StewC625

Just took my car to my dealer (Autobarn Mazda, Evanston, IL) for the recalls and a bunch of other stuff - the list:

1) Control Arm recall - inspected it, but parts didn't fall within the "replace" group

2) Heat Concern recall - reflashed to "R" and installed a heat pad above the fuel tank.

3) Creaking driver's seat: They said "it's normal". I say "horse crap" so when I go in for parts and follow up, I'm taking a tech for a ride.

4) LONG crank time (12-15 seconds) when engine is partially cool - doesn't happen all the time, but when it does ...: Reported low battery voltage. Replaced the battery under warranty with new larger, battery.

5) Scratches on back of front seats - TSB: Ordered parts for this

6) Rattling airbag module: Ordered parts for this

7) Squeaking brakes: Said "problem not demonstrated at this time" ... I'm pissed about this one as the porter pulled up with the car and the brakes screeched. The service writer said "well, that's because we just washed it".

So, impressions:

1) Dealer service: OK, I guess. I miss the treatment I got from my Acura dealer over all those years.

2) New flasH: Seems a bit torquier, but also, I could be imagining that. I'll test it with my G-tech to see if I picked up a step somwhere

3) New battery: Starter spins like a Cuisinart now! Zip! Sounds better, gotta assume it starts better.

Stew

Jackallll

3) Do not take no for an answer on the seats. Totally laziness on the service advisor's part. The second dealer I brought it to fixed it with no problem. Shouldnt take more than 20 minutes. I can't tell you how nice it is to have that awful creaking gone.

rx8wannahave

I have to take my 8 in for the recall and some other things...but I don't want to, baby needs his rx8 bottle...lol

I really have to plan this (I might take the day off or something) because I DON'T WANT TO BE WITHOUT MY BABY!!!

StewC625

Well, after driving it 36 hours on the new flash - observations:

1) It idles better - less "lumpy" and higher - about 900 RPM rather than 700 RPM - I used to get occasional "misses" during idle - those are gone.

2) Definitely stronger lower and middle range throttle response. Feels like it pulls better from about 3000 on up.

3) My most recent G-Tech horsepower measurement came in at 186 hp ("road horsepower" - that's wheels, air resistance, any road slope, etc., all factored in), and I just ran a G-Tech measurement on the same course tonight (similar temps and everything) and got a 194 hp reading! Only did the test once though. Hmm ... things headed in the right way!

4) 0-60 time is within .3 seconds which seems to be about my limit of repeatable error on my G-tech. Best run I've managed prior to the test was 6.3 seconds to 60, and I managed to crack in one 6.0 run tonight. But that was in between 6.6 and 6.4 second runs, so not much info there.

5) Starting is better - although I'm sure the uprated battery is 90% responsible for that little gift.

FYI

Stew

RX-Hachi

I just got my Recall/R flash done as well. My observations are:

1) No change in idle. Mine always idled fairly smoothly and steady at 900.

2) I feel a slight change here. Hard to say, but it does feel better. Unlike when I went from L to M and I could immediately tell it felt slower, until the ECU relearned my driving style.

3) Never used my G-Tech to measure HP, no comment.

4) 0-60 in 6.0 secs flat is a good time, did you launch at 3-4K like when you got your previous best of 6.3 secs?

My previous best was 6.4 secs with a 4K rpm launch. Don't think I'll bother testing again with my G-Tech for a while. The car feels more torquey in the mid range and I'm happy with what my butt dyno tells me after the R flash.

5) Never had a problem with hard starts, no comment.

Overall, I think I still like the way L felt the best. It had a slingshot feel to it that kicked in at 8000 rpm. M made the acceleration more linear and the slingshot effect was less pronounced. R seems to have added a more torquey feel in the mid-range, slingshot feeling at 8000 rpm+ is about the same as M. R feels good, a little better than M, and maybe over time I may like it over L as well.

To me, my engine always had a strong feel to it, the differences in the flashes are actually quite subtle. If I were a 1/4 mi. kind of guy, which I'm not, I doubt the latest R flash would make much difference if any.

wisconsinben

Just took my 8 in for the heat shield and ball joint recalls, but no mention of a re-flash on the paperwork. The sticker in the engine comparment has a number that ends in M...I'm assuming I'm still at the M flash.

Is it worth it for me to take it back to the dealer...or just wait a few months for the next round of flashes?

vegas RX8

I just had the recalls done along w/ the reflash. I guess my oil pan was leaking so they replaced the gasket. They also replaced the drivers side sun visor cuz the original broke. I also had them do the 30k mile service (at 24k) cuz service tech said valves had a lot of carbon build up & engine coolant wasn't looking too good. I had already planned on taking it in soon for the 30k mile service so I just had them do it. Car feels amazing! I know the decarb helped out a lot, along w/ new fuel & air filter as part of the service. I did notice the smoother idles as well. Hopefully it keeps running this good for a while.vegas.

GRAND_LS 4

Took mine in for the Control arms, and the service adviser kept saying that i was the first one to come into thier dealership to have the #'s fall into the recall (YEAH BABY!!) Steering feels much better, but why no alignment?

Got my M-flash, oil changed, airbag light fixed, and had them order a driver side visor, and engine mounts.

So today (2 weeks later) got my mounts put in, and what a difference, it feels like a car again, no more earthquakes at stop lights.

There is slight vibration left, but the adviser kept saying it was nomral for automatics... does this hold any water? I didnt feel like arguing with him, because i was tired of thier crappy lounge.

Vizacar

Valves? Which valves was he refering to?

RX8Sick

I'm always scared when I take my car to the dealership. I want to sit around and watch them work on it. The guys don't really care for the car as I would like. Leaving it for 8 hours in their hands is a nightmare.

StewC625

Rotary Engines have no valves to carbon up. Also, at 30,000 miles, the engine coolant should be just fine. I think you just got taken.

StewC625

When I test with my G-Tech, I always launch at 4000 RPM, Stability and Traction Control at full off (10 second push on the button), AC and radio off, windows down (so I can hear the tires better).

The thing that made my 0-60 times improve the most? Changing my stock tires out - I switched the stock Bridgestone 225/45/18s RE-040s for Pirelli PZeroNero M+S all season tires in size 245/40/18. I think that extra inch of width and the larger contact patches results in a better launch with less wheelspin than the stock rubber.

vegas RX8

As far as getting taken on the engine coolant, I actually had already noticed that it was bad be cause the coolant light kept coming on 2 weeks before I took it in. And as far as the decarb goes, maybe it wasn't decarbing the valves (since it doesn't have any) but the service tech said there was "carb build up and would recommend the service" so I just said yes. vegas.

StewC625

Well ... odd that your coolant light would be coming on. Did you overheat at all? Also, the coolant light indicates LOW coolant, not bad coolant.

I'd sure ask some questions about that "decarbon" thing ... these engines don't "carbon up" unless you've got a much bigger issue going on like a blown endplate or midplate seal or something, which would allow both oil and coolant into the combustion chambers.

I'd ask them

"what part was carboned up" and
"what was wrong with the coolant".

I still think they sold you headlight fluid there.