Hello, I'm writing this thread in hopes someone will understand and maybe explain whats going on with my 8. Or if someone has experienced the same thing.

I'm hearing a metal "clank" noise whenever I shift into first gear after turning on the engine. Thereafter, whenever I shift into first gear again, there's no more noise. It seems it only occurs on the VERY FIRST time i shift into first gear after turning on the engine. Sometimes it's a subtle sound, other times it's really loud. It almost sounds like a some sort of metal piece falling into place. The sound is coming from the left front side, and it doesn't matter whether I'm moving forward or turning the car. Hopefully someone can tell me what's going on.

Do you by any chance park your car in reverse?

Does this happen when at a complete standstill or does it happen after lets say.. 1mph?

I only park my car in 1st or 2nd gear. I haven't had the chance to determine if parking in 1st vs. 2nd gear makes any difference. But for the most part I leave it in 1st. The noise only occurs at the point when the engine is being engaged. So yes I would say at about 1-2 mph, not from a standstill.

I just remembered, it sounds like two metal pieces rubbing together then settling in place. The sound lasts only half a second, its not continuous. Thats why it feels like its some kind of metal piece falling into place. It's weird because it only makes the noise after I start the engine, never in traffic.

This may or not be your problem. There is always a loud thud then when your car first gets going. It is the ABS initial test. There is other posts on the forum describing this test.

Yep, its ABS. Dont worry about it :)

Man that's a relief to hear that, so that is a normal noise? Do you guys hear it too? Because it really got me worried, considering I just bought this car, I still have NOPS. hehehe New Owner Paranoia Syndrome. =P.

mine does it too. sometimes loud and sometimes not. its a rx-8 thing. you will notice a lot more things later on that you don't think are "normal" when they actually are.

i always thought the RX-8 should have come with a paper insert that said, "ALERT, READ ME FIRST", which would detail stuff like the ABS noises, SDAIS noises, etc.