Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

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CarloR3
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by CarloR3 »

DanBass wrote:
CarloR3 wrote:
Hey Jites. I'm in Aberdeen too, can I ask where you take your 8 for servicing/repairs etc?

Cheers
Jites wrote:answer: nowhere.
:D
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malkymagic
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by malkymagic »

Hi. New member. Owned a PZ for 3 years now.
I'm in Aberdeen too. Surely there must be a competent and reliable rotary experienced mechanic somewhere local that can be recommended? I've scoured the forum but all I find are comments suggesting people have found someone but when they've been asked to elaborate there is no reply.
I have found Arnold Clark Mazda Aberdeen to be lacklustre considering their prices and I loath to give them more business.
Examples:
I urgently required a coil replaced recently, requested they check the others and the sparkplugs as I've been considering replacing given my mileage is now 35000+, but when asked at pickup time about this, they had no response as though I hadn't asked in the first place. So they changed one coil and charged me around £350.
Also, they sold me the car with barely any brakes left on it; when taking it back in for an annual service after approx. 3000 miles, they refused to let me drive it away citing it as dangerous. They tried to blame lack of use causing the brakes to deteriorate but a family friend mechanic said that was total cowpoo. To be fair they did offer me a discount on the replacement but I told them to shove it.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Shagrington »

Hi and :welcome: malkymagic. So you were charged for one coil nearly as much as it would have cost to buy and fit a complete set of Rotary Revs D585 coils (which also come with Magnecor leads) :!: :?:

If you can't find someone better, follow the DIY guides on the forum - you will save yourself a fortune. Also, use the traders in the traders section to buy whatever parts you need (such as coils) and you will save even more ... and some offer club members a discount, so you could also get the cost of joining back almost immediately.

Also - get your name down for the club stand at the Scottish car show http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 01&t=62629
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malkymagic
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by malkymagic »

Thanks for the welcome Sharington. I know. Scumbags eh? It was mega urgent so I had no choice. The price included a diagnostic so maybe not as bad as first described. Aberdeen is expensive for most things though as businesses think we're either oil rich or have no other choice but to pay. Ignition upgrade is next on the list after tints. Too busy with a wife and baby to be doing anything much, never mind DIY mechanics, so need to find a reliable and fairly priced geezer. Appreciate the advice.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by kopite72 »

That's unbelievable,tho I'm with you on the expensive lark,I'm in Ireland and things ain't exactly cheap here either.Im also in the same boat as you as regards finding a specialist here,in fact there is none here now because the only one retired recently but I'm a glass half full kind of guy so I saw it as an opportunity to visit Ben in rotary revs in the UK.Not sorry I did,in fact if Ben was in Timbuktu I would have driven to him.Fantastic specialist and a great guy to boot =D> If you want the best people doing top work on your car be prepared to travel.Yes it's expensive in terms of petrol and in my case,ferries,accommodation and spending money not to mention what the work cost me but for me it was worth every penny and more.Ring Ben and get her booked in,trust me you won't be sorry :thumright:
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Bhoy_Wonda »

Bought my R3 from Arnold Clark (Skoda) in Paisley (Scotland).

While the pre-sale service was all well and good, my R3 came with that coolant tank issue where the light comes on intermittently. Have been back and forward with them since i bought it, they even took the car away for "investigation", brought it back and i havent heard from them since. I've called.. I've emailed.. I'm ignored.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by SeeJay »

Sounds like you're a 'bhoy' that's being bent over..

Common issue on the '8,including the R3..either replace the tank yourself,or just unplug the connector,and keep a manual check on the coolant level... ;)
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Bhoy_Wonda »

Haha yeah i know of the issue.. but id just recently bought it and it came under their 3 months parts and labour warranty. Needless to say they ignored me continuously
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Lemon »

slightly miffed at the moment, ordered a cut key blade from Johnsons mazda swindon for it to take nearly 3 weeks to arive and then it appears to be cut completely differently to my existing key... :roll:

not that impressed tbh they are going to investigate for me and i have read off my VIN so they can be absolutly right in it (this time)
Thanks, Stu

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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by GraemeC »

Took my PZ into Oakmere Mazda in Northwich recently for the airbag recall. Was pleasantly surprised to find a workshop filled with Caterham, Lotus and Morgan vehicles, as well as a couple of MX5's and three RX8's. They noted not to wash it (I also put big notices in the front and rear!) and everything was done in about 30 mins. Service manager was also a car enthusiast and knew a bit about RX8's.

I think I'll still be using Pip and WGT Developments for servicing and anything else (their reputation speaks for itself), but for a main dealer, Oakmere seemed pretty good!
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Azimuth »

Ooops I originally posted this in the wrong thread, so please forgive the duplication, but with the recalls at the moment I think it's worth repeating.

I have just returned from Lynx Mazda in Yeovil, after having 3 recalls completed. The Fuel lines and tank straps and the airbag ... thing.

After hearing a few horror stories I was a little apprehensive but was actually pleasantly surprised. The guys and gals had had a few RX8s in, so weren't completely ignorant to the cars foibles. They were very pleasant and happy to answer my dumb questions. The work was completed very quickly with a health check thrown in.

The car now actually starts a little quicker and appears to be a bit perkier, which is definitely an unexpected side effect. I guess the fuel lines were not operating optimally.

EDIT - After a couple of days I have noticed a very strong smell of petrol. So for the time being I am redacting my recommendation!

My first call to them detailing my concern was greeted by a "that's normal, it should go after a couple of days". I will update further as this develops.

EDIT II - After another phonecall where I expressed my concern at now driving around with a fuel leak, they conceded and rushed me in the very next morning and fixed the leaking O-Rings. Pleased with the outcome and pleased with how Lynx Mazda Yeovil dealt with it.
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dern
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by dern »

Azimuth wrote:
Wed Mar 21, 2018 6:54 pm
EDIT - After a couple of days I have noticed a very strong smell of petrol. So for the time being I am redacting my recommendation!

My first call to them detailing my concern was greeted by a "that's normal, it should go after a couple of days". I will update further as this develops.
That's two dealers playing fast and loose with safety. Mine sent a guy round to collect mine with a fuel leak after I refused to drive it back to them and hadn't told him that the car was leaking fuel.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by xamtex »

took mine into coventry mazda on april 30th for fuel recall,been having a wiff of petrol fumes since...called them thursday and they booked it in for 1st june.
friday it was leaking petrol from the n/s top of the tank onto my garage floor so i called them back and was told to bring it in sat morning.i said im not driving it with fuel running out of it to be told by the girl on reception to get it recovered to them.
i asked to speak to the manager but was told no,hes in a meeting.
then i called mazda customer service who said i was not to drive it as it was dangerous and they would get it collected,which they did friday afternoon...got a call sat morning from the service manager to say they had checked it and could find nothing wrong with it.
i collected it and it seems to have fixed itself overnight as there is no leak or any petrol smell in the car...strange that eh?
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by warpc0il »

Post Office (later BT) phone engineers had a term "CWL - Cleared Whist Localising" which officially meant, "The fault went away while I was tracking it down" but actually meant "I realised what I'd done wrong the first time..."
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Delanor »

Coventry Mazda/Leamington Mazda (same group)

Put a large scratch in the drivers seat back whilst replacing the seat cover of my first RX-8 on the service it looked like they had let a 4 year old loose with a spray can of grease to grease the door hinges but had included the door trims, seats and exterior paintwork!

To cure squealing brakes they filed a large chamfer around the edge of the front brake pads and re-fitted the pad shims incorrectly on one wheel. (Absolute Clowns)

After changing the gearbox oil they left the gearbox dripping with oil 2 days later the MOT tester thought it was a bad oil leak and gave the car an advisory for that.

Had the car all day for a service to include carrying out the recall for front arch cover and rear wheel arch sealant they didn`t do the recall work claiming "we have a new "Technician" :rofl: and he didn`t know what he was doing"

Over filled the engine oil did not re-fit the dip stick when confronted with the actual oil capacity in the owners handbook the service manager :rofl: stated that this was just a generic book and it wasn`t accurate. He then refunded the cost of the service and asked me to go elsewhere in future as they could not service my RX-8 to my requirement.

Fitted the incorrect oil filter (R3) when confronted with invoices demonstrating this the Dealer Principal asked me to leave the premises!

Coventry Mazda for work on a petrol pump. :pale: :shaking: :paranoid:

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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by kopite72 »

Leave the premises? Seriously? What did you say to them at that point? I think I may have lost it....
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by Delanor »

Ian.
He was a little upset bless him because I had the audacity to complain to Mazda UK about their total inability to correctly service/maintain my RX-8, not that it did me any good Mazda came back with "unfortunately the dealer customer relationship breaks down - go somewhere else"

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Del.
1st Brilliant Black 190. 2nd Brilliant Black PZ. 3rd Strato Blue 230. 4th Crystal White 40th Anniversary.
Rotary FX fender grills, Japspeed stainless exhaust, Cosworth Air filter, Kinetix slotted & dimpled discs, EBC Red stuff pads, Ryan Rotary MK11 coils, Magnecor leads, Stainless front & rear grills, HID main beams, LED tail lights, front side lights/front fogs.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by kopite72 »

Wow,just wow.You would be entitled to think that in this day and age that any mechanic worth his salt could pretty much service any car no matter what the make.A car is a car and the routine maintenance is pretty standardised across the board outside of engine work which of course is a different beast with it being a rotary.

I really don't understand why Mazda get their jox in a knot over RX8's,aside from the engine they are the same as any other car in terms of maintenance.An oil change is an oil change,suspension is suspension,brakes are brakes ect ect so for him to turn around to you and basically tell you get lost because they were not up to the job of routine maintenance says it all.In hindsight he did you a favour because clearly they were clueless...
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by goodeggbob »

you wouldnt recommend this lot then.
Rob :thumright:
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by goodeggbob »

unfortunately mazda have us by the balls as regards recalls for many legal reasons.as for routine work i would only ever take mine to my trusted mechanic who i have used for years. he will freely admit that engine work should involve a specialist and is not to proud to admit it .it seems owning an rx8 involves fitters,decent mechanics and specialists and there is a huge difference in skills between all three.dealerships would employ fitters which is easy enough until faced with say a rusty bolt which,to a mechanic is f all, but to a fitter it is a new subframe.
Rob :thumright:
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by tyler82 »

Delanor wrote:
Sun May 20, 2018 11:57 am
Coventry Mazda/Leamington Mazda (same group)

Put a large scratch in the drivers seat back whilst replacing the seat cover of my first RX-8 on the service it looked like they had let a 4 year old loose with a spray can of grease to grease the door hinges but had included the door trims, seats and exterior paintwork!

To cure squealing brakes they filed a large chamfer around the edge of the front brake pads and re-fitted the pad shims incorrectly on one wheel. (Absolute Clowns)

After changing the gearbox oil they left the gearbox dripping with oil 2 days later the MOT tester thought it was a bad oil leak and gave the car an advisory for that.

Had the car all day for a service to include carrying out the recall for front arch cover and rear wheel arch sealant they didn`t do the recall work claiming "we have a new "Technician" :rofl: and he didn`t know what he was doing"

Over filled the engine oil did not re-fit the dip stick when confronted with the actual oil capacity in the owners handbook the service manager :rofl: stated that this was just a generic book and it wasn`t accurate. He then refunded the cost of the service and asked me to go elsewhere in future as they could not service my RX-8 to my requirement.

Fitted the incorrect oil filter (R3) when confronted with invoices demonstrating this the Dealer Principal asked me to leave the premises!

Coventry Mazda for work on a petrol pump. :pale: :shaking: :paranoid:

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Del.
The above is precisely why I would never, EVER bring any of my cars to a main dealer. Not even for free work.

Del, I feel for you there. You must have been livid.

Since I've bought my RX8, it has never been to a main dealer and never will.
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kopite72 (Sun May 20, 2018 1:53 pm)
Paul

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Check out http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 04&t=66822
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by goodeggbob »

unfortunately you need to involve main dealers for recalls so that vosa can update their records.i dont know what the implications would be if you ignored a recall request.road worthyness and insurance spring to mind.
Rob :thumright:
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by kopite72 »

Nope, id pay for it to be done rather than take it to a dealer. Not in a million years would I go to a dealer for any kind of work.

Any recalls that need to be done can be done by a trusted mechanic once you have the relevant parts and get relevant receipts for said work.
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by goodeggbob »

hi ,i agree ,but how would you register this with vosa,insurance issues is what bothers me. rob.
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Re: Dealer Experience - whats yours like?

Post by kopite72 »

VOSA?
R3 GONE, FUN WHILE I HAD HER BUT NOW LOVING MY 25TH ANNIVERSARY MX5

Mods so far..
BBR 200 PACKAGE
COBRA " RACE " BACK BOX
MEISTER COILOVERS
KONIG HYPERGRAMS ( POLISHED LIP)
RACING BEAT ARB's ( FRONT AND REAR )
IL MOTORSPORTS STRUT BRACE AND ADJUSTABLE
DROPLINKS

Mods planned..
BBR STAGE 2 SUPERCHARGED
WILWOOD 6 POT BBK
FULL UNDRBODY SEAL
ATOTO HEAD UNIT