I had the chance today to drive a friend's 2002 M3 today. My god. Incredible sound, unbelievable power, art-like looks...and BMW quality. He paid around $40,000...it has a 100,000 mile warranty...

I am planning on getting a titanium RX-8 in Spring, and with the options (everything) it will be around $36,000. I love the 8. Unique styling, excellent quality, rotary charm, comfort, and loads of fun to drive.

So the question is, for about the same price (a few thousand att his level is not a big deal), which car would you vote for?

I know that this is a subjective question. You really can't go wrong with either car...just looking for opinions.

Anyone traded an M3 in for the 8?

m3
but a few thousand is a lot

I've owned a 2002 and 2003 M3, both convertibles, one a 6 speed the other an SMG. They're awesome cars but can get very expensive when you go convertible and start adding options. My wife was driving the M3 and we have 2 kids in car seats which defeated the purpose of having an M3. In the end we traded the M3 for the RX-8 and a check for $20K from the dealer - we couldn't have been happier.

Having said all that, If I were single I'de be driving the M3 coupe or convertible with SMG!

Now that I've had my RX-8 for a while, and as a former E46 M3 owner, I think that it's a fine car in leu of having an M3. The power definitely isn't the same, but you already knew that. Handling wise, for me, I think both are comparible. Depreciation wise, though, you'd be better off getting the M3 since it's already depreciated the first year.

My vote would be the M3, since you're asking.

For around the same price? Are you crazy? M3~

I bought the GT package for 29,000 another 1,000 for Accessories your at 30,000 not 40,000 thats 25% more for a used car.

Probably the m3, but that is a price no object opinion. That price for a 8 seems way high, even with nav.


you must not have kids, to me $1.oo is a lot!!!!
Why not spend a few more grand and get a vette?

Or a few more grand and get a ferrari?
:)

I suppose every dollar matters, but I figure even $8000 difference, would the M3 be that much better of a car...

I do have kids, 4 and 6, but they rarely ride in Dad's car...and I am hurting right now because my wife traded in our new Suburban on a minivan (it was too big...)

I have driven the Vettes, btw, and they aren't for me. But the 8 and the M3 feel just right.

I have drivin the bmw, but onlu once. As I recall, it was a real nice ride.

I really like the 8, just a lot of intangibles and small things done right.

More I drive it, more I like it.

M3 probably has better resale.

I was in a Z3 BMW Coupe today, the torque was incredible, the speed - great! Even though I love the Rx8 thumps up to the M class and Z3 series...right now wheres that beer...

Well, I am obviously outvoted already. I owned an E36 328is, not m3 but similar to the E36 M3 in many ways. I think BMW's are great to drive but the cost of ownership is very high. I cannot even imagine the insurance difference on the M3. At any rate, the servicing alone is scary. I spoke with one of their service techicians about my car right before the warranty expired and asked him about the "usuals" he filled my ear - the differential leaks (seals very common) the service (major) at $1500 very important and on an on he went. I too was driving along one day when the gauges went wackyand lights started flashing (like one of those star trek movies on a crash landing) the battery had shorted out and started splitting in two! I drove to the dealer and they checked the car gave me a battery and that was only the beginning.

The E36 chassis I DO KNOW is a prized benchmark, even more so than the newer 46. Some believe that the 46 is too soft in comparison.

My point to make to you is this:

the Mazda has a warranty and a good reliability rating and NO MILES on it. It burns 87 octane! I can also say that people shy away from BMW's in my area that are older than 5 years (I wonder why) Autoquest, a local classy private dealer in my area, would not even consider trading my car, he said it was too old (when it was 4 yrs old and in perfect condition) BMW also has really fallen in the reliability ratings with the newer models if you check. People love the BMW's, I did too and still like them, but I also know there is a high price to pay for what it is. The premiums are amazing to me. I can also say that your used M3 won't have the features that your $36K RX 8 will either. You'll have one LOADED RX for that price. Youv'e got me going! I just ran into someone who's mom bought a new Boxster a few years ago and is having all kinds of trouble with it. I'm sorry but even though I have always been a german car lover, I have seen the light and realize that they are MORE repair prone and EXPENSIVE to BUY and MAINTAIN. Do what you want but really think about it. BTW your price is a little on the high side for the 8. What options are you getting for the $5K premium above GT price?

The bimmer is impressive, a "known" symbol of prestiege and in the M3, power. What's Mazda? "inexpensive car manufacturer with quirky but fun cars to drive...Japan's 5th largest auto manufacturer" They sure built a great one though didn't they to make you think of it in comparison to an M3 huh?

oh and uh, an M3 2003 configured like a GT RX 8 is $51,695 coupe. You also did NOT say convertible. Someone said that they owned a convertible.

I'm with you, Rodster. My coworker drives a 5-series Bimmer and his CEL came on. Dealership told him he needed to replace his O2 sensors (4 of them!) at $200 a pop! He went somewhere else...

If its just between an M3 Conv and a rx8, ignoring price, car service costs and insurance.... m3. Add almost any one of those 3 items into the mix and an rx8 gets a lot "faster" all of the sudden :)

Originally posted by boarder
If its just between an M3 Conv and a rx8...

That's for a convertible? Hmm.. I sold my M3 for $50K and that was at a loss. I can't imagine getting a convertible for $40K, but maybe the market is worse than I thought.

A few years ago, I took the high performance driving course at Mid Ohio and brought my '88 RX7 GTU (146hp). Another guy had an M3. I could dust him in the curves, but he left me like I was standing still on the straights. Power isn't everything!

If you can get a 2002 M3 convert for $40K, get it. I have been searching for a replacement for the 8 (yes, I am returning it) and drove some M3's. I loved them! The power, the handling, the power, the prestige, the power. In the end though, I was finding them priced here in SoCal around $46K for a '01 and '02 coupes. That was too rich for my blood.

Instead I found a good deal on a slightly used 530, black/black, sport & premium. I just brought it home yesterday. My wife was kind enough to park her people-hauler minivan in the driveway so I could put both in the garage. I walked out this morning and thought, boy, what should I drive today.

Of course, as I am waiting for "the call" on when and where to return the 8, I think I should be parking it and not tempting fate that something could happen before I return it. That, and my need to enjoy the new car makes me think I will be driving the 530. None-the-less, it's fun to think of a day when I have a "weekend" car as an option.

I haven't tried attaching .jpg's before so I don't know if this will work...but to give you a visual of my choice, I snapped a quick photo of my garage this morning. NOTE: whoever on here previously felt the need to critique one's photographic ability, save your breath. Well, upon previewing my post, I don't see the attachment anyway...

He did not say it was a covertible for $40K. A reply said that they had owned tow M3 convertibles. His friend's car is a regular M3 from what I gather.

You can't really compare the RX8 to the M3...they are just too different.

Performance wise I can't see how anyone would compare the M3 to the RX8...The M3 simply kicks ass...but then again, the M3 is much more expensive...

Personally, I think the RX8 looks very nice, but a lot of people seem to think it's ugly...the M3 is a little boring for my tastes...personal preference I suppose.

Someone mentioned that the Mazda is the better buy for service and reliability...I gotta disagree...good luck in getting anyone to service your rotary. Mazda stealerships who know even a little about rotaries are few and far between (my friend has the last generation RX7 and he had lots of fun with Mazda service tech's).

One thing however...I've noticed on this board that a lot of the RX8 owners are a little nuts when it comes to anyone making what they perceive as a negative comment about the RX8. It's a lot worse than most other boards. I have never understood why people blindly follow companies lies about their products. I really liked the RX8 and still like the styling but it's pretty pathetic when a Toyota minivan can beat an RX8 automatic in a 0-60 race...yeah yeah, straight line acceleration is not everything but seriously...a minivan???!!! It's a joke people...

Again, I really like the RX8 stylin' and the interior (a little better than Nissan's/Infiniti's plastic junk interior) but it's a real pity about the power issue...

Peace!
LIP

All things considered, the M3 will run you a lot more money.

However, I am considering the M3 as my next car, so I am biased... I'd recommend the M3 over the RX-8 :)

...and I have to disagree with LIP! BMW service is a rip! They charge huge amounts of money for even the most minor service. You should just accept the fact that every time you take your Bimmer in for service you won't get it back for under $200-$300. Their techs are trained to find stuff to add to the list of to-dos every time you go in.

With good maintenance, the RX-8's engine shouldn't need any maintenance for a VERY long time. Also, the BMWs depreciate very fast. We have yet to see how quickly the RX-8s will drop.

As far as torque and power.....M3 wins. Ride, handling, comfort, and materials....I believe the RX-8 has a slight edge. I know from where I speak. I traded in a '97 (E36) 328is sport on my RX-8.

One thing that is undeniable.....rear wheel drive rules! Thanks to all the auto manufacturers who haven't forgotten us sports car enthusiasts!

People need to compare apples with apples.

a new RX-8 and an used M3 is not a good comparison. Used cars are cheaper for a reason, they are used, cost more for maintance and repairs have no warranty etc etc.

how 'bout this
new RX-8 AUS $60000
new M3 AUS $140000

would you prefer a M3 over 2 RX-8's?
or a M3 over a RX-8 and a lotus elise (for the weekend)
etc etc

I know what I would go for :)

Not denying that BMW is a ripoff for service...However, up here in Canada, Mazda has a horrible reputation for service. Parts are INSANELY expensive. You can expect to get suckered with the RX8 up here in Canada as bad as you would with an M3.

HOWEVER...The M3 is still around $74000CAD
RX8 is around $40000CAD

I've heard the insurance companies view both cars differently depending upon which insurance company you are with...they are both 4 door cars theoretically...

On price alone, the comparison is stupid. If price is not the issue then the RX8 would maybe be in my top 10 of cars under 80kCAD...I've driven one and the power simply sucks.
For some people it doesn't matter which is fine. I can totally understand how you would buy a car for the looks as it is a pretty car in my humble opinion. I wish people would stop implying that cornering is somehow more important or more used in everyday driving...obviously these people do not live in North America where every road is in parallel or right angles to one another....Maybe in Europe (in the back roads) this is useful or on the track, but for everyday driving, give me torque!!!

Anyone heard if they will make a Mazdaspeed version for sure??? What would the price be? Would it be just a rotary with a blower?

All the best,

LIP

the mazdaspeed 8 is still uncertain
but I would imagine its just a matter of time

Lip, the RX 8 has decent torque. During the road testing Paul Frere, car expert, stated that,

"It must be remembered that the rotary engine revs noticeably faster than comparable piston engines, calling for a much shorter top gear ratio. Calculating the maximum torque available in top gear at the driving wheels, it turns out tht it ranges between the figures of a 228bhp Porsche Boxster and for a 260 bhp Boxster S."

It is the use of gearing with the high RPM engine and it nearly adds half again as much realized torque. It is this advantage that helps it in the MPH under 80. After that, the BIG engine boys should overtake the RX8. So what.

I really don't care if someone says bad things about the RX8 but I know after the mauling got at a Nissan dealer one day when I drove in with the 8 to look at a Z (buyback shopping) that the torque thing is VERY misunderstood. They talked as if the 8 was way underpowered and that is not the case. BTW I drove the Z and was not impressed. yes it had torque but that was all it had. I kept my RX and am very happy with it. Just took the opportunity to confirm my choice.

I have a '01 M3 and test drove a manual RX8 today since I'm in the market. The RX8 is a great car, but its not in the same class as the M3 and not a fair comparison.

If you have the money and want the speed, definitely consider the M3. Aside from that, the RX8 would make an excellent affordable alternative.

What's with M3 Convertibles?

If you want the convertible, get the 330CiC. If you want a sports coupe get the M3.

I laugh at those guys in M3 convertibles...I think it's a travesty that they even make convertibles in M3 trim. A M3 should be a serious automobile, not something for jackasses to show off their trophy wife in. Oh well....BMW has to bend to market pressure, hence the X5....

btw, you are smoking pot if you can afford to get an M3 and don't buy one. the Rx-8 is a nice car but...c'mon. It's an M3.

Originally posted by o_town_racer
...and I have to disagree with LIP! BMW service is a rip! They charge huge amounts of money for even the most minor service. You should just accept the fact that every time you take your Bimmer in for service you won't get it back for under $200-$300. Their techs are trained to find stuff to add to the list of to-dos every time you go in.


Utter nonsense. My mom has over 18,000 miles on her 2002 330CiC and has to this day not paid a single cent for the car while it as at the dealership. Not a CENT.

Originally posted by DefBringer
Utter nonsense. My mom has over 18,000 miles on her 2002 330CiC and has to this day not paid a single cent for the car while it as at the dealership. Not a CENT.


18000 miles isn't a lot. Wait till 180000.

Originally posted by boarder
If its just between an M3 Conv and a rx8, ignoring price, car service costs and insurance.... m3. Add almost any one of those 3 items into the mix and an rx8 gets a lot "faster" all of the sudden :)

Ditto. (except the RX-8 gas mileage sucks bad at 14-15)

Posted for my Dad... who is going through withdrawal because is account is screwed up... (Twin 8s!)
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We have two RX-8s and love them. We bought both of them at MSRP and did not want all the widgets... This is a sports car!... Not a mini-van to haul kids in and keep them entertained.

I think BMW is a fine company, and they are the gold standard in the sports sedan category. But there are thousands of Bimmers in the area and very few 8s'.... People look at the Bimmers and nod .... People walk up to us, gawk at the cars, ask questions, its great. We really like owning cars that are fun and unique.

By the by got a black 6MT for 27,339 and a blue 6MT for 27,969. Blue one has a 6 CD system. Don't see the need for a nav system on a nice curvy road... Put the windows down, downshift and blow through the turn!

Oh, lastly kids are 15 (boy) and 16 (girl), 5'10" and 5'9" and they fit in the back great.

Thanks
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Please someone help me get my Dad's account fixed... he is driving me nuts!

E36 M3 v RX8, RX8
E46 M3 v RX8, E46

If you do get the E46 M3, get the real man M3(coupe). Please don't buy an M3 with the chopped roof. Please :( :(
If you want convertible, Boxster S is a much better convertible than E46 M3 Convertible. Much much better!!