You're probably correct about looking for the filter.

As to the stripped nuts (bolts?), my 8 was delivered with several bolts missing from the same plastic panel under the front air dam. I attribute that to the clods at the port who install the "dealer-installed" options like the air dam. Not a big deal, just evidence of shoddy workmanship.

 

not true you did no such search!! i hate when people say they did a search but couldnt find anything! here i did it for you

https://www.rx8club.com/search.php?searchid=384495
:p :D

 

they were not stripped they were striped. we cant diagnose the problem until we know the color of the stripes.

p.s. by strange coincidence i was just reading Swift's "a modest prposal" last evening.

 

On my foray to the quick oil change place, before they invited me below my car to take a look, the guy was ready to give up because he started to "unscrew" the plastic "screws" that held up the skid plate. His problem was that they are not screws, so no matter how much he twisted them, they did not come out. He also was claiming they were stripped. Once I showed him were the oil pan was, he had no problem. BTW, they had no problem finding the oil filter.

 

Busted! Does this mean my poetic license is revoked?

At least I didn't pretend I searched for something that is there! Those really are annoying. :p

 

Can you imagine trusting your car to a grease monkey who can't immediately identify the oil pan and drain plug? Just thinking about it sends shivers up and dow my spine.

 

My original oil filter (and apparently several others) required an oil filter "wrench" to remove (see the DYI section) as the factory really overtightens them. I highly recommend buying an oil filter wrench before anyone attempts to change their oil for the first time. I had to run out to Kragens in another car to purchase one since I had already drained the oil. I also had to shim the wrench up with an old bicycle intertube to get it to grip good enough to loosen the filter. Sandpaper was recommended for this purpose in the DYI section (which I didn't read until after I had finished).