So angry

[RelliMS3]

I've been having an alignment problem for a while now. Since before i put on my 235/40 tires but i just now brought it in to the dealership to have that fixed along with a squeak in the suspension that just started. The dealership refuses to do anything until i have the proper tires on the car. I am so annoyed. Not only that but they had it the entire day and not until now do they say they've accomplished shit.

[happy and angry]

And what possible justification for this did they give you?

[93mx6]

i work at a dealership and we do alignments all the time on different wheels, tires, suspensions ETC. but it isnt easy, if they do it with oversize wheels, the numbers will not match up to stock specs, which could either cause more damage or not do a damn thing, its really up to them, to deny the work based on that safety reason alone.

[mordant80]

So, you're running 235's on the stock rims? Hows that working out for ya? Stock springs?

[Yoo Shin]

So, you're running 235's on the stock rims? Hows that working out for ya? Stock springs?

Probably like driving in mash potatoes.

[RelliMS3]

no, my set up is 235/40 on 18x8 wheels. just came back from the dealership. they said mazda usa will not let them work on cars with different sized tires. and they refused to work on the squeak because they said the different sized tires made it impossible to examine the suspension. also when i got the car back it was clear that the techs were tooling around in it. There was an extra ten miles on it which is unnecessary since both the squeak and the alignment problems are apparent and the dealership is right on a highway. Also found change all over my floor from where i keep it in the cubby hole. the only time that ever happens is under really hard acceleration so they fucked around in my car but didnt do a dam thing to it.

[Gasological]

Niiiiice. Fuck that dealer, go to a new one, or a tire shop.

Get under it with a tub of grease, go to town on the bushings. The squeak will stop.

[UHATEIT]

good lord, a stealership fucking you over for putting on larger tires.... what the fuck is mazda's problem!

When I had my Nissan 350Z they have dealerships that allow you to come in dropped, large ass rims, TEST PIPES, TURBO KITS, any mod you want, and are MOD FRIENDLY!!!!

Seems like we have absolutely no freedoms with Mazda. I knew Nissan ROCKED but now that is even more justified when I see what Mazda does!

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

That would piss me off too. I used to live around the block from an exhaust place and their mechanics used to tear the hell out of car from that place. They'd smoke tires, rip around the corners & haul ass down the streets.

If they couldn't check your suspension or even work on your car because of the change in wheel size, then way were there any miles put on your car at all? What is the name and location of the dealership? (for everyone else's benefit)

[RelliMS3]

CRYSTAL MAZDA
220 ROUTE 22 WEST
GREENBROOK, NJ

The service manager said he had a guy in with AFTERMARKET AIRFILTERS AND STUFF!!! He said they sent pictures of the engine bay to mazda and mazda told him to not work on it.

aaand the thing that really bothers me is that before i purchased the wheels and tires they said it was fine if i purchased from anywhere besides the dealer. Also i was in a couple of weeks ago for an oil change, they knew i had the different wheels and tires and they told me they couldnt do the alignment that day but i should come back in another day for them to do it.

[b-ron]

good lord, a stealership fucking you over for putting on larger tires.... what the fuck is mazda's problem!

When I had my Nissan 350Z they have dealerships that allow you to come in dropped, large ass rims, TEST PIPES, TURBO KITS, any mod you want, and are MOD FRIENDLY!!!!

Seems like we have absolutely no freedoms with Mazda. I knew Nissan ROCKED but now that is even more justified when I see what Mazda does!

same here!!! when i had my 350z they always took bets on what my next mod would be. such a awesome dealership

[RelliMS3]

same here!!! when i had my 350z they always took bets on what my next mod would be. such a awesome dealership

haha, that is awesome. this experience has definitely hurt the mazda brand name in my mind.

[UHATEIT]

haha, that is awesome. this experience has definitely hurt the mazda brand name in my mind.

as I had mentioned above about my nissan, their dealerships are mod friendly. I am honestly having to become affraid of modding on this Mazda. They dont approve any mods... havign to waste time and money to uninstall stuff for dealership visits n all that, its complete crap!

The tire thing was explained well by someone else above, but I'm sure their machines can adjust to different size rims and tires.

Are the Rx-8 owners having just as many problems with dealerships? I'm sure people mod the hell out of RX-8s, so if dealerships are giving MS3 so much hassle the Rx-8 guys must be hating life!

[Rubasu]

I do not understand oversized wheels will not change the alignment so much as to cause a great deal of aggrevasion for the tech. the alignment can still done to within factory specs unless you went crazy huge with your wheels. Iwork for acura and have done alignments on many modded out tegs and rsxs with rims and lowering kits and what not and the only thing that I have ever seen severly effect the alignment settings are the lowering springs and on cars with those if the camber is not adjustable then we let the customer know and set the toe up for them. I rec. going to a tire store that does alignments and letting them do the alignment and then go ack to the dealer and show them the print out of everything being green........ and ask them why they were not able to do this but their competitors were

[UHATEIT]

I do not understand oversized wheels will not change the alignment so much as to cause a great deal of aggrevasion for the tech. the alignment can still done to within factory specs unless you went crazy huge with your wheels. Iwork for acura and have done alignments on many modded out tegs and rsxs with rims and lowering kits and what not and the only thing that I have ever seen severly effect the alignment settings are the lowering springs and on cars with those if the camber is not adjustable then we let the customer know and set the toe up for them. I rec. going to a tire store that does alignments and letting them do the alignment and then go ack to the dealer and show them the print out of everything being green........ and ask them why they were not able to do this but their competitors were

then make them pay for the bill! ;) since it would have been covered under warranty right?

I was thinking that alignments go otu all the time, often from wheelhop or bumpy roads, so tis more of a wear and tear issue. Unless dealerships will do an alignment if its within the 3 years, then hell yeah I'll go to mine and get mine aligned!

[MikeHTally]

Don't go to the dealer for anything except warranty work. Maintenance is better done by people who specialize. I take my 300C and the Mazda to a local quick-change place for oil changes. I've dealt with them for many years with no major issues. A tire retailer I've done business with for over thirty years rotates the tires on the "C" (mostly 'cause I can't get my jack under it), and the Speed will go there at 6K, 'cause it's WAY more convenient and they'll do it for $13. They'll do alignments when needed. I do the minor maintenance myself (wiper blades, air filters, etc.)

I change the oil in my Ram and the Camry myself, since they are not under warranty and there is no need for record-keeping.

[mazdaspeedster3]

Over sized wheels? They are just wider but shorter, you like that look? I wont go any more than 225/40-18. You get a lot more tires to choose from and dont sacrafice hieght as much (-6mm). Your dealership not doing the alignment, go some where else. They are probably more $$ anyway. Put your stockers on, take it in for the alignment and then switch them out when you get home.

[chacon101]

So it's just an alignment problem? Taking a car to a dealership for that kind of service is just wasting dough. A local shop can do the exact same work for much less.

Don't know about you but I always check out the shop first when going to indys. If it's clean and well kept, I give them my business. Pride in your work and work area is important to me.

I also don't think you can "blame Mazda" for this. This is a dealership and the people who make up that office. If you get a shitty Big Mac, do you blame all of McDonalds for when you go back and they don't refund your money? No. You just try to avoid going back to that location. Same thing applies here.

That dealership isn't worth spending any more money on because they are not customer service oriented and just take for granted that people will bring their cars in. Hopefully, sooner or later, they will feel their disregard for the customers in the wallet.

[bjjer]

Don't go to the dealer for anything except warranty work. Maintenance is better done by people who specialize. I take my 300C and the Mazda to a local quick-change place for oil changes. I've dealt with them for many years with no major issues. A tire retailer I've done business with for over thirty years rotates the tires on the "C" (mostly 'cause I can't get my jack under it), and the Speed will go there at 6K, 'cause it's WAY more convenient and they'll do it for $13. They'll do alignments when needed. I do the minor maintenance myself (wiper blades, air filters, etc.)

I change the oil in my Ram and the Camry myself, since they are not under warranty and there is no need for record-keeping.

I do the same thing. My car does NOT go to the dealer unless it has to (warranty work). I find good local places for oil changes. I dont feel like having my warranty denied because they saw an intake in the engine bay.

[RelliMS3]

up until now i wanted to go to the dealer because it was very close and there would never be any issues trying to find a good shop, i kind of feel like thats a roll of the dice. And the squeak issue is warranty so i thought i'd bring it in and get both taken care of. After this i certainly will not be giving them my business for service work.

[coololddude]

so much for me getting 19's on my speed. i have tinted windows, i wonder if they will not work on anything inside the car since they cant see inside. WAIT, i bought it with tinted windows. Whew, i dodged that bullet.

[blkMs3th]

Don't go to the dealer for anything except warranty work. Maintenance is better done by people who specialize. I take my 300C and the Mazda to a local quick-change place for oil changes. I've dealt with them for many years with no major issues.

I wonder if that varies by location? I would not let a chain oil change place touch my 1991 POS yota pickup, much less my speed3. I think I have developed a good relationship with my dealer _because_ of the oil changes i have done with them. Even when they are unable to repro my issues, they will do what I request anyway (fuel pump flash, tightening down the cowl etc), something I have read not all folks get from their dealers. I guess if I made a relationship with a local quick change place maybe the same would happen.

That said, the second it's out of warranty I will handle all my own work (well, most of it :)

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

I wonder if that varies by location? I would not let a chain oil change place touch my 1991 POS yota pickup, much less my speed3. I think I have developed a good relationship with my dealer _because_ of the oil changes i have done with them. Even when they are unable to repro my issues, they will do what I request anyway (fuel pump flash, tightening down the cowl etc), something I have read not all folks get from their dealers. I guess if I made a relationship with a local quick change place maybe the same would happen.

That said, the second it's out of warranty I will handle all my own work (well, most of it :)

I feel the same way about "Quicky Lubes". They are usually a bunch of teens there just going through the motions and waiting for time to go home. I've had bad experiences at different places with different vehicles.
No more.
I found a local garage that does great work and I can trust them.

[93mx6]

good lord, a stealership fucking you over for putting on larger tires.... what the fuck is mazda's problem!

When I had my Nissan 350Z they have dealerships that allow you to come in dropped, large ass rims, TEST PIPES, TURBO KITS, any mod you want, and are MOD FRIENDLY!!!!

Seems like we have absolutely no freedoms with Mazda. I knew Nissan ROCKED but now that is even more justified when I see what Mazda does!

lol funny you mention it i work at nissan

[FrequentFlyer]

Do yourself a favor and find a mom and pop shop that have been doing alignments since before the service manager at Mazda was born.

[RelliMS3]

Well i'll be going back to the same dealership that caused me all these problems tomorrow. I'm going in for my shock that is blown (found out when the tech at the alignment place told me) and for the squeak from the front left of the car which i determined is coming from the brakes i believe. I only plan on getting this work done under warranty. would rather not give them a dime.

[RelliMS3]

So i went to the same dealership and they would not cover either my squeaking brake or my blown shock under warranty because of my 235/40 tires. I called up another mazda dealership and they said they would cover them no problem so i now have a new place to get my speed serviced. A little further but i'd rather not give the first dealership any kind of business.

[GT-Mazdaspeed 6]

That's great man. I'm glad you found someone willing to help.
It is difficult to find a business that still knows the meaning of Customer Service!

[iredremix]

I've been having an alignment problem for a while now. Since before i put on my 235/40 tires but i just now brought it in to the dealership to have that fixed along with a squeak in the suspension that just started. The dealership refuses to do anything until i have the proper tires on the car. I am so annoyed. Not only that but they had it the entire day and not until now do they say they've accomplished shit.

threaten them and say you'll call corporate

[RelliMS3]

they were saying mazda told them they couldnt work on it, so any of my reasonable points were fought off with "mazda says we cant do it"

[happy and angry]

Tell them "Funny, I found another dealership who says they can." Do not name the dealership. Ask them why Mazda might tell them they can cover the work at one dealership but not at another, and then tell them you know where you will be taking your vehicle in the future.

[Zimmer]

ha ... my dealer told me to get a different winter setup. So I did on Tirerack! Mounted them then little later on brought them to the dealer for an alignment no problem. Then again they were winters not 235's. sorry man.

[stockms3]

when I had issues with my car dealership told me that they cannot repeat a problem, I got pissed off called mazda, then when I went back to the stealership mazda rep was there waiting for me lol....


They fixed every fkin mount and half of the front suspension haha bitchez

[RelliMS3]

Tell them "Funny, I found another dealership who says they can." Do not name the dealership. Ask them why Mazda might tell them they can cover the work at one dealership but not at another, and then tell them you know where you will be taking your vehicle in the future.

I was considering doing just that but, i was happy i found a dealership and there is only one other mazda dealership close so they could probably figure it out. I didnt want to risk them calling them up saying not to work on it. I'm sure it wouldnt have happened but i think they knew i wouldnt be coming back.

[phillyb]

when I had issues with my car dealership told me that they cannot repeat a problem, I got pissed off called mazda, then when I went back to the stealership mazda rep was there waiting for me lol....


They fixed every fkin mount and half of the front suspension haha bitchez

can we have the number you dialed?
what is the number for mazda corporate?


I was considering doing just that but, i was happy i found a dealership and there is only one other mazda dealership close so they could probably figure it out. I didnt want to risk them calling them up saying not to work on it. I'm sure it wouldnt have happened but i think they knew i wouldnt be coming back.

fuck them. and srsly, no one should really go to that dealer. i just read this whole thread...fuck that dealership

[///M Compact]

I told the service advisor at my dealer that I was going to buy another set of wheels and summer tires and his only comment was, "Be sure and get TPM sensors."

[phillyb]

i told my dealership i was installing a test pipe and an mbc/mc.
i've told them about every mod i've done, from turbo timer, to new motor mount to test pipe.

now is when the fun really begins. i need an oil change.

[Zimmer]

now that i think of it my dealer actually sells aftermarket wheels they're on the floor and better yet one of the sedan 3's had a set of them on on the floor! hahahahaha i crack myself up.

[RelliMS3]

I told the service advisor at my dealer that I was going to buy another set of wheels and summer tires and his only comment was, "Be sure and get TPM sensors."

I actually went to the service manager before buying wheels and he said i could do anything i want to my car and it wouldnt void the warranty. Now this same guy is giving me all of this shit for having wider tires.

[iredremix]

they were saying mazda told them they couldnt work on it, so any of my reasonable points were fought off with "mazda says we cant do it"

just ask the guy for the number lol and actually call them. fuck that dealer

[ericrapp]

i told my dealership i was installing a test pipe and an mbc/mc.
i've told them about every mod i've done, from turbo timer, to new motor mount to test pipe.

now is when the fun really begins. i need an oil change.That is how i tested the waters also. "Hey, by the way, I have all this stuff on my car and while you are changing the oil could you check out my fuel pump" i love my dealership. no, seriously.

[Betelgeuse]

Some dealers suck and some are good, that's just the way it is. You should try finding another dealer anyway, even if you take the car to another shop for the alignment. Not sure if you have tire kingdoms in your area, but the one I use for tire work/alignments does good work.