TJLack

So my dealer recommends the attached plus rear differential service plus brake fluid flush - total cost $850 w spark plug replacement or $600 if hold off on spark plugs.

Since my 2004 only made it to 11,000 miles, would be interested in others experience / decisions on this type of service.

Thanks.

Ted

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

It's a rip off. $250 for spark plugs for example.... they are $80 for all 4 from vendors here on the boards, and about 10 minutes of work without special tools.

Most of the stuff on the list is inspections, which you can do yourself. For the rest:
- Injector cleaning can be accomplished by some seafoam in the gas tank
- the plugs are mentioned above
- the transmission fluid is $40 of fluid and maybe 20 minutes of work
- The coils aren't mentioned at all, but should be addressed at 30k if you haven't already, $140 from vendors here and 20 minutes of work.


Radiator flush and alignment are the only 2 that doing it yourself is generally not possible, and the alignment should come free with most tire replacement places now.

The ONLY reason I would consider paying them that much for all of that is to maintain a relationship with the dealer in case of future warranty work. Basically $580 ($850 minus $270 in parts) now so you might not have to pay it later. And I still don't see that as worth it.

Bigbacon

iTrader: (4)

Don't do it. I just passed 30,000 and I just told them to do the oil change, diff fluid change, the bolt check and that odd basic stuff, an alignment, and something else and it was like 170 dollars total.

though you are an MT so they can do the transmission fluid change cheap too.

coils, plugs, wires you can do yourself for a lot cheaper.

Like the above said, I do this stuff with the deal for warranty purposes and to have a good relation with the dealer and they have been awesome so far.

but other wise, the 30,000 mile one is just a ripoff. though I was quoted like 385 or something for the service (no coils,plugs wire)

TJLack

Thanks.

I have always passed on their "recommended major service" deals on other cars in favor os limited specific services. I always felt they were dealer ripoffs vs what is really needed but I wanted to see what RX8 owners thought. Of course, I turn over my normal cars every 2 - 3 years and the RX I plan to keep for the foreseeable future.

humanwire

I just took mine in for the 30k service, and the dealer said I didn't need anything other than a new battery, which it did need. They said that plugs would definitely be needed at 35k.

Lunacy

Oh boy. I can't wait. I just hit 29.5k

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

They're rip offs in a financial aspect when you can buy and do it yourself, but contrast to issues people have had with the car I do not see them as rip offs for what is needed or rather should be done for preventative maintenance.

In the manual it shows 3 different type of service schedules I believe. I'm replacing my tranny/diff fluid at 31k now and already upgraded to better plugs/coils 7k ago. I would recommend putting in fresh fluids for the tranny/diff when the tranny as weak as it is and people having some issues with the synchro's to make sure they don't wear out any sooner. Mine were whining more and more with normal/spirited shifts. I don't slam it into gear as one shouldn't but I do shift quick and can hear a better result from putting in fresh tranny oil. I plan on also flushing out the radiator fluid (I'm not sure why RIWWP says we can't do this as people drain/replace their radiator fluid all the time in this car unless I misunderstood what he meant). The brakes is more of a feel on how it performs in regards to fluid.

Here's how I see it, for most casual cars you don't need all the above. The 8 is not a casual car and is one of the most sensitive to maintenance cars there are out there that needs your attention to keep issues away in the future. There is enough info on this forum to teach you to do all this on your own and trust me is a better method contrast to a service center because then you'll know it was done right, save money, and learn more about your car.

Just make sure you save all receipts for buying the stuff you update the car with for proof of self maintenance along with the mileage it was changed at. There is also an online log I believe on Mazda's site if you register to put in the maintenance you've done on the car for future records.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Yes there is, in the Owner's section. I log all my DIY maintenance there. Just save your receipts.

Most of the 30k task items are inspection. The fluids you really can do yourself and even the 'plugs and coils are straightforward, especially given the insight on this board.

As cited, the RX-8 really does perform best with strict attention to preventive maintenance, so if you don't feel you can accomplish this than do have it performed at the dealership. Although overly pricey at least you'll have an airtight service log in case you need in-warranty work done in the future. But again, you really should learn to do most of these tasks yourself. You'll gain knowledge, a sense of accomplishment, and save a ton of cash.

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

A drain and replace is something most can do, a flush generally isn't. Granted, alot of dealers will just drain and replace without flushing, even though they claim they flushed

That's all I meant.

And it is a financial rip-off only. I didn't mean to imply at all that the service and checks aren't needed, but the inspections are something you should be doing yourself anyway, and the rest, it's cheaper and better for you to do it than to overpay for a dealer to do it.


The 8 does need lots of close attention, start neglecting it and it will start acting up quick, and little issues become major problems fast. And yes, keep all of your records on MazdaUSA.com like us kool kids.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

Correct me if I'm wrong but last I read on threads here and online in general, a flush is essentially the same thing as draining and replace in aspect to the same sequence; it's just done multiple times with water and/or cleaning solution to flush out the old crap before finally putting in the coolant of your choice.

That being the case, I don't see why it's not something anyone can do

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

I could be wrong. It's happened before.

But I thought a flush was with a tool that forced a cleaning solution through the entire system under pressure multiple cycles to clean out the deposits. Something I don't see a multiple drain/fill doing.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

You can do it by starting the engine up after filling it with the solution, and letting it warm up and then draining it after it cools down. The multiple drain/fill IIRC is the same thing in aspect to starting it up and then draining after it cools down.

I don't think you just pour water through it and let it find its way down....at least I haven't read anything like that yet.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

^ Yes, the 'rinse and repeat' is now the prescribed DIY coolant change method vs. the old "back flush." It does just as good a job and doesn't stress the system.

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

since your in NOVA, do you go to Rosenthal Mazda in arlington?


I had a tranny fluid change at my dealer in annap, cost me $120. I said never again.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

Buy 2 qts yourself ($40-$50), pull drain plug when on jack, drain, reinstall or replace plug with new one and reinstall w/ washer, remove shifter and pour through the opening the 2 qts, reinstall shifter and console cover, done.

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

damn.... didnt know it was that simple. haha.

I had a trans fluid replace because I was having them look into a syncro problem and they suggested to have the fluid changed. I said ok. Then charged me $120. And i was like oh hell no.. lol

RIWWP

iTrader: (2)

Yeah, self maintenance is ridiculously easy compared to most cars.

Even the traditional complicated stuff like the transmission fluid is cake.

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

Adam, read up on the DIY's before doing any type of mod or maintenance on this car because almost literally everything has been covered. I used this forum for modding my car the past few months and other than some wheel offsets, did everything w/out questions through the wealth that is already provided here. Saved me a lot of money, time, and allowed me to know my car a lot more in detail.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

The downside to DIY coolant change for me (which I've done, but ...) is finding a place to dispose of the used coolant. Unlike oil, the 'zone et al won't take it, nor will my local transfer station. They make it almost impossible here.

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

Poor it in the ocean




















































JK

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

^ seems to work for BP !!!

Vlaze

iTrader: (14)

^ oh ****, now everyone is gonna think dumping a lil here and there can't be anything alike to BP's fiasco

Back in my youth living in the country side I just used to toss it over across the road into the ditch.....maybe it was naivety, maybe not giving a ****, maybe both I think it was because half of it if not more was water....

Oil we definitely didn't do that with it; we contained it in a barrel for one of my uncles to pick up and use for an oil furnace on the farm.

adamwzl

iTrader: (3)

that is true. If you do it in the gulf then someone else will clean it up for you

StealthFox

my car just hit 30k and im doing all of the 30k schedule and then some with an independant mechanic.

800 bucks? kiss my *** stealership i'll do all of the 30k schedule and then some for less than half of that.

i just cant believe i spent 20 bucks on 5.5 qts of castrol gtx when their parent company is spilling millions of gallons of the **** for free to the sealife in the gulf of mexico.

TacoMan

my car just hit 32,000 today :] dang my baby is getting old jk but no i do everything myself well atleast the stuff i can do for way cheeper than the dealership would charge me!