I am new to forums altogether, especially this one. I have just purchased an 04 Titanium Gray w/ 95K miles. It has its original engine. This is going to be a project car, however I am concerned about the engine. With 95K miles what are the odds of it lasting another 50K miles? Compression is good, and the car does not give any indication of problems. Should I baby it (below 4k rpm) or should I drive it with some spirit (higher rpm)? In addition to a project it is my everyday driver, so my children are dependant on it.

I have replaced the radiator (which had a leak) with a Mishimoto, and have replaced the intake with an AEM. Many more mods on the way......

Thanks

 

https://www.rx8club.com/new-member-forum-197/rx8-faq-new-owners-116484/

 

You did a compression test using a rotary tester? Typically a 04-08 motor will not last to 100k let alone past it. I would budget a rebuild into this project soon or get it to break prior to the 100k warranty and make sure you document the oil changes, etc.

 

Thanks,
I am familiar with rotaries and have the basics memorized to heart. But you did remind me to change my spark plugs.

 

I wholeheartedly disagree with this statement. Engine failures typically depend on several factors, such as how the car was driven (if it was driven like a girl at low RPMS then chances are the engine will die) or if the car is an auto (again because the RPMs stay low). There are several people with varying model years in that range that are in the 150k mile without a rebuild.

 

Several people? Name 3 over the 150k mark on a single engine.

Granted most of the failures are related to the bad OMP flash in the beginning so they are limited to the 2004-2005 models but the engine is faulted by design due to the lack of the third oil injector. And most of the failures are not public and not reported because the majority of 8 owners do not visit this site. My friend at the dealer told me they have averaged 20 or so a year here just that specific dealer since 2004. You do the math.

I know people want to defend the 8 ( I love it, I have stayed with it through three engines) but all you have to do is PM Paul at Mazmart and he will tell you that on average the series I renny will fail before 100k under normal ownership. Even guys running premix and good synthetics are barely making 100k.

 

Whats your point? You'd have to literally ask dealers (not all of them) across the country to get a true represenatitive number, or actually have the rebuild numbers from Mazda themselves. 1 dealer is not remotely large enough to be considered represenatitive of an entire population.

 

Thomas... Its how you drive it, harder you push it the less carbon, but even if you do drive it good and hard it all depends on whether the oil is getting to the center of the Apex seal and that third oil injector in the 09's + fixes the 04-08's engine failure, feeding oil to the center of the apex seal is whats important... It doesnt matter what kind of oil you use if the oil isnt getting to the center of the apex seal its going to fail.

And im very suprised the OP's engine has lasted that long... To be honest man Id figure out a way to get a new engine... because Its NOT going to last much longer... Go get a compression test from the dealer, it should be free (mine, and my friends was).

 

Bolded...

 

The trouble for me is finding a Mazda Dealer near D/FW who will honor the 100k warranty at 95k miles. I have told them that I think my compression is bad, and they simply told me there was nothing they could do. I got the same answer when I asked about recalls on the car. If anyone knows a good contact at a dealership please let me know.

Thanks
Kevin

 

I have gotten my engine replaced 3 times at Hiley Mazda in Hurst, I hate their Service manager Sherry because shes a hag but talk to Steve, hes a tech and should help you out... If not then go to Freeman Mazda... and ALL Mazda Dealers HAVE to replace your engine if the compression is bad (under normal conditions, no turbos etc.)... thats what the warranty is for, if they dont I'd write a letter to Mazda North American Operations telling them this dealer isnt valuing the warranty and they should help you out... of course go and get it done at another dealer if they reject you, but id still send a letter...

 

If you can get down to College Station Garlyn Shelton Mazda just replaced my engine and I had 72K miles on it. I also got a loner car.

 

classic mazda in denton has been very good to me. thats about an hour drive down 380.

 

Well believe what you want man, just look at the gazillion polls here over the years to get an idea of the percentage of 8's that have had engines replaced (obviously doesn't speak for all 8 owners). All of the 04's in our local group have had an engine or two, or three replaced. The fact that you are one of the ones who believes failures are do to not driving the car hard shows you don't know much in terms of what is causing the failures and what is not. Also, out of all of the 8's locally that have had replacements only one is an auto and I believe his car is actually a 2006. Do you really think they would build a whole rebuild factory and hire to staff that factory if it were just a small percentage of motors? Come on man.

Oh, who were all of the 8's above 150k again? Never mind mind man, we can just agree to disagree.

 

I believe the problem is that he has "RX8" confused with "Camaro". Unless that's a body kit i've never seen before.

 

fail ^^^

 

I was talking to Classic of Denton and apparently both their Service Adivsors were fired recently. I can't personally verify this myself as I refuse to go back to those theiving bastards. I'd also like to echo DeadPhoniex's claims of awesome service at classic of Denton. Their two service adivsors are Aaron and Ramsay, they are both great people to work with.

 

cough cough ummmm nevermind......

 

Well will I shut up on this. I'm not ready to admit I'm wrong yet, but I'm not as confident in my initial answer as I once was. Again I would also say this forum is not a total indicator of repair rates. I'd want to see overall failure rates (my guess is 20-30%) which is still adimitedly high, and I'd want to see failure rates after 100k. My point is merely that I would rather see statements backed up by verifable scientific evidence.

 

Haha, very subtle man.

 

if u only knew buddy i'm ALWAYS subtle.... right guys....

 

I have heard nothing but good things. Too bad the good rotary builders are all in metroplex.

 

still waiting for a ***** post....

 

i told u already dude its all about timing..... u just cant say ***** all the time or they will think ur gay.......

 

Thomas loves *****... at anyrate whats your opinion on this Brian...???