With a different engine in the S2, I was wondering if people are just simply following the Mazda maintenance guide on when to replace their coils/plugs etc or are you guys replacing them before the required replace date.

 

That depends on the car. Did you buy your S2 new or used?

Most S2's sat on the dealer lots for about a year or more so probably got started, idled, had dead batteries, etc.

When I got mine, I pulled the plugs out at 1,000 miles & checked them. When I bought the car it had about 200 miles on it and was on the lot about a year. They looked ok, but I changed them at 10,000 miles just because.

You can see a pic here:
https://www.rx8club.com/series-ii-technical-trouble-shooting-160/misfire-idle-when-fully-warm-2009-s2-10k-miles-209096/page2/

As far as coils, a couple S2 owners upgraded to the BHR kit already. And I believe most of the others, including myself, have not changed the coils or spark plugs wires yet.

 

I don't plan on getting the BHR kit because as far as I know the new S2 engines have a new OEM ignition kit in the 2009+ models so I don't think that the BHR kit is really necessary.

The car that I have is fairly new, but it has been sitting in the showroom for roughly a year.

 

Pretty sure the ignition didn't change for S2s.

 

It looks like the coils are the same, but the coil mounting bracket has been changed, possibly for cooling purposes.

My '09 is coming up on 30,000 miles with the original ignition, still runs great, but the fuel mileage has slightly decreased recently, so definitely time for plug change, MAF cleaning, and air filter.

 

Just passed 36,000 miles. Changed air filter and plugs at 30,000--didn't look bad. Runs well. Anyone change coils yet?

 

I pretty much just use my instincts about when and what to maintain on my cars. Hasn't failed me yet, but I have pretty good mechanical sensibilities to start with. I'm thinking about installing the BHR ignition kit when I change the plugs, just to be on the safe side, but with only 16,000 miles on the engine even a marginal-quality OEM ignition coil should have a few more miles left in it.

I do need to pull the plugs and brush them off before the weather gets cold, though; this'll be the car's third winter and carbon does love to build up on cold plugs. Probably ought to pull the K&N air filter and spray the MAF sensor with some cleaner too, since K&N filters tend to deposit oil on everything downstream from them.

 

I guess I got super lucky when I bought my 2011.

It was listed as in the dealer's inventory when I went to their dealer to take a look at it, but when I got there, it was no where to be found. That was on a Saturday evening. I told them to call me the minute it arrives.

Wednesday afternoon, I get the call that it's arrived.
Friday night I pop by to take a look.
Saturday morning, I drove it off their lot, mine all mine.

Was a fresh one right off the boat, and off of the transport truck.
Built in January, and bought in March 3 days after it hit the lot.

BC.

 

Lets just throw some info here on these COILS...

I know BHR is a Vendor here and Charles is a good bloke and all that and I am not stepping on his toes...well trying not to..

SO far I don't know of anyone who has said my S2 Coils have "failed"...
I have seen them with the "white" circle or mark on their bottoms, but, that has since been dismissed as a faulty Coil.

The mounting Bracket did change in S2's, there is an air pocket under the coil base.

Mazda's FINAL updated Coil ONLY came into existence on the 1st December 2007 (Production).
So yes, these Coils were used in the very last Series 1's, 4 months of production to be exact (600 cars World Wide).
They were then carried over to the S2's with the S2 modded Mount Bracket.

Now there has been a few S2 owners who changed their Coils to another brand, and their BUTT Dyno is pleased with the results..

The only issue I have with this is these owners ALSO renewed their Spark Plugs at the same time..

So, is it the new Spark Plugs or is it the new Coils which is giving their Butt Dyno a thrill.???

Frankly, the original Plugs should be left in "if" a true Butt Dyno evaluation is required.

Every and ANY rotary will thank you for putting in New Spark Plugs.

Do I think there is an expiry with these OEM Coils??...yes...like any part.