Dealer Service costs and General Information.

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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by tonyG1987 »

Dave,

she was speaking fibs leads are not part of the 3 yr service. £165 for spark plugs is what they are charging. I think im just going to wait after the 3 yr warranty is up then order the parts elsewhere.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by RN50 »

3rd year service for my R3 and the dealers are asking for £459 and the £54 for the MOT. Bit of a joke really especially as ive only done just over 10k Miles in 3 Years.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Manehead »

Yeah, 3rd and 6th year services are killers. They have a standard service schedule so it doesn't matter how many miles you've done, they will still carry out the same maintenance. I got a similar quote for my 6th year service but I managed to get a 10% RX8OC discount from them.

I could have saved another couple of hundred quid by sourcing my own parts (which I didn't as I had just bought the car and didn't know any better), so I suggest you do that if you want to take less of a hit.

The 3rd service includes the following (taken from the FAQ):

Year 3
Interval 36 Months or 37,500miles

To be Changed
Engine Oil
Oil Filter
Air Filter
Spark Plugs
Rear Differential Oil

To be Inspected
Drive Belts
Battery Electrolyte Level and Specific Gravity
Brake Lines, Hoses and Connectors
Parking Brake
Power Brake Unit and Hoses
Disc Brakes
Body Condition
Tyre Repair Kit
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

I am looking at buying an 08 car with 30k miles. Its basically just over 4 years old.

How many services should it have had to be fully up to date ?
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

Hi and :welcome: Alera. :D Service intervals are 12500 miles or 12 months, whichever came soonest, so minimum services on an 08 car would be 3 so far and due another soon. Here is the service schedule http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 25&t=35688

More important than FMSH is a compression test and most people here wold recommend an oil change at least every 6000 miles. Have you see the Buyers Guide? http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 25&t=24047

Have a good read through the FAQ section http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/viewforum.php?f=25 for lots of good info - take particular note of the threads there headed "Ignition Coils, HT Leads and Spark Plugs" and "Engine Longevity, Reliability, Compression"
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

I have read the guide and about compression tests. He says its had the oil toped up and changed regular but I guess he would. One owner car.

Is it neccessary to do a compression test on a car thats just 4 years old with 30k miles ?

Who do you get them done, are they done on the drive ? How much will the next service be as a rule of thumb ?

Thanks for any advice its greatly appreciated. I think it has full up to date Mazda service history. If it does no I will most likely not buy it.
Last edited by Alera on Sat Jul 21, 2012 4:31 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

Better safe than sorry with the compression test, it is the one sure way to know the engine is healthy (after all the previous owner may have let the oil run low - he may have kept it all in tip top condition, but you just can't be sure. Also the coils will need replacing now as they've done 30k miles, so budget £300 for them with Magnecor leads unless the current owner has changed them recently).

Compression test must be done with the engine hot and it will have to go to a Mazda dealer or rotary specialist to do that. Add your location to your profile and we may be able to point you towards the nearest one (and we do have 3 members with rotary testers who may come to you if you can't go to them ... depending where you are in the country).

I will send you a quick PM in a moment.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

Thanks for the advice. With the price of these now the temptation is to take a punt, but if the engine goes at these sort of prices its the end of them really, its pretty much cheaper buying a new one with a sorted engine than replacing the engine, especially when you can get around a grand back as a non runner for parts. I am in South Manchester.

I read the guide and it was saying if its driven for 30 minutes and then restarts straight away the engine is probably OK compression wise, this is what I was going to try. I could see if he will take it to the local Mazda garage for an inspection, or I could try and get someone to come out to it.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by roythegrass »

1) Yes, essential.
2) No, will need to be taken to a main dealer or rotary specialist who will perform a ROTARY compression test and give you a printout of the results. (That said some members here do compression tests subject to where you are and a small charge to cover their costs.)
3) Subject to the three previous services being up to date phone around main dealers and rotary specialist to get a price for a year four service.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

Ignore my PM - the system isn't letting me split your questions away into your own thread for some reason. :?

The hot start test is a good guide, but it isn't infallible as low compression can be masked by a fast starter motor for example. It is worth doing though.
Yes, get the car properly warmed up, stop and switch off the engine. Leave it 5-10 minutes for some heat soak and the restart it. It should start as quick and easy from hot as from cold, if it doesn't, walk away.

If it passes the hot start test it doesn't guarantee there is not a problem, but it is worthwhile continuing your interest in the car.

A rebuild from a known specialist will be as good or better than a new engine and would cost from £2200 to about £3kish depending who does it. Some people would advise you to buy a non-runner cheap and get a rebuild anyway.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

I can see the wisdom in that. You can get a non runner for around a grand. At least with a complete rebuilt engine if done properly you know what you are dealing with.

Hes away at the moment. I think I will double check the service history when he is back next week and float the idea of taking it to Mazda to be tested and see what he says.

He has said it had the oil changed and topped up regular but he is going to say that anyway.

Just out of interest is there a list of people on here with compression testers so I can see how local they are and if they would be willing to come out. I think it would be easier that getting it to a dealer or specialist and rather give some money to an enthusiast anyway. Anyway hopefully I will be in one soon.
Last edited by Alera on Sat Jul 21, 2012 5:11 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

It is probably fine, but no harm in checking if you're spending your hard-earned. A compression test will cost between £35 and £120ish depending where you go (dealers generally charge more than specialists) - you could even offer to go halves or maybe to pay for the test if it passes and you buy the car if it helps persuade the seller to get it done.

The nearest member to you is benedunn I think (he is near Leeds, so not exactly local) - he has just become a trader on the forum too. You can find his details here http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 18&t=46100
There is a list of other specialists here http://www.rx8ownersclub.co.uk/forum/vi ... 25&t=36531
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

Hes not far from a local Mazda dealer by the looks of it. I think the best option is check history, if its not had at least 3 services its a non starter. See if he will let it go to the dealer (Dont see it being a problem can do on test drive etc if they are willing to test there and then) And agree to buy it a set price if it passes the test. If we are only taking circa £150 at the dealer it sounds like it is worth doing as if the engines gone it parts basically. Thanks for the advice I will let you know how I go on.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

Make sure you get a print out with the results. There should be 6 numbers (3 for each rotor) and the rpm the test was done at (or all figures corrected to 250rpm). Compare the figures with the graph in the compression thread.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

Spoke to him today and he said it's only had 2 services, local Mazda will compression test for 80 quid.

not sure now, 2 services from new and 29k is not a great start really. It was 4 years old in January this year so my reading is it should have had 4 services by now. I am going to take a look at it tomorrow and see if he has done any oil changes etc himself. At the end of the day 3 year 30k service is 500 quid at a dealer. Plus it should have coils and leads done so with the compression test it's heading towards a grand worth of work that will need doing.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

You can bring the cost of the service down substantially by providing your own oil, spark plugs (as it is the 3rd service), filters etc along with the coils and leads.

Better still, insist it has the service done before you agree to buy it - and insist it gets the full 3rd service too (including plugs).
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Deadly_Viper »

My R3 is due its 3rd service in a few weeks, I got the price down to £96! :D That is supplying my own parts and RX8OC discount. The spark plugs are by far the most expensive and you can get them for half the price if you buy them yourself. My dealer also agreed to let me choose my own oil spec. so I am getting 10w/40 put in too. Look at getting a K&N air filter too, only cost around £35 and you don't need to buy another one. Make full use of the discounts given by being a member, and opie oils have a 25% off event at the moment too, worth getting some supplies in.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Alera »

Where is the cheapest place to get all the parts online ?
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by bozza »

Has anyone used Marshall Mazda in Milton Keynes? Been quoted a good price for a 6th year service and just wanna make sure no ones had any horror stories.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Shagrington »

Alera wrote:Where is the cheapest place to get all the parts online ?
Best place (you may find some a bit cheaper, but you will not get better service or better quality parts - club members do get a 5% discount too) is here http://www.mazdarotaryparts.com/mazda-rx-8-8-c.asp
and I get my oil etc from Opie http://www.opieoils.co.uk/t-Current-Offer.aspx
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Deadly_Viper »

I got my spark plugs on ebay, they are about £65 for the set of 4, j4performance or David mack are the two sellers I found. If you have a Halfords trade card then you can get oil for about £16 for 4L, otherwise Opie oils is the best. I got new Leads from Camskill as they were the cheapest. Oil filter and washer I got from the dealership with the RX8OC discount.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Strato Chris »

Just booked my '55 plate in for its 7th year service - £129.10 supplying my own oil - TW White and sons
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Re: 6 year service question

Post by Gregor Marshall »

I need to get a 6 year service and am based in Hertfordshire.
I have a contact at Mazda UK and asked them to recommend an RX8 dealer and they said Lodge in Aylesbury (Bucks!!).
Rang them up and got a quote of £480 including VAT and a loan car for the day - is this good or bad?
I didn't tell them I was an OC member (will they give me a discount?) and I can also get NGK spark plugs FOC - how much will the dealer charge me for plugs?
I did also call TW White for a quote comparison and they came up with £806.23.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Strato Chris »

£480 is in the right ball park. The 6th year service is the expensive one with more parts to be checked and / or replaced than in other years.

I was quoted ~£170 for spark plugs fitted from the main dealer. Supplying your own will drop the price, though not entirely as there will be labour to remove and fit them.

While spark plugs are on the service schedule, the coil packs and HT leads are not. It is general consensus on the forum that plugs, leads and packs should be changed every 3 years or 30,000 miles. Have a look through any paperwork you may have with the car to see if there is any indication a previous owner has had this done - unless they were a club member it is likely they are still the originals - and therefore worth replacing.

If you have time you can save quite a bit of money on these by either importing from the US, or by using a UK supplier such as MRP who will be quick. Either option will be considerably cheaper than main dealer prices. Given how much higher TW White's quote is it might be worth checking what they have included on that - they will be able to give you itemised costs.

For a further reduction in costs you can provide your own oil - a sealed 5L bottle of 5w30 (club discounts available with Opie Oils) will cost you ~£20 and knock ~£45 off the service cost, plus you keep the remainder unused oil.
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Re: Dealer Service costs and General Information.

Post by Project RX8 »