One week ago my 2004 8 (auto) went in for it's 20k service and two major issues were discovered. The first was an almost complete collapse of the engine mounts and the second was a failure of the seatbelt/airbag system that I noticed 2 days ago via the dash indicator.

I have not found anything relating to engine mout failures here but my dealer siad they had seen 3 2004 8's with this issue in the last 2 months.. all at about 20k mileage.. Anyone know anything about this apparent issue? My dealer took the engine out and refitted new mounts.. under warranty of course so it's no biggie to me but it is concerning in terms of the amount of vibration that had built up over the last two months which I really didn't notice that much because, I assume, it was a fairly gradual increase over time until I drove another 8 the delaer gave to me to borrow while mine was in service and then the difference was like night and day.

The seatbelt/Airbag issue just happened.. the system literally stopped working and as of today, some 7 days later, the dealer and Mazda have still not found the cause of the total failure of the system. Because of this they are literally putting a complete new system in with new wiring throughout to fix the issue! Anyelse heard of this issue too?

My only other issue.. a reoccuring one.. is front brake wear and squealing/dust which even after two upugrades/refits is just as bad as ever. The dealer fitted yet another set of a new type of pads today.. that Mazda hope will fix this issue but my hopes are not high baed on previous promises made by Mazda on this issue. Drives me nuts!

Ok.. thoughts and opinions anyone?

 

I believe there are TSB for every issue you listed.

 

Yep. All of these issues have been covered here at length.

I posted the airbag wiring TSB here myself.

 

Yes, my bad.. Being english I was searching for Engine Mount not Motor Mount which shows up the threads containing the first issue I had.. and I did finally find the thread about the Airbag issue...

However, I discovered after the Dealer spent some time with my car.. that it had other serious issues such as gearbox (Auto) showing serious amounts of wear.. no reason as yet, why this would be as it has been properly maintained throughout it's lifetime.. and an incorrectly fitted rear strut and rear suspension (I think thats the correct terms) which has caused damage to the rear of the car that cannot be easily fixed

This being the case my Dealer (whom I have bought 4 cars from in the last 7 years) gave me a very reasonable "Buy Back" deal... (75% of what I paid for the car almost 2 years ago..) and I took the deal..

It's a real shame as I did love the way my 8 handled.. (Though I missed a healthy amount of low end torque) but after having the car inspected by a different dealership who confirmed the condition of the damage at the rear of the car as well as the gearbox issue both of which would have been corrected under the warranty though both dealers stated that the damage at the back would probably never be fully fixed and Mazda would not replace the car because I could not 100% prove the damage was caused by something that had been in existance since I purchased it so the 'buy back' deal seemed the best option open to me... even though I was very surprised that the Dealer offered me such a reasonable deal (I am always suspicious of Car Dealerships and their motives.. even though this particular Dealership has always treated me very well in the past!) so I am happy with the outcome on the one had and sad to lose my RX8 on the other.

I'm going to wait now until the next version of the 8 comes out and decide then if I want to purchase another one..

Thanks to everyone here who have provided me with a wonderful resource of information on the 8... and, I suspect, I'll be back in the not to distant future with a new 8 in tow!

 

Sorry you had to resort to this, but as long as you came out of it fairly well from a financial standpoint, I guess that was the best outcome for you. My guess is that Mazda corporate weighed in heavily on this one--possibly to cover their you-know-what for the improper installation. I can't imagine a dealership making that offer on their own, but what do I know. Good luck with the next RX-8.

 

I'm convinced that 2004 owners did Mazda's development work on this car. My 2005 has had zero problems: no brake squeal, no rattles, no hard starting, etc. My guess is that the newer model should do the trick for you.

 

You didn't elaborate on this damage. But it sounds a little bit suspicious to me... like perhaps predelivery damage that was repaired wrong...and rather than have to expplain..the buyback approach.

Someone else on the forum found that they thought they'd bought a new car, but no! ... the Carfax or title listed previous repair, but the car was 'new'... and apparently legally this type of repair and resale is 'legal' but disconcerting to say the least.

 

To be honest, the description of the damage was, to put it mildly, complicated and beyond my own knowledge of cars.. and I suspect, like yourself, that, based upon the speed and amount of the buyback I was offered... there may have been much more to this whole story that both the Dealership and Mazda revealed but, I am satisfied with the settlement and so, as far as I am concerned.. it's onto the next car

Cheers..

Mag

 

Absolutely, sounds nearly too good to believe...lucky you with a brand new car...

 

mine is 2004 that i picked up from the first batch in 2003. i havent had the issues you mention either

 

I also got my car in 2003 and my motors mounts went,i am on my third enigne in the car and only 66,700 miles , my cat converter went once

 

Cat went once but that was long time ago.

Same engine, motor mount I think 2-3 times. 37K miles atm