JohnMC

I recently purchased the aluminum pedal set for my new RX-8 with the automatic transmission. I spent approximately $200 on the aluminum pedal set, and I brought the car to my local dealer to have them installed. After bringing the car in, the dealer refused to install the set. Their claim was that their 'most experienced' mechanic was 'uncomfortable installing the set.' I stated quite clearly that this was a genuine Mazda accessory, and that Mazda provides instructions on how to install the set. They still declined to perform the installation. To top it all off, I cannot even get a refund on the pedal set because it was a special order item and cannot be returned. After getting aggravated from the dealer, I called up Mazda of North America. Their response was that they will try to find me a dealer who will install it. Mazda calls another dealer which is owned by the same company as the first dealer I brought the car to! They are very hesitant to install it also because they said if their parent dealership doesn't want to install it, then they wouldn't want to either. So I had to take the initiative on my own. I called up another dealer who said that it won't be a problem to install them at all. The thing is that now I have to drive over an hour out of my way to get a simple pedal set installed. I had no idea dealers could outright refuse to install genuine Mazda accessories. And, from what I can see, Mazda of North America doesn't care and is no help at all. Of one thing I am certain: This is definitely going to be my last Mazda.

brothervoodoo

From what I've read on this forum, it is true, a dealership can refuse to service your car. My first inclination when I read your thread was that the 1st dealership probably just didn't want to work with YOU for whatever reason. But you then mentioned a second dealer having the same gripe. How hard can it be to replace the pedals? You would think you were asking them to pull a tranny or replace an engine...

bureau13

I don't get it either. You're not asking them to do it for free. They charge labor, so what do they care? Frankly though, I learned a long time ago to never use a dealer mechanic for anything other than warranty work. How hard can pedals be? You could probably do it yourself in the time it takes to drive to the second dealer!

jds

Outlaws eXtreme

It can't be that hard to install.. I'll get mine tomorrow.. if I have time I'll even post pix of the installation for the hell of it. Start a thread of "How to's" in one category with the rest of the "how to's"

8_wannabe

Unbelievable. You're paying them to learn to do what shouldn't be so hard anyway. I agree with the other posters... try it yourself. In general, instructions are good enough, and if you get stuck post a note here. You're bound to get some good advice. Take pix during your install and be a superhero by posting them. With the money you save, go see a good movie when you're done. Good luck!

takahashi

My dealer install a JDM (in fact it is standard in Europe) rear fog light for A$200. They might not install for the next customer coz it look so much time. The electrician took it as a mini project and that was what he did whole day and he said it was great!

XeRo

they aren't even real aluminum "race" pedals....they are like a clip on type deal...what a crock of BS dealer that is....all they had to do is peel of the stock rubber on the pedals and replace it with the aluminum covered rubber ones......wow....that's amazing they are afraid of pedals....

again...dealers never stop amazing me...

PUR NRG

If it's such a simple job, why not do it yourself? Time spent sounds like it would be less than the 2+ hour drive to get it done.
________
C292

Arcane

yup

Mitch Strickler

I told my pedal installation story months ago, but it bears repeating for this thread, I think.
My dealer charged about $225 for the set, although I have later seen it advertised for about $175. I expected to pay for installation, but very little. After all, wouldn't Mazda make the authorized part to clip on easily, and give good instructions? Apparently the dealer felt the same way, because he was embarassed after I had to wait more than half an hour. He checked with the technician, who said he was having a terrible time. He said he had to disassemble the accelerator assembly, and then it still didn't work on his first try. It was the best part of an hour before the job was done, and I expressed my amazement that Mazda hadn't designed an easy-fitting accessory. Again, the service manager seemed to agree; he apologized for the delay and charged me -- zero.
This is sort of a pattern for my dealer. The techs admit they are just learning the 8, but everyone is willing and friendly. My ideal would be a more competent crew, but I am sticking with good intentions for now.

Outlaws eXtreme

Mitch... Sunshine Silver huh.. hmm that's an interesting way of calling it. Kinda happy sounding

RosenthalMazda

Before I came to Rosenthal I had a bought a Miata from them and purchased the factory Front Air Dam and Side Skirts and asked to have them installed as the warranty would remain on said parts for the remainder of the vehicle warranty.

They never installed them before and really didn't want to do it. I convinced them, they did and now they install them all the time. They do the 8's stuff too.

I understand their hesitation and / or unwillingness. Had they chose not to, I surely wouldn't be working for them now. If you're unlucky enough to live near a dealer who has no one with knowledge, ***** or what have you, you're better off taking that drive to someone willing to *provide the customer a service*.

My $.02


Tommy

JohnMC

The Mazda dealers in my area are not very professional. I could write a 2 page post about all the problems I had when buying my RX-8. However, the accessories problems I had really steamed me. As a general rule, I usually purchase all of the options and accessories for my car. The dealer I purchased the RX-8 from could not get many of the dealer installed accessories at the time because he said they were backordered. I wound up having to order them, and the accessories came in sporadically. I have had such a bad experience with the RX-8 accessories, it is not even funny. The dealer’s refusal to install the aluminum pedal set is the icing on the cake. For example, I had ordered the 18" polished aluminum wheels for the car. The dealer told me how 'careful' you had to be replacing the wheels because the car has directional tires and tire pressure monitors. So what happened? They installed the wheels, but they put the tires on wrong. The tires were going in the wrong direction. Also, the dealer never put on a set of fender strakes before. They installed them in random slots on the air outlet so the strakes look very uneven. I went to have the strakes redone, they still didn't get them right. I could go on and on. The dealers in my area don't know anything about the RX-8. My car has literally become the guinea pig for northern NJ. I wish Mazda would have trained the service people by me better. In my opinion, Mazda should grab ahold of these service guys and educate them on this car. I am tired of hearing, "It's too new of a car." The dealer I had install most of the accessories treated me like I was a pain in the a$$ to them despite the fact that I paid them hundreds and hundreds of dollars to install these accessories. The attitude was that I was imposing on them by making them do such 'challenging' work. The service personnel literally told me that most of the accessories are too complicated to install. Worst of all, Mazda of North America had no desire to even attempt to change the dealer's attitude.

boothguy

Dealerships are like any other business - you find good and you find bad. Sorry you found a boatload of bad, but don't blame the car and don't blame Mazda. It's strctly a dealership issue. Publish the dealer names on this forum and tell the dealership people you're doing it. Tell Mazda the same thing.

To tell you the truth, I wouldn't let a dealership service department put any of my accessories on, and I bought a bunch of them, including the stock front air dam.

Granted, I'm not the typical owner, since working on cars is my hobby and I'm set up to do it. But many of the accessories can be installed with a $50 tool assortment from Sears and a decent place to work. And for my money, it'll enhance your ownership experience.

r0tor

iTrader: (1)

do it yourself... nuff said

VelocityRedRX8

Hi,
I installed these on my RX8. Took no more than 30 minutes. Very easy to do, great instructions! Go for it.

SnyderMazz

I work for a Mazda dealership. Im a service consultant, so I get to see this stuff everyday. Every dealership has the right to decline work. I know this for a fact, because I have declined work to customers before either because they were being unreasonable, rude, or threating...and for aftermarket installations. My dealerships rule of thumb is that we will not install aftermarket accessories expect certified by Mazda. There is a lot of liability that comes with aftermarket stuff.

I can see where the dealer was coming from when they declined to install the pedals, but I think they should have worked something out or at least recommend an alternate option. If I were presented with a situation like that I would first consult with my tech and ask, " Hey are you up for this ? " - if he says no, then I will tell the customer that we cant do it, but I would give them an alternate option or even contract the work out to a third party to get it completed. When we install things such as spoilers on the 8's and 6's, we contract out a bodyshop to do it. Car audio stuff goes to an car audio shop. Paint issues go to a bodyshop. I honestly think the dealership that denied the work should have given you assistance - its a matter of principal. " Hey I cant help you, but these guys can " -

Im more than willing to help you guys out and explain the other end. I just want to stress that dealerships dont have to put in aftermarket stuff if they dont want to. Its as simple as that. Yes I know people dont like that and people will think its messed up, but its the truth. I want anyone here who has any questions to send me a private message and I will try and get you guys situated and squared away.

Outlaws eXtreme

But the thing is, this aftermarket item is made by Mazda, so I would think it's odd for them to not be "qualified" or "knowledgeable" to do this job. Perhaps this guy's dealer shop was lazy and they didn't want to hassle by putting on Mazda Pedals. It's not like he asked them to put on another company's product.

I wonder if this is the same with Mazdaspeed... if I asked the dealer would they reject because it's not exactly "Mazda." hmmm..

zoom44

they better not if they are a Mazdaspeed Dealer. they would lose their certification. and why would any mechanic not "be up for" putting on a genuine mazda accessory. that doesn't make sense. don't the dealerships want to have mechanics that are fully trained in the vehicles that they sell? they come with instructions for crying out load. would it have been so hard to read them them before deciding not to do the work?

Outlaws eXtreme

Quote "My dealerships rule of thumb is that we will not install aftermarket accessories expect certified by Mazda. There is a lot of liability that comes with aftermarket stuff. " End Quote

But the pedals were accessories bought from a Mazda dealer, as well as it's a Mazda product. Perhaps he didn't buy it from them, so they made a fuss about not installing it.

To zoom44, Exactly my point.. since the pedals were Mazda brand product, I'm surprised they wouldn't install it. Lazy? Incompetent? Both? You decide.