Hi guys,
Finally purchased a used japanese rx8.Although I live in cyprus europe.
Asian fm stereo is different from the european.
Asians uses different frequencies and i can just tune to few stations.

What i wanted to ask you gurus is:
Could i just purchase a european HU and replace the japanese?
Is the US HU same as the EU or it uses the US stepping?

Thanks for your advice guys!

P

 

Have the same problem here in Ireland.
What u need to get is a "Band expander". It enables the radio to pick up the higher frequencies. In Japan they transmit on the lower frequencies (77-90) whereas here in Europe we transmit from 87-107.
It should be widely available from any reputable stereo/alarm shop. They are fairly cheap too c40-50 euro (i think - it's been a few years since I had to get one).
Like you I imported an RX8 from Japan (a 2003 TypeS) and I've got the additional problem of having the factory fitted sat nav and tv which doesn't work this side of the world. Irish imorter doesn't offer the option either.....tried contacting Mazda Japan but got no reply yet.

Cheers,
T.

 

Yaboya is correct you need a band expander, I live in New Zealand and have a ex Japan Type S. I had to purchase a band expander and it sorted it all out, they are not as good as having the correct band in the head unit because the signal does not seem to be as strong but better than nothing id say about 90% as good, also your display won't show the station number correctly which is no biggie. For example if your favourite station is 98.2 fm it will appear as 88.2fm.

It also steps on all the numbers 98.2,98.3,98.4 etc. I think US only stops on even or odd numbers but could be wrong.

 

I put one on mine and its crap frankly. I can get mixFM perfectly, Kiss occasionally and one other fairly often (and lots of greek ones).

Annoyingly i cant get bfbs 89.7 except when in Larnaca (different frequency). A new euro HU is about 400-500 pounds.

On the up side on Monday i should find out how much its going to cost to convert the panasonic dvd rom into a cd/dvd/tv player. Panikos (electronics wizz) has, as far as i understand, found a board that solders on the HU or something.

 

i have the band expander as well. but i am not completely satisfied. looking to replace the headunit. i found this part. although someone who knows the car should tell us if this is the part to change.

http://www.trademotion.com/partlocat...04&catalogid=2


another question
we all have type S. I checked out and found out that I need all the recalls heat/pcm/*****. what did you do with recalls.
supposing that the local mazda dealer should apply the recalls without charge. am i right?

 

mazda will pay for all parts and labour on recall work