rotaryfanatic

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4242

Interesting direct comparison.

mysql101

not much of a comparison.

I have a german friend.

He said:

It looks like the MSRP is around 35k for the bmw. The RX-8 msrp is around 27k. So 8k best case. Knowing we can get a 8 for less than MSRP, and the BMW is unlikely to be stripped down, the difference is likely more significant.

Unfortunately, stock to stock, we're looking at a 300 hp car with 290 tq vs a 230 hp car with 140 tq. Not going to be shocking which one wins.

EdwardsB

isn't the bmw a turbo 6? if so what would you expect from a larger displacement FI car

Take the money you save and go to mazsport and buy a turbo kit for your 8

mysql101

yep.... but at that point the bmw has a warranty and the 8 wouldn't, so that would not be a fair comparison either.

EdwardsB

ah true I didnt think of that, oh well im happy with my 8 anyway

arcX-8

They liked the 8's acceleration at high rpms. They didn't like that the trunk needs to be opened with the key. I guess they didn't take the time to find out about the dash button - assuming that's standard on euro spec cars. They did like the 8's details better but said that the BMW was a better package. Closing statement was:"The BMW won our hearts, but it was also the better car objectively speaking." Comparing similar sized cars with a 75 hp difference seems counterproductive. I thought the tone of the whole thing was to make the BMW look better no matter what. Just my subjective opinion though. I would like to see the 215hp 199tq 135 compared to the 8, and I actually like BMWs. I would never buy one though until they make some progress in quality, and that is speaking from personal experience.

EdwardsB

They are good cars but I only ever really liked the m3 or m5...don't care for the m6 styling and there are 3 series everywhere.

bigireland

okayokayokay.. the 135 is faster, handles better(but that has to be by the slightest of margins) and consumes less fuel.. they forgot one thing though.. that car next to the rx-8 looks like rosie o'donnell next to halley berry.. watch the video again.. i'm right

superdon2

biased germans! they picked an 8 to bully a jdm

should have compared that lunchbox with evo X as they have the same hp and msrp.

Phade2

It does have that pot belly pig profile. No doubt it's a great performer, but in a couple years it'll be just as common as an accord.

bigireland

also when they were driving the rx-8, upon shifting to 2nd, the driver said "oh" and when he shifted to 3rd, finished it with "wow".. doesn't matter what language you speak..

delhi

So a 3500+lb car handles better than a 3000+lb car? Right..... I call biased.

playdoh43

wight isnt everything you know? otherwise toyota yarises would be running circles around the rx8

mysql101

weight is huge. it's the reason why the lotus is regarded as a fast car, even though it barely has 200 hp.

9291150

Speaking as someone who picked the 8 over a 330 with sport package, I can't see how the new 1 would handle better. In the end it was the opinion of 2 guys, but the 1 looks promising. The rear seat would keep it out of consideration for me; otherwise BM seems to be getting back to its roots with the 1.

Surprised the acceleration contest wasn't even worse. they obviously started both cars just off idle with no wheel slippage, something that wouldn't really affect the 135 but kills the 8.

playdoh43

weight is surely a factor but not everything. a lot of factors together contribute to the Elise' great handling and overall performance. Lotus is also known for its suspension tuning and weight balance/chasis engineering. Lotus designed the suspension for the GT-R, which has been proclaimed to handle better than a lot of lighter cars.

mysql101

weight will play a greater role than just about anything else. Tweaking the suspension is something that you have to do anyway, and modify based on what track you're racing on.

playdoh43

I'm not denying that weight plays a big part when it comes to handling, but saying a statement like:,

"So a 3500+lb car handles better than a 3000+lb car? Right..... " is short sighted.

otherwise, like i said a yaris should be running circles around the rx8, if weight alone determines how well a car handles

delhi

You missed the point that both cars are sports tuned to handle. The Yaris is not. Using Yaris example is foolish. Atleast try the MX-5. Oh wait, the mx-5 does handle well.

Detrich

to me, the 1 series is better if you don't mind driving around in a car that looks like a square loaf of bread...

plus, if u add on options, the 135i hits $45k EASILY, not to mention tax & licensing puts it at almost $50k. fully-loaded, the 8 maxes out at $35k. not even in the same ball park or price range, if u ask me.

apples to oranges.

Startl_Respons

Time for you to quit.

SayNoToPistons

iTrader: (8)

Ouch... Now let's wait for a less biased comparison. Car & Driver perhaps?

delhi

Where is John Davis?!!!

playdoh43

ok, then your statement basically agrees that weight isnt everything, suspension tuning and other factors are also big contributors... yaris vs mx5 is a good example of relatively same weight yet other characteristics makes big difference in handling.


and just out of curiousity, to you, since both the rx8 and mx-5 are "sports tuned to handle." And since the mx-5 is lighter, does it handle better than the rx8?

NaarLeven

people on that forum suprisingly not the usual 8 haters.

Quite the mature group. Go on youtube to find countless RX8 IS SLOW AS **** THAT CAR SUCKS ect..