How strict has Mazda been with replacement engines?
 

Currently in the market for RX-8's. Doing the math to figure out best year/mileage combo to give me ideally the longest time covered.

There seem to be a a lot of nice rx-8's at dealerships for good prices and they are willing to negotiate. Not as many private sellers.

Problem is that the service records are sketchy. Some just go by what is on carfax.

Some of them have really low miles, so even if I purchase it and keep good records, would mazda ding me for no records during the 0-25,000 range?

I am just curious as to peoples experiences with how lenient mazda is with service receipts, as it will help me narrow down my decision. Thanks.

Mazda has been asking for a record of oil changes, even if you are not the original owner. My last engine change, all were taken care of by the dealership. So, it wasn't a problem for me.
The biggest engine problem came with the 2004's. ECU flashes were made to correct the original problems, but for many, the damage was done. The record on the replacement rebuilt engines has been spotty. 2005-2008 cars should be OK, as used cars go. 2009+ changes were made to make the cars even more reliable.
Your best bet is to go to a Mazda dealer and get a certified used car.

They replaced mine without any question, probably they know I'm an oil change freak (oh yeah, I had a few 1K oil change and the longest I had was 2.5K miles? ) so they didn't bother me.

even if they want to see my oil receipts. the amount of oil I bought hohohohoho ~~~ 5w20,5w30. Shit loads of them. I have 4 cars in family so is not so hard to get ANY receipt that I want. ;)

I didn't have records of all my changes, however I did have the receipt of my last oil filter purchase of 6 filters from amazon.
That, plus keeping up with past warranty work at the same dealer must have convinced them enough that I maintained it.

im in this situation right now. My motor has slightly below minimum compression on my front rotor. I do not have the previous service records from the previous owner. Im scared to go to mazda and have them shut me down.

I want to go in with a set plan and leaving with a new engine. Cause i dont wanna go in saying i only have service records for so and so mileage on the car...unless someone else has been able to get a new engine from that dealership without ALL the service records.

[/quote] unless someone else has been able to get a new engine from that dealership without ALL the service records.[/quote]

I had my 2005 engine replaced at 65K miles for bad compression. I bought the car off a private seller and had no service records. The only records they asked me to provide were the receipts from oil changes for the year I had owned the car. I did about 4 changes in that time but could only come up with 3 receipts and they were fine with it. They just want to check and make sure you changed the oil from most of what I have read. I didnt have to provide any additional service records.

Also, if your car fails a compression test, you dont have to pay for it.

^ thanks !! Ive read that some dealerships ask for ALL records. I guess i need to ask around and see which dealership is my best bet.


Also about the fees. Some people are saying you dont have to pay for anything some people say you need to pay for a compression test, a decarbon, then another compression test which ends up being like 400 bucks. Which is true.

It depends if you pass or fail the compression test. here is the series of events for me anyhow. 1. go to dealer and get compression test. If you pass, they call you and tell you to come pick up your car, you pay about $100. 2. You fail, then they do a decarb, then they retest. If you pass after the decarbon, you pick up your car and pay the $200. If you fail after the decarbon, they call mazda and get you approved for a new engine. This is the point in time they will ask to see your service records/oil change receipts.

Keep in mind that the numbers you get from the compression test will determine your likelihood in getting a motor, so be nice to your tech guy. For example, my numbers (I cant remember them now) were borderline according to mazda's test specs, but I had a decent relationship with the repair guy so he kinda pushed me through for mazda approval. Some techs are nicer than others, so make sure to make friends with them if you can.

Also, the dealership can gain service records according to your VIN number. If any service has been performed at another Mazda dealer they can get that information.

so basically you stilll have to pay for your compression test regardless if you pass or fail. I heard somewhere that they refund you your money if it fails because its warrantied or something like that.

Anyways thanks for the info !!

No you didn't read correctly, or I didn't explain well. You only pay if your car passes. Whether its the first time, or when they decarbon and retest, you pay if it passes. If you fail, you pay nothing and they replace your engine.

As others already said...it's better to find an rx8 with a good or better engine compression, even though it's an 04, but it is smart to find a newer one than an older one. Good luck hunting.

That's what I did:D:

1K oil change intervals is crazy!! That's race car territory, hehe

As far as I know my engine compression is fine. However I am worried because I purchased a service plan and it restricts me to wait 3750 miles before I can get my oil changed under that. I have kept all records thus far, would they give me any gripe down the road if I do encounter any problems for not changing it every 3000?

You'll be surprised to know that Mazda's recommended oil change intervals are 5,000 miles for normal driving and 7,000 miles for all other conditions.

Never knew that! I'm doing it every 3000 miles.

And yet changing your oil that often still didn't prevent the engine from failing.

BC.

My RX-8 is currently sitting in the Jim Ellis Mazda service center waiting for its new engine. They did not request any service records from me, although they did change out a few things before doing the compression test because of misfiring issues.

^^Make sure you check the car out and make sure everything works before you leave the dealership. I've had problems with Jim Ellis...won't go into the long drawn out story, but make sure enverything that was working when you dropped off the car is still working when you pick it up!!!

it got f-ed by early PCM (low OMP rate) and design (only 2 nozzle wtf?)

Well, at least I know I did my part (not letting bearing to fail by changing oil like crazy), so any failures that had occurred has nothing to do with me.

and now I premix, so I am pretty sure my engine is good

gonna run a compression test on my engine this week. will post results :)

that's why I'm always broke ... :(

From a legal standpoint, I posted this in the master engine replacement thread, and will post it again for posterity's sake:

https://www.rx8club.com/rx-8-discussion-3/8-years-100-000-mi-extended-warranty-147287/page37/

Legally speaking, the issue of whether the vehicle has been maintained is a "question of fact," that the fact finder at a trial (in most consumer cases this is a jury, as specified by Plaintiffs, typically), can determine.

There is no legal requirement that absolute proof in the form of records have to be produced in order to convince the fact finder, assuming sworn testimony is given, by the 51% preponderance of the evidence standard in civil trials, that adequate maintenance was performed, if Mazda denies honoring the warranty.

I have personally seen a case involving the Toyota sludge issue where not one record was produced proving that the Plaintiff performed oil changes on his Toyota Camry (he was mechanically oriented and did his own oil changes every 3,000 miles and testified to that) where the jury found for him as against Toyota, and ordered Toyota to not only pay him damages for the replacement cost of a new engine, but additional monies under particular sections of a consumer protection statute, along with his attorney fees.

If you doubt what I'm saying, contact a competent attorney who specializes in consumer (and especially, 'lemon law') cases, and ask them.

Questions of fact that go to credibility are resolved by the fact finder (jury in a jury trial, or the judge in a 'bench trial,' with the Plaintiff - the one filing the lawsuit, typically being allowed to choose which form).

Questions of law are resolved by the judge, regardless as to whether the court proceeding is by jury trial or bench trial.

Whether regular maintenance was or was not performed, even in the absence of documentary proof (even where no records are produced), is a question of fact that is properly resolved by the fact finder (usually a jury in these types of cases).

It is not improbable or unlikely that many here perform their own maintenance, do so more religiously than average car owners, and could honestly and convincingly testify to this fact to a judge or jury.

Anyone, including any Mazda dealer or agent of a dealer, or representative of Mazda, who claims that documentary evidence must be produced before they will honor their own warranty is in for a rude awakening once a lawsuit is filed. They will discover that such an assertion is absolutely incorrect, legally speaking. Sure, they may and can deny the claim, if they so choose, but that doesn't mean that they won't be forced to perform repair/replacement work if a lawsuit is filed and the consumer seeking their remedy prevails in the form of a judgment (most states have particularized 'lemon laws,' in addition to applicable other laws, including Magnuson-Moss Act, that compel the Defendant Manufacturer/Dealer to pay Plaintiff's attorney fees if a Plaintiff prevails).

A good analogy is an insurance company that denies paying a claim for property destroyed in a house fire because not all receipts showing proof of purchases and amounts paid are kept or produced - the homeowner(s) can be allowed to testify as to what they purchased and how much these items cost, in attempting to obtain the benefits of the insurance policy.

It's up to the trier of "fact" in these types of cases to either find their testimony credible, or not.

Thanks RotoRocket! Great information!

uk
 

Mazda uk have sealed the fate of the rotory engine with crap servie and the appathy of uk owners