Count me into the broken boot club. Oddly, mine snapped last sunday in 90 degree heat. I had the same problems all winter though with the brake handle not going down because of the boot. I'm sure it fatigued badly during that time and just finally snapped.

 

The front boot on mine is ripped and about to detach... I havn't gone back to the dealer yet and said anything.. That, headlight film, brake rotors and a missing clip on the inside are on my list.

 

Just to update this: I finally had my brake cover replaced. It's apparently not a fun job, took them 1.25 work days to do.

And I swear the new covering piece is different... flimsy, flexible, lighter plastic. Me wonders if they actually revised the part? I dunno for sure, as I don't have anything to compare it too I'll snap a pic.

But if it's truly revised, it's worth getting replaced when the original tears.

 

I've only had my 8 for a few weeks, and today was the first time I have had it out in extreme cold (-15). It was fine while it was parked in the parking ramp at work, but I drove to lunch and when I came out, there was a loud grinding noise as I drove for the couple of minutes. It corrected itself and I was concerned about what it was but continued on. I parked it outside again later in the day for about an hour, and the same thing happened. This time I concluded that the E-brake was not disengaging - that's why I'm reading this thread!! It wasn't a pad frozen to the rotor - it definitely wasn't breaking off right away. I can only imagine that the brake line was frozen... Is this worth bringing to my dealer's attention, or will they just tell me not to use the E-brake?

 

Personally, I would take it in and have it looked at. They may want to keep it overnight in order to duplicate the problem if it only happens after the car has been sitting for awhile.

 

I'll look for the part#. Gotta be around here somewhere...

The work was excellent. No rattles, everything looks perfect. No left-over parts that I know of, lol.

And... it survived the winter. No tears. But the lever does still (initially) refuse to go down quite all the way on very cold days - but nothing like it did before. Before, the whole dang console cover would bow out when the lever was moved. None of that anymore.

 

CUSTOMER STATES REPLACE PARKING BRAKE LEVER FOR TORN TRIM
BOOT AS PER INSPECTION ON JUNE 25. SEE SOP
P0601XRX/0.6
SC72
DC9A
RR CENTER CONSOLE RR PASS SEAT TO REPLACE SOP PARK BRAKE
HANDLE FOR CRACKED DUST COVER NOT SERVICED SEPERATELY

F151-44-010L LEVER, PARK

 

Mine actually broke again this last winter... hmmm... I moved to Portland, OR. where it doesn't get as cold in the winter but still I see this as a problem if I ever go back in the winter after my warranty is up.

 

The TSB about it: http://www.finishlineperformance.com...02-06-1531.pdf

 

It's getting cold outside in parts of the country so I thought I'd bump this thread for those that don't know about the cold affecting the gear cover at the base of the Parking Brake Handle; the cold stiffens it and keeps the e-brake light on and it can break off in if it gets cold enough. Also this post by "downshift" has links to similar related threads: https://www.rx8club.com/showpost.php...7&postcount=20
It may not be cold enough just yet but something to keep an eye on. I haven't heard of any fixes for this problem yet.

 

I had mine fixed since I've been here in Portland and it was made of softer material... almost rubbery. I guess that makes it more flexible when it's cold. Shouldn't break now.