Just wanting to get some feedback from San Diego area folks. So far I've got about 3500 miles on my 6MT.

I had a decent experience at John Hine. Brought it in for a CEL- they did the "L" flash which fixed the problem.

More recently I brought my "8" to Cush for it's first oil & filter change as well as the "M" flash. They were cool about doing the reflash but overfilled on the oil change.

Hoping others will share their experiences with the local dealer's service departments.

Anyone find an independent mechanic who specializes in rotarys/RX-8's?

Thanks!

 

Hey clem, c'mon over to the West Forum !

But while we're here:
I think JH folks spent a lot of time with me and other owners learning about the RX8, so I can't say they've been spectacular.

Cush seems to have a lot of respect, as far as dealers go. I'd stick with them if you need dealer service, and tell them about the over-fill! They won't improve on the service if they don't know they need to, after all.

Don't know about other shops for rotary-specific work, though other might (in the other forum

Cheers,
-jd.

 

John Hine has been awesome for me. The service contacts are always really helpful, and they've never given me any fuss when I've asked to get something checked out. They replaced the AC Amplifier a month before the TSB came out because their techs were the ones who discovered the problem.

I've taken my car there for six regular services (every 2500 miles), plus a few other check-ups. They don't hesitate to give me a rental when it's a POSSIBILITY that the car will be there over night, rather than other places that will jerk me around for five or six hours and give me the car right before closing.

Hmm, how do they say it in Ebay: Highly recommend. A+++. Would deal with again. Fast and friendly service.

 

Say DisneyDestroyer-

Did they get things right at Hine when you've had your oil/filter changes there (No overfill, right type of oil)?

Clem

 

Yeah, no problems whatsoever. They also offer free car wash every visit, also a good job.

 

I got mine at Westcott in National City. The service department has been amazingly great the 3 times i've been there for one thing or another. Maybe it helps to have the TBS's handy...
Thanks to this club for that!!!!

 

i like john hine or fidel @ westcott for service, for aftermarket stuuf try spd racing they are buliding a crazy rx8 that should be done soon

 

I've been using John Hine with outstanding results. I'm at 10k now and have used them since the first service. Never overfilled the oil and always friendly and quick. Did my recall work too with no problems and no delays in and out in 5 hours and I got a free rental. Always offer to wash but I always decline. I haven't used Cush but hear good things there too. DON'T USE EL CAJON MAZDA, they did our security system install and it was a horrible experience two trips to get the remotes programmed right and I ordered the rotary accents kit from them and a bra and I had to call them to find out they had come in. They are completely non customer service oriented. But we got a great deal when we bought from them, maybe they're more of a dealer than service shop. Good luck.

John

 

Would only rate my experience at Cush as "fair". Service writer denied my request to upgrade the ECU flash, but that was before I discovered the MNAO instrux to all dealers to upgrade to M flash regardless of prior problems or owner complaints. I also had to tell them about the airbag harness issue after it had been on this forum for at least a week. And on my recent (only) visit, they left me with a nice crop of shoe scuffs all over the inside of my door as a result of doing the airbag wiring job.

I bitched to the service writer about that one and he was very apologetic, but I plan on hammering them on that issue on my next trip.

My strong impression is that there's a grand total of ONE tech (admittedly a senior guy) who knows anything about the rotaries in the Cush service department, and the rest of them are the usual run of dealership lunkheads.

Parts department there used to be run by a great guy, but he got shanghaied to the Honda side of the business and the guys he left behind are pitiful. Have found through unhappy experience that it's best to take an enlargement from my service manual for either my second gen or third gen that shows the exact part I want along with me when going to the parts department these days. Sad.

 

yea el cajon mazda sucks

 

John Hine service has been Very good thus far, no complaints and would recommend to anyone.

 

Okay, looking things over there are a few trends developing as I look at the responses.

Hine- positive experiences
Wescott- also positive
Cush- mixed reviews
El Cajon- negative responses

Please- keep the reviews coming!

Clem