emailists

I took my car into Manhattan Mazda (in New York City- owned by Ford Mo Co) to repair the FM radio in my 8. It took a week to get the car back, (they replaced the radio unit) and I belive they replaced the unit with the non Bose version. (I have the Bose)

There is now a low, mid and high tone control, and VLC lo, mid and high- both of which were not there before. How could they have put the wrong radio in? Did they bypass the premium amp section?


Also I asked them to check the coils, and they wanted to know what problem I was experincing, so I said "lack of torque." The paperwork they gave me back said "all cyl firing" and the service writer said the machanic took it for a test drive and found no problem. When I got the car back I noticed it had 11 or 12 miles more on the odormeter (which is alot of milage for a test drive in Manhattan, and I found a reciept on the floor from McDonalds on 125th street. The car smells funny now- I dont know if the guy was eating or smoking in the car during his "joy ride" neither of which I allow in my 8.


I also had them do an oil change, and the oil is way over the top line and well onto the round dipstick. The car feels sluggish as well. I'll have to get it drained ASAP. Luckily I haven;t used it due to the storm.


I just can't believe they would treat my car this way. I bought if from them as well.
I'll have to contact Mazda corporate just to mention this is the kind of service this dealer is performing. I'm contacting the dealer's head of Service as well.

VTLC

Wow is 12 miles bad, I dont know but if it is then mine was worst. They took my 8 for 32 miles more than what it went in at. Strange thing is the in miles and out miles on the slips are exactly the same. I took pictures of the odo miles in and out, hope this helps me later if things come up.

WHealy

First I'd say find a new dealer. Doesn't sound like you trust them much and probably righfully so. Then I would discuss the head unit at length with the service manager. you've got to be kidding. And if the receipt in the car was for a date when the "8" was in their hands, I'd continue up the chain as to whomever the service manager reports to to discuss it. I'd be scre#*&^ someone's **** to the wall .. assuming I was finding a new dealer.

jtimbck2

Yes, it sounds like they put the non-Bose head unit in. You need to contact their head of service and Mazda NA immediately!

JM1FE

Yes, that's the non-Bose head unit (as others have said).

However, this answers a question of mine, and you can answer another one:

1. Can the Bose head unit be replaced with a non-Bose unit? Yes, apparently.

2. Now for you: Does it sound better? :D

Astor

Also when you press the button to change from Treb, to mid to bass, was there an option for auto-pilot, which if not, it's definitely not the Bose, they probably figured you would never notice.

czr

iTrader: (3)

One week to get the car back for that? I'd be so pissed. It's not like they replaced the engine. For next time, I would have them call me when they got the part in and check the work right after you got it back.

emailists

As a follow up- I talked to the service writer, who asked me (which I already did) to contact the head of service. He told me there is a major problem with some of the mechanics. Apparently the mechanic who took my car out does this alot, and others use any excuse to take cars out for a joyride before even looking at the car. Looking at the McDonalds reciept, I see there were 2 meals ordered, so he had a friend with him.

The service writer said he'll get the correct radio in, and I'll have an oil change place drain the extra oil, rather than wait for my next appointment.

I really hope Mazda reads these threads. I'll contact them after I speak with management.

Chino075

Which service advisor did you talk to emailist? Perfecto? Either way, that just sucks. What I did when I gave them the car (Manhattan Mazda) was put a BIG yellow post it with the miles on it (like many have said to do, just in case of anything). Luckly, all I was in for was 3 TSBs (which took 2 days to do. Don't know how long it takes to do airbag, M-flash and clicking on front tires). And as for taking a week, it happens there, they're not just only a Mazda dealership and you are gonna be put in line like the rest. Thats why I gave up and am not returning there ever again (was not able to get a set of new rims/wheels, which they owed me, because sales person gave me mismatch brand tires).

Al

irish8

Send a certified letter of complaint to Mazda USA, CC the dealer GM. I would also zerox a copy of the receipt and have that with the letter. You will probably get only a letter of apology. I would push the dealer for some FREE oil changes. Don't get me wrong, I'm not an individual that always looks for FREE!! However, you did drop you car off to them in good faith that they would take good care of it.

- Irish

RotorManiac

I had the same problem with the oil

I had service done, and they added more than 4L of oil (in the round area of the dipstick). I found out after I did 300km well no problem with the car (yet) but increased gas consuption made me check and see this. I immediately called the dealer, he said its ok...

SpinninAgain!

Another dealer horror story. I feel for you guys, this just sucks. And it's not just Mazda dealers.

My roommate's VW dealer overfills his Corrado no matter what he does. I think if he were standing there next to the mechanic, measuring, they'd drug his coffee or club him over the head just so they could put in an extra quart and watch him lose it for the umpteenth time. (They've done this at least 3 times.)

Crossing my fingers, my small town Mazda/Dodge dealer just did my free 1500 mile oil change with absolutely no screwups. I was in and out in 20 minutes, barely enough time to ogle the 2005 Viper they'd rolled off the truck that morning! Now that's one scary car. It makes the RX-8 look like a party favor. Of course it's $85K, and no back seat. HAH!

fordracing19

Cant believe some people cry about someone esle driving thier car. No excuse for eating in a customers car but we have to drive to verify concerns.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Yeah right... you have to drive 12 miles just to verify a concern. Give me a break.

Silver04RX8

Yeah kind of seems funny that it would take 12 miles to figure out if the car is firing on all cylinders and that the radio is working. I put a posty on my dashboard with my current mileage written on it,anytime I take my car in for any type of service, learned that from a friend and I have never had a problem. Also if you are dealing with a reputable dealership the service manager will take your mileage and document it on the work order and will in turn re-take the mileage before the car is released back to you. If your dealership does not do that, insist on it.

Tamas

iTrader: (1)

Besides, if a mechanic writes on a work order of an RX-8 that "all cyl firing", he should be slapped around and not let anywhere close to a rotary, much less work on it :D

oreo

fordracing19 you are absolutelay right, the service tecnicians NEED to drive the car to see what is wrong with them. BUT It is far too common a practice to see service tecnicians abusing cars that do not belong to them (i.e. making burnouts racing the engine and going out for rides to pickup the chow for everybody else in the shop. That is absoluteley unacceptable.

I had a guy fired (at least thet is what the manager said to the gouy in front of me) from the vallet parking in Plaza las Americas (one of the largest malls in Puerto Rico) because I droped of my car and when I came back They where taking turns to drive it up and down the parking at top speed and it took them 5-7 minutes to figure out that the guy that was standing on the vallet stand ready to Kill all of them was the Owner of the car.


Neadless to say I havent used the vallet EVER again. I still pay vallet and park in the reserved space BUT I PARK MY CAR, NOBODY ELSE TOUCHES IT. Best of luck to emailists and DUDE GET THE BOSE SYSTEM BACK.

fordracing19

luckily we dont have any hot rod kids at our shop. About 5 of our techs race drag cars or dirttrack and NONE of them are out hotrodding. A trip around the block for me is 5 miles. I will drive one to verify a concern and come back to diagnose, but if not duplicated a fartur road test will have to be done. Upon completion I will again go around the block to verify it is fixed. I personaly like to have a high Fix It Right The First Time score.