doc.marx8

its been 2 weeks since my "M" flash and realize that i shouldnt have done it.

I never had any of the problems that others were experiencing, but since mazda reccommends all cars updated to at least "m" calibration, i went ahead and had it done.

mileage is the same after the reflash with no improvement in total miles; and sad to report, the car actually feels slower now. what was explained to me was that now the acceleration will follow a linear pattern, and thats what i feel now.

before the flash, the slope on the acceleration curve was so steep, that i was literally pinned to the seat in gears 2, 3, and 4 while rev-ing from 4500 rpms and above.

I now regret getting the "m" flash, because it generally did not improve my car's performance from any standpoint. Im uncertain which level of the flash i had prior, but i only wish i could go back to it.

RotorMotor04

it is not that the car is slower like you said, the curve does not have spikes in it so you do not feel the pull at 7000 RPM's

doc.marx8

...i know. Im just now, getting used to the new performance characterisitcs; but i really miss that pull i used to get. It would thrill the heck out of anyone riding shotgun. It was such an impressive feel and my brother in law drives a 911 s4 and he was so jealous that i got that performance for under 30k, while he had to pay 94K for his performance. But lets not forget a 911, IS A 911. He just couldnt believe what a marvel of engineering it was for around 30K dollars. It was one of the things that made the RX8 so unique. I still love the car, but just miss the feeling.

happy rotoring!

clem

I can identify with those feelings. I miss the turbo-like boost in that range that I had with the "L" flash. I do like the smoother transition between the lower gears since having the "M" flash done, but the car seems a little "tamer" overall now.

loco4rx8

doc.marx8,

Can you tell me what month your car was manufactured? Mine was a June '03 production.

I have been debating whether to get the "M" flash myself. My gas mileage has always been among the highest on the board (I've averaged over 22mpg over nearly 15000 miles), and generally I'm happy with the car's performance.

But the promise of smoother shifting and better mileage is calling, and I'm planning to have the car flashed when I take it in for the 15000 mile maintenance in a couple weeks. Just hope it's not the wrong decision.

ptiemann

Well, you know, never change a winning team
a.k.a. if it ain't broke, don't fix it.

I didn't really need my M flash either, but won another case of shop damage :-(

On the upside:

The mpg has improved a little. From 19.5 to 22.5, that's my regular commute to work, with speeds between 70 and 85, occasionally triple-digits.

One tank I set the cruise control to 60 m/h and it yielded 26 mpg!
Keep in mind I'm driving over the hills during this commute and the Bay Area has a lot of traffic.

doc.marx8

my car was manufactured 1/16/04 so im assuming i had the "L" flash. actually the car shifted fine throughout all the gears, it was only for the hope of better mileage that i got the "M" I was already averaging 20mpg, so i should have never allowed the reflash, because i was happy with the car otherwise. Now as user "clem" had put it, the "turbo" boost is gone after the "M" flash.

Unless you've had a no start issue, i wouldnt get the most recent flash.

dr. mark

SCiMMiA

You guys need CZ 1.1. I just got my M flash, and concur with ya'lls findings, but also just got my CZ computer upgraded and can't wait to get it back in there.

loco4rx8

Thanks dr. mark.

Now I'm really confused. I've only heard great things about M until now. Maybe I should leave well enough alone, but there's always the possibility that they'll flash the car without me asking at some point.

I'd hate to miss out on an improvement.

RX-GR8

from what i've heard the "M" flash is exactly the same as "L" as far as the fuel regulation and acceleration. where it differs is on flooding and cold starts. I got "L" first and it was way better than what i had from the factory. "M" seems the same as "L".

RX-GR8

i assume that your 22 MPG is mostly or all highway. i'd be curious to know what your mostly or all city MPG is. i think most people will get 20-22 highway. the problem is some people do mostly city(my case) and get 14-16. so if i were to compare my MPG to yours that would be misleading because i do more city driving than you. at any rate my MPG has improved with the "L" and "M" flash.

Doctor Bob

Guys-My RX 8 was manufactured 11/03. What flash from factory would it have? I never shut off cold. When running up tach seems smooth steady pull already.

Thanks,

Bob

loco4rx8

Yes, I'm mostly highway miles. Probably about 85% highway. I've never had a tank where I've driven mostly city miles because I live in a rural area and have a long commute to work.

Thank God.

Rev It Up

Just had my car flashed yesterday after going round and round with the service manager, and I have to say the car drives alot smoother through all of the gears. I think it will be alot easier for my wife to drive as well. I must admit that I don't feel that little boost around the 7000 rpm range anymore, but think the car still acellerates as quickly as it did before.

Gord96BRG

It's actually not a decision you get to make! Sure, right now people are asking for it - but if you've read the related TSB, you know that it advises all Mazda dealers to flash EVERY RX-8 that comes in for service.

This is a new standard operating procedure that the Mazda dealers are going to become familiar with - when you bring your car in for a service, they will hook your car up to the Diagnostic system, and if the diagnostic system says your PCM version is too old - bang, you will get a new version, and they'll do it without asking you.

Even if you don't request the M flash - at your next oil change, or recall appointment (airbag wiring or trans damper), they'll say "By the way, your car was due for a PCM flash, so we did it for you". Resistance is futile - you WILL be assimilated!

(I had the M flash done a few weeks ago - no big deal.)

Regards,
Gordon

loco4rx8

LOL. I know Gordon, but obviously you've never had your car serviced where I do. Chances are, they'll never become aware of the M flash without someone pointing it out to them.

RX-8Dad

For me That would be a good reason not to get the flash.

RodsterinFL

I had the car flashed last week.

I do not have special testing equipment but I can affirm that my car idles smoother, is definitely not as bogged down in lower speed acceleration, revs easier, etc.

I have limited engine experience but I had to tune a large jet-ski engine's air/fuel mixture. That experience of lean to rich and many trials leads me to believe that the 8 was leaned out for better performance and economy and is confirmed by many on this board.

My car seems lighter on its feet - just quicker revving. I am sure we will learn more about the M flash but for now I would recommend it to any 8 owner.

snap-on

Actually it is still up to the owner. The advisor should tell you what service/repair they are going to perform PRIOR to them doing it. Even a recall cannot be performed without your permission.

Case in point.

All B-series pick-ups with Firestone Wilderness AT's were recalled.
Some wise customers chose not to get new tires until they actually needed them. Smart choice IMHO.

Performing repairs on cars without the customer/owners knowledge is what landed Mitzu in hot water a couple of years ago.

d0va

HOW WOULD I KNOW WHAT FLASH DOES THE CAR HAS IN IT. I GOT THE CAR IN 9/11/03. IS AN AUTO I LOOK UNDER THE HOOD BUT I COULD IT FIND ANYTHING. I ALSO DID THE TEST 20 PUMPS ON THE BREAK IN 8 SECOND WITH THE KEY ON THE ON POSITION. I GET REAL BAD MILEAGE. AROUND 230 MILE PER TANK. (12-14MPG) CITY DRIVING.

snap-on

You can not actually tell what level the PCM has been updated to unless you have a "CAN" capible scanner that can read the mode 9 info.

JimW

Well, if your getting 230 miles and ran your tank dry your getting better than 14 mpg and certainly much more than 12 mpg. Say you are averaging 14 gallons a fill-up / 230 miles= 16.4 mpg. With my driving style I average a little less, which isn't much worse than my 03 EXV6 Accord with the same driving style. My other energy waste is waiting in line for 20 min with the car idiling while I'm picking up the kids from school. If it weren't for that, you bet my mpg would be better but damn it's getting hot and humid down here!

doc.marx8

ok, ok my apologies sometimes tendencies and routine behaviors allow you to just "get used" to things such as driving your car. well, I alternated this last week of work commuting with my older 88 rx7. still very fun to drive and a lot looser on the handling, but overall still very fun. SO last night after the laker game, I wanted to celebrate and go out driving the RX8, and it was only then that i realized the subtle differences that im assuming were the improvements of the m flash. its in the lower gears and lower rpms. It seems to have a more balanced power delivery now. as far as acceration goes... once again this car restored my exhiliration. I mean it just felt like its same old self, FAST FAST FAST.

RodsterinFL

How can you tell?

someone already stated the ECU area is marked - I dunno this but I can tell you that when the dealer flashed mine they added a sticker and attached it to the top left underside of the hood stating authorized engine modification by Mazda with the same number as other forum members have mentioned.

shoptb

So if I buy a new 8 in a couple of weeks - will it already have the "M" flash on the ECU?