[QUOTE=EZZY]sounds good, and that very nice of them.... did they tell you "how" they took it for a "test drive"?

Well, I guess they didn't use the brakes!

 

Just had my 60k service at Grand Prix Mazda. All up, it cost $827 inclusive of 10% discount. $80 of this was due to a rattle elimination request, and this time they've done a really good job. Funny that, since de-rattling under warranty wasn't as good. The new plugs cost $311 all up. Like SKC, they left the remainder of the rotary oil in the car, and they Protec flushed the motor. Unfortunately, they didn't wash the car - perhaps they don't have water recycling in their car wash.

When I casually (!) mentioned to the guy at the service desk about the Mazda directive to dealers not to use synthetic oil in RX-8's, he went into reactive mode, and said I should refer any technical matters to Mazda Australia - almost like he was reading off a card. Obviously a touchy point! I persisted, and asked if any customers had complained about lack of power, and he said not a one. Hmm, I think I should take some lessons from Revolver on cross-examination.

 

Hi could you break down your costs labrat as I'm in due for a 60K service, also my last service for 3 years. I'm interested to see what the other bits and pieces comprise of to make up the 1000 or so I was quoted.
Also did you get quoted for 4 plugs there?

 

I've already filed the bill. I'll try and get it out over the weekend. The plugs were charged at $155.50 per pair, thus $311 for the four. Oil was $70 as I remember.

 

I ASSUME THAT THEY REPLACED YOUR FUEL PUMP for that sort of money ?

Michael

 

Soz Ezzy, I didn't have time to do it. I'll dig through my filing cabinet when I get time and post them all up. I've been pretty strict as to what they do on the car though, I think I'll be expecting a somewhat weighty repair bill though ...

 

OK Herewith the cost breakdown for the 60k service at Grand Prix Mazda:
60k service basic = $188.60
Workshop supplies = $8.00
4 wheel alignment = $54.55
Oil filter =$9.37
Rotary oil = $69.17
Air cleaner element = $90.88
pair spark plugs = $155.62
pair spark plugs leading = $155.62
sump plug gasket = $0.38
protec engine flush = $14.87

de-rattling (my request) = $90.20

less 10% discount = $83.72

Sub-Total = $753.54
GST = $75.35
TOTAL = $828.89

 

What sort of plugs did they put in? It may be worth me getting my own plugs and stuff.

And the de-rattling ... is your car not under warranty anymore? Why'd they charge you for it?

 

 

Thanks labrat. Just wasn't sure what was in the 60K and know what I can cut back on with spark plugs as I got new ones under warranty not long ago. I was also quoted some where around 8-850 mark but no wheel alignment.

Cheers.

 

are you still looking for your 40k service statment....? it'd be awesome if you are. thanks.

 

Yes I am, I haven't found it yet though.

 

So labrat, are you making a link between use of synthetic oil and engine power loss?? Because I now have slight power loss (under diagnosis - see here), and they used synthetic oil up until the TSB...

 

No, not at all... . I don't have any evidence to suggest this, and the way I drive, I probably wouldn't notice it anyway. I would value the opinion of smeone else who can tell us what the effect of inlet port fouling might be. Has anyone had their engine apart after running on synthetic oil for an extended period?

 

Whilst on the topic of oil, discussions I've had recently with the Tech Dept at Castrol Australia have revealed that Castrol Australia are the makers of Mazda Rotary Oil. It's not simply a rebranded Castrol product.....it's an oil made to Mazda's specifications.

The first batches of Mazda Rotary Oil were imported from Japan, it's now a local product. I aim to speak with the National Head of Technical for Castrol next week.

 

Castrol are sponsoring the oil giveaways at the nationals. Yep - it is "special". You should have seen the rigmarole we had to go through for Mazda to supply the MRO back to Castrol to "giveaway" to us!!! You see, Castrol are not allowed to sell the MRO to anyone but Mazda!!!

Anyway, thanks Castrol for your sponsorship of the event. Thanks also to Mazda and Meguiars. Just a pitty I am at home for it.

Cheers,
Hymee.

 

I'm seeking some advice/information from Castrol on Mazda's synthetic oil stance....amongst other things.

 

I think I may have mentioned this but we have a dealer here that uses Castrol Magnatec when they service 8's...

Gotta go Some Mothers Do Ave em is on the box!!! oooo Betty!!!

 

One of the questions I'll be asking regards Magnatec. It's basestock....is it a group II or a group III oil? What is their definition of "synthetic"....etc.

 

There was a legal matter a few years ago which made the definition of synthetic oil very broad. You'll notice that manufacturers make sure they stress their "Full Synthetic" oils are 100% Ester Synthetic now.

I do not beleive Castrol Magnatec falls into that catergory, considering that when it first came on the market, it was never sold as being synthetic.

 

This is my 2nd post and am an excited Rx-8 driver and now RX8club member. Looking forward to meeting fellow Melbourne drivers.

FYI I got my 24mth service done at the 23k on the odo with Garry and Warren Smith in October. All up $515

service $281.60
wheel alignment $80 (although tyre rotation was part of the service, they suggested alignment too, in hindsight, maybe it wasn't needed)
oil $11
rotary oil $70 (5lt carton with <1 lt left over left in the car)
cooling filter $43
Workshop materials $12
waste disposal $5
brake fluid $14

website booking discount -$10
GST $46

the software upgrade was part of the service but pollen filter was inspected/cleaned.

I had brake shudder (undulating deceleration instead of smooth) and Mazda replaced them under warranty. It was nice that they did as the ugly rust stains on the brake rotors (not the part the pads touch) dissappeared.

Courtesy things:
G&WS Mazda provided a drop off and pick up service in their mini bus. I had to drop the car off early to make sure I go the first drop off though.

They vacuumed the car but didn't wash it like they normally would because of the heavy rain the day before pick up. (They could have washed it the day I picked it up though

Anyway it's back with me and I love it.

 

Welcome Timbervolt. Glad you are happy with the car.

Maybe you could come on the Phillip Island cruise in December? Big group, get that real 8 forum family feel!

Ciao' 4 now.

 

thanks for posting this, perfect timing - I'm currently "discussing" with the dealership whether this should be fixed under warranty.

 

discussion has ended with someone at Mazda Australia telling me this is not a known problem on the 8, and "anyone can put things on the internet" or words to that effect!

 

What is brake shudder ???
My 8 also has that rust stain you are talking about and is very jerky at lower gears - ?is this brake shudder and what needs to be done ??? is it called something else because I couldn't find it on the thread search???

cheers
NicoRX8