BasenjiGuy

How did the reassembly of the console work out? Did it go back together satisfactorily? Does it line up correctly? Any loose parts or squeaks?

If Mazda can't get the console back together correctly I might not get the insulation put in...

Also, are your cabin temps down at all, or is just the console itself cooler?

TIA

RenesisPower

I had mine done last week. Everything seem to be in order. I did hear a new noise from where the center console meets the dash but it went away after a couple of minutes.

Here is the sad part, it still gets very hot in the cupholder so the installation of the heat shield appears to be a waste of time.

DViOuS

everything works as is before the job, but i got some like little chips off the console, looks like something similar to what would happen if you use a screw driver to open something by wiggling it left and right... noticable only if the console lid is slid back...

also the heat is just as bad as before the fix... but i think the fix wasnt for the heat in the console, but rather some heat sheild near the transmission or something needed to be replace because it can crack...

RenesisPower

Dvious,

I think you are confusing the heat shield for the center console with the recall on the heat shield underbody which might get cracked.

My complaint to Mazda was that the center console and front cup holders get hot and they instaled a heat shield for it which all newer car already have from the factory. Sadly it doesn't work that well.

The front cupholders are great for keeping coffee warm in the winter but the ice in your cold drink melts very quickly.

RX-Hachi

The true fix is to use the cup holders in the back. The cups won't get in your way while shifting, they're farther away from the engine heat, but still within reach from the front seat.

I never drink anything while I drive anyway, so the issue is moot.

RenesisPower

That's a good one Hachi. You need very long arms to grab your drink from the back seats though.

For years the Germans were criticized for not making a usable cup holder in their cars but I think the RX-8 wins the prize now. The front cup holder are just not that useful.

DViOuS

cool thanks, do you have the name of the tsb or the link... i need to bring this to my dealer, i mentioned my cup holders were hot and on the service sheet it said 'normal'... i didnt press the issue cause i dont usually drink in the car anyways, but good to get it fixed next time around...

RenesisPower

There is no TSB on the cupholder heat shield. If you call Mazda HQ they will give you a part# for it.

They explained that the newer cars have it and this only applies to earlier cars like mine bought August 2003.

RCCAZ 1

You guys are totally missing the point. Mazda intended it to be a cup WARMER for all of us who enjoy a good cup of Jo while we drive. Given that design criteria, I'd say they've more than exceeded our expectations:D :D

RX-Hachi

The Germans belief is that true drivers don't drink in their cars, so there's no need for cup holders. It was only in the last decade or so that the German auto makers caved into the US market's need for cup holders. But obviously they still don't put the same level of engineering into them compared to other parts of the car. But I agree with the German mindset, when I drive, I drive.

But I was serious about using the rear cup holders, that's what I've done when picking up fast food for the kids. They really are pretty easy to reach from the front.

BasenjiGuy

All I can say about cupholders, and this is after owning a '94 BMW 325is that didn't have them, is that if you're on the road for work and have to drive several hundred miles before and after a day of work, cupholders are great. Sure, if you're going out for a fun run, you don't need them. Or, if you have a short commute, great.

By that token, I don't keep anything in the trunk, have nothing loose in the entire car, and carry nothing more than cell phone, wallet, and sunglasses when I'm on a fun run.


But, if I am travelling for work, and it's too close of a destination for flying, I want some damn cupholders. OK, so I get up a 5am for a 250 mile drive to work in some remote location. I want to take some coffee with me. And, after a long day with a 250 mile drive home, I don't want to sit in McD's just so I can sip my drink without wearing it, when I need to be on the highway headed home cuz I'm somewhere I don't live and I'm tired and I just want to get home and not have to sit in a restaurant somewhere just to be able to drink my Diet so I won't fall asleep and die on the way home. Yeah, cupholders are OK.

Cupholders are by far the least ill-advised thing BMW's done in the last decade. Somebody needs to fire Chris Bangle and not soon enough. He's ruined their cars.

Mikelikes2drive

i got the insulation pads in the center console about 2 weeks ago and it is the same as before. Nothing changed except the cup holders are no longer cup warmers xP

BasenjiGuy

So Mikelikes2drive, so the fix does keep drinks cooler?

RXhusker

You need to request part: F151-55-161 Heat Insulator Pad

Makes a small difference -- but then I didn't think it was a big problem to begin with. I just went on a 1300 miles trip to the Rocky Mountain Club event and my soda/ice were just fine -- the only time it really gets hot is in stop and go city traffic in the summer. Out on the highway it is just fine.