Mike's 2018 CX-9 Signature

It's about time for me to do another spark plug change, last one was at 64k kms. I also need to pick up a couple of larger shallow sockets for a diff fluid change. I'll probably get to it sometime this week, was too busy this weekend.

Hope everyone had a nice Father's Day weekend!
 
It's about time for me to do another spark plug change, last one was at 64k kms. I also need to pick up a couple of larger shallow sockets for a diff fluid change. I'll probably get to it sometime this week, was too busy this weekend.

Hope everyone had a nice Father's Day weekend!
Are you going to get a set of NGK plugs or OEM?
 
Are you going to get a set of NGK plugs or OEM?

When I did my first plug replacement, I bought 2 sets of NGK 90288 (DILKAR7M8) plugs from RockAuto when they had a really good sale on them, so I'll be using this last set of NGK plugs. I did call my local dealer to see if the OEM plugs had changed in price at all, and they wanted almost $60 CDN per plug for the OEM. I think the price has gone up on the OEM plugs.
 
When I did my first plug replacement, I bought 2 sets of NGK 90288 (DILKAR7M8) plugs from RockAuto when they had a really good sale on them, so I'll be using this last set of NGK plugs. I did call my local dealer to see if the OEM plugs had changed in price at all, and they wanted almost $60 CDN per plug for the OEM. I think the price has gone up on the OEM plugs.
Yes, everything is going up big and car parts are no exception. It’s good you bought 2 sets early!
 
I've been using these NGK plugged you've mentioned, I'm getting the same performance and mileage as the OEM when new.
 
116.5k kms, did an oil change and drained the transfer case. Refilled with OEM SG-1 fluid.

I wanted to also do the rear but I need to buy some shallow sockets to reach the fill plug.
 
Hi again. So for the most part the mgr plugs you mentioned are equivalent if not identical to the oem ones? I’ve read some post of those saying the oem are essential and different while one local mechanic mentioned they are actual mgr plugs with Mazda branding. I want to buy a set as I’m not at the 40k mark yet but approaching and so wanted to be ready.
Please let me know
 
Hi again. So for the most part the mgr plugs you mentioned are equivalent if not identical to the oem ones? I’ve read some post of those saying the oem are essential and different while one local mechanic mentioned they are actual mgr plugs with Mazda branding. I want to buy a set as I’m not at the 40k mark yet but approaching and so wanted to be ready.
Please let me know

I would say that they could be considered an equivalent alternative to the Mazda branded plugs. I wouldn't go as far as saying that they are identical, because I really don't know for sure. In terms of engine performance and efficiency, the car ran just the same with the NGK plugs as it did with the Mazda OEM plugs.

Just be wary of counterfeit parts. Try to order from reputable sources, and inspect everything you receive to ensure that the plugs aren't fakes.
 
I got the car back from the shop a few days ago. It looked good, but I had to bring it back because the shop had to re-do the alignment and also polish out some holograms from their rotary polisher.

The body shop replaced and painted the outer door shells, replaced the lower plastic trim and brightwork on the doors, and replaced the front wheel fender trim. They also repainted the front fender (had some scuffs from the collision) and the rear quarter panel. The partial PPF that was on the front fender was replaced as well. Lastly, the windshield was also replaced with OEM glass. No more windshield tint - maybe I'll get it done again in the future.

The body shop did an excellent job with the MGM paint. They basically repainted the entire passenger side, which is awesome because I had a small (~5mm) paint chip just above the rear wheel that wasn't originally included in the repair, but they fixed it for me anyway in order to blend the paint from the doors in.

I want to detail the car and apply a wax or sealant for protection, but the shop advised me to wait at least 90 days for the paint to cure properly. I'll do the rest of the car in the coming weeks and avoid touching the passenger side for at least a month.

Here's a few before pics:
20240516_160641-jpg.328341

20240516_160648-jpg.328342

20240516_160658-jpg.328343


And after the repairs were completed:
20240826_130125.webp
20240822_173624.webp
 
I got the car back from the shop a few days ago. It looked good, but I had to bring it back because the shop had to re-do the alignment and also polish out some holograms from their rotary polisher.

The body shop replaced and painted the outer door shells, replaced the lower plastic trim and brightwork on the doors, and replaced the front wheel fender trim. They also repainted the front fender (had some scuffs from the collision) and the rear quarter panel. The partial PPF that was on the front fender was replaced as well. Lastly, the windshield was also replaced with OEM glass. No more windshield tint - maybe I'll get it done again in the future.

The body shop did an excellent job with the MGM paint. They basically repainted the entire passenger side, which is awesome because I had a small (~5mm) paint chip just above the rear wheel that wasn't originally included in the repair, but they fixed it for me anyway in order to blend the paint from the doors in.

I want to detail the car and apply a wax or sealant for protection, but the shop advised me to wait at least 90 days for the paint to cure properly. I'll do the rest of the car in the coming weeks and avoid touching the passenger side for at least a month.

Here's a few before pics:
20240516_160641-jpg.328341

20240516_160648-jpg.328342

20240516_160658-jpg.328343


And after the repairs were completed:
View attachment 330871View attachment 330870
Dang!
Repaired the rim?
 
New front brake pads (Max Advanced Brakes "Elite Pro" ceramic pads) installed at 117k. Inner pads were wearing faster than the outer pads.

20240828_230846.webp


New spark plugs (NGK 90288 - DILKAR7M8) installed at 118k. Old plugs looked good.

20240902_184711.webp
 
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