https://www.rx8club.com/series-i-trouble-shooting-95/4th-gear-shift-noise-gone-49193/

I don't know if this is the only one or even how reliable it is, but that is the link. I finally got mine replaced after months of problems.

 

antbody have problems with the stearing? Mine is funcky the first 5 minute of driving.

 

hey welcome aboard.

first you are buying a 2005 - there havent been any 2005 specific problems yet that i know of so your good to go since all of the 2004 problems should be absent from your car

second- time for you to do some reading. i dont mean to sound harsh but i have expained MANY TIMES ALREADY thank you. I(and several others) have spent a considerable amount of my time making sure i understand the flash situations and then posting about it here so that my fellow 8 owners know whats going. so go back to reading those flash threads then if you still need some questions asked- ASK IN THOSE THREADS.

 

Build date: Aug 2003

Current mileage 25,000

ecu flash level: M
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? rough idle maybe? other than that..no

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? no
Issue with gears? no
Issue with the clutch? sometimes have it pressed in all the way and it still grinds...
Issue with the T/O bearing? unknown
Issue with noise? no
Issue with flywheel? no
Issue with harmonic balance? unknown

Tires on the car: Stock size Potenza S-03 Pole Positions (stocks worn out after 21k)
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance? no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods: yes
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? mazdaspeed strut tower brace....handling..and brake pedal feel better

Driving style normal or aggressive....aggressive most of the time.

Driving cycle - 65%city 35% highway

Issues the car has been in for: just normal tsbs and and minor fixes..(replaced console cover, replaced both rear tailights.(condensation)..replaced right passenger headlamp assy.. (hid housing rubbing against frot lense)

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth: Synthetic..(castrol)
Any issues with the motor? none

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: unknown.. whatever the dealer used
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? unkown

Diff oil - dino or synth: unknown
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? unknown

Body - Any issues? only in the paint dept. brilliant black..and it's very easy to scratch..chip..and has a disgusting orange peel effect to it.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc : Starting to rattle a little..squeek a little... normal wear for 25,000miles...the heater dial broke..was replaced under warranty. the emergency brake does not want to go down in the cold.. after it's been parked all night... the seat heater switches are very hard to toggle in the cold also... the left edge of the seat on the hip where the plastic meets the leather...it digs into my hip sometimes...could have added more padding to the seats there.. also the center strips along the transmission tunnel (silver) scratch really easily..especially on the passenger side where they try to put the seat belt buckles in and bang it against the strip. do not like the positioning or styling of the e-brake..

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?[/QUOTE]...oh yeah..lots of high pitched squeels at continuous slow stops..but was fixed by the tsb...does seem to take a little longer to stop now though...not much..but a little noticeable.

 

Build date: Puchased 11/03 (not sure of build date)

Current mileage: 14000


AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? none
Issue with the clutch? n/a
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? that's an understatement
Issue with flywheel none
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car Stock: Not sure, its been living at the dealership.
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance None
Issues with cupping on the inside? None

Any aftermarket mods None
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: Normal
Driving cycle - %city % highway: 70/30

Issues the car has been in for: Recalls, check engine light coming on, ABS and Traction light coming on, hesitation and losing power between 2nd and 3rd, 4 PCM updates or replacements,you name it. Right now getting a new engine and new injectors. Trying to get mazda to buy back the POS.

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth: dino
Any issues with the motor? Getting a new one as we speak

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Never Changed
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth Never Changed
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks, glove box broke, rattle in driver side door.
Brakes - any issues? none

 

Build date 9/2003

Current mileage 3090

ecu flash level M i think, but it write over N, is there N flash? I didn't see it in the explanation...
Any issues with the previous level? N/A
Any issues with the current level? not yet

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? Slightly
Issue with gears?2nd seems a bit loud when down shift
Issue with the clutch? no
Issue with the T/O bearing? no
Issue with noise? not yet
Issue with flywheel no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car dunlop(cheaper ones)
Issues with alignment?not yet
Issues with balance not yet
Issues with cupping on the inside? nope

Any aftermarket mods no, definitly coming though heh
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive slightly aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 50% city 50% HWY

Issues the car has been in for brakes

Outstanding issues rattles on driver side door

Engine oil - dino or synth dino
Any issues with the motor? not yet

Transmission oil - Dino or synth dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? N/A

Diff oil - dino or synth OEM
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? N/A

Body - Any issues? so far ok

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc Driver side window rattles a bit

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? so far ok, but again the car only has 3090 miles.

My 1st post! lol Glad to be a part of a club!
Ray

 

Build date 5/30/03

Current mileage 36,150

ecu flash level N
Any issues with the previous level?No
Any issues with the current level?Started out smelling sulphur, but it's gone now.

MT or AT [/b]MT[/b]
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? No
Issue with gears? No
Issue with the clutch? No
Issue with the T/O bearing? No
Issue with noise? Only with the ridiculously looud throwout bearing noise
Issue with flywheel No
Issue with harmonic balance? No

Tires on the car OEM Bridgestone
Issues with alignment? No
Issues with balance No
Issues with cupping on the inside? No

Any aftermarket mods No
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive Normal with moments of aggression - redline when possible

Driving cycle - %city % highway 40/60

Issues the car has been in for
Recalls
Reflashes
Poor A/C performance
Creaking seat
Excessive vibration at idle

Outstanding issues
Poor A/C performance - don't think they replace d the Amplifier with a newer version
Creaking seat (replaced seat rails, creaking was gone for a few weeks, now it's back)
Excessive vibration at idle ("could not duplicate"

Engine oil - dino or synth Synth

Any issues with the motor?No

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? No

Diff oil - dino or synth Dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? No

Body - Any issues? Orange peel

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
No issues, other than having 3-year-old maps for the nav system

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?Excessive brake dust

 

Build date - June 23, 2003

Current mileage - 35,250

ecu flash level - N
Any issues with the previous level? - no
Any issues with the current level? - none so far (just got it last week)

MT or AT - MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? - no
Issue with gears? - no
Issue with the clutch? - no
Issue with the T/O bearing? - no
Issue with noise? - gear rollover noise with foot off clutch (normal)
Issue with flywheel - no
Issue with harmonic balance? - no

Tires on the car - Potenza RE040 (originals still going strong), Dunlop Winter Sport M3's for winter months
Issues with alignment? - no
Issues with balance - no
Issues with cupping on the inside? - no

Any aftermarket mods - Borla exhaust
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? - no

Driving style normal or aggressive - normal, but I do redline it often

Driving cycle - %city % highway - 85% highway

Issues the car has been in for
-The two recalls
-Squealing brakes TSB
-New A/C amplifier TSB

Outstanding issues
-Has been slow to start up lately, got N-flash and new spark plugs at last dealer visit (35,000 mi svc), still evaluating if it made any difference, asked for new spec battery but they didn't think it needed it

Engine oil - dino or synth - dino
Any issues with the motor? - no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth - Redline
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? - no issues, no change

Diff oil - dino or synth - OEM
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? - no issues

Body - Any issues? - no

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
-Couple occasional rattles (driver door, passenger seat headrest rotor), but they do not happen all the time so I just ignore them when they do

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? -
Squealing brakes - got new brakes from Mazda and they've been quiet since - and the great brakes have saved my butt several times

 

Build date- July 03, purchased May 04 with 16 miles on it. Morries Mazda, Minneapolis

Current mileage- 6,500

ecu flash level- N
Any issues with the previous level? none, thought it was at J or K
Any issues with the current level?- none, better milage and flatter response when passing 6250 rpm, I think thats better

MT or AT- MT - Touring
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? - None
Issue with gears? - no
Issue with the clutch? - No
Issue with the T/O bearing? - No
Issue with noise? - normally noted Gear rollover sound at idle with clutch pedal up
Issue with flywheel - no
Issue with harmonic balance? - no

Tires on the car - factory Bridgestones
Issues with alignment? - no
Issues with balance - no
Issues with cupping on the inside? - no

Any aftermarket mods - None
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive - normal, few times above 7 k and a 25 minute cruise at 105 mph. getting 19.5 to 23 mpg on every tank

Driving cycle - %city % highway - 20% city & 80% Hwy

Issues the car has been in for - No problem, reflash to "N" in Apr. 05

Outstanding issues - None

Engine oil - dino or synth - Valvoline 5W-20 & 5W-30 , Dino
Any issues with the motor? - None

Transmission oil - Dino or synth - Synth, Amsoil - 75-90
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? - Changed to Synth at 800 miles, didn't note any difference but @ -35 F northern Minnesota winters the trans. is smooth even at start-up. Has to help anytime.

Diff oil - dino or synth - Synth, Amsoil , 80-90
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? - same as above

Body - Any issues? - little water in fog lights housings

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc - No issues to date

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? - Seems to be fine.
Reply With Quote - I changed the engine oil at 200 miles, 800 miles, 2500 miles & 6k so far. Went to the 5w-30 at 6k in mid Apr. normal oil usage noted

 

Build date July 2003

Current mileage 18300

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Issue with gears? NO
Issue with the clutch? standard noisy roller gear
Issue with the T/O bearing? NO,
Issue with noise? NO
Issue with flywheel no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car Bridgestone
Issues with alignment? NO wandering is normal for sports cars. proves a good mfg. car
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods Yep
Did the mods effect stock components? NO

Driving style normal or aggressive normal with typical shifts between 4 and 5 k

Driving cycle - %city % highway 90% highway 10 % city

Issues the car has been in for: Recalls and normal maintenance

Outstanding issues Need more HP

Engine oil - 5-20w
Any issues with the motor? Need more HP

Transmission oil - Normal
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Diff oil - NO
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Body - Any issues? Need BODY KIT

Interior - Fit and finish. NO problems

 

Build date 7/04

Current mileage 12500

ecu flash level M
Any issues with the previous level? None
Any issues with the current level? None

MT or AT MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? None
Issue with gears? None
Issue with the clutch? None
Issue with the T/O bearing? None
Issue with noise? None
Issue with flywheel? None
Issue with harmonic balance? None

Tires on the car Stock
Issues with alignment? None
Issues with balance? None
Issues with cupping on the inside? None

Any aftermarket mods No Egine Mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive Aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 50/50

Issues the car has been in for Brake recall

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth Dino
Any issues with the motor? None

Transmission oil - Dino or synth Stock, soon to be synth
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth Stock, soon to be synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc Could be better, interior plastic is cheap.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? None

 

Build date Aug 2003

Current mileage 41578

ecu flash level L
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? none

Tires on the car? Potenzas (first 25k) BFG KDW2s (last 16k)
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance? no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods? catback
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? no

Driving style normal or aggressive? aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway? 70/30 (1st 25k) 50/50 (last 16k)

Issues the car has been in for: Recalls, normal maintenance, body repairs

Outstanding issues? no

Engine oil - dino or synth? Dino
Any issues with the motor? no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth? Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? have not changed

Body - Any issues? idiot's running into it

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts, etc? Driver's seat creaks occasionally (probably needs tightened again), steering wheel airbag/horn cover rattles occasionally.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? Squeak when cold out, and sometimes after hard use.

 

Build date 11/03

Current mileage 10.000

ecu flash level-M
Any issues with the previous level?-NO
Any issues with the current level?-NO

MT or AT-MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?-NO
Issue with gears?
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise?
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car-NO issues
Issues with alignment?
Issues with balance
Issues with cupping on the inside?

Any aftermarket mods-NOT YET
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive-NORMAL

Driving cycle - %city % highway 50/50

Issues the car has been in for-NONE

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth-DINO
Any issues with the motor?-NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth-DINO
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth-DINO
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues?-NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc-RATTLES IN DOOR WHEN COLD

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?-THEY SQUEAK FOR NOW GETTING REPAIRED 7-5-05

 

Build date 12/03

Current mileage 10.100

ecu flash level-N
Any issues with the previous level?-NO
Any issues with the current level?-NO

MT or AT-MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?-NO
Issue with gears?
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise?
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car-NO issues
Issues with alignment?
Issues with balance
Issues with cupping on the inside?

Any aftermarket mods-NO
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive-NORMAL

Driving cycle - %city % highway 80/20

Issues the car has been in for-flash per Mazda request (not my request)

Outstanding issues none

Engine oil - dino or synth-DINO
Any issues with the motor?-NO

Transmission oil - Dino or synth-DINO
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth-DINO
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues?-NO

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? none

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? none

 

Build date - delivered UK August 04

Current mileage - 23785

ecu flash level M+
Any issues with the previous level? NO
Any issues with the current level? NO

MT or AT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Issue with gears?
Issue with the clutch?
Issue with the T/O bearing?
Issue with noise? -- Release bearing noisy but always has been, think this is normal
Issue with flywheel
Issue with harmonic balance?

Tires on the car - Now on PZeros, Bridgestone RE040 were awful in every way and lost sidewall strength before tread fully worn. Replaced at 12k ish
Issues with alignment? NO
Issues with balance NO
Issues with cupping on the inside? NO

Any aftermarket mods
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

-- Had K&N Typhoon for about 10000 miles. Removed again for noise and suspected higher intake temps. Car had slightly more top-end but was more prone to bog on hard launches and less torque below ~5k. Car seemed to have more heat issues - felt ignition retard on several occasions, has not happened again since removal.

Driving style normal or aggressive

-- mix including track use. Car usually unhappy queueing, never had problem when driving hard.

Driving cycle - %city % highway

Totally varies from day to day, couldn't put figure on it, sorry.

Issues the car has been in for - NONE

Outstanding issues - NONE but headlight levelling warning appeared once or twice over last 500 miles

Engine oil - dino or synth - Mazda at changes, topped up with Fuchs or Esso semi-synth
Any issues with the motor? NONE

Transmission oil - Dino or synth
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? - Will know RSN

Diff oil - dino or synth
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? - Will know RSN - occasionally snatchy after very sustained hard use

Body - Any issues? Lost occasional bolts from undertray - plan to put threadlock on next time

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc
Central round piano black piece on audio console rattles
Rear speaker rattle

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?[/QUOTE]
- SLIGHT suspect front right piston occasionally getting stiff, only problem when car cold
Don't consider dust an issue IMHO, all brakes this good will be dusty

 

You can all stop posting into this thread. Samsonite sold his 8 and doesn't come around anymore. He never did the promised analysis.

Anyone else know statistics?

 

Build date: January 2004

Current mileage: roughly 26,000 kilometres, or 15,600 miles

ecu flash level
Any issues with the previous level?: No
Any issues with the current level?: No

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?: No
Issue with gears?: No
Issue with the clutch?: No
Issue with the T/O bearing?: No
Issue with noise?: No
Issue with flywheel: No
Issue with harmonic balance?: No

Tires on the car: See my signature
Issues with alignment?: No
Issues with balance: No
Issues with cupping on the inside?: No

Any aftermarket mods: Window tinting, clear bra
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?: No effect on stock components

Driving style normal or aggressive: Aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 80% city, 20% highway

Issues the car has been in for: brake squeal, floor mat pin

Outstanding issues: Need the R flash at some point

Engine oil - dino or synth: Dino
Any issues with the motor? No

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Dino
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth: Dino
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues?: No

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc: None

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?: Brake noise, as per the TSB. Fixed twice before they got it right.

 

All,

In an attempt to trend the issues with the 8's I will be compiling a list and publish the results once we have a sampling. Please provide the following data for the poll.

Build date 04

Current mileage 9,400

ecu flash level unsure, a whole different issue with my dealer
Any issues with the previous level? n/a
Any issues with the current level? not really

MT or AT 6spd MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? Yes rear gear cluster loud when clutch not depressed.
Issue with gears? see above could be gear bearing
Issue with the clutch? slips to easy smells rotten when parked
Issue with the T/O bearing? could be not so sure
Issue with noise?sounds like an old Ford drivlne
Issue with flywheel could be, clutch slips
Issue with harmonic balance? none

Tires on the car dunlop.
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balanceno
Issues with cupping on the inside?no

Any aftermarket mods mazda speed voltage stabalizer
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? Lights got brighter, Radio became clearer and throttle is crisper.

Driving style normal or aggressive semi aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 80 city 20 hwy

Issues the car has been in for Ecu flash update but still don't know what update and blow back soiling air filter seriously

Outstanding issues havn't checked oil filter in 2,500 k

Engine oil - dino or synth dino
Any issues with the motor?none

Transmission oil - Dino or synth stock
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth stock
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues? creaks like a 67 nova

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc when every I start rolling after its been parked it's like it pulls it's self out of a hole

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? high dust factor

 

What ever happened to this?

 

Build date 10/03

Current mileage 37500miles

ecu flash level r
Any issues with the previous level? no
Any issues with the current level? no

MT or AT mt
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what? no
Issue with gears? no
Issue with the clutch? no
Issue with the T/O bearing? no
Issue with noise? makes rollover noise with clutch out
Issue with flywheel no
Issue with harmonic balance? no

Tires on the car bridgesones for 27m miles. now kumho spt
Issues with alignment? no
Issues with balance no
Issues with cupping on the inside? no

Any aftermarket mods revi + duct, corksport exhaust
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect? no

Driving style normal or aggressive aggressive

Driving cycle - %city % highway 20/80

Issues the car has been in for mop replaced

Outstanding issues none

Engine oil - dino or synth dino castrol 5/20
Any issues with the motor? no

Transmission oil - Dino or synth synth at 30k miles
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change? YES THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST MODS I HAVE DONE.

Diff oil - dino or synth synth at 30kmiles
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change? unchanged

Body - Any issues? no

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc no

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear? no
Reply With Quote


beers

 

Build date: June 2003

Current mileage: %9285

ecu flash level: Factory Suggested as of 09/05
Any issues with the previous level?: None
Any issues with the current level?: None

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?: None
Issue with gears?: None
Issue with the clutch?: None
Issue with the T/O bearing?: None
Issue with noise?: None
Issue with flywheel: None
Issue with harmonic balance?: None

Tires on the car: Goodrich g-Force KDW2 Summer; Blizzaks Winter
Issues with alignment?: None
Issues with balance: None
Issues with cupping on the inside?: None

Any aftermarket mods: Mazdaspeed Rear Wing and Front Bra in winter
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?: None

Driving style normal or aggressive: Average

Driving cycle - %city % highway: 50/50

Issues the car has been in for: Other than warranty work - Engine replacement, sunroof rattles, Defective tire pressure sensor, early demise of the factory Bridgestone tires with 13K miles.

Outstanding issues: Engine replacement, tire pressure sensor

Engine oil - dino or synth: Standard petro based 5-30W
Any issues with the motor? Yes (see above and past thread on 'Blown Motor' on this web site)

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: NA
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?: NA

Diff oil - dino or synth: Factory
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?: NA

Body - Any issues?: None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc: None

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?: Factory pads squealed at high ambient temps and were very dusty. Factory spec'd repalcement pads eliminated both issues.

 

CORRECTION OF MILEAGE IN FIRST POST - (operator error)

Build date: June 2003

Current mileage: 59,285

ecu flash level: Factory Recommended as of 09/05
Any issues with the previous level?: None
Any issues with the current level?: None

MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?: None
Issue with gears?: None
Issue with the clutch?: None
Issue with the T/O bearing?: None
Issue with noise?: None
Issue with flywheel: None
Issue with harmonic balance?: None

Tires on the car: Goodrich g-Force KDW2 Summer; Blizzaks Winter
Issues with alignment?: None
Issues with balance: None
Issues with cupping on the inside?: None

Any aftermarket mods: Mazdaspeed Rear Wing and Front Bra in winter
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?: None

Driving style normal or aggressive: Average

Driving cycle - %city % highway: 50/50

Issues the car has been in for: Other than warranty work - Engine replacement, sunroof rattles, Defective tire pressure sensor, early demise of the factory Bridgestone tires with 13K miles.

Outstanding issues: Engine replacement, tire pressure sensor

Engine oil - dino or synth: Standard petro based 5-30W
Any issues with the motor? Yes (see above and past thread on 'Blown Motor' on this web site)

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: NA
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?: NA

Diff oil - dino or synth: Factory
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?: NA

Body - Any issues?: None

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc: None

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?: Factory pads squealed at high ambient temps and were very dusty. Factory spec'd repalcement pads eliminated both issues.

 

Build date: July 2004

Current mileage: 1011

ecu flash level: N/A
Any issues with the previous level?: N/A
Any issues with the current level?: N/A
MT or AT: MT
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?: Yes. Yesterday, when coming to complete stop with gear in first with clutch all the way down, as I was about to put the gear in neutral, I felt a very big bump as if someone rear ended me. Immediately, I checked the gauge and it was slowly climbing down from around 1500 rmp. After this incident, I am noticing gear problems and when coming to a full stop, somethhing is moving around. It is making thumping noises.
Issue with gears?: 1st, 2nd, 3rd(after above incident). Something underneath the car is rattling.
Issue with the clutch?: Does not grip well. Will not pickup speed unless gas pedal is pressed down quite a bit.(after above incident)
Issue with the T/O bearing?: I am mechanically challenged.
Issue with noise?: Yes, 1st and 2nd whinning and grinding noise
Issue with flywheel: I am mechanically challenged.
Issue with harmonic balance?: I am mechanically challenged.

Tires on the car: Stock
Issues with alignment?: Car vibrates when breaking hard(alignment issue?)
Issues with balance: None
Issues with cupping on the inside?: I am mechanically challenged.

Any aftermarket mods: None
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?: None

Driving style normal or aggressive: Normal

Driving cycle - %city % highway: 20 City / 80 HW

Issues the car has been in for: Rear passenger seat belt buckle, Damges on shift ****, rusted rear rotors, door dents, bad window tinting.

Outstanding issues: Door dents, bad tinting, factory paint drips, transmission problem, oil foams, average 15 mpg fuel consumption

Engine oil - dino or synth: I forget the number. Using oil that is suggested in the manual.

Any issues with the motor? No

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: NA
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?: NA

Diff oil - dino or synth: Factory
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?: NA

Body - Any issues?: About 5 paint drips size of dime through out the top of the car. Door dents before picking up the car from dealer. Fine lines on hood, spoiler and trunk. About 8 stone chips and tons of stone chips in windshield.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Etc: Rattles on passenger side. Sounds like seat belt. When coming to full stop, something is moving around. I can hear thumping noises from the rear. This happened yesterday right after the transmission problem.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?: Car vibrates when hard breaking.

 

All,

In an attempt to trend the issues with the 8's I will be compiling a list and publish the results once we have a sampling. Please provide the following data for the poll.

Build date

Current mileage: 1290

ecu flash level: L
Any issues with the previous level? n/a
Any issues with the current level? Not that I can tell.

MT or AT: Manual
Any issues with the transmission? If so, what?
Issue with gears? Yes. Brand New car. First to second sometimes fails at high rpm. No matter how carefully I shift.
Issue with the clutch? No.
Issue with the T/O bearing? Don't know.
Issue with noise? Tranny/servo seem overly noisy. Granted I never had an RX-8 before, so maybe this is normal. Downshifting creates a loud whirring.
Issue with flywheel? No.
Issue with harmonic balance? Not that I can tell.

Tires on the car
Issues with alignment? No, that's fine.
Issues with balance? No, that's good.
Issues with cupping on the inside? Not yet.

Any aftermarket mods: Not yet.
Did the mods effect stock components? If so what was the mod and what did it affect?

Driving style normal or aggressive: Usually normal. Aggressive maybe 5% of the time.

Driving cycle - %city % highway: 50/50

Issues the car has been in for: Headlight levels were off when I bought the car.

Outstanding issues

Engine oil - dino or synth: Castrol semi-synth
Any issues with the motor? No, she purrs beautifully.

Transmission oil - Dino or synth: Whatever is in there stock.
Did any issues with the transmission get better with the fluid change?

Diff oil - dino or synth: Stock
Did any issues with the diff get better with the fluid change?

Body - Any issues?: None thus far.

Interior - Fit and finish. Rattles and squeaks. Noisy window lifts? Rattling noise at high rpms on the passenger side.

Brakes - any issues? Noise? Premature wear?[/QUOTE] Squeak sometimes. I expected this brand new, to wear them in, but it's been a thousand miles. You'd think they'd be done.

 

did you change the clutch yourself? if so how complicated was it?