Well, although I was experiencing no CEL's or flooding issues, I decided to request the latest and greatest update available. My car was built 09/03, and already came with the flash that fixed most of the CEL's. The service writer listened to me, as I explained that I loved the car and wasn't going to come in here claiming some lie that my car flooded (but...that I miraculously got it restarted), or that I get an occasional CEL flashing. I was blunt, and explained what I'd read from a previous thread, " That I felt spending nearly 30K for a car should entitle me to the upgrades that are available, even if I didn't show the symptoms needed to validate them :-) I offered to even pay for it, within reason, and explained the benefits I'd heard of after having the "L" or later reflash. He understood, and wrote "Seeing oil pressure indicator light" on the work order, and it was handled. So, all of you out there, please don't embarass yourself by claiming a CEL when they go pull the codes, they'll know you are lying, and that's never good. As far as performance enhancement, YES!!!! The car idles smoother, and throttle response is definitely improved. The car feels to have more torque in the midrange of the RPM range. The dealer told me I was getting "M", which was just available to this dealer... get this TODAY! I'M very thankful indeed. I bought the guy a dinner gift certificate, for all his help. It paid to be honest, and that feels good.

 

sounds like the m flash is worth getting then I'm getting mine done tuesday im looking forward to it now.

 

Let's be honest here!

LOL , so if it paid for you to be honest, but then it paid for the dealer to be DIShonest (you gave him dinner, Mazda NA gave the dealership warranty work money!), honesty is the best policy?

A nice thought, but.... We need to work on Mother Mazda, Japan, so MNA can be honest and let all dealers dispense ECU upgrades without.... fibin.... and owners fibin to the dealers.

Sorry LOL again! :D Honest MAY be the best policy, but fur sure laughter is the best medicine!

 

"Honesty" would also include Mazda admitting that the car is making about 210 HP, and giving me another $1000 back.

(If -9 HP = $500, and Miata owners got $1500 for a similar issue, it doesn't sound so unreasonable)

 

Speaking of "honesty" and HP, I was talking to my service guy today after my reflash and told him that I didn't think that the car was making 238 to the crank. He said "honestly, it's putting out about 220." Then I told him that I doubted it because I had my car on the dyno last month and only got 168 which would equivilate to a little over 200hp to the crank.

 

... and I thought I read "honesty" in this post.

 

Yay for honesty! :D My momma always told me not to tell a fib, and that two wrongs never make a right. It simplifies your life and you always know that if you wind up getting the stinky end of the stick, it wasn't maybe because you lied.

Mine's goin in like yours did - routine pit stop + both recalls + the fog lights don't turn on for some reason + probably will get the reflash. I'm gonna specify "M", thanks.

When I called-in yesterday, the guy was like, don't bother me with the whys, just tell me what you want us to do. I hope it goes that way tomorrow. If cornered at that time, I'm gonna complain about low mpg + a few hestitent starts that had me wondering how close it was to flooding. That oughtta do it.

I hope canzoomers latest stage 1 is good with this new "M" flash. My stage 1 is about to ship, so it'll have the newest program that's been tweeked for the "L" flash... Canzoomer said he was gonna get the "M" flash himself.

Hey CZ - wuddup wit da "M" flash - I'ze gotts ta know rat nayow!

 

Dealership just told me they did the flash...can't wait but I will have to do the check also! "M" here I come!

 

M is great. You can tell the difference the second you drive it. I can shift better and then engine even sounds smoother. The only thing I don't like is that it doesn't put you back in your seat like it used to above 5k RPM. More of a gradual pressure than a jerk...I'll get used to it. So far gas looks better also but time will tell.

Reid

 

Here's some text from the M-flash bulletin. It was updated yesterday!!

It is important to update the PCM to at least “M” calibration if the vehicle’s PCM currently contains an earlier version.
The “M” calibration contains software logic to prevent possible no start concerns. Because of this revision,
all vehicles with previous calibrations should be updated to at least the “M” calibration level. This includes vehicles
coming to the dealer for repairs unrelated to the no start concern, or normal scheduled maintenance.

 

Yeah, that's great news! I just mentioned this in the sticky thread up top. Here's the link for those interested in reading the new bulletin.

http://www.finishlineperformance.com...1-04-1273d.pdf

 

I just got my PCM reflashed last week. Is there a way to tell if I got the M flash? I definitely have the L flash since I did the brake pump test (20 in 8 secs) and saw the oil gauge sweep.

My mechanic didn't seem to know what version he flashed. He just flashes it and said it was too complex to explain. He threw out some numbers instead of a letter for the revision.

 

Have them check. If you don't have the "M" they have to reflash again according to the TSB.

 

ya see that just shows mazda is watching. all of the concern on here about flooding, all the talk about L flash and how some dealers (including mine) wouldn't give it, some of us saying we would maybe jsut flood it on purpose if it had to have a problem to get the flash- result now everyone gets updated to at least M.

sometimes they do listen!

 

I just called my dealer. He literally told me that I should say that it cranks but won't start and they'd do the flash.