Hi guys,

I've been recently getting a bit of power loss and noticed that my idle has a strange blip every now and then. I've never seen the blinking CEL flashes after I installed my BHR Ignition Kit. So I assume the next possibility and checked under the car after a brisk drive. My assumptions were verified when I saw the catalytic converter glowing red.

I decided to take the car into service WITHOUT removing the BHR Ignition Kit. My dealership's service department is usually pretty relaxed about my modifications. They never said anything about my exhaust, intake, sway bars, and etc. Well after their preliminary tests, they determined that the catalytic converter had failed indefinitely. Their next words however suprised me. The dealership blamed the "misfires" on my BHR Ignition Kit. They escalated the service order and let MNAO take over from there.

So I wait and eventually get a call this morning. The service advisor informs me that MNAO has approved the warranty claim on the replacement catalytic converter. Then they say the following:

- Warranty on future catalytic converter replacements will be voided with the use of aftermarket coils or ignition devices

- I need to sign a contract stating that I will abide by their terms or face the penalty of losing my warranty on parts.


At this point, I questioned how they tested the coils to see if they were functioning correctly or not. They told me that they scanned the vehicle using a machine to pick up codes and also run a diagnostic setting. They also stated that machine provides data on the efficiency of the catalytic converter.

To me, this sounded like crap. So I asked for the results and the tech's many notes and stipulations. I exercised my right to see the results before I signed any binding contract with the dealership.

After exchange of words between the service advisor and the head service manager, the advisor informed me that the contract wouldn't be necessary. I did wait for a good amount of time for all this to settle down. The service advisor stated that tech and uninstalled the catalytic converter and ran the test again. The second time around, the tech stated that the coils were now functioning within their efficiency range.

Anyways, I'm stunned at this sort of behavior at our dealerships. Anyways, Ray was their to answer questions and was helpful during this whole ordeal.

Cheers for BHR!

 

scoreboard update:

BHR: 1
MNAO: 0

 

Good for you man, I have corrected the dealer a few times. If people let them push people around, they will. They are so full of ****. Ask them to see the tests of them "testing" the coils and you will rarely get results. Hell they replaced my last engine with mid pipe installed and another local member was told they couldn't replace it do to his mid pipe being on. But he is a young college kid so........

 

most dealers will make decisions based from what a "factory trained tech" will recommend..the factory will always want to eliminate any items that are not their product..all their training revolves only 1 thing.."factory product". there are a few technicians that will think outside that box mainly because they have a passion for the internal combustion engine, for most other workers unfortunately its just a job and nothing else..

 

^^^

I just thought that placing blame on a product before doing any throrough testing on it was a no no. I do agree that they were trained to only work within factory protocol though.

I later started educating one of the advisors on the benefits of the kit. I explained how the Yukon/LS2 coils with built-in heatsinks were a far superior unit compared to the stock OEM coils (I had my original stock coils that I took off prior to installing the kit with me). They didn't test the stock coils but just going off appearance alone.....I'm sure now they know why that catalytic converter failed in the first place.

 

lol owned

 

Nice!
Get Mazda to put these coils on the rx-8 as stock! That would be great.

 

Update

Well I got my car back from the dealership today. The catalytic converter is in and the car now idles and drives smoothly!

It was a great experience and I learned that you have to hold your ground when taking your car into service at the dealership.

FYI, the catalytic converter replacement was priced at $1,489.50 including parts and labor. I'm going to replace this piece with the BHR midpipe and keep it in a nice safe hiding spot

I put a lot of faith in these coils and now this dealership will also think twice before blaming faults on a product they know nothing about.

 

^................no they won't.
Just as gregs said...........that's just their mentality.

 

nobody is dumber than a service adviser .... I think they have to be trained at a special complete f'ing idiot school first

 

^lol they play dumb. But they now how to scam poeple out of money! stealerships. My coworking was asking me what I think is wrong with her truck. I told her to change the spark plugs. She took the truck to the stealership and they charged her just over $300 for parts and labor oh and $15 for shop rags. They replaced her intake box. I asked her why? she said it was cracked. I asked her did you ask them to show you the crack? she said no.
So there you have it. The stealership wins.

 

epikeddie, post the dealership name. I want to call them and see if I can take my car to them ^_^

 

I'm planning to have my oil changed at the dealership in a couple weeks and it will be interesting to see if they notice the BHR ignition, as well as the Racing Beat oil gauge sensor standoff plate (the later of course they can't help but notice).

 

Fixed.

 

Huey.......you'd think it wouldn't matter, but if I were you........I think I would ask them to hold the adapter by hand(and in place) while they remove(at least loosen) the oil filter. If the adapter is properly torqued down it shouldn't matter, but why risk it?

 

what is even dumber is a coment like yours...i personally am a service advisor and until you understand the policies and procdures of the dealership world then i suggest you go back you watch your incorrect coments..there are plently of douche bags in the dealership world and plently of misused judgements from some but not all..just like any other job/career..whats funny is you claim they are soo stupid then why can they continue to do business and stay in business for many years..interesting huh? I understand the aftermarket world myself and personally involved in it..but what makes you think everyone else in this world should understand aftermarket products? BHR makes quality pieces but can you honesty say that for most of the aftermarket junk that is out there in the world?
be realistic not stupid.

 

congrats on the replacement! glad it went in your favor..

 

I'll try to remember to do that, although I did get a 1" socket and torque it myself.

^^ Good to hear you're the exception, but dealership service organizations are able to make money since 99 44/100% of drivers don't have a clue about their cars and therefore just pay whatever they're billed.

Also dealerships imo often prey on women in particular as the assumption is that they don't know anything about automotives. I was away on business recently and my daughter got charged at a dealership (not the one I typically deal with) $50 for a gas cap CEL reset. Needless to say they'll never see any of my family's cars again and I will never buy from them.

There are good and bad service providers in any field, but they tend to be worse than any other in the automotive industry. jmho

And that's why when I find a better than average outfit (have never found a great one in these parts) they get my long time loyalty.

 

The way you present a certain issue is to be respected and well understood how you feel the way you do to a specific location, but what irritates me is TeamRx8 teenager/childish post that are incorrect.

 

like I said ....

 

And what are the policies and procedures for a dealership under Mazda North America?

500 for plugs and coils? Voided core engine warranties for a Racing Beat Intake?

I'm not attacking you, but the prices for stock parts plus the hassle you get for after market parts is crazy.

(Begin Rant)

I took my 8 in for what turned out to be an SSV that was stuck close causing the car to stall at idle...

Mods: Throttle body coolant bypass, RB intake, Midpipe, RB REV8 Catback,

Dealer Diagnosis: (Pulled codes) My cat was fried caused by the intake or exhaust, and the car is stalling because of the intake and coolant bypass to the throttle body.

Solution: Replace RB with stock intake, replace throttle body and upper intake manifold. Replace with cat (not covered under warranty) . . . now mind you my OEM cat is just fine, its just not installed on the car.

Prices with Labor:
Throttle Body: $602.20
Intake Gaskets: 1091.67
OEM Intake: 2166.83
OEM Cat: 2293.45
Battery: $135.00
Compression Test: $90.00

Total: $6,377 Dollars.

It wouldn't have fixed the problem... it was in the lower intake manifold.

Now I'm sure you've never ever done anything like this a customer and your dealership never ever exploits someone with a problem to their car or marks up dealer part to 20 times their fair market value.

I have no use for dealers other than to raise my blood pressure and test drive cars I'll buy later from a private seller.

(End Rant)

 

I have to side with the anti-stealership folks on this one, but I need to point out that it really depends on the service adviser and tech you get and NOT on the dealership itself.

Ex: I had a blown strut (hit a curb on the first snowfall which was also the day after I parked my 8 for winter, so i was still in rx-8 mode) on my Mz3 (winter car) and went in to a dealership I know is reputable as I know half the people there. The day I went in nobody I knew was working but I still asked them to look at it. They said the strut was blown and a PS hose was leaking.

Estimate came back: 2 struts (why change 1 when we can change 2), 2 endlinks (because they're attached to the strut and will certainly break), PS hose, a few dozen bolts (that really add up at $3 each), total damage >$1100. After I'm done chewing out the tech and outing this to the SM (which I know, he was furious), final *real* damage is $80 for the single strut which I replaced myself. PS hose wasn't even leaking. Been > 6 months and my fluid is still good.

Lesson learned: get to know a few service advisers and your SM by first name, and have people on your side. You wouldn't believe how much money I've saved in the last 3 years from having these guys on my side.

 

See, this makes me shake my head. . . because of the ability of these guys, they can help you out, but someone off the street they'll just rape their wallet for as much as they see fit.

I really believe some of these guys make pricing based on how desperate the person is to get their car back and what problems they would be willing to believe.

 

It is like any relationship with service providers.....

If you build a relationship you become something else but an anonymous client....

Sometimes it really doesn't matter who/what you become to affect the relationship.

I have become friends with the service manager and the good techs at the dealer I go to.....

I have become the worst nightmare at the dealer my wife uses to service her vehicle...


I get no BS from either dealer.....the Mazda dealer treats me well.... The other dealer is scared of me...neither of them will rip me off.....

Personally I like the "Nice" approach....

 

^ Ha

Wolfe?

If you take a car in there without a CAT, will they bitch?

I'm wondering where to go to get service, Freeway will void my warranty instantly because they're douches.. Need my 48,000KM service in about 7000 KM..