Email response from an independent Mazda service and repair center, been doing research and it seems it's the most reputable place within 300 miles of me so far.

Is that price legit? I bought my Octö with 35k miles on it, and wanna get it tuned up before I start some serious driving.

 

You can the ignition coils for around 100 dollars and spark plugs around 80 dollars. And since these are easy to replace and there are good DIY's on the rx8club. It will only cost you around 180-200 dollars to do yourself. Also investing in some new aftermarket spark plug wires from www.fluidmotorsports.com would be a good idea.

 

For everything they list, $800 is in the ballpark at typical labor rates for a good shop. It comes down to how much you like to work on cars yourself, and also whether you want to just specify only the stuff you actually need. Service packages like this always contain things you don't need ...like the injector cleaning

You should not need to change coils and wires so soon. A dealer will also charge 2 to 3 times that $80 for the plugs...this shop may actually be charging closer to the $80.

35K is about the right time for the fluid changes, except coolant which lasts a lot longer. Ten years if you have the green FL22 stuff.

IMHO, fuel injection cleaning is a ripoff. If your engine needs decarbing, that should be a freebie from a dealer under warranty. If you don't have the latest flash (the one specified in MSP16) that's definitely a freebie - dealers are supposed to do that to every RX-8 that enters their service department. No point in paying an independent shop to do that. Most of the stuff they list from "brake inspection" onward is part of Mazda's routine free "Full Circle" inspection.

Air and cabin air filters should be changed, and you can save a bunch by changing those yourself. Air filter is a SOB to figure out, but look for Expo1's video. Cabin air filter is so simple it's amazing...ten minutes including finding the DIY...and dealers will charge $50 or $60 labor for it.

Ken

 

you might want to mention where you are.

really!

the info on what is needed to be done is in your owners manual. and it is not close to 800 us dollars..

if you are somewhere in fla. i will give you 25% of that price and drive to your house..

beers

 

Hi guys-talking about service, does anyone know where the fuel filter is located and if it must be replaced or not?

 

The fuel sock is located where the fuel pump is. It gets dirty at times but considering the fuel pump scheduled maintenance you should replace it often enough, with the entire fuel pump :p

 

I like how he mentioned brake fluid and clutch fluid separately.

 

^ yes, and 800 bucks is way too much.
Half that stuff can be done in 20 minutes for each task and you don't need it.

Radaitor flush ok for 4 to 6 years
injector cleaner buy it put it in your gas tank
cabin air filter doesn't do a thing cabin filters are all hype

 

Realize it is an old thread, but didn't feel like making a new thread on the same topic. Tried searching around but didn't find anything. I do not have my manual on me but need to know the specific dates/miles posted in our manual for scheduled maintenance. I am in Afghanistan right now with my car a looong ways away so have no access to it. Reason I need to know now is so I can order it and all this can be ready to go the day I get back because I will be driving the car the same day 700 miles (11.5 hrs). I need to make sure everything is up to date before going that far. Plus I'm sure I'll drive spirited for a little ways. I tried looking for the manual online and found a few shop manuals but estimated download time through my slow *** internet here is around 5hrs 23mins... I simply do not have time for that in a war zone.

So if anybody could please help me with what I need to do, it will be greatly appreciated. I'd like to do it myself because I'm sure it'll be quicker than Mazda can do it and a hell of a lot cheaper than $800... as OP had quoted.

I have an '06 with around 55k miles on it. I bring it to Mazda for regularly scheduled maintenance (basic fluids) but have never changed plugs or anything past what they do normally.

Thanks!
Ryan