Northern Virgnia Mazda Service Departments
 

Does anyone have a recomendation about Mazda Dealer service departments in Northern Virginia - either by dealer or even better by service manager? I am currently using the Red Team for Brown's Mazda (where I bought my car) and every time they have had it they 1. Haven't fixed the problem and 2. Took longer than they said it would (my recall work, scheduled almost 2 weeks in advance, took over 4 days for the flash, wash and gas). I've been in there roughly every 800 miles for my CEL, always with the same solution (reflash - "this time it will work" in their best Bullwinkle voice). I live an equal distance to Rosenthal, and I am considering going there for service, so any opinions on them or good service managers I can ask for would be appreciated. I don't know if I will get a loaner for warranty work there, but I stopped using it at Brown's anyway because it is such a pain in the ass there.
Thanks

Not a lot of experience with them yet, but Rosenthal Mazda-Nissan at Tyson's corner has been good so far.

No problem with the recall - they sent me a postcard, and I've yet to get the official letter. Did the recall and oil change on schedule with no drama. Washed it but didn't gas it - but they gave me a free fillup and wash another time. Sales people were very enjoyable to deal with.

Enterprise right in the service bay. That means you'll get a loaner for warranty work, but it won't be anything nice. Loaner on warranty is a MNAO, not dealer, thing so you're entitled no matter where you go.

Ken

I have had a very bad experience at Rosenthal and probably will not go back there. I took it in for various rattles and warranty stuff and the recall. They told me they knew nothing about the recall and acted pretty dumb as well. They managed to do the following:
-break the center trim piece on the dashboard when they "fixed" my rattles, which weren't actually fixed.
-scratched my hood and told me that "i should except service scrathes".
-left my car dirty on the outside and smudges all in the inside
-got tire dressing all over my paint
-forgot to do some of the work I wanted done
-when they finally replaced my dash (3 weeks later), they disconnected my antenna
-wouldn't give me a loaner car, even though they had the car for 2 days on warranty work.

I went to Brown's Mazda in Fairfax for the recall most recently and they were very good. I can't really say anything about warranty stuff, but they have been good so far. I used Doug Walker...not sure what team he is though. The one thing that I did find funny, he tried selling me on all these services (coolant flush, transmission flush, power steering flush) at way too frequent intervals, but didn't even know that a power steering flush would do me no good.

i take my 8 to rosenthal arlington mazda for all the service/recall work, very impressed with their turnaround time and quality of work.

^ i've heard good things about them from my friend

I am on the green team at brown's mazda..like the service writer...not too crazy about some of the tech's though....but i seem to be hitting a stint of bad luck with my poor baby :(

hahaha power steering flush......i wonder how many people have paid for that on his team?

Ha! Rosenthal in Tysons had to replace my entire dash and radio/ HVAC controls too after they botched a simple job. Only difference is that they only took about 4 or 5 days to fix it and they did offer me a loaner several times. When I got the car back, it still wasn't right and I had to schedule yet another visit. And I've also noticed grease smudges on the interior.

I would recommend Rosenthal in Arlington though...

I guess I should have been more specific - I am considering Rosenthal's in Tysons Corner. Where your problems or good experiences there?

Duke...my problems were at Rosenthal Mazda in Tyson's Corner. They are also a Nissan dealer. I have never been to the one in Arlington.

I've taken my 8 to Rosenthal Arlington for 2 years, and they've always done a great job. Friendly, fast and competent. (And you don't have to deal with the traffic fustercluck in Tyson's!)

I'm actually closer to the Tyson's Dealership. Has anyone had the CEL problem solved by Browns Fairfax, Tyson's Rosenthal? Or have you had your engine mounts replaced by either one? I might need to drive further to Arlington to get my 8 worked on. The 8 would be a great car if the Mazda service departments actually tried to properly fix it.

I had the recall done at Rosenthal Arlington and they couldn't have done a better job. They performed the recall to the letter, did everything I asked them to do, gave me a free rental and actually called when the work was done (ahem, Tysons!). Rosenthal Arlington is less than 10 miles from Tysons.

Little far for you but I've had nothing but great service with Bill Britt in Fredericksburg.

Service done quickly, recalls done with no problem or any problem with any issue.

If Brown's in Fairfax and Rosenthal in Tysons are closer, then Arlington is only a few minutes more. Take I-66 towards DC, and get off at Fairfax Drive. It's worth it.

i vote for rosenthal too, ive had great experiences with them. you guys should form a regional RX-8 club. my national G club has worked out deals with Rosenthal, Chantily, Annapolise and JBA with lots of perks such as free oil change, 20% off parts and labor etc. they are always willing to work with you if you are organized. strength in numbers :)

Add me to the list who backs Arlington (rosenthal Arlington) Mazda-
great service, speedy and haven't had an issue.

And, you totally avoid the mess thats tysons.

We already have. It's called the Mazda Sportscar Club of Washington. Come on by and join in! :) http://www.mscw.com

Update: I scheduled my appointment with Arlington Rosenthal and elected to drop off my car the night before since the vibration is worse when it is first started. It is at its very worst when it is cold, but we have been having temps in the 60's here lately, so the mechanics wouldn't see my problem at its worst. I was worried that they would do nothing about the vibration because of this, but that wasn't the case. Here is a list of the problems and what they did:

CEL: Replaced a faulty sensor and replace the gas cap with a better one.
Vibration - Replaced the motor mounts with upgraded mounts
Brake Squeal: Surfaced the rear rotor and replaced the rear pads.

The CEL seems to be fixed for now, I'll see if it comes back on after driving 800 miles like the last three times. I think it will be fixed since they actually did something, unlike Brown's Fairfax Mazda.
The vibration is gone and with the front moving in as I type, I will be able to cold weather test it in the morning.

The brakes had one slight squeal as I first backed her out of the driveway this morning, but she was also outside in the rain all night. I'm not sure if that had anything to do with that or not. In the past, I would have heard numerous squeals during my morning commute, so it appears to be better.

To add to that, I was treated like a <gasp> customer, my car was taken care of, my issues were all addressed, and they were done before 1:00PM. This shouldn't have been shocking, but it was compared to Brown's. So far I am very pleased with the experience, but I'll keep watch for the next few hundred miles to make sure everything was fixed. I am definitely not going back to Brown's.

My thanks to everyone that recommended Rosenthal Arlington Mazda, or advised against other locations/dealers.

good to hear...who worked on your car? and regarding your brakes, have you had the TSB done for sqeualing yet? I've had it done, and im on my 3rd set of pads- they finally seem to have stopped. After the 2nd time, they didn't replace them till i did the recall, and they finally have stopped squealing. Its nature of the high performance pads to do so, but the third time around, i made a point to try to bed them properly. I think that made the difference. ...its hard to though in DC traffic.

I'd slam on them from time to time (make sure no one is behind you), and drag them a bit around the block. So far its worked-
good luck

I have taken my 8 into Rosenthal Arlington for everything since I got it, great helpful, friendly folks. Always took care of me. Even when my front bumber got dinged out of place the guy at the body shop snapped it back into place and didnt charge me for it. They get all my business for the forseeable future as I see it.n

Update:

Sorry, I don't know who worked on it.

My engine vibration is back, although the new motor mounts have reduced it a little. It NEVER had this problem until the recall flash. I keep thinking there is something seriously wrong with that flash and I am hoping a new one will come out to fix it.

The brake squeal is far worse than it was before I went in. I don't know if they have done the recall or not, but I plan to speak with them and check the status.

Overall the experience was better than Brown's Mazda, so I'm going back to have them check out the above mentioned things again. I have to admit that I am very disapointed in Mazda. Some of these things should have been addressed prior to the 2006 model since they were also in the 2004 model... unless the recall reintroduced the vibration. I only have 4500 miles on it, so wouldn't think it would be engine wear - I followed the break in procedures of this site, which exceeded the Mazda break in recommendations. Although I will say that I don't treat it any different than any other car as far as flooding goes and I've never had a problem there.

I agree with REMillers, it is a little bit of a drive but everyone there is friendly and they do their work correctly and quickly. I used to go there for my mazda6. Malloy Mazda, Kia, Hyundai is also very good. One of the techs there either owns or used to own an RX-8, so he knows what he is doing. THat's a little bit less of a drive.

Another update: the brake squeel came back and is horrible in cold weather, but is also there in warm weather now. The engine vibration is back and worse than ever. I doubt it is necessary, but I printed out the TSBs to bring in with me this time. I've had my engine mounts replaced twice now - each time makes it better or mostly better for a set period of time, but then they crack again. I can't understand what is going on that would cause that. I vary my driving from regular commuting to having rotary fun, but I think I'm fairly easy compared to some on the board (no track, etc). I have around 8K miles now, and I'm going to go in next week for what will probably be my 4th set of motor mounts.

I have used Bill Britt in the past for all of my other Mazdas. I didn't buy my 8 there though. Their service dept was fast and I never had any problems with them.

I bought my 8 at Brown's Fairfax. I've been to them just once so far for an oil change. My service mgr (forget his name, don't have his card on me) got me in and out very quickly.

If you do a search, you will find that no one has had any really good things to say about Rosenthal Tysons.

I bought my PB'07 from Brown's Fairfax in January. I've been back twice, since. Once for a replacement gas cap when it triggered a CEL, and the second for my first service/oil change. They seem...reasonable. But I always go into the bay to look over the car before, and after. This way I meet the Tech, show him I know an intake mani from an exhst. mani, and let him know directly what is going on with the car. I need another oil change and to have my wheels/tires rotated now at 6k, and I have no qualms about going back to Browns for that simple stuff.

I'll tell you this tho, two of the service desk guys got in an argument over whether the MSintake (which I don't have) is warranteed or not. I thought that was funny, and pretty indicative of the fact these type of workers generally have little/no idea about cars OR policy. Since I bought my car there, I expect service.