I'm worried about getting the 8 out of storage this spring with how high gas prices are going. I was going to sell my motorcycle, but I may keep it now just so I don't have to put as many miles on the car.

Anyone willing to lend me a data logger? I have an opportunity to get a custom tune for my car and I need to send engine data to get it optimized for my car.

Sure. PM'd

Sounds like there would be an issue borrowing a Cobb AccessPort because it would want to marry my car. Anyone with a different logger that I could borrow?

Hi everyone. I'm Travis, I've been reading the forums for couple years and finally signed up tonight. I live in St. Cloud and I have a sunlight silver 8 that I've had for 3 years. I'm finally gonna start upgrading it this summer and I'm excited

It's great modifying your car, but your bank account will hate you!

Anyone else have a logger? Iaus10 and i decided not to mess with marrying his AP to my car. I appreciate him offering to lend it though!!!

LOL I know. Looks like roughly 10k for mods. I'll probably wait til next summer for the turbo :(

I would let you use my cobb except it's married to my car that's in storage 2 hours away. I took the last week of March off to get my car out of storage and start installing parts, so if you want to use it then you're more than welcome to.

Thanks but I don't want to marry a Cobb to my car. Do you know if I can log with a Cobb and not marry it to my car? (The reason I don't want to marry it is that I have custome code on my ECU right now. I think the Cobb would pull that off and load a Cobb base code. My goal is to log with the flash I have to provide feedback on how to improve the tune.)

Shoot Flashwing a PM, he's pretty knowledgable with Cobbs and has responded back to me quickly in the past.

FYI! From North Star BMW (I am a member and they do have other cars (RX8 Mazda3 new camaro, Evo, etc))

Orr Autosport will host a BMW Technical Seminar at 9:00AM on Saturday, March 12th for the North Star Chapter BMW CCA. The Session will run about 90 minutes; snacks & coffee will be provided. Doors open at 9:00AM and the Tech Talk starts at 10:00 Sharp.

This year Chris Orr will be covering a range of topics of interest to BMW track drivers, race car drivers, or those who aspire. In addition to prepared subjects, Chris and staff will invite questions from all. A tech session at Orr Autosport is a great way to be informed on your vehicle and using it at a driving event. As always, a fine selection of BMW street, track and full race cars will be available for viewing. Spring is almost here, so let's fire it up, gather in groups and discuss the upcoming driving season!

This BMW Event is OPEN TO THE PUBLIC so bring a friend!
Please call Orr Autosport @ 952.922.1797 if you have any questions.

Orr Autosport is located at 15180 Martin Drive in Eden Prairie.

Hey Travis, im in St. Cloud too and im driving a black rx8. i just got it a week ago and this car is giving me so many problems from day one =( my current issue now is that the car wont start, might be the starter or alternator but i just sent the car to midas last week when i got the car and got it fully inspected and send it again to midas the next few days to check on the battery and starter cause it failed to start once but now it's giving me problem again. Do you have any suggestion or who i should bring my car to?

not midas.... lol no offense. Did you start your car, move it, then shortly after turn it off by chance?

nope. im quite aware of the flooding issue. btw, i changed my battery and it's starting but it's taking quite some time to start =( and yeah, im never giving midas any single cent anymore. they literally just burnt few hundred bucks of mine for inspecting the whole car and tell me that there's no problem at all.

I would try the upgraded started if your car doesnt have it already, either instal it yourself or dare i say it.... take it to a mazda dealer lol. I would actually take it back to the dealer that you purchased it from (assuming it was a dealer) and let them hear it considering its only been a week since you bought it :/

Yeah if it was from a dealer ask them to check the plugs and coils and request new ones. If you bought it from a private seller I would suggest buying new plugs and see if it helps.

yeah, im going to try to change to upgraded starter. i already changed a new battery into it. it starts up but it takes awhile to start. and i bought my car from a private seller =(

You really should go somewhere that has experience and knowledge about rotaries. I usually take mine to the dealer (Walser Mazda is my closest one, Morries also has a good service rep). To be honest, the dealer prices are really close to prices I get from other shops I trust.

The main cost issue is usually with parts- mazda obviously will only use OEM and other places can save quite a bit using OEM equivalent parts. So for something like brakes for example, I go elsewhere. But anything engine related at all, I head to the dealer. They see the cars frequently, and have a mazda master mechanic on hand should things get tricky.

Year/Miles/Trim level of your car?

Thank you. But I'll try to avoid the Mazda dealer as much as i could cause they charge quite high for simple task. I went in there today holding the TSB recall on the fuel cap. I thought they would provide it to me for free but they charge me instead :(

My 8 is an 2004 Auto, 73k miles.GT Package.

btw, anyone know anywhere cheap to make a valid key? i needed another key to install remote start for my 8. The dealer charges $107

I'm almost positive that if you have only one key, the dealer is the only option for getting another one programmed. If you have two already, you can program the third without having to go to the dealer. I only got one key when i purchased the car and had to pay $100 for the dealer in Bismarck to program another one for me.

So...When are we all gonna get together for a Fuddrucker's Meet?

Weather is getting nicer and I can't wait to drive around for a little bit. I have a photographer buddy who would like to start getting into auotmotive photography. SO, here starts a list for good photo spots!

MOA Parking ramp (empty level possibly top floor)
Thompson Park (West St. Paul)
Como Park
I could even possibly get us scheduled to take our cars on the Air National Guard base for some photos by the air museum (I'm in the reserves, I can get us into the gate after some forms.)

I'm up for the Guard base - what kind of planes do you have?