2009 rx-8 vs. 135i

[~ILLEST 1~]

Hey guys, yet another comparo... what do you think about mazda's rx-8, updated for 2009, versus our 135i? I've never driven the rx-8, but i've heard great things from friends who have. I was never a huge fan of its styling but then again i never really concentrated on it. The 2009 looks really interesting. While im not gonna say i hate it, i still cant tell you guys i love the exterior styling of the 135i. Enough of my opinions, id like to hear yours!

[E82tt6]

Awesome handling, probably class leading. Good shifter.

Stupidly underpowered. Terrible gas mileage given level of power.

[Night1]

I've always liked the look and sound of the RX-8's but they're just not fast enough. They have sedans that can pass that thing up.

[e36chris]

the styling for that 2009 looks far better than the 2008 and prior

as was stated before, underpowered, that interior doesnt do it for me.
its honestly been 135 and nothing else, i dont even bother looking at options or cross shopping.

but i would take this rx-8 over some other cars styling wise, id have to drive it

[E82tt6]

If Mazda put a 300hp motor in the car, I would have seriously considered it, heh.

[aitsu]

here's what i'll tell you after almost 5 years of rx8 ownership:
The car handles superbly.
It is underpowered. A small turbo would've made the car incredibly good.
The gas mileage isn't as good as a piston engine. It has gotten better with age, but to be honest, if you want to get better than 20-21 (which I consistently get at 66,000 miles), you need to make changes to the intake and for even more benefit, the ignition system.
Intake alone can push you towards 22-23 and the ignition system higher. That said, the 09 will get WORSE gas mileage than the previous models as they've changed the final drive to a 4.77:1 (from 4.44:1). That's just ridiculous. Also, they've switched the gearbox to one similar if not the same as that of the MX-5. If it is the same as the MX-5, that's a great thing. The aisin transmission in the previous models had synchro issues, shift fork issues, mine was rebuilt twice in 60k miles and that's not uncommon. The MX-5 has a much better transmission and having driven an 08 MX-5 extensively, it shifts excellently.

The 09's look cosmetically nicer in R3 trim, but they're apparently a bit heavier and the interior on the new one is not as good imho. That steering wheel is the same wheel off of a ford mustang with different plastic on it.

The rest of the interior is very similar and they MIGHT have better leather in them. I can't tell as I havent seen an R3 in person yet. The Shinka's had alcantra which made a significant difference in the leather quality. The MX-5 also had nicer leather than the 8, and the seats felt more comfortable. I'm not sure if they've changed the seat design at all.

[~ILLEST 1~]

ajax, in R3 trim there are recaro seats and bilstein shocks =) and for the final drive ratio change is that for manual and/or automatic?

[backtoreality15]

Every steering wheel looks awkward and huge to me after driving the 1.

[ichiban]

more of a competition for the 128i not 135i.

[Robert]

Different class of car. RX8 will run circles around 1 series in handling but 135i will blow rx8's pants off in acceleration. I love the handling of that car but if I were shopping for a car in that category it would be the s2000.

[theanhdy]

I'd rather get a Z370

[RobLS]

135i

[E82tt6]

Originally Posted by robert

Different class of car. RX8 will run circles around 1 series in handling but 135i will blow rx8's pants off in acceleration. I love the handling of that car but if I were shopping for a car in that category it would be the s2000.

Loved my S2K :thumbup:

RX8 is kinda in a strange class...

IMO, it'd be PERFECT with a low pressure turbo system delivery 260rwhp or so. The plug and play turbo kit RX 8s are pretty quick. Though, reliabilty can be an issue from what I hear.

As for the 370 Z, ja!

[Heinzftw]

Went over to the dealership around 7:45 tonight. Took a look at the RX-8. Sticker price of 27.9k. It honestly didn't look that nice. For the money would rather own a 128i or 370Z.

[MikeVictor]

Instrument cluster looks bleh on the RX-8

[emm3tt]

Originally Posted by mattyv

Instrument cluster looks bleh on the RX-8

Clearly the deciding factor when purchasing a car! :wink:

[BMW Power]

Originally Posted by robert

Different class of car. RX8 will run circles around 1 series in handling but 135i will blow rx8's pants off in acceleration. I love the handling of that car but if I were shopping for a car in that category it would be the s2000.

Would you say it handles better than a Porsche??

[d3syd]

The instruments and switch gear look too ordinary like they've come out of a generic Japanese car parts bin. Look at the indicator and wiper stalks, could be anything from a Corolla, Camry, Mazda 2/3/6, or Nissan.

[rocketpop]

I HATED my RX-8 and was glad to be done with it! It burned too much gas and oil. I traded in my MINI Cooper S and regretted every day I got in it. I am sooooo much happier now that I got my 135i.

[335Abuser]

The RX8 really does handle great, and it has one of the best combos of transmission and rear differential. I just hate it that non M BMW's don't have LSDs. I now drive a BMW 120d in Germany and I have a 335i coupe back home in Florida. I must say the 120d (chipped) feels as fast as a RX8 (I had one for a year, bought new). Plus the RX8 does get bad mileage. Like said before, a Greddy turbo might do wonders for the car. But 135i overall is in a different league, maybe consider it against a 128i. Just my two cents...

[pit1]

I haven't driven the RX-8 hear great thing but it's all down to personal preference. Once I drove the 1er, I just oh, oh ohhhh...yeah:wink: Nothing else was an option.

You know you have a great car when you park and turn around to look at it as you walk away. Sometimes I walk backwards.

[d3syd]

Originally Posted by pit1

You know you have a great car when you park and turn around to look at it as you walk away. Sometimes I walk backwards.

I think lots of us on this forum do this. Sometimes I am embarrased that someone might see me doing it, so I just seek a quick glance.:wub: