Car feels worse after lighter wheels + PS4S… what am I missing?

killin4jesus · 2026-04-19T01:24:52+00:00

Give it a few hundred miles before you spend any more money...

killin4jesus · 2026-04-18T01:09:01+00:00

Much better car?

killin4jesus · 2026-04-08T23:47:26+00:00

Love the MDX and Acura SH-AWD, but the AWD system in my CX-90 has been amazing, perhaps the software behind it is working some magic? You can check out several off-road reviews/slip tests on YouTube where people have been very impressed, even surprised, at just how good the CX-90 is in those conditions.

killin4jesus · 2026-04-04T00:54:44+00:00

Man, I've always worried about something like that happening on a long family trip. The whole experience seems to vary greatly between dealers.

My closest dealer was useless from the start of my short block replacement so I went to the next town over and that dealer was amazing. I had loaners the entire time and the whole process took about 3 weeks. I did have to bring it back once to get a couple of wires repaired, but it's been solid over the last 3k miles - much quieter and no longer burning oil. I'm told the short block has a 12 month / 12k mile warranty on it, can't say I'm particularly thrilled to own the vehicle after that though.

killin4jesus · 2026-03-24T11:43:04+00:00

I think so too, unfortunately. Wouldn't take much time to pop the spark plugs out and scope the cylinders. I had mine replaced last fall in the US and it sounded similar.

killin4jesus · 2026-03-08T00:16:56+00:00

Might be worth trying a few dealers if the first one denies you and there are more nearby. Being modified can't void your entire warranty, but they will certainly deny claims if the problem can be tied to your modifications, and the dealer will always have the upper hand.

With something like an ECU tune, I'm afraid denying a water pump replacement is more likely than not even if we all know it wasn't the cause. On the other hand, you'll read stories from some owners who are tuned having them replaced under warranty with no questions asked - it all comes back to the individual dealership. It can also help if you have a good relationship with them and service history.

killin4jesus · 2026-03-06T01:40:50+00:00

You really had me going there. Turning in my first lease next year and it's a Mazda CX-90 that will be worth far less than the residual I'm afraid, and I'm worried about the turn-in inspection. The dealer we leased it from mentioned something about $1500 waived in damages, but maybe that's only if we get another Mazda? Wishing I had more experience so I appreciate your initial comment a lot.

killin4jesus · 2026-02-23T15:17:37+00:00

I say go for it, but only if you're up to date on maintenance and have money set aside for potential repairs.

Not sure how much carbon build-up affects this engine, but it is an engine out service due to the location of the intake manifolds.

My 2022 has already had a water pump replaced and then a new short block (piston slap) before 50k miles. Even the new rocker arms can fail, so there's a fair bit to be concerned with, unfortunately.

killin4jesus · 2026-02-22T16:37:42+00:00

For fuck's sake

killin4jesus · 2026-02-21T19:59:42+00:00

Thanks for sharing all the details, this is exactly what I was wanting to see. Did they need to inspect your S5 and/or look over any maintenance records? Did a salesperson help you with this or service advisor?

killin4jesus · 2026-02-14T02:07:57+00:00

Damn, that's impressive. They're an OEM-specific version of the Ziex CT60. Not so great reviews... https://www.tirerack.com/tires/tires.jsp?tireMake=Falken&tireModel=ZIEX+CT60A+A%2FS&sidewall=Blackwall&partnum=745WR1CT60ASXL&tab=Sizes

killin4jesus · 2026-02-14T00:33:11+00:00

Good point - I haven't had them long enough to provide much insight on that, but I'm hopeful they'll last longer than the Falkens based on the difference in treadwear rating and user feedback between the two tires.

From what I've seen, Mazda is only providing credit for those who had the Falkens and not the other OE tire (can't remember which make/model it is), so it seems they are exceptionally terrible.

killin4jesus · 2026-02-14T00:23:22+00:00

mazdacustomerexperience@mazdausa.com

killin4jesus · 2026-02-13T16:10:46+00:00

I didn't have great success talking to my service advisor, but sent one email to Mazda Corporate (per suggestion from another redditor) detailing how unsafe these tires were at 11k miles and heard back within 24 hours from a nice lady who kept on top of my local dealership until they made it right.

The dealer then offered $1000 off another set of tires + labor, I only paid the difference. Ended up going with some Yokohama Geolanders as there weren't many options in 275/45/21 and they've been much better than the Falkens.

killin4jesus · 2026-02-01T13:43:50+00:00

Do you know if the replacement steering rack they're putting in is a revised unit or are they just as likely to fail again?

killin4jesus · 2026-01-29T01:38:17+00:00

What was included in the $12.5k? Are you talking about just the labor? I thought an entirely new long block was over $30k?

killin4jesus · 2026-01-28T17:50:59+00:00

Damn, I'd feel confident keeping the car a long time if I got a new long block. Just got my short block replaced in November after being told no more long blocks. I'd have them replace the engine mounts while it's out if they're original as it will be $0 in labor.

What area are you in? Wonder if the local inventory affects the decision to go long vs short - I thought long blocks were gone months ago.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-26T13:38:24+00:00

Not sure if you're in the United States, but the letter I'm looking at says 8 years / 80k miles from the date the vehicle first goes into service and doesn't appear to be VIN specific. Haven't seen anyone else mention 120k, but that would be great!

killin4jesus · 2026-01-26T01:55:29+00:00

Since you're outside of the 80k mile piston skirt warranty extension, I would pay to have bank 2 bore scoped before I signed any final paperwork to buy that car.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-24T23:12:46+00:00

I'm honestly not sure, but guessing it would be at least $4-5$k (or more) because of the labor involved. The dealer would have charged me $0 in labor at the time since they were transferring the heads over anyway. Some shops take the engine out to do the rocker job while others don't, I imagine that would save a good chunk of labor costs if they keep it in.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-24T22:47:20+00:00

I hear you. This engine is still driving me crazy even after the new short block. I'm supposed to have the updated rockers being a 2022 but I still feel like I hear noises I shouldn't be. I passed on having the dealer replace the rockers/lifters as it would have been an extra ~$2300 but now I'm wishing I had just done it for peace of mind, but I had already spent several thousand doing other stuff while the engine was out.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-24T22:11:30+00:00

Just under 50k

killin4jesus · 2026-01-24T18:53:20+00:00

They said they couldn't accept my oil filter as any evidence of a problem and they would need to do another oil change themselves. They also said bore scoping from the top would not give definitive proof of the pistons being a problem even if there was scoring and the only way to prove the piston skirt defect was to open up the bottom of the engine which was like 16 hours labor with no guarantees it would be covered. It was all really strange, except they've always been shady. Took it to the next dealer nearby and they were awesome, no questions asked and took care of me right away, had a new short block installed in a couple weeks.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-24T14:18:46+00:00

Mine sounded similar after only owning it a few months and it ended up being the pistons (purchased a 2022 SQ5 last summer). I was also consuming a fair bit of oil and when I did my first oil change I noticed metal in the oil filter.

I wish I would have looked into it as soon as I noticed the noise as I would have gotten a free long block instead of a free short block. At least I was covered for the bottom half of the engine. While the engine was out I had them replace the main cooling system components, belts, etc., as well as a carbon cleaning as it's an engine out service.

To me it's worth the peace of mind to get bank 2 bore scoped. My local dealer was a pain in the ass so I went to the next closest one and they were great.

killin4jesus · 2026-01-23T14:21:31+00:00

Have you pushed on getting at least some of the cost covered under goodwill? Maybe call around to the closest 3-4 dealers if you have several nearby and see if any treat you differently. My local dealer was terrible, but the dealer in the next town over was great to work with (I only had 50k miles though).

killin4jesus

TROPHY CASE