Not new to Mazdas, but first time RX-8 owner. I found this 1-owner 2010 R3 RX8 for sale at a Ford dealership with only 26,000km on the clock. Local car, serviced at the dealer, only used in the summer months (I can actually see that from the maintenance records). The thing drives like a brand new car. Now, what would you suggest I should do as first maintenance on the beast? Any particular things to take care of on a car that has such low mileage? I was thinking of doing the ignition with some fresh mazda parts first, then brakes (still original), then probably fluid flushes. Anyway, any advice is appreciated!

Thanks boizz.

 

Welcome!! Would love to see pics of the car!

I would start out with fresh plugs, wires, and coils. I would replace the air and cabin filters if the dealer did not do so. Its not a bad idea to replace the coolant as well as the trans and diff oil. Be sure to use a limited slip additive when replacing the diff oil if the oil you choose does not have a friction modifier already added to the oil. I would also inspect both drive belts to ensure they are in good shape with no glazing or cracking.

I wouldn't replace the brakes personally. Wouldn't hurt to service the caliper brackets and ensure that the pins are clean and have fresh grease and ensure the fitting kit is clean as well as the bracket under the fitting kit. A light coat of silicon brake grease will help to ensure that the pads move freely and the pins slide as they should.

It wouldn't hurt to change the oil and use a Mazda brand filter. Chances are the Ford dealer did not when they performed the used car inspection.

Other than that I wouldn't touch a thing. The RX-8 and especially the R3 is a special car deserving of a caring owner that will take car of the car properly.

 

I just bought a 2010 R3 last month with 9600 miles (15.000km) lol. In the last month I've changed the coils to the upgraded Mazda "C" spec coils (stock ones in the R3 are "B" spec) NGK plugs and wires, changed the transmission and diff fluids with Redline fluids, did a coolant flush with Motorcraft Advanced Green (it's the same as Mazda FL-22) and need to do cabin filter still. Did an oil change with Pennzoil 5w30 and a stock Mazda S2 filter. And most importantly, new tires! It still had the original 8 year old tires on the wheels.

 

If you're going to do the ignition stuff, you should probably go ahead and upgrade the coils to the BHR ignition kit or something similar. Also would suggest premixing if you haven't started already

 

Pay for a compression test.