New Member, based in Bulimba, couple of queries, thanks!

[Alonso]

Hi everyone,

New member here.....I just wanted to run a few things passed the board but if this is not the appropriate section, admin please move.

I bought a 2001 roadster privately with a roadworthy in May 2014 and I'm the 3rd owner, with the 2 previous being lady owners.

When I bought it I was in the process of moving house so I admit I was distracted and less thorough than I might have been otherwise!

There was a "dry noise" coming from under the bonnet which the seller advised was linked to the air con system and that the "belt may need a little tightening".

So I bought the car and, once I'd completed the house move, took the vehicle to Mazda in Newstead for the 140,000km service.
The car actually only has 120,000km on the clock but it went through that service in 2012......so the dealership advised I get the the 140,000km service.

So far so good....but the outcome of the service was that the whole air con system had to be replaced, with parts and labour coming to around $1400......with parts being ordered from Melbourne.

I have held off getting it done and not used the air-con at all, but the power steering is starting to drag now (which they told me was some linked to the air con system).

I accept I need to get this fixed but my first query here is do I really need to get this done at the Mazda dealership, with Mazda parts?

Second query, I would like to get a second opinion from a non-dealership mechanic - I live in Bulimba, Brisbane and would be grateful for any local recommendations?

Hopefully I can get this fixed quickly and accept it costs what it costs and then I can start to enjoy the car.

I'm moving from Brisbane to Melbourne in December and would like the car to be in good working order for when I arrive at the other end!

Many thanks for any advice!

Cheers
Alonso

[JBT]

Welcome to the obsession. Get a second opinion from Automotive Plus at Aspley.

[speed freak]

Welcome, definitely go see the boys at Automotive Plus, they are Mazda trained technicians but much better then a dealership imo. Always happy to help and get to the bottom of things.

[Magpie]

2nd Automotive Plus (I do have Automotive Plus stickers on my car). However remember they are a bit light on being at WTAC this weekend, but give them a call.

Another suggestion is the Sat coffee meet at the Southbound BP, whilst not the best mechanical advice the company is!

Also, welcome to the obsession!

[Craig]

What...no pictures?

[Alonso]

Thanks guys, I've dropped an email to Automotive and will phone them Monday morning to arrange when I can drop in to see them.

It's 20km from my house to Aspley but sounds worth it.

Just one other question, there is a garage about 500m from my house, Le Mans in Bulimba......any thoughts on this one?

P.s. photo to follow!!!

[NASilverStone]

Automotive Plus are 130km from my place............. well worth the drive! I wouldn't take my cars anywhere else.

Contact Jeff and the guys and check out their webpage here:http://store.automotiveplus.com.au/

[Alonso]

Cheers NAS, that's 4 votes of confidence in Automotive Plus, good enough for me.

Will speak with them on Monday morning and make arrangements to get out there hopefully this week if they can fit me in.

Had a look at their web-site and emailed a query.

Out of interest, do you know whether there is a charge to look at a car and make their own assessment?
Or if they typically do that regardless and then quote you for repair?

Cheers!

[Magpie]

I used to travel 800km to see Plus when I lived in Blackwater and 120km when I lived on the Gold Coast. There are people who fly in from all over the world to view the owners (Danny Irvine) very large private collection of Mazda's, especially rotary powered ones. Danny has just competed in the WTAC in a rotary powered MX5 NC!

Give them a call again on Monday, normally there is no charge for a quick look. I would suggest ring and make a time when you can bring the car over for them to have a look and let them know what the Mazda dealer has said.

[93_Clubman]

Welcome & congrats on the purchase!

Just one other question, there is a garage about 500m from my house, Le Mans in Bulimba......any thoughts on this one?

Cut out the middle man & go direct to Automotive Plus - they used to be called MX5 Plus & are MX5 (as well as other) specialists, with an excellent reputation.

tbro (Terry), on this forum & also in Bris, is in the automotive industry & can also recommend the best places to go.

I don't know the NB8B as well as the NA6 & NA8, but the link between the AC & PS on the latter is the drive belt that runs between crank pulley, AC pulley, & PS pulley. If you don't need the AC (you're moving to Melb soon anyway!) & don't want to fix it right now, bypass the AC pulley by fitting a smaller drive belt between crank & PS pulleys.

[Alonso]

Brilliant info SP, will let you know how I get on.

The Mazda dealer basically said it was a 3 component assembly, including the armature, that due to the age of the vehicle (2001) had to be replaced as an assembly, even if only one of the components was faulty.

I have it all in an email so I can run through it with them.

If it turns out to be correct, fair enough, i'll take it on the chin, but sounds like these are the guys to talk to for the non-dealership perspective.

Cheers all.

[gslender]

Out of interest, do you know whether there is a charge to look at a car and make their own assessment?
Or if they typically do that regardless and then quote you for repair?

Cheers!

Any mechanic will be reluctant to look and confirm what's wrong - unless bloody obvious, but then any half mechanically minded person could probably do that!

The issue is that sometimes it can take 15-30 mins to just confirm the problem, and that time is chargeable. When was the last time you went to the Dr and got an assessment on what's wrong with you before making an appointment?

I agree MX5 Plus are good chaps, but they're not super heroes - just damn good mechanics that know the cars well. I personally find them annoyingly too hard to get to on the North side - and that stops me from using them plus I'm fairly capable in doing most work myself (and I have the space and tools)

The engine is just a Mazda 3 engine so technically any good Mazda or Ford Laser mechanic would be able to help with an AC noise.

I'd even suggest some of the forum regulars who wrench on their own cars would be able to advise fairly well too!

G

[Alonso]

Welcome & congrats on the purchase!

Just one other question, there is a garage about 500m from my house, Le Mans in Bulimba......any thoughts on this one?

Cut out the middle man & go direct to Automotive Plus - they used to be called MX5 Plus & are MX5 (as well as other) specialists, with an excellent reputation.

tbro (Terry), on this forum & also in Bris, is in the automotive industry & can also recommend the best places to go.

I don't know the NB8B as well as the NA6 & NA8, but the link between the AC & PS on the latter is the drive belt that runs between crank pulley, AC pulley, & PS pulley. If you don't need the AC (you're moving to Melb soon anyway!) & don't want to fix it right now, bypass the AC pulley by fitting a smaller drive belt between crank & PS pulleys.

Ha ha, yes Melbourne weather, can't wait!

I'll see what the prognosis is and try to get it all fixed in one go if i can, I'll be pretty busy when I move and can see further repairs being delayed into 2015 so trying to get it fit for purpose now if possible.

Cheers

[Alonso]

Out of interest, do you know whether there is a charge to look at a car and make their own assessment?
Or if they typically do that regardless and then quote you for repair?

Cheers!

Any mechanic will be reluctant to look and confirm what's wrong - unless bloody obvious, but then any half mechanically minded person could probably do that!

The issue is that sometimes it can take 15-30 mins to just confirm the problem, and that time is chargeable. When was the last time you went to the Dr and got an assessment on what's wrong with you before making an appointment?

I agree MX5 Plus are good chaps, but they're not super heroes - just damn good mechanics that know the cars well. I personally find them annoyingly too hard to get to on the North side - and that stops me from using them plus I'm fairly capable in doing most work myself (and I have the space and tools)

The engine is just a Mazda 3 engine so technically any good Mazda or Ford Laser mechanic would be able to help with an AC noise.

I'd even suggest some of the forum regulars who wrench on their own cars would be able to advise fairly well too!

G

Cheers mate - all fair points.

Not expecting any work for free, just wondering the pricing structure at AP as not having used them before.

Mazda in Newstead charged $76 for the diagnostics (perfectly reasonable IMO) but quoted a good bit more for the parts and labour for the actual repair.

I dare say it will be reasonably obvious to a mechanic when they hear the noise before even opening the bonnet, but I can tell them what I know from the dealer and let them make their own assessment.

Cheers

[Mr Morlock]

It's not all unreasonable to ask for a quote for a known issue. What anyone can do is ask what is the hourly rate. Insofar as air cond is concerned I would be talking to an a/c specialist. At one stage a new a/c fitted for an NB was about $2k fitted but not saying you need to go that route and as 93 said you might defer it. AC is worth having. As for standard services pretty well any mechanic/ business can do the work.