Guys I need help. I've been to two dealerships for the "L" Reflash, and both of them deserve to have a bomb blow up the entire lot, staff included: Irvine Mazda and Heritage Mazda (use to be Tustin Mazda).

The service staff were rude, stuck up, and clueless. The Irvine Mazda told me straight up to "Get off the Internet and stop checking for service updates." Heritage Mazda didn't want to help period. I did everything I could to report them, getting their names and giving it to Mazda America.

Can some one in the OC and LA area recommend a dealer that would understand the "L" Reflash and provide a good service?

Thanks In Advance.

Oh, and pass on the message to everyone: Stay the f*ck away from Irvine Mazda and Heritage (Tustin) Mazda. Did you guys know Mazda America Corporation has Irvince Mazda on top of the list of having the WORST customer service?

 

I havent gotten a reflash but the thousand oaks auto mall mazda dealer i go to has really nice customer service. they are really awesome, only like a 30 minute drive for you...in the 8 that is. http://www.thousandoaksautomall.com if you decide to call them.

 

LOL.

Navy, Koala is in Cerritos. Thousand Oaks is kind of far.

 

I did mine in west covina mazda. They said my vin was not in the range, but I insisted them to reflash and told them I had a bit of misfire. They did it and didnt give me any hassle.

 

I'm taking my in today for the recall work to Galpin Mazda in Van Nuys. I am also going to ask for the L flash. I'll let you know what they say.

 

i took my car in for recall work, they gave me the reflash with no real trouble. Sam at Galpin is a nice guy to deal with, if you just mention the low gas and a CEL, they'll flash your car no problem.

 

Thanks for the feedback guys!

 

Why not go to Browning in Cerritos. your close by anyway. I work there we have done a few already we are very RX8 customer friendly. come on in ask for our tech Alex he is mazda certified with the rx8 and will help with any questions. also ask for Robert int he warranty dept. and say HI. (thats me)

 

Alright, I'll take you up on that Robert. I'll see you sometime next week. Thanks

 

Cool look forward to meeting you!

 

ibfubar,

are you a salesperson or a service writer?

 

Well, I brought my car in to Galpin this morning and met Scott the wonderful service writer. I specifically told him I wanted the L reflash along with the recall work being done. He hemmed and hawed and said "we can do it only if Mazda corporate specifies we can." I told him that I was experiencing poor gas mileage and think the reflash would be very useful. Once again he said "maybe". So as I drove my stripped down Protégé loaner to the office I called Mazda Corporate customer service on the phone. I told them that I brought my car in for recall work and requested the L reflash from the dealer but they were less than enthusiastic to perform that service. The representative said they should do it if requested, put me on hold, called the service manager at Galpin and said they have now happily agreed to perform the reflash. I’m sure they were less than happy that I called corporate. We'll see when I get the car back tomorrow if they really did it. I hope the squeaky wheel gets the grease. So far I am not overly impressed with Galpin service.

 

neither im a Warranty Administrator. but the service manager has now made me in charge of all RX8 club members rx8's. just come in and see me (Robert Glover) and I will take care of all your concerns. That way you can be assured that the person you are dealing with has rx8 experience and knows about the vehicle.

 

ibfubar2000,

what is your guys policy towards aftermarket parts and warranty? my local dealer (anaheim mazda) tells me that anything other than exhaust would probably void the warranty for that specific part of the car. i.e. aftermarket intake = removal of warranty from intake related problems.

 

The "M" flash will be out in a few weeks. It has software revisions to help the flooding problem. Don't waste your time with the "L", wait for the "M". You will be saving an extra trip to the dealer. The "L" does not improve fuel economy anyhow!

 

Monkey,

You know that was in the back of my mind. NOW what am I going to make up in order for the dealership to give me the "M"?!!!

I think the "L" DOES improve mileage. I'm only on my first tank after the "L," and this tank is going to be amazing. I will be done with the tank by tomorrow (Sat), and I'll post my results in that mileage thread in the Discussion forum.

I am also leaving for a long distance trip and I should have around 16 tanks to report on in about a week!

 

You guys sure there's going to be an "M" flash? I called Culver City Mazda and they said they never even heard of the "L" flash. Hey Fubar, have you heard of this "m" flash?

 

thousand oaks huh? your the closest 8 owner that ive seen to where im at. do u know of anyone else in the 805 area?

 

I was originally going to purchase my 8 at Irvine Mazda. The Sales person (Marcia) was incompetant and rude. I actually came back a second time and she ignored me. Incredible! I bought mine at Phillips Mazda off Alicia Parkway 3 miles away. I am schedlued to go in next week to get my oil pan replaced and the L reflash done.... They said that Irvine is notorious for bad service.

 

Picked up my car last night from Galpin for the airbag recall and the L reflash. After calling corporate customer service and having them "nudge" Galpin into doing the L reflash, they did both things without incident. I did the brake test to make sure...and the oil pressure needle did its thing. They also did not break the glovebox damper. So if you need the L reflash done, Galpin will do it if you ask sternly.

 

Some delaers are behind the times. Some do not know the updates exist unless they read it on a service bulletin. "M" will be out sometime in April, maybe a little earlier. It will save a second trip to the dealer.

 

****, at least you got a loaner car.

I went to Santa Monica Mazda for my recall and asked about the L flash.

I also asked if I could get a loaner - they said no.

I then said what would the cost be for my MS exhaust install? I was quoted approximately $150. I asked, if I reschedule my appointment for the recall and exhaust installation would I get a loaner car then - they said no. WTF? The best part was the service rep told me my warranty would be voided and it would be noted in my "file" if they did the install. I said this was a product made by Mazda for Mazda. I had to pull out the instruction sheet to show him. At that point I knew this guy didn't know really anything about Mazda's and/or Mazdaspeed. Poor, just poor.

Anyway, I had the airbag recall. No re-flash. They told me since they had nothing specific from Mazda to re-flash for poor gas mileage they couldn't/wouldn't do it. Again, WTF?

Bottom line: SANTA MONICA MAZDA SERVICE DEPARTMENT DOES NOT KNOW ANYTHING ABOUT MAZDA'S.

 

I don't know of anyone on this forum in the 805 area. But i saw a black 8 on westlake blvd in westlake village and then a silver one in thousand oaks also...so our car is getting more popular. I was gunna talk to the guy at best buy and tell him to join the club...but no go. We should get together PimpinThe8.

 

I have not heard about the "M" flash yet, but I am sure there will be, they have updated flashes quite a bit it seems like. They will probably release the "N" flash a few weeks after the "M" flash. So its pretty much up to you, the owners, if you want to wait for a newer version or not but if you coming in anyway might as well get the latest version. I will try to keep everyone updated as to when the newest "*" flash, or bulletin, or recall, or anything comes avavialble to our dealer. but it seems like this board gets faster info then the dealers. I wil check with our tech and see when the newest flash is relaesed and let everyone know.

 

Thanks Fubar, awefully nice of you to be updating us and helping us out with our updates.