mauroavella

Hi everyone. I need advise form you people.

I took my 8 6 Speed to the dealer for the 2 recalls, everything fine until they found that the rotors need to be changed.

Now, they charge $174 for EACH ONE, and I need 2 for the front and then they say I also need to "calibrate" the other 2 in the back (not replace them) for $90. Ah!!, labor in total would bring everything up to almost $700.

The question is, should I do that in the dealer or just go aftermarket?? Price is not that different (I'm not going to buy the complete systems or anything like that)

(If someone knows about a good place to buy them, please let me know)

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Well, they aren't making much on the recall work. Waddiaexpect.

Could always take it some place for a second guess.

7andan8

No. 1 piece of advise (and I think everyone will agree)...Dealerships suck! They would be the last place I would go for brake work! Now with that off my chest.
How many miles are on the 8? Its odd that you need new fronts and turned rears. If you do, find a friend that is mechanically inclined (if you're not, that is). Brake rotors are not that hard to replace yourself. Many bits of advice in this forum on which ones to buy. You can do a search.
Whatever the choice, think twice about the local dealer.....please!

belkjz

i picked up rotors lines and pads for under 600 it was a pretty easy job it my dad and i a good day to do it but was well worth it i bought everything from rx8store.net if you order there call and only speak with jason and make sure what you order is in stock

RotaryManiac

Install it yourself. It shouldnt be very hard, just time consuming. The dealership will cost an arm and leg for labor.

BlueRenesis82

yeah, you can get stoptech slotted rotors cheaper than what they want for the OEM ones

jenkins-crew

Go aftermarket and install it yourself...I will even give you my cell number and help you over the phone if you need it. I did mine and it was easy! It took a full day though because I painted my calipers at the same time. Should take less than 4 hours wothout painting.

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Sounds a bit suspect to me...why did they say they needed to be changed?? Unless you have about 80K miles or do a lot of track driving with abrasive pads...I can't see that they would need to be replaced. Hell my MX-6 has over 220K miles on the stock front rotors....and they are still in spec

jenkins-crew

Yeah, it sounds like BS. Don't even let them do it.

Razz1

If your car is not vibrating under braking the rotors are fine.

Go after market and get Rotara slotted rotors. Find a good mechanic and he will do it much cheaper. Also go with DOT 4 fluid.

mauroavella

First of all thank you to you all!!!..........

Ok, here is the info you are all asking. My car has 24K miles, and to be honest I never noticed any vibration or anything while I brake. I went to the dealer (Marlin Mazda in Miami), to ask what was going on and here waht they said:

"It happends either when you brake too hard and too quickly comming to a stop or a turn and that creates alot of heat that ends up damaging the rotors"... TO be honest once in a while I drive the car hard but I'd say 85% of the time i'm a "normal 8 Driver"

Now I went to the internet yesterday and looked for afetmarket but 4 ex. I couldn't find any for the Rx8 in the Brembo page and the only ones I found were the ones in Rx7 Store.

I'm going to look for the ones you have mentioned but please give em directions on the best ones I can get (Not that expensive)

ps. Jenkings-crew, thank you for your offer, I'll PM you if I decide to install them my self!!

jenkins-crew

No problem man, let me know!

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Mazda...spagenameZWDVW

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Again, I say take it to someone else to get their opinion. There is no vibration so the rotors are not warped. At 24k they are not likely to be out of spec and it doesn't sound like they actually measured. Add slotted rotors if you want to, but not because the dealer made you. And the rears needing calibration? WTF? Even forgeting that the rear breaks need work about 1/3 as often as the front, this sounds fishy. Like I said, they got you in with the recall or warrenty work, now they need to make money (that is a little accusatory without evidence, and rotors do wear, but come on, its a dealer!)

expo1

http://www.racingbrake.com/MAZDA_RX8_s/235.htm

They are cheaper than OEM. I don't have them but I was at their shop and liked what I saw.

jenkins-crew

If you get aftermarket make sure they are Zinc plated, you don't want rust!

wedge357

I'm calling BS on this dealer, mauroavella. Shouldn't it be a warranty work anyway since you only have 24k miles???

dannobre

iTrader: (3)

Heat...STREET DRIVING :D they are so full of ****!

Mine are blue after a track day from the heat. They are in specs and don't vibrate at all.

PUR NRG

Rust is a cosmetic thing that has no effect on performance. If you do get plated rotors they will require special break-in process in order to remove the zinc from the friction surface.

I would ask for exact details regarding their definition of "calibrate". That sounds like BS.

My pad/rotor replacement DIY can be found at http://www.hi-impact.org/ryang/modif...x8_brakes.html. It is missing some pictures but should help get you started if you plan to replace them yourself.
________
Medical marijuana

alcimedes

Yeah, I don't buy that at all. Get a second opinion. The odds that the rotors are bad that quickly are slim to none. Sounds like this dealership needs to get reported to somebody. That's sketchy as hell.

BaronVonBigmeat

Ask them to take a rotor off. Then measure it with a micrometer, and compare their measurement with what's listed as the acceptable range in the service manual. (If you're not familiar with reading micrometers, google it...it's pretty simple actually)

They will probably hesitate and get nervous. At that point you may wish to use the term, "Douchebag Liarpants". :p

mauroavella

OK, an Update as of 9-14-05.

I called Marlin Mazda and told them I wasn't going to change the rotors and now the story is that they have cracks...

Anyway, I've looked all the links you guys told me and I'm leaning towards the "Racing Brakes" ($155 & $140 (F&R)), or the "Rotora" ($183 & $150(F&R)).

Now, what do you think??

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

Did you see the cracks?

carbonRX8

iTrader: (1)

This is an example. (from another forum) Solid rotors shouldn't crack on the street (Shouldn't crack at all!). Cross drilled rotors do.

Buy whatever rotors suit your fancy and put them on yourself. Dont give money to this dealer unless you can see the above (you should feel this in the brake pedal, BTW).

army_rx8

http://www.rx7store.net/RX8_Performa...ries_s/179.htm

haven't found anythign that beats the price that rx8store.net has on brake rotors...$89 eash..or all four for $350

:D

Iwannarex8

Please run over there and get your car as quickly as possible..........if they were cracked why didnt they tell you that in the first place? They are just trying to get cashback for the warranty work and you are falling for it take the car to another place to get a second opinion.