paulm

Hi there.
I have a 04 exclusive model(231bhp), black in colour with black leather.
Ive had it about 6 months now and I think its an exceptional car, despite its low mpg etc.
Ive had no problems with it so far and its a great car to drive, plus its a lot of fun.
I don't do a lot of mileage on a weekly basis(work is 10mins drive) so I fill it up every 1/2 weeks.
Just wondering how often people here service their cars? My local mazda garage recommended every 6k miles.
Also, I installed a carlink in the car last weekend, I fully recommend it.

yannc

If you don't do much mileage (like me), bring your car for servicing once a year.
I recommend Joe Duffy as at least they know about RX-8. I bought the plugs myself 2 weeks ago, they fitted them no problem and they even gave me a replacement car!
What's a carlink?

EinHeisserSchrei

Unless your car is under warranty, I would recommend servicing it yourself. It's so much cheaper and with sites like www.rx8strakes.com parts prices are nearly halved. For instance, Mazda wanted €260 for a set of spark plugs. RX8strakes have the exact same ones, delivered to your door for around €100.

paulm

Sound, thanks for yer advice.
carlink!(meant to say xcarlink)
http://www.xcarlink.co.uk/home.php?cat=1

I don't have an ipod so I just use a 2gb memory stick with it. So far its been excellent to use.

yannc

I wouldn't buy the plugs from a US website, Mazda Europe is using different plugs for the RX-8. They are selling RE7C-L in the US while we use RE8C-L in Europe. Any website in the UK will have the correct plugs available for sale. I bought mine from http://www.mister-solutions.co.uk/ng...-plugs-1-c.asp, cost me 100€ and that includes postage.

EinHeisserSchrei

yannc,

I see what you're saying but all Mazda dealers in Ireland are saying to use RE7C-L. They have a stronger spark compared to the RE8C-L.

yannc

Really? Would that affect performance? I gave them RE8C-L and they didn't say anything to me... I have to say, I can't find a proper answer on the web, NGK recommends RE8C-L for the UK, but quite a lot of people are using RE7C-L instead.
here is something I found on RX8 owner club (UK).

"The RE7C-L is the hot variant which is used if you make shorter journeys and experience starting problems. The RE8C-L is the cold variant and likely to be slightly more durable. It should not make a noticeable difference which variant is fitted for most people. Just make sure that you use one of these two leading plugs and the RE9B-T trailing and don't attempt to save a few quid by using anything else, or try to make them last longer than the mandated change of 3 years/37,500 miles."

I do short trips, so maybe I should have gone for the RE7C-L! I also heard that you can switch to those if you have issues starting the car. I have none of these problems though.

O'Renesis

I get my spark plugs from here, http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1&AAIA=1431319
and also oil filters, http://www.sparkplugs.com/results_ap...1431319&mfid=4
and brake pads from here, http://www.racingbrake.com/v/main/ve...asp?model=RX-8
I like the Performance Ceramic pads, great stopping power and very little dust.

Very good prices and not too expensive for shipping and a lot cheaper than the local Mazda dealers.(even if you have to pay the VAT).

The RE7C-L is hotter than the RE8C-L and also is designed not to flood easily. If you are not having any cold starting issues then stick with the RE8C-L plugs.

EinHeisserSchrei

O'Renesis, I like the look of the price on the brake pads! Nice one! Mazda want €260 + VAT and more for fitting them (which is a **** easy job).

It doesn't noticeably affect performance, just makes it easier to start with the hotter plug. The right way to see what spark plugs you should use is to ring a Mazda dealer and give them your chassis number. With this number they can tell you exactly what spark plugs you should use.

With regard to flooding and hard-to-start issues which I was having a lot of recently due to driving not-so-hard for petrol saving. I was told to drive the car hard. This also prevents the milky oil (which is normal) from appearing along the dip stick. It worked! I drove it hard on the main Dublin/Cork road between the Horse and Jocky and Littleton. The car started perfectly every time since then and the milky oil is gone.

The only thing about doing this is it uses a woeful amount of petrol. On the other hand, it's a lot of fun and saves you the embarassment of a sexy car like the 8 not starting.

On another topic::: Anyone know how easy/hard it is to make a claim against someone insured by Quinn Direct? Some muppet reversed into the front of my car smashing the grille to bits, snapping the straps that hold up the air dam and scratched the **** out of my bumper. He wants to sort it out without going through insurance but he hasn't contacted me yet. Luckily he lives in town and I have all his details.

AND...does anyone have the CobbAccess Port???

O'Renesis

First thing as regards the motor accident, you should have reported the damage to your local Garda (Police) station and then to your own insurance company. This "muppet" can eaisily claim no knowledge of the incident unless you do the aforementioned. Did you take his insurance details? his car details? and all relevant details as to the time and date etc of this accident? It sounds as if you are in for a very hefty repair bill.
To replace brake pads on the RX-8 is basically the same as any other similar car. The only thing that might catch you out is the rear caliper piston requires that it be screwed back into the caliper and not just pushed back.
I now use the RE7C-L spark plug, but then again I never had any hard starting issues even with the RE8C-L's.
You may complain about the crappy fuel consumption but I am sure that smile on your face after a vigirous drive on our twisty Irish roads is priceless

EinHeisserSchrei

What does be flying around in your head working the controls man!? Haha

Of course I reported it. The Garda station and the scene of the accident is separated by a wall! I rang them and they sent a Garda (Policeman) over. He sorted everything out and he is still working on my case. I've lived in Thurles my whole life so that makes it handy to 1) Know what a Garda is and 2) Know the gardai around the town...

The repair bill is coming to €670 including all labour.

BTW, I wasn't complaining about poor fuel consumption, I was merely letting others know.

O'Renesis

kennygw

hi all. in referance to quinn direct i know a few of the guys on the road for them who deal with the claims, once you report it to them they usuall are back on to you within 24 hours. it will be the local rep that would usually make contact. the fact that a guard was aware will help with the speed of the claim too. the reps are self employed and get a bounus based on how quick it is settled. so all going well you should be back on the road and looking good for christmas.

kenny.

EinHeisserSchrei

Kenny,

Thanks for that. I'm giving this lad a 2nd chance this weekend to pay up. If it doesn't happen then I'll be going through Quinns.

Thanks again!

irishdesolo

hi there all, I have the handbrake light flashing at me on the dash, Anyone no why? I was thinking i might need to change the pads but they look fine... front and back.. Just checking to see if anyone else has had this problem, i also got a remote start system installed a while back, might be something to do with that... or a just a loose wire hopefully.
Thanks D

thegoose84

hello fello irish rex owners!
hope to get my hands on a 192 in 3 weeks time,cannot wait.
just wanna ask some of you what to look out for when owning a 8,maintance and so on.and how about fuel economy,are they really that bad!!!?
look forward to hearing from you guy's

PaulR

Hi goose and welcome to the Rx8 club! In terms of advice on how to care for an Rx-8 there's a world of info on the forums here that you can browse through, but quick and fast advice would be always keep your oil topped up with the 5w/30 part synthetic and always follow the start/stop procedure, its really that simple! And find a good Mazda dealer who'll service it for you without ripping you off.

One piece of advice I would give you, and I think most people on here would agree.... would be if you're looking at an Rx-8 don't bother with the 192, performance not as good, spec not as good and impossible to resell. There's absolutely no reason not to go for the 231, it doesn't make much difference to insurance. I'm insured with 123.ie and its quite reasonable. Fuel economy isn't great, I get about 25mpg but then its a full on sports car not a Prius so when you compare it to proper sports cars it does alright.

If you are interested in a proper Rx-8 with all the trimmings I'm going to be forced to sell mine shortly, at least until I get my mortgage sorted and then I'm straight out to buy another one!! She the Velocity Red model with all the trimmings... its a beauty as EinHeisserSchrei can testify!!

Aside from that get your *** into an Rx-8 as soon as you can and fall in love!!

Paul

PaulR

It sounds like a loose wire alright, did you check your brake lights to make sure all of them are working? Especially the one at the top of the boot?? Could be something as simple as a blown bulb. Or another possibility would be the handbrake switch could be loose of have some dirt in it. Probably no harm in checking your brake fluid level as well if thats at a low level it'll give you a warning light. If that doesn't tell you anything then it sounds like you'll have to go to a dealer for a diagnostic Good luck!

BBoyAkay

How the hell are you getting 25MPG? I get 16 if I'm lucky (231bhp)...i.e. about 350 KM to a full tank...how many km do you get on a full tank?

EinHeisserSchrei

Hey Goose, welcome to the best forums on the net!

Paul is right, when it comes to the RX-8, the 231 model is the one to buy. I drove his a few months ago and yes, it is savage! Well worth buying. I test drove it for a friend who was interested but that fell through with him when he couldn't get insurance. To be honest, he didn't try too hard. What age are you? I'm 23 with 3 years NCB and my insurance with Hibernian through Aaran Insurance brokers is €1960. Big difference compared to my first year with the 8 when it was €2500.

When it comes to getting parts and accessories for the 8, the best place on the net is
www.rx8strakes.com I ordered stuff from them on a Friday and I had it in my hands the following Tuesday. That's wicked considering they are an american company.

With regard to servicing, as Paul said, there's a wealth of info on this site. But we'll tell you anyway:

> Check oil levels every 2nd fill of petrol
> When you start the engine from cold DO NOT drive it or rev it hard until the temperature guage is in the middle of the meter
> Give the engine at least 10 seconds to warm up before even driving it
> Stop/Start procedure: When you start the engine from cold, fully depress the clutch (this has to be done anyway as a safety feature) and DO NOT go near the throttle pedal. If the engine cranks but doesn't start, let go of the key (DO NOT crank it for more than 10 seconds at a time) and wait a few seconds before trying it again. This time fully depress the clutch, crank it and give a slight bit of throttle. You may not have to do this but it is neccessary on some of the 8s. I don't think there's any differentiating which ones it has to be done on but I know it has to be done on mine at times.
> Before turning the engine off, when the car is stationary, bring the revs up over 3000, hold it there and turn off engine before releasing the pedal. This gets any unburnt fuel out of the chambers and prevents flooding.
> Things not to worry about:
- When you take out the dipstick out, if there is a creamy white residue on it, don't worry. It's normal on the rotary. On piston engines it means the head gasket is blown.
- When the car is stationary, if it idles roughly it's normal
- If you're driving along and notice the gear stick wobbling it's normal because the fulcrum is located directly underneath for sharper gear changes
- If the car is sitting outside after being driven up to 5 hours ago and you hear it ticking, it's still cooling down
- When you start the engine from cold the revs go up to 2000, normal and if you're standing at the engine after doing this and you suddenly hear a whirring noise go away, normal
- If you drive hard when the engine is not up to normal operating temperature it will not go above a certain rev range and will "jerk" - consider this the engine telling you "will ya fecken stop, I'm not in the mood just yet"
- Spark plugs are located directly behind the front passenger wheel. Wheel needs to come off in order to access them. You can buy them from RX8Strakes for a fraction of what Mazda are charging (€100 delivered compared to €260+VAT and installation). They are the exact ones you need. Only ever use RE7C-L (Leading) and RE9B-T (Trailing)

If you have any other questions, just ask one of us and we will be glad to help

PaulR

What he just said!! ^^^^

My mpg figure is probably high alright cos I calculated it on a trip to Dublin airport but in general I don't drive my Rex much so it tends to be longer drives. On the runs where you're ripping it around back roads like it was designed for I never worry about the fuel economy, the ticking from the exhaust when I get out tells me all I need to know so I just pull up at the petrol station and fill her up with a smile on my face cos I know she's worth every drop!!

EinHeisserSchrei

Kenny,

The car is all fixed up and looking good! I was dealing with a guy called Donal Ryan. Fair sound chap! He came to the house, took a few pictures and within a week I had my money.

Paul, be very careful in the car park in Dunnes. There's a number of clowns with hitches reversing into 8s in there!

thegoose84

hey lads,what kind of tax are you guys paying on your 8's.

PaulR

I've been taxing mine for €150 for 3 months at a time cos I wasn't sure how long I was gonna keep it... didn't mean to keep it so long just got a bit attached to it!! So the tax for a full year would be less than €600.

O'Renesis

In Ireland the RX-8 is taxed as a 1701cc engine. see link for rates,
http://www.dublincity.ie/RoadsandTra...rTaxRates.aspx
and the CO2 rates,
http://www.dublincity.ie/RoadsandTra...mmissions.aspx
the RX-8 is in the over 225 grams per kilometre, i.e. €2000 per annum for all RX-8's registered in Ireland after 1st July '08.