RotorMotor

I took my car in this morning for the 15k mile service. Although I have the free service deal, I walked out of there with an estimate for $158. According to the service guy I was working with, the brake inspections, although listed in the manual as being part of the scheduled maintenance, aren't covered by the free service deal. He charged me $15 for it. Also, he mentioned that Mazda recommends cleaning the throttle body every 15000 miles because of deposits that will build up on it. Correct me if I'm wrong (I'm a mechanic by no means whatsoever), but if the throttle body is behind the air filter how is it going to get gummed up with deposits? That one cost me $100. Does this sound legit to you guys or am I going to have a serious bone to pick with him when I go to pick up my car in a few hours? Help me out here....

RotorMotor

No opinions???

DisneyDestroyer

Part A was a lie. They are required to cover EVERYTHING listed in the scheduled maintenance, including brake inspection, tire rotation, etc.

Based on that, I would say that B is suspect as well.

Hou-TX-RX-8

I just got my RX-8 3 days ago. I traded my Lexus IS300 in for it. I love my RX, I haven't brought it in for service yet but if they had told me what they told you, I would have asked to see a manager and if that didn't do it I would escalate it to Mazda USA. It sounds like they are trying to make you pay for something that should be free or cos t a total of $76 (I think that is what it is supposed to cost.)

Just my 2 cents

Nat

red_rx8_red_int

IMHO, everything should be free, or they shouldn't do it.

But dealerships do try to maximize profits by going beyond what the manufacturer recommends. For example, Mazda says oil change every 5k to 7.5k miles, but when my dealer dates the sticky vinyl reminder, they date it for 3k miles. Of course if I take it in at the 3k mile point, Mazda won't pay.

RotorMotor

I don't mind paying for the extra oil changes (I change my oil every 3k anyway), but the brake thing is pissing me off and it doesn't sound like cleaning the throttle body should take a mechanic an hour to do. I'm confident I could do it myself in less time and I don't know much about cars!!!

I'm going to call MNAO and see what they say about the brake inspection and read this guy the riot act when I go to pick up my car if they tell me it should be included.... I bought my car from a dealership 35 miles from home because my dad had bad experiences with this one. I knew I shouldn't have taken it there.

Hou-TX-RX-8

My dealer gave me a coupon book for unlimited free oil changes every 3750 miles. I am taking my car in for an oil change and for them to look at the weird wear pattern on my breaks as well as the freakin squealing. I will let you know how it turns out.

Nat

RotorMotor

I just got off the phone with MNAO. They said the brake inspection and the tire rotation should be included in the free services. I don't know what recourse I have now other than to threaten to never bring my car there again (I already signed the workorder), but this is crap. I'm bent. It's not the $15 inspection(although the brake inspection and the $100 for the throttle body cleaning somehow added up to $158), it's the principle. I'm so sick of dealers just trying to screw you.

hac

Is your dealer ripping you off.....in a word YES!!! If your dealer is a Certified Mazda Full Circle Dealer then the inspections and repairs are free with or withour the service agreement until the warranty expires. If he is not you still should not have to pay. After reading ALOT of post about bad dealer service I am very happy I have a fantastic dealer and service dept.

lilbigman

Which dealer did you go to ?
I take mine to john hine in mission valley .
They have imo the best customer service that I found in sd.
I wish you the best

RotorMotor

Yeah, I was at John Hine. Not a chance that they have the best service (no offense). My family has had so many bad experiences with them over the past 20 years. I bought the car from Cush up in Escondido (I live in La Mesa) because I didn't want to deal with John Hine. Looks like I'll be driving to Escondido or National City for service from now on....

RotorMotor

Oh, and on top of everything else, I reported a rattle in the lower-left panel on the steering wheel. They drove my car for 15+ miles and said they couldn't replicate the problem. I was able to replicate it 30 ft. out of their driveway. WTF? Seriously disappointing service.

Genom

Even if you signed the workorder, tell them you spoke to Mazda, give him the name and number for the person you spoke to and tell them to either remove the charge or return the car with no work done. If they dont it's called fraud since they are making Mazda pay them for the service and they made you pay for it as well. Let them know you wont put up with that **** and you'll make a lot of trouble for them for their poor business practice.

BARK

Cleaning the throttle body after 15k miles because of "deposits"? Let me guess, the dealer wants you to believe the big bad oil companies are selling you a product that requires the dealer to benevolently charge you only $100 + misc. charges to fix.

Right...like every Miata out there with 100k miles has had their throttle bodies cleaned every 15k?

Run, don't walk from these guys.

Cheers

msrecant

1. I would use another dealer if at all possible.

2. If forced to use these guys, I would request information on the Mazda "recommendation" about the throttle body. It certainly is not in the RX-8 maintenance schedule or in a TSB. Personnaly I think it is bogus regardless of whether it is based on a simple misconception or outright dishonesty.

I believe my 1994 626 had an issue with needing the throttle body cleaned, but that was when you experienced binding in the throttle linkage. This happened to me once or twice in 9 years and 80K miles, not in less than one year and 15K miles.

Good luck!

BoxerGT2.5

Sounds like that dealer is trying to circumvent the "free scheduled maintenance" by hittin you up with bogus charges.

MyRxBad

iTrader: (1)

This dealer is trying to pull a "fast one" on you.

1. Get the $15 charged dropped! Mention the name of the MNAO person you spoke to if they need clarification.

2. Tell them to stick the throttle cleaning where the sun doesn't shine and if the throttle ever binds you'll bring the car in "under warrenty"

winter

Who were you dealing with at Hine? So far I've had good luck there.

That said, my car sees the dealership for warranty work and parts... that's it. I certainly don't feel the need to pay someone $300 to perform a "visual inspection".

DisneyDestroyer

Strange, I've taken my 8 in to Hine at least 6 times, and never had a problem. Who are you talking to? There is one guy who is REALLY new (last time I was there, they didn't have his name on the door yet) - is it possible you got him?

Talk to Alan Smith or Aaron Zapeda (sp?), they're both great.

RotorMotor

Yeah, I was working with Dan Robbins.

The $15 fee for the brakes apparently also included a cleaning (funny, they still sqeak), so I let that slide.

Unfortunately, it was too late for me to do anything about the throttle body so I wound up getting stuck with that as well, but will know better next time.

No offense Disney and I'm glad your experiences have been better than mine, but I'm not dealing with them anymore, period. If they've got one guy there that's ripping people off, it tarnishes the entire dealership IMO.

Then there's the fact that they claimed they couldn't replicate the rattle in the steering wheel (after driving my car for over 15 miles) that they guys in Escondido were able to replicate and fix in less than 20 minutes.

BoxerGT2.5

I would call MNAO and verify the throttle body cleaning protocol. If they say no, which I'm sure they will, ask them to send you a letter stating that. I would also inform them of what the dealership is doing. I wouldn't eat $100, jab back!!

RatedRX8

dealerships are such a hassle. i called MNAO about another issue and they told me that Mazda dealerships are independently owned. so basically they do what they feel is right and they are accountable for their actions, not MNAO. is this true?

i would think MNAO has some control and accountability in their own dealerships??

BoxerGT2.5

Exactly, considering their name is on the front of the dealership. Not to mention tagged on the front and a$$ of the car. I would also bet that Mazda's name is also on every persons paycheck in that dealership. I would not accept MNAO bogus excuse. Note* the claim the dealership is independently owned, but I bet they have some say in operations, which is what this is all about. Their total disregard would make it such that Joe Bob at Dicks Mazda could charge me $100 for claiming he has to **** in my gas tank every 10K to clean the injectors.......and there gonna take a weak stand??? No logic whatsoever!

billypsm

am I missing something with the free service deal. I am not aware of it. Also I hear the first oil change should be done at 600 miles? Couldn't find it in the manual. Is this the case?

BoxerGT2.5

The free service deal was given to those who pre-ordered the 8's when the believed hp was 250 and it turned out it was really 238. It was either buy back if desired or free maintenance. I changed my at 1500 miles.