Woohoo! Free upgrade from single disk to 6-disk changer, and rotor hubs painted!
 

I posted earlier about how my single disk player stopped loading disks, and my rear rotor hubs were all rusted. Well, upon picking up my car today, not only was my stereo replaced with a new one, but it is the 6-CD changer!!! Also, my rear rotor hubs have been sanded and painted! I'm not sure whether Mazda made a mistake with my CD player upgrade, or whether they just thought I was deserving due to the inconvenience of the situation. Regardless, I'm happy with how everything turned out. My only complaint is that they scuffed up the plastic around the edges of the CD player where I assume they had to pry it out or put it in. I've come to realize that I can't keep the car looking flawless forever, so I'm not going to let it bother me. Thanks to Snap-On for the awesome information about the MRI (Mazda Repair Information) regarding rotor hub rust! :D

I think you got lucky with the 6 CD changer, good for you!

My brake disc hubs weren't even rusted, just slightly discolored and my dealer painted them when I brought the car in for a routine oil change. I was really shocked because I didn't mention anything about the brakes and they just did it. It took me about a day before I noticed all my hubs were a nice new flawless silver.

I asked my dealer about the rusted rotors and they told me that I'm SOL.

Tell your service guy to do an ESI search for "RX-8" and "brakes" and he should find the MRI (Mazda Repair Information). My service tech was able to find it with no problems. The dealer gets reimbursed by Mazda NA for doing the work, so they shouldn't have a problem with it.

Hey Buckeye, which dealership did you go to? I'm due for an oil change any day now, and it would be nice to get my rear rotors painted. Thanks in advance for the info.

This was at Sesi Lincoln Mercury Mazda in Ypsi.

Thanks for the info. Too bad that dealership is a little outta my range... oh well.

I noticed a yellow buildup around the crooks of my wheels, and brought it in to Cook Mazda near where I live. They had three guys look at it, swab it a little, and said "yea some tire polish should take that right out." Didn't even bother to answer why there's corrosion on a car with 12,000 miles. I'm not really happy with them at all so I doubt they'll paint my rotors (which are quite rusted).

Take it to Sesi. From Farmington Hills it's less than a 30 minute drive. I'd say that's worth it to get your rotor hubs cleaned up. Heck, even an hour drive would be acceptable to me.

the edges of the cd player or the or the whole HU faceplate was scuffed up?

if it was the cdplayer there shouldnt be any scratches because they don't need to take the front out for it...it comes out the back

if it is the HU full faceplate that was scuffed...they shouldn't have scratched that either...you can pull it out by hand unless your lazy then you will ruin it...the service manual and TSB regading removal of the HU states to use 'fiber board' as this will not damage the dash pieces or hu faceplate.

Take your car back and have them replace the faceplate...who cares if they did everything else so well...they should do it ALL well

Yeah, it's not the HU that's scratched, it's the dash piece along the seam where it meets the HU. I don't want to make a big stink about some small scratches. I know that this shouldn't have happened, but I've come to expect this from my dealership experiences.

Do you think they did yours as a one time thing? Or that that's standard policy? Or maybe we can ask for it...and I'd like an upgrade to a six disk CD too :)

You've got to be kidding me.... listen to this.
 

You won't believe this. I get a call from the dealership today. Apparently, they made a "mistake" by installing the 6-CD changer. They are demanding that I make an appointment to come back and have my 6-CD changer replaced with a single disk player. What a crock of $h17!!!! Am I being unreasonable here by refusing to comply with their request? I'm not stupid, I know how things work. They are upset because Mazda NA is going to charge them for a 6-CD changer while warranty will only cover the single disk. They are going to be out the difference between the two, and they expect me to come back so they can prevent the loss.

I was willing to overlook my scratched dash piece when I realized I got an upgrade to a 6-CD changer. However, if they want to play hardball, I'll bring up this point. I don't think I should be inconvenienced by their mistake. They need to suck up it as far as I'm concerned. What do you think? I realize I'll never be able to return to this dealership for service, but am I legally obligated to do anything in this situation?

"If it's too good to be true.."

How much is the difference between the two? I would have brought up the part about the scratch the second I got it, so they'd have it on record. There will be also the issue of your precious time wasted. Let's see how good your negotiation skills are. I'd wait them out..

You are in the perfect situation :D!!!!!!!!! You have the upperhand...

Definitely you can keep the thing and never come back is option A.

Option B is have them fix the dash and get a whole bunch of freebies for time lost.

Option C is have them give you the MP3 player instead.

Option D is and my favorite one is have them fix the dash piece, get some freebies, and let them get their 6 disc back...not before you have taken it apart and removed some critical components :D :D!

or even better!!!!!!!!! I have the solution :D :D :D

Get a single disc drive for a few bucks on the forum and swap it with the 6 disc...then go back to the dealer bitch and moan about the dash piece (make them replace it) then they'll do the 'swap'

90% chance they won't even notice till much later since they look almost identical :)

Or they may notice it and just say to them 'this is what you guys gave me, sheesh!'

Hehe, while your suggetions are certainly humorous, I see no reason to be devious about the whole thing. I believe I have legitimate reasons to keep the CD player. The dealership made a mistake, so why should I be the one that gets inconvenienced?

keep us updated...this adventure of yours has been entertaining :D

What is MRI (Mazda Repair Information)? This is the first time I have heard this.

Truly so...as far as I can tell you have no legal obligation to return it. It is their mistake and unless they're willing to compensate you for your time, you have no need to go back. And if they call again, you have the full right to say "my time is way too busy to go back to your dealer so you can fix your own mistake," then hang up and start switching disks on that 6-Disk.