Routine maintenance dilemma- Dealer or independent mechanic?
 

I've got about 5200 miles on my 6MT. So far I've had satisfactory dealings with a couple of the dealers in my town on warranty issues (L&M reflash, glovebox airbag recall). However when I brought my "8" in for it's first oil change at 3000 miles the dealer overfilled.

I'll be coming up soon on my next oil change interval and I'm looking at these alternatives:

1) Give the dealer another chance. Warn them not to overfill (doesn't seem like this should be necessary!)

2) Try an independant mechanic. Recently I brought my Subaru Outback to an independant guy that I've been using for the last couple of years and noticed that he had an RX-7 up on the rack which was getting a new engine. After talking with him my impression was that he had good experience with rotarys and would be happy to work on my RX-8. My only reservation is that if I bring my "8" into his shop it may be the first time they will have seen one.

Opinions or experiences? Thanks.

Third option
 

Change your own oil and keep your receipts. I had a dealership mess up an oil change at one time and now I try to change my oil whenever possible. I am a lot more careful than a jiffy lube or a dealership newbie mechanic. At 30K service intervals, you may want to take it to an independent shop or to the dealer.

Related question: the manual says change the oil every 7500 miles, or 5000 in extreme conditions - that seems way longer than most cars. I was going to do it at 5000, would that be fine, or should I go at 3000? My girlfriend's Mazda3 also said 7500/5000 mi, and she just got a letter from her dealer saying she was overdue for her 3000mi oil change. What's going on here?

-arattle

Most cars are 5000 to 7500 mile oil changes. Sooner would not hurt. Dealers are just being dealers, greedy.

go ahead and change your oil every 7500 miles and then look inside your engine at 100k+ miles compared to one that was changed every 3k. I see it every day and i change the oil on my new car every 2k and 3k on the others.

Sounds like your dealer is doing pretty well. I woldn't raise a stink, just mention that last time the oil was overfilled and ask that they be careful not to do so this time. Let that be your test.

I would change the oil at 3000 miles especially if you drive in the city. You still have 2 qts left in the engine system that is dirty when you change it. As to the dealer, just check your oil before you leave.

I always did 3000 mi oil changes on my cars, 5000 with synthetic. That's why I was surprised to see the 7,500/5000 mi recommendation on the RX-8, thought it was possibly because it's a rotary. I know that 3,000mi is the standard, so I'll go with that. Or 5000 if I'm lazy.

-arattle

total capacity is like 7.8 qt and you change 4 qt with oil and filter change. You are changeing roughly half of the oil.

7,500. You are putting fresh oil in it regularly anyway. Oils are a lot better these days and so are tolerances in motors. Even Racing Beat is saying go with the 7,500 mile interval.

Oil changes are cheap and quick if you do it yourself. Plus you know it's been done right. As for mileage, how much do you like your car?