Hey,

I recently got myself an 04 RX-8 Grand Touring with about 29k miles on it and in impeccable condition. I just love the car. The only problems I've had with it are the squeaky brakes (don't know if its time to replace them or its just the squeaky brake problem they have. two of them have some pretty visible rust around the base of the rotors) and rear tail light that fogs up, both of which I hope mazda will fix under their TSB. Also annoying is the weak battery, which cranks the starter for a good 3-4 seconds before the car starts up. From what I've read, that is normal, but does it start up more quickly with a stronger battery? Am I asking too much?

Now, for my big question: I'm over 30k miles now and want to get the 30k mile service done to it. Is it safe to take it into the Ford dealer I bought it from to have this done (It's a pretty big dealer with some really nice cars including exotics, so I would tend to trust them) ? Or should I be taking it into a Mazda dealer?
They mentioned it typically runs about $550, is that what I should expect to pay for the 30k service?

Thanks guys!

 

Had my 30k service done at a Mazda Dealer in Aug 08 and paid around $440. The OEM brakes tend to squeak pretty bad. There is a TSB for squealing brakes. The base of my rotors are pretty rusty and when it rains your rotors looks like crap. I'm really considering buying new brake pads and rotors because its so embarrassing when my brakes squeal. As far as your starter, if you start it during a "hot start" it tends to take longer to crank. I believe there is a recall on an upgraded starter for 04 models. My suggestion is take it to Mazda because they know your car best. Also ask them to check your motor mounts, if you experience vibrations during a compete stop then u need them replaced. I also have an 04 Grand Touring.

 

The 30k service i have no idea it is, since i did it myself, but $550 sounds to be about right.

The tailights, and the starter/battery they should fix they should fix, because they are TSB related problems.

brakes however, are not covered since they are considered a wear-and-tear item- I had the same problem with mine, and they gave me **** about it.

As for where to take your car for the 30k service- to be quite honest, I take mine to the Mazda dealership and nowhere else. however, my friend took his 8 to a mazda dealership when his power-steering went out, and they told him to check the powersteering FLUID... no such thing in an 8, since its electrically assisted, not hydraulic!

so in conclusion, take it to a dealership that you feel comfortable with, which may not neccesarily be a dealership that is mazda dealership.

 

You could ask the ford dealer for more info, but I will do the service myself or the mazda dealer. As my scheduled maintenance book only call for oil change, air filter and spark plug.
all those parts will cost you about $150, so you decide for yourself. you could also get a K&N drop in air filter if you want to at this point, or aftermarket air filter as mazdaspeed or racing beat etc.

 

Thanks for all the help guys, I really appreciate it! It's giving me something to think about.

I would think the 30k mile service is simple enough that I could take it to the Ford dealer (considering they want to give me the free oil change anyways and I can get $100 off the service), then when that's all said and done, I can take it to a Mazda dealer to have them fix the TSB stuff, and if they give me **** about the brakes, I can consider having them replace them. It really is embarrassing how much they squeal sometimes, and it makes it hard to drive with the windows down when I have to listen to that god-awful noise!

Some of this stuff I could do my self, I know, especially considering I have family with the tools and the know-how, but since I purchased an extended warranty on this car I want to have it dealer serviced in case something goes wrong with it and I need to use that warranty.

 

The TSB stuff can be done for free if your bumper-to-bumper warranty is still in effect. That's only 4 years, so for an '04 you may be out of luck. But the TSBs do give you the repair procedures.

One cost item to watch out for is spark plugs. Dealers will charge from $150 to $230 for the plugs alone. You can buy them from several of the forum vendors or some mail order places (like sparkplugs.com) for $80. See what whoever does the work will charge you, and if it's a lot ask if you can supply the plugs.

Ken

 

Ah, I didn't know the TSBs only applied to cars under the 4 year bumper-to-bumper. I wonder if my extended warranty through Ford would apply then, it is supposed to be a bumper to bumper warranty good at any mazda dealer. I'll have to look into that. Thanks again guys for the great help!