-VERMINDERING" on my "BIV". For 2004 this isn't anymore valid.

Soon I will post pics of some DIY modifications I just am finishing : 2 grilles at the back, 2 grills to protect the water- and aircosystems front under, 2 self-made decals on the A-pillars and 2 grilles to protect the oil-coolers. I now still want to make my own decorative rotary-symbol for the front. I already installed 2 tiny red neons on our feet; it is nice with the installed alu-pedals.

regards,
Patrick.

Seems that everybody has been busy ...

I just got back from my dealer; installed the polished fins and support for the engine hood.
And received my PINK DIV immatriculation.

Still to go ... the GSM car kit and CJ1 system ...

Patrick, what didn't you do yet !!!!
What did you use for the front grills to protect both water and airco ??
I am interrested and already looked into other threads; plastic, metal, ....
I am not sure what to do, any good sugestion ?

What / where did you installed the back grills ??!!

800 Km ... 14.9, 17.5, 19.4, 12.0 L/100KM until now.
(and yes the 19.4 did hurt a lot !! driving to work)

I will need to pay you a visit sometime.

Regards,

Baphi

By the way, it seems that the fog lights and that the front grills are very touchy and so are easely dommaged by stones.
If you have good solutions to protect them, I may be interested.

Baphi, 19.4 l/100km, I think you established a record ! In which conditions did you have this ? (Hope to not have this too often)

Rgds
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

I tried to make a 3D model of the rotary symbol at the front but I didn't succeed. So this is what I am going to do : I ordered the brushed alu decoration for that front-symbol and once installed I will myself cover it with protective transparent film you can order at FOLIATEC. They have a webplace (foliatec.com). I think I have to order that film passing by a tuner-firm (for me AUTOSPORT WILLY at Mouscron; 20 km away from where I live - I ordered there a special red coating for the brakes).
If I have further info I will post it.
I think the rear symbol will not be hit as often, but if I have some film sparred, I will leave it black and cover it also. That sort of film is used to even protect the whole front off the car.

regards,
Patrick.

For all BeNeLux owners,

Soon I will have adresses of owners and the E-mail adresses of all leading dealers of Belgium. I talked about our intention with my dealer who was enthousiast. I think a open relationship between owners and dealers is a MUST for a BeNeLux forum and all other activities that might emmerge from that forum (meetings, ...)
So with the spring in the air, we could see birth of our forum.

Hi,

Here the link and the info about that film I talked about.

regards,
Patrick

http://foliatec.de/1_english.shtml

Product Info
PAINT-ProtectionFilm
PAINT- ProtectionFilm is the innovative protective jacket for exposed exterior components, such as rear bumper, bonnet, door treat plates, door locks and side sills. Protect your car - from chipping damage, dead insects and ugly scratches.

• permanently self-adhesive film
• easy do-it-yourself fitting through
wet-bonding process (squeegee and
cutter included )
• preserves the paint value
• prevents invisible corrosion
• removable without damage to paint surface


ItemNo. Description Detail
3410 transparent 17,5 x 165 cm/ 6,9 x 65 inch
3411 transparent 30 x 165 cm/ 11,8 x 65 inch
3415 black structured 17 x 165 cm/ 6,9 x 65 inch

Patrick,

Thanks for the info and by the way Willy has a web site : www.autosportwilly.com

For your grill did you get the anodised aluminium from Willy / Foliatec ? (different type and sise available)
How did you fix them ?

I am trying to locate a Foliatec dealer nearer Brussels ...
I sent an email to foliatec, otherwise I will have to come and pay you a visit. :-) !!!

I am also interrested on the red coating for the brakes ... whenever you have pictures ...


RenesisMsa,
Well I NEVER want to see the 19 L stuff AGAIN ...
This was going to work (2 x 7km) and a little on the side; 158,2 km for 29,43 L ...
The engine is warm after 4km !!! .... my previous car didn't even get warm when I got to work !!
I think I didn't change gear enough and rev to high ...
and this week I am trying to keep it under the 3500 and change gear quickly and drive cool.
I have to adapt from my previous Diesel car ...
I also have to keep in mind (just like my motorbike) that the tyres need a little warming before you "play" with the car.
(I was reminded while doing a 90° corner !!! and sliding sideways) :-)

Regards,

Baphi

Hi all,

Interesting tip ! I will go to have a look at it at Auto Sport Willy as it is very close to my home (less than 20km).

I saw today a yellow RX-8 on the street in Brussels, it looks also very nice in this color.

Patrick, this is very good news you announce about our future benelux forum.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

What a lot of tips and things to learn.
And what a fule consumption Baphi. You certainly set a record I believe. The worst I did was 16,4 liters on 100 km.
The average is somewhere around 14 liters per 100 km.

Mazda Netherlands promissed to call me back about new owners here, but it still is very quiet.
Dealers have put a lot of 8ths on the Internet. Prices are sometimes a bit lower than originally.

I have another question for you ... Is there anybody who let his car iddle before driving away ?? I have done it once, but I do not take the time for it. Is it necessary? The first 10 km I try to take it easy and make not much more than 3000 rpm in every gear.

Thats all for this moment.

Regards,

Corrie & Eric

Hi Eric,

Personnally, I let the car warm up for about 10 seconds before to move it. Then I drive it during 2 km under 4000 rpm after that the motor is most of the time already warm.
For the moment (I am only reaching 1000 km - I don't do a lot of km as I go to work by train), I went already multiple times to the buzzer but I don't keep the motor over 7000 rpm more than a few seconds as indicated in the book. I was told by the dealer to come back with it when reached 1000 km, so I have to plan this soon.

Regards
RenesisMsa

Hi Eric,

I never wait to drive of, but I keep the car under 4000 rpm for some 3 to 5 min. I tested the car before the first checkup to about 210 KM/H and it went marvelous. The checkup was perfect, even on the computer. So you needn't spare the car.

regards,
Patrick.

RenesisMsa,
The Yellow one you saw is probably my dealers car ...
And yes it looks very, I also test drive it !

As for "WILLY", I might travel that far to have look at what they have (this might be a good opportunity to see each other !).
Since I don't have a clue about "tuning" / car shop in Brussels. Anyone have good address around Brussels ?

I start the car after settling in, get out of the garage and drive.
As of this week I try to stay around 3500 max in any gear ...
This is leading me to drive the car to work in 4-5th gear at 50 km/h ... but its a great feeling !

Can you also confirm that you car is "warm" after 4-5 km ??!!
(driving it normally). That's quick !

I am getting worried because I have to leave my car for GSM Car Kit installation and next week for the Alarm installation ...
I don't want THEM to flood it ! So I think I will warn them and put a notice in the car !!! So they let it run a while before stopping it to soon !

For those interested in installing a GSM car kit, mazda sells a cable (STC07) for 45? that will link to the GSM installation and will make use of the radio speakers. (I picked mine at noon today)

My dealer is expecting me back at 2500Km or 3 month (hand written in maintenance book page 21 ?!).
In the same book (page 20) he "check" that the interval of maintenance was 10.000KM / 12 month ....
It is even signed twice !
The other choices are 15.000 / 12 month and 20.000 / 12 month ... I don't get it, I tought that it was automatically 20.000 / 12 month the first you reach ????

What did your dealer wrote in the maintenance book ?

Regards,

Baphi

Baphi,

I got in for checkup at about 2500 and now I have to return at 10000 km. My dealer didn't mention any months.
Indeed my car also runs warm after 5 minutes. Meeting at WILLY would be a nice idea, they have there a cafetaria where we can talk whilst having a drink.
That tip about the GSM cable seem very cool, I will check on this.

Thanks for the info and all have a nice Valentine-weekend.

Stephanie and Patrick

Eric,

Wish a nice Valentine to Corry from both of us.

Hi All,

Very good idea, we can meet at "Willy" and have a drink. This saturday is possible for me, but not the next one.

In my maintenance book, it is indicated 10.000 km for the maintenance, but I remember the dealer asked me how much I will do by year and I told around 10.000 Km, so I guess that he indicated this in order that the car has at least one maintenance per year.

Baphi, you should not worry too much about the flooding. I had no issue when the car was given for the alarm and they didn't care for it I think.

Patrick, I went recently to 210-220 km/h and had the feeling that the direction was like loosing road connection (resistance was dropping and having impression of flying), very strange feeling that didn't make mee too confident. Maybe due to the quality of the road. I have maybe to investigate this. Otherwise it raised to this speed in a very quickly way, very impressive ! How was the direction feeling when you tried ?

Good Week-end
RenesisMsa

RenesisMsa,

Yes it felt a bit looser but (my impression) not at that point that I had the feeling not to control the car anymore. I don't know if you were alone in the car, I wasn't. Perhaps the charge of the car (number of kilograms/people) could make the difference, I don't know.

Sorry, but I can't make it this saterday. Perhaps we can all publish the days that we could make it on the forum and then search for a suitable day.

my days :
Patrick : sa 21/2, 28/2, 6/3 and 13/3

a nice RX8-weekend
Patrick

Hi,

It should be possible for me on the following dates:
28/2 and 13/2.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hello all of you,

As promissed, here some pics of what I already did my self to the car :
- grilles 2x on the front (below and oil-coolers - have yet to be painted in dark silver)
- grilles at the back (have also yet to be painted)
- RX-8 decal on the windscreen, nose and B-pillars
- tried to make a picture of the cool red lights on our feet but ... this was of low effect (should be seen in flesh)

- I made myself a alu-feetrest (sports-type) for the passenger-side (just finished - so no pic at this moment; 40 EUR only and a bit of work)

- I installed the alu pedals and ordered the rotary-accent alu front

- I made a model from the rear rotary symbol-mistlamp and will make myself a cover in alu (this will take still some time next week)

- I am waiting for my red brake-painting (hopefully also next week)

regards,
Patrick

Sorry guys,

I posted the pics not under our "Netherlandssection"; look at the general Europe forum; I will post them again as a "REPLY" tomorrow.

Patrick.

windscreen

front

back

nose

door-B-pillar

So guys,

This will be better,

regards,
Patrick

All,

About the meeting date; 28 February 6 or 12 March for me.
Location Willy ?!

As it seems that some of us are in the IT world ... and maybe interrested in Open Source / Free Software the 21-22 Feb there is a meeting at the ULB with some of the big heads of Open Source ( www.fosdem.org / www.fsf.org )

Patrick,
Nice pics ! I need to see your grill in live !

About my previous information about the GSM car kit MAZDA cable ... well my installation guy (NOT MAZDA) couldn't do it.
So I will have to mute the radio manually ....

Regards,

Baphi

Hi Patrick,

Nice !!! The grills are well designed. I am interested to know how you did and how they are mounted as the cooler are touchy.
You did a great work !

Regards
RenesisMsa

Hi all,

It seems that the meeting at Autosport Willy, Rue de Menin 136 at Mouscron would be possible on the 28/02/2004. The shop is open at 9.00 h; so we could meet there around 9.30 h. There is a great parkingplace before the shop.

There, RenesisMsa, you can see how I did to fasten the grilles.

I will be there; so if you also could confirm it would be nice the know howmany of us will be there.

regards,
Patrick

Hi,

Ok for the 28/02 at 9:30.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi,

I will be there on 28/02 at 9:30 ....

Keep in mind that I have to come from Brussels, its Saturday and ... it might take time to program the address in the GPS .... :-)

Regards,

Baphi

Baphi,

We will wait there for you, that's sure. Don't take any risks. We are patient as we had to wait several months for our RX8 ... so.

regards,
Patrick

I can't be there ! My first check (2500km) will be on saturday 28th in the morning !!! Grrrrr... Maybe next time...

Have fun with all the others belgian lucky owners at Mouscron...

...and welcome to "IknowNot'ing" ! My Titanium Grey II will be no longer alone on the road !!! Congratulations...
(Mine has 1700km and 3 weeks! just starting to go up to 5000rpm now !!! 7500rpm soon !!! Whaaaaaaooouuuwww)

Hi TheChimiste,

Personnally I was not able to resist to the 9200 rpm at only 250 km. As indicated in the usage book, I only took attention at:

- no quick start
- no higher than 7000 rpm for LONG period
- not keeping the same speed during a long time.

I hope we can meet you on the next rx-8 meeting as you cannot come on the 28/2.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi everybody,

It is strange but it seems I am getting no mail anymore. So I read all the past messages just yet.
Nice pics Patrick and thanks for your wishes for the Valentine. I received a nice card from an admirer ........

About the Belgian meeting, I would like to come to Brussel but on that day I am going to Germay, to experience the topspeed of our 8. It is my last free day. On the first of March I get the keys for my new house and will be busy for the whole month.

BTW, I did not meet no other Dutch owners yet, and did not see any other 8ths on the road. It still is very quiet here.

My car has done over 2500 km and the first checkup is at 4000 km in stead of 2500 at your country. What would be the difference?

So far.

Kind regards to all of you.

Corrie & Eric

Hi Eric,

Keep us informed of your test in Germany.
And congrats for your new house !

Regarding the number of km for the maintenance, I think it changes based even on the dealer, for me it is at 1000 km.

Regards
RenesisMsa

Hi TheChimiste,

Sorry to hear you would like to be with us but you can't. Your appointment is also important.

Be sure we will post some pics and some comments on what we all talk about. The next time we will try to make sure that you can join us.


Conny and Eric,

Have a nice time in Gemany. We wish you good luck with the planned works on your new residence. Once done we will surely hear from you again.

Stephanie and Patrick

Hi Patrick ! and thank you for your post...

Yes ! some pics ! good idea !

Hi BeNeLux,

I have the E-mail adresses of Belgium and I am preparing a Winword-document to sent to them. In the document I will explain what we intend to do with the Forum and I will include an anoucement for our meeting of 28/02 at Mouscron.

By the way, visit the link hereby. Perhaps an idea if not for now then perhaps in the future.

http://www.carsforyou.be/racingday/info_nl.htm

regards
Patrick

Hi BeNeLux,


Here my first mail to the Mazda dealers concerning our forum; it is a word-doc. Here what I wrote; the doc is to big for the forum because I did include some pics also.

regards
Patrick

Bavikhove, 22 februari 2004.



Mevrouw, Meneer,


Sedert enige tijd rijdt er op onze wegen een veelbesproken wagen rond : de RX8. Je weet best dat je die evenwel niet op alle straathoeken tegen komt, temeer omdat het koperspubliek echt wel een autoliefhebberspubliek is.

Vanuit die passie zijn er internationaal meerdere eigenaarsforums opgezet die ook mij ervan overtuigd hebben om eind januari 2003 een RX8 aan te kopen bij garage Vandenborre te 8520 Kuurne. Sedert 10 december 2003 rij ik rond met een Velocity Red exemplaar van 192 HP.

Ik heb contact gevonden met enkele eigenaars uit België en Nederland en kwam reeds samen met mijn nederlandse vriend bij mij thuis. Dat was zowaar de eerste “meeting der lage landen”. In bijlage vind je daarvan een foto.

Omwille van de privacy-wetgeving kan ik van Beherman niet de gegevens krijgen van de kopers-eigenaars, maar als jij aan alle eigenaars die bij jou een RX8 kochten of nog zullen kopen ons initiatief kenbaar maken dan kunnen die mensen als ze dit willen zelf contact met ons (mij) opnemen. Zo komen we niet in conflict met die wetgeving.

De bedoeling is om af en toe samen dingen te doen : o.a. uitstappen, rijvaardigheidslessen, technische info te delen en nog zoveel meer.

Volgende zaterdag 28/02/04 komen we met een 4-tal eigenaars uit België samen bij AUTOSPORT WILLY,Rue de Menin 136 in Moeskroen om 09.30 H. Iedereen is welkom, ook zonder verwittigen.

Ons forum vind je op onderstaand adres :
http://www.rx8club.com/showthread.php?s=&threadid=15657&perpage=15&pagenumber=14







Alvast bedankt voor je medewerking.

Patrick Vacquier
Mandenmakersweg 20
B8531 Harelbeke-Bavikhove
E-mail : patrick.stephanie@planetinternet.be

Dat werkt !!! :D

In fact, I've just received a mail from my mazda dealer telling me that a RX8-Club has born in Benelux !?!

Your lettre is also in french !

Well done Patrick ! Congratulations !

Regards,

Philippe

Still very quiet in The Netherlands.
It is a good thing that dealers in Belgium seem to pass the message from Patrick to the owners of an 8, I wish they where a bit more enthousiastic over here. But anyway, I will send an e-mail to Mazda Holland again today.

Next month I will move to a new house wich is about 11 km from my work.
I was wondering, is it bad to go every day just that distance with my 8. Could I better go on my mobylette perhaps ?

I wish you all a nice day.

Regards,

Eric

Eric,

I don't think it is that bad, the car needs 5 kl to gain workingtemerature so ... I often take it out for a 10 km walk and it never flooded or protested.

regards,

Stephanie and Patrick

Dear all,

Just received an e-mail from Mazda NL. They cannot give me addresses of RX-8 owners, but, they will put a link on their website. I filled in a form with all the neccessary data and a link to our thread. I gave them my e-mail addres and phonenumber.
So, if you would like to monitor the action of Mazda NL, look so now and than if they have added the information on their site.
www.mazda.nl

Regards,

Eric

E

Hi All,

Just found in a French Car magazine, that apparently the following issue may occur with the RX-8 if too much doing short trips: Engine cannot start anymore.

The "bougies" have to be unmounted and cleaned (because they get very dirty). And in some cases it can even not fix the issue, final solution was not indicated.

So keep care.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi RenesisMSA,

I know of that problem. My dealer told me about it and recommended to buy an extra set of sparkplugs in case this happens. I did not buy them. I hope the problem keeps away from me. I did not have this until know.

Regards,

Eric

Hi RenesisMSA,

I have almost 5000 km and never had any problem even if it is reported on several occasions and I knew of it even before delivery of my car.

For the record (I repeat) : I drove a NSU and then always reved up to 3000 before shutting down; now I just do the same thing.
I do not pretend that this will protect me in an absolute way but reving up clears the rotors off unburned gas. What this do to the plugs ... I do not know (maybe they are cleared to).

regards
Patrick

Hi everyone,

Just to say that RX-8 on snow = nightmare !
:(

Did someone try the snow last friday in Belgium ?

Did you meet others on saturday in Mouscron ?

From my first check on mazda dealer,
after 2500km, lost of 0,5 L motor oil.

Hi,

Yes, and for sure it is not so easy on the snow !

We were two in Mouscron.
We had some drinks and a very good discussion.
And finally we did a small ride. For sure, it must be re-plannified.

Rgds
RenesisMsa

Hi all,

Yes half a liter is perfectly normal (same as for me). By the way your engine didn't LOOSE that oil but it uses (and burns) that oil in the rotors. A little amount of oil is injected while turning.

In the snow ... I do like it but I have to addept my speed, that's sure. Try playing with DCS on and off, it's even more fun.
It is perhaps a good idea to plan a "sliding-mastering-session" with a instructor later on when our meetings are a more crowded. Never the less we had a nice conversation and left with the idea that the Brussels region is perhaps a better choice.

So Baphi, do you have a little idea for the next meeting ?

Eric did you go to Germany?

regards,

Patrick.

Hi Everybody,

Hope you had a plaesent meeting last saterday. We did not go anywhere, the weather was to bad here (and also in Germay).
On any occasion in the future we would like to join. At this moment I am a little down because of the salt on my car and the fact that I have no time to wash it of. I am busy in my house and have to do all sort of things before the 29th.

Did yoy take a peak on the www.mazda.nl site yet.
I saw they added the information of the BeNeLux club I send to them.
It would be nice if some Dutch owners would join in.

Have a nice week to you all.

Kind regards,

Corrie & Eric

Hi,

Well I missed the Saturday meeting ... :-{
I could have used that break and discussing the 8, but unlike some of you snow is not my treat !!!
Unless I would have a lot of free space to play.
Any good shopping at Willy ?

It seems that my 8 was noticed at work ... a colleague called me about a little trip he is doing with friends next sunday to the Nurburg Ring (http://www.nurburgring.de/) ... a 300km trip to get to the Circuit.

Well I am not yet decided (weather, work, ...) but I only have 1.800Km and I am still running the car in, probably yes for the trip but on the circuit it self ??!! I still need some more experience.

Check their web site, you can see the day/time when it is open and the prices ... this might be a nice trip for us ?!

I would be interrested about "driving experience" under professional supervision on a circuit ... Belgium, France.
At work there is something being planned about driving on a circuit ... I still haven't any details but from what I know they would like to reserve a circuit for a day.
I might ask them if outsiders could join us, would you be interested ?

Any body knows if mazda could help us or if they already organize something similar ?

On the (very) bad side, driving to work ....17.65 to 19.83 L/100KM !!!
Well I think I am to close to work ?!
(driving cool ... doesn't seems to do the trick, so this week a little less cool after warm up !)
Any good advice ?
I already took the train, waiting beter days for the bike or the motorbike.

Regards,

Baphi

Hi Baphi,

I didn't do any shopping.

Yes I am extremely interrested for a trip to a circuit. Since I followed some driving courses at Spa-Francorchamps, I am expecting to have again this kind of experience.

I know that at Zolder, there is a possibility to have access to the circuit on some occasions. But I never did it.
By the way, what are the cars of your colleagues ? Are they doing regularly this kind of event ?

Definitly go for the bike or maybe it will decrease when you car will have more km. On my side, when I drive the car below the 4000 rpm, it doesn't cross 15l for 100 km.

Regards
RenesisMsa

Dear All,

For the first time I was unpleasently surprised by my 8 today.
An hour or so after removing the car twice (start and shutdown) I was not able to start the engine. The engine was flooded after the first attempt.
Reading the manual, after trying to do it my way first, I followed instructions and turned the key to start and kicked down the accelerator. Nothing happend. A lot of smell and a lot of white smoke threw the talepipes.
The second attempt, according to the manual, I started her up without doing anything with the accelerator. Again nothing happend. A bit in a panic state I did it again and again, thinking of my dealer wanting to buy myself an extra set of sparkplugs.
In the end, she started with a lot of coughs and hickups. But she did it.
Has anyone experienced this also? And what did you do?
Should I caal my dealer monday and tell him about this? Do I need extra service?
The car is doing fine now, thank god.

Regards,

Eric

Eric,

So far I never experienced something like this. I often move the car for a few meter, even cold, and the only thing I know is that on two occassions I had to wait 4 to 5 seconds before startup instead of 2 to 3 seconds. I have now nearly 6000 km so I drive her very daily. When I had to wait 4-5 seconds the first 10 seconds od operation are not that smooth, there is also a bit of coughs and hickups but then he runs smooth again and that is the point where I get going.

I don't think your car needs extra service but you would better tell it to your dealer so he can check the sparkplugs on deposit off carbon and eventualy clean them.

The only things I do is a weekly check on water and oil, as everybody should, even with a classic engine. Oil is for a rotary off crucial importance (as I know from the NSU) so that is something not to forget.

By the way, how is your new house evoluating ? Everything as wished ?
If I was a bit quiet lately, it is because I am very busy making my own rear spoiler with PU, epoxy, ... It is quit a timetaking job but it is worth the effort. Nice ones are priced 1000 to 2000 EUR, ordered in America or Japan, and a 500 to 700 EUR to get him in Belgium.

regards,

Patrick

Thank's Patrick, for your reply.
I have done almost 4000 km now and hope my sparkplugs will keep up untill I make the first appointment for service.
I have slept well, allthough I thought about it a lot.
In the mean time my computer has been infected, despite all the messures I have taken. It seems my computer is sending e-mail on itself ????
My house is doing fine. Another two weeks of hard work and we will be able to move our things and ........ my car will be in my garage !!!

Have a very nice day, I am going to clean the bathroom (my car has not been cleaned for several weeks, I am ashamed)

Corrie & Eric

Hi all,

Just thought I'd drop in to the Dutch/Belgium thread to see how the 8 is doing in the low countries. Do you see a lot of 8's on the road over there? Over here I've seen a few now, however I live about 500 meters from the nearest Mazda dealer which has about 5 as show / demo models, so I should not be surprised about that :)

I'll be driving to the Netherlands next weekend, so if you see a velocity red with a Swiss plate be sure to say hi!

Groeten,

sebas

Hi All,

Eric, nice that you succeeded to start your engine. On my side I didn't have any problems for the moment. Only maybe one time that the engine required 3 sec to start in stead of 1 or 2 sec.

Patrick, do you know if it is possible to put the rear wing from Mazda on our cars that have the rear lips ? But anyway it is quite expensive !

Sebas, personnally I didn't saw a lot of 8 for the moment on the roads. But I know that my dealer has already sold a few. There will probably be more in Switzerland has the taxation is probably lower. Have a nice trip to the low countries !

Rgds
RenesisMsa

I called my dealer this morning about the flooding and they had a simular experience with a demo car last week.
I made an appoitment for tommorrow to change oil and to have perhaps a quick look at the sparkplugs.

Today it went fine, but it did scare me. The chance to have this, my dealer told me, is very little. So lets hope it will keep away.

Where do you go to Sebas, I will be looking out for you. It will be the first time I saw another 8 on the Dutch roads.

Regards to you all.

Eric

Hi Eric,

I will be driving to Ommen, which is a small town near Zwolle in the east of the country. I'll be visiting my parents and some friends (and show off my car of course).

I don't think I will even come close to the west of the country, where Zoeterwoude is if I remember correctly.

I'm looking forward to driving the 700 kilometers, since my car is now properly driven in and I can test out the German autobahn at 5 am on Saturday ;)

I will keep an eye on this thread, if you guys are having a meeting or something and I am in the 'neighbourhood' (or at least in a 200km radius) I might drop by. I have not seen too much Swiss activity here and my Dutch is still a lot better than my schweizerdeutsch :)

RenesisMsa,

I had a look at rear spoilers from other Mazda cars (and Saab) but the curves doesn't match. On the web I found different rear wings but they are all very expensive and I am sure transportation will not be cheap either. That is why I am making one myself. I agreed with my dealer that they will let it paint in the right color and mount it on the back lid. So there will be no problem with the waranty. It is not such a problem to make but it takes a lot of time. I think 150 to 200 EUR will be the price (products, painting and mounting). So that will be cheap. I plan to finish it somewhere in april; I will post pictures then.

Sebas,

First of all welcome. I just saw one gray RX8 in Kortrijk 3 days ago. That was the first I saw on the road since the 10th of december last year. I read somewhere that for Belgium 100 RX8 were sold in january, so they will be on our roads beginning in may.

regards,

Patrick

Hallo allemaal heb veel plezier aan mijn 8
Tot nog toe geen problemen nu 6000 km gereden


Phase2
Hallo leuk dat je deze kant op komt.
Ik ken de omgeving van Ommen goed mooie omgeving.
Alleen afgelopen zondag in de buurt van Lemelerveld had ik pech.
kreeg een aangereden wild zwijn onder mijn auto.
Kom zelf uit Hoogeveen en ik heb hier in mijn omgeving nog geen
RX-8 gezien ik denk dat hier in het noorden nog niet veel rond rijden.


Grt Hilbert

Hello - BENELUX - boys,

We have ordered also an RX8, it will arrive here in June.
I will order also next week special items in the US and Japan
for our car. Spoilers - suspension - brakes - exhaust - ........
I you are interested in some items, email me !
You know that there ie an RX8 - ladiescup in the UK !
Rotaries are the best ! !

Hoi allemaal,

Ja, Eric, de link op de Mazda.nl site werkt, zo ben ik hier terecht gekomen.

Ik heb op 9 januari een Velocity Red Hi-Power, rood/zwart interieur besteld, hij wordt verwacht in mei. Ik was de eerste in Beverwijk, inmiddels is daar ook het showmodel, Silver upgrade, verkocht, maakt sinds vandaag de buurt onveilig.
Vier maanden wachten is bijna niet uit te houden en na al jullie enthousiaste verhalen en tips zal het moeilijk blijven om geduldig in grijze X-6 2.5i rond te blijven rijden.
Voeg mij binnenkort a.u.b. toe aan de RX-8 Benelux ownersclub!

Drive safe,
Groeten,
Caecil

Welkom Caecil,

Prettig dat de link van Mazda de eerste vrucht af heeft geworpen.

Er zijn nog niet veel Nederlandse aanmeldingen. De auto blijft in ons land een exclusieve verschijning. Mijn dealer was de eerste in Nederland die er een verkocht (ik bestelde hem in maart 2003).
Hij heeft sinds eind december een zilvere upgrade, maar die is nog steeds niet verkocht.

Wanneer je de auto krijgt spreken we een keer af, ergens langs de kust bij Zandvoort bijvoorbeeld. Wellicht heeft tegen die tijd een groter aantal Nederlandse eigenaren zich gemeld.

Geduldig wachten tot mei is moeilijk, maar die tijd is nog maar kort.

Nogmaals, welkom op dit forum en tot ziens.

Eric

ha RX-8 fanaten.

Ik heb hier al eens gepost over onderdelen voor de RX-8.
Wij zijn bezig met mazdaspeed hierheen te krijgen.

Nu ben ik op zoek naar iemand die een complete bodykit op zijn auto wil en ook af en toe eens op een evenement wil staan met zijn auto.

mail naar: info@mazdastyling.nl

Zo, ga ik eindelijk eens een keer een stuk autobahn rijden in m'n 8... gaat het regenen! In ieder geval is dat het vooruitzicht voor dit weekend. Oh well...

Hilbert, ik ga inderdaad de Lemelerberg een beklimmen dit weekend met de auto, alle 77 meter ervan :) Ik wist niet dat er everzwijnen waren, ik hoop niet dat er (veel) schade aan je auto is.

Ik was trouwens een paar weken geleden bij de Mazda dealer in Hoogeveen, om mijn ouders een keer een 8 te laten zien. En ze hadden er geeneens een staan... Heb je hem bij die mega-dealer vandaan?

Goed, ik ga mijn spullen inpakken, morgen vroeg richting Nederland!

Originally posted by Patrick

Voorstel voor ieder uit Nederland en België : laat ons een "Sticky" maken op dit forum (zoals de spaanssprekende leden) en daar verder met elkaar communiceren in het Nederlands). Laat mij eens horen wat je hierover denk aub.


groetjes,
Patrick Belgium

Hoi Patrick,

Als Nederlands sprekende aankomend RX-8 eigenaar ben ik daar en groot voorstander van. Als nieuweling op dit forum hebt ik echter geen idee hoe dat op gang gezet moet worden, laat ik graag aan de meer ervaren gebruikers over.

Zag al een paar RX-8-en te koop staan in Amerika.
Bevalt jouw rode je nog steeds?
:)

Eric, via via hoorde ik dat er in Heerhugowaard een Vel.Red rondrijdt. Deze zou vorig voorjaar al in Geneve gekocht zijn. Iets over of van gehoord?

Originally posted by Phase2
Zo, ga ik eindelijk eens een keer een stuk autobahn rijden in m'n 8... gaat het regenen! In ieder geval is dat het vooruitzicht voor dit weekend. Oh well...



Het schijnt ook erg hard te gaan waaien volgens de berichten.
Toen ik vanmiddag naar huis reed in windkracht 9, ja ik woon aan de kust, vroeg ik me af of de 8 hier eigenllijk voor is. Hoe zijn de ervaringen?

Goede reis Phase2!

Met windkracht 9 reed ik ook over 's Heeren wegen, met de 8.
Geen enkel probleem. De auto ligt zeer vast op de weg. Waar andere weggebruikers slingeren door de wind, steekt de 8 zich als een mes rechtuit, zonder te zwabberen.

De RX 8 uit Heerhugowaard is mij onbekend. De enige levende 8 die ik heb gezien, is die van Patrick. Voor de rest zag ik er een aantal, maar allemaal nog in een showroom.

Het idee van Patrick spreekt aan. Uit deze Sticky kan dan uiteindelijk een BeNeLux RX 8 club ontstaan. Wanneer we dit doen, moet ik dat wel even doorgeven aan Mazda NL omdat er nu een link staat naar deze thread.

Gegroet allen.

Eric

Een dikke week geleden is de motor van mijn 8 verzopen.
Het was een onplesante ervaring en de handelingen die ik moest verrichtten om de auto weer aan de praat te krijgen waren niet prettig voor iemand die zuinig is op zijn spullen.

Het lukte uiteindelijk wel.

Ik heb het de garage verteld en men wilde het even afwachten. Sindsdien stottert de auto als hij stationair loopt en ook het starten gaat 3 van de 10 keer moeilijk.
Mijn dealer neemt nu contact op met Mazda NL om het probleem te bespreken.

Zijn er onder jullie ook zulke ervaringen? En wat was de oplossing?
De bougies vervangen schijnt een zeer dure oplossing te zijn.

Ik hoor graag jullie mening.

Eric

Hallo all

Eric

Gelukig tot nog toe geen problemen gehad met starten
heb nu 6500 km gereden ik rij elk dag naar mijn werk
en dat is 30 km dus niet een te grote afstand.
geef bij het starten nooit geen gas en bij het afzetten
ook niet op toeren brengen en dan afzetten
ik hoor dat somige eigenaren dit wel doen,
volgens mij moet je dit juist niet doen.
voor 4 bougies ben je meen ik rond de 100
euro kwijt.

grt Hilbert

Hilbert, bedankt voor je reply.

Mazda NL heeft voor dit probleem (het 'verzuipen') al een code opgenomen. Het is dus kennelijk een meer voorkomend item.
De problemen worden altijd onder garantie verholpen!
Donderdag gaat de 8 naar de dealer en de bougies zullen dan worden vervangen.
Het probleem nu is, dat kennelijk 1 van de 4 bougies licht beschadigd is door het verzuipen. Je merkt dat bij het starten (duurt langer) en het stationaire toerental fluctueert. De auto trilt bij stationair en het is juist het kalme karakter dat de rotatie zo kenmerkt.

Gisteren getankt en voor het eerst 1 op 7 gereden. De auto wordt dus wel iets zuiniger naarmate je er meer mee rijdt.

Groeten,

Eric

Hi guys ... I am back ... well I stayed to long away from the group !! seems that we have new friends :-)

Well, done the 2.500 Km check at the dealer, I am still drinking 17 litres ... mainly due (I suppose !) to the 2 x 6 km to work !!
I am waiting for beter days to take the motorcycle instead of the car to work.

One or twice the car didn't seems to want to start but no flooding ...

Regards,

Baphi

Originally posted by Eric
Een dikke week geleden is de motor van mijn 8 verzopen.
Het was een onplesante ervaring en de handelingen die ik moest verrichtten om de auto weer aan de praat te krijgen waren niet prettig voor iemand die zuinig is op zijn spullen.

Het lukte uiteindelijk wel.

Ik heb het de garage verteld en men wilde het even afwachten. Sindsdien stottert de auto als hij stationair loopt en ook het starten gaat 3 van de 10 keer moeilijk.
Mijn dealer neemt nu contact op met Mazda NL om het probleem te bespreken.

Zijn er onder jullie ook zulke ervaringen? En wat was de oplossing?
De bougies vervangen schijnt een zeer dure oplossing te zijn.

Ik hoor graag jullie mening.

Eric

lo all!

first some introduction: my name is Andreas, live in the Netherlands and i'm the webmaster of the Dutch RX-7 club.
currently own 2 1st gen RX-7's and 1 of those is a Elford and 3rd gen RX-7.

about the flooding: did you drive a short distance with the car? rotary engines are not happy with short distances so allways warm up the car before shutting off. and about some other entry: it's a EFI so only press the clutch when starting.

best wishes from the Netherlands to all of you,
Andreas

Hi All,

Startup Problems, Take a look here:

http://www.finishlineperformance.com/rx8/docs/01-011-04.htm

Have all a Marvelous RX-8 Week-end.
Rgds
RenesisMsa

Yesterday brought and collected my 8 at the dealer to insert new sparkplugs.
Must say, the difference is noticable.

Thanks Andreas for your reply, and yes, I took the car only for a couple of meters, twice within a short time.
What do you mean by It's an EFI, so only press the clutch when starting ???

Thanks RenesisMSA for your contribution. I will read it immediately to look if I can learn something from it.

Have a nice weekend to you all.


Eric

Originally posted by Eric
Yesterday brought and collected my 8 at the dealer to insert new sparkplugs.
Must say, the difference is noticable.

Thanks Andreas for your reply, and yes, I took the car only for a couple of meters, twice within a short time.
What do you mean by It's an EFI, so only press the clutch when starting ???

Thanks RenesisMSA for your contribution. I will read it immediately to look if I can learn something from it.

Have a nice weekend to you all.


Eric

because it's a EFI and hasn't got a carb, don't use the gas to start the car, keep away from the gas/throttle. only press the clutch because the oil in the geabox is cold so the engine doesn't have to pump the cold oil in the gearbox around (less load on the engine).

Originally posted by Baphi
seems that we have new friends :-)

Baphi

Hello everyone,

I saw that in reaction of my earlyer message to Eric and Patric in Dutch, a few of the French speaking Belgiums started a new treat in French. My French is realy terrible, but in writing I do understand it a little. And it looks like they are a little bit angry that the BeNeLux line turned into a Dutch one.
I didn't mean to exclude or offend anyone, but since Dutch is so much better teached in Belgium than French (or even our own language) is in Holland, I thought everyone could understand our reactions. As you can see, my English is also not to good, writing in Dutch was the easy way.
So IKnowNot'ing, RenesisMSA, Baphi, and all others, I hope you forgive me! At the moment trying to learn Spanish (can understand the Spanish friends a little already), next to my list is French.
I realy did learn a lot from you all, what to do and what not to do. And enjoyed reading all your messages.
I'll have to wait at least another month to drive my RX-8, killing time by reading this forum. Thanks!


Caecil

Hi Caecil,

There is no prob at all. It is nice to see discussions in many different languages, and so we learn !
More we are, better it is.

Be patient and you will soon also drive this marvelous car. I see that we have done exactly the same choice !

Rgds
RenesisMsa