US SPEC in Europe...
 

Hello my fellow displaced US SPEC 8's

I'm wondering if anyone else is having problems getting things fixed on your 8 here in Europe. I am US military and brought my US SPEC 8 over with me. Recently I have been having issues with the car and it comes down to needing a PCM flash. The problem I am having is, my car is US SPEC and the German Mazda dealership here can't (won't?) help me. I brought the TSB in (translated too) and got told, "The German RX-8 doesn't do this." Seriously... :banghead:

I even called Mazda of North America to see what can be done. They actually told me I shouldn't have taken my US SPEC vehicle overseas. I explained to them that I was US military and I really didn't have a choice but to take my car with me when I went to Europe.

At the end of the conversation it sounded like Mazda didn't recommend their line of vehicles to US Military who could possibly get stationed outside of the US. Maybe I was reading into it. :rant:

Bottom line - Does anyone know if their local RX dealership can flash US SPEC RX-8's? Mine keeps telling me he can't help me.

I appreciate any information you may have.

mkztg

Where are you located in Germany?

I am in the Vilseck/Graf area. I ship my car in less then 45 days and head back to the states a few days later.

Hopefully my 8 will work long enough to get back CONUS where I can get it fixed.

Where are you at?

mkztg

I don't know if this will work, but call Racing Beat. They have a service to put their performance flash on the PCM. Even if you don't want their flash, maybe they can up date you. You will have to send them your PCM, so your car will be out of service while the PCM is being shipped both ways.

I'm assigned to Ramstein. There is a Mazda dealership/service department in Landstuhl that I took my car to and had my spark plugs changed. I'm pretty sure they have the capability and are willing to flash US spec cars because they mentioned that as something they would potentially have to do when they did the work. They also told me that I had the most current flash so I'm pretty sure they have the means. I'm not sure how far Vilseck/Graf is from Ramstein but if you want I can get you the number to that dealership and you could ask them but it would take me a couple of days...I'm TDY at Langley and I fly back to Germany this weekend.

Mine down here in Wiesbaden did a eflash on mine without a problem. The guys are also quite knowledgeable when it comes to rotaries. They definitely know their stuff.

I'm in the UK and I've had mine flashed with no issues.

Sorry it has taken so long to reply. Vilseck is about a 3-4 hr drive from Ramstein. I appreciate all the feedback on this. I ship my car back CONUS next Thursday so I'll just get it fixed there. It starts and runs but it is a PITA. I guess the dealership here in rural Bavaria doesn't really care to provide service to the US Spec owners here, and I have seen a lot of new 8's here and on Graf.

Thanks to everyone who has helped me with this.

mkztg

Well, enjoy being back in the states...watch a few commercials for those of us overseas and stuck with AFN and other less entertaining options! :)

Screw AFN get a stateside proxy and watch stuff online.

Im in the Netherlands for now.. unfortunately I didnt bring my 8, but I did bring a mercedes slk for my father in law. Car started having problems and the mercedes dealers wont help either cause of the US Specs, I think there just lazy.