labrat

I said goodbye to an old friend today when I traded in my RX-8. I certainly hope it goes to a good home, as I really looked after it. I enjoyed every minute driving it, even though I never drove it on a track. My daily commute was a pleasure, and country drives were always fun.

I probably would have held onto it for another couple of years, hoping against hope that Mazda would come up with a successor. However, with the car nearly on 100k km, six years old and Mr Rudd giving small businesses a 50% tax break, the last named factor was the deal maker.

So what did I get? I'm now driving a BMW 125i coupe with M-Pack and 18" wheels. After driving only about 40km to date, a detailed comparison is probably not on, but at least I can say that it is a more than worthy successor to the RX-8. Three reasons why I didn't go for the 135i - too much money, I don't need the power, and the fuel economy isn't as good. Initial impressions suggest that it will be quicker than the RX-8 (certainly that's what a comparison of the performance figures suggest), and the low down pulling power is better. I'm also a fan of naturally aspirated motors

The finish is really very good, and even without all those expensive BMW options the car is well equipped. Leg room in the rear seems quite good, and the boot room is good too.

Oh, there is one other thing. That's the sound of that glorious straight six.

I'm going to miss the RX-8. It made me love driving.

@!!narotordo

You'll be back on day. GL and have fun.

rotarenvy

sorry to see you go.

hope you like the bmw just as much as the 8

Revolver

Another German conquest.

Best of luck Labby. Your calm, thorough posts were always a pleasure to read.

Take care mate.

DrGonzo

Nice purchase! The 125i would probably have to be one of the most underrated cars on the market.

labrat

I'm not sure whether it was a German conquest. I hope it was a rational choice, particularly when rudderless Rudd was throwing a very considerable amount of money in my direction as a tax break, and this window of opportunity is only available to the end of 2009. At this particular time, there was no other vehicle in my price bracket which could offer a similar performance profile to the RX-8. I'm hooked on the concept of the light, rear-wheel drive sports car. A series 2 RX-8 wasn't a consideration due to it not being a generational change, and not attacking the fuel consumption problem.

I'm not sure so sure that I have been calm and rational in all my posts. I can have an unfortunate way with words at times, and for that I apologize.

Being part of this forum has always been a pleasure. I learnt a lot from you guys, and this certainly helped understand and enjoy my RX-8 more. I'll probably drop in from time to time, particularly to learn how your experiments in FI turn out.

labrat

After a whole day of driving, I think I would have to agree with you. We drove up the cost today to visit my elder daughter, and it was just plain fun. I had heard that the combination of the M suspension set up and 18" Brisdgestone run flat tyres made the ride hard and jittery. After stepping out of an RX-8 with stock suspension, I would have to say "not a bit of it". The suspension is firm, but not as hard as the 8. Of course, I'm prepared to allow that my 8 had a whisper short of 100k km on the clock, and the shockers probably weren't in premium condition. I would describe the suspension as compliant, and quite comfortable. Road noise is low, much lower than the 8 with Toyo proxes on it, which were the quietest tyres I put on the car.

Although the rated power is 160kW, the acceleration is quoted at 6.4 secs. for the 100. The extra torque (270NM) is nice. Although the 135i is a truly awesome performer, for those who want perhaps a shade more performance than the 8, then this is a machine you could look at.

The sales guy who did the delivery said we were the first that he could recall who had ordered a manual 125i. A shame for those other buyers, the gearbox is very slick, even from brand new.

timbo

Great to hear you like the new car. I looked closely at the 135 but the deal offered on the S3 was irresistible...not much more than I paid for my pov pack 8 (as an early adopter, I knew I was always paying full freight )

Gomez

Enjoy, Labby .

Revolver

Agreed about the lack of competition. If the looks of the 1 series coupe did it for me I'd be there in a flash but they don't, so I'm hanging onto the old Revolvermobile and having some fun with it instead. I'm sure you'll enjoy it though. I've test driven the 125i, 130i and 135i (some more than once, vainly trying to come to terms with the looks ) and from behind the wheel they're awesome little jiggers. Love the sound too.

Hahaha, as the opposite of calm and rational, not to mention a peculiar way with words myself, I wonder how many apologies I owe???

Would be great to see you back from time to time Labby. I'll be up Brisbane way at some stage getting the kit sorted, so maybe we can arrange a Brissy cruise with the troops??

labrat

Let's know when you intend to come to Brisneyland. I'm away for a month in a couple of weeks time doing gigs in South Africa and Brazil for a client.