RenesisPower

I have read and been told over 100 times that one of the advantages of the rotary engine has always been that it is "very smooth".

Compared to any Honda, Toyota, Nissan Z, Infiniti G35c, even VW's 1.8T engine, do you consider the Renesis as a smooth engine specially at high revs (4000 RPM and up)?

rx8cited

Why not test drive an RX-8 and see for yourself? I think it's "very smooth", but I have not driven all those other cars you mention.

rx8cited

skagen

When I drive, I can rev the car to 7krpm and it feels the same as 4krpm, that's how smooth this rotary engine is. I can't even feel any rough vibrations in the cockpit or chasis. Its just beautiful.

RenesisPower

I have owned one since August 03 and have had 16 other cars before this but this is my first rotary.

Speaking exclusively of NVH(noise, vibration, harshness), I find the Renesis noisy and harsh at anything over 4,000 RPM but no vibrations.

One of the European car mags wrote in test driving the RX-8 that"it sounds more like a Japanese bike than a car". I tend to agree with that.

IMHO, the Renesis does not sound refined and smooth but rather noisy and harsh at high revs. Because of the low torque we all know that you have to rev it up to get performance so it adds to the problem.

Anyway, very interest in your comments.

RenesisPower

Thanks Skagen.

Maybe I should drive another RX-8 to see if it feels any different, possibly I could have a problem with mine.

djmano

the renesis is probably the smoothest revving engine you'll find on the market right now.

the engine sings its beautiful song with no faults or flaws at all.

the only thing smoother than its engine is its margarine slick transmission.

RX-GR8

yep the smoothness of the engine is a thing of beauty. and although smooth it does get louder like a swarm of angry bees. it sounds as good as it looks.

zerobanger

its smoother than a babys butt!!!

Actually, I found my self cruising at 7000 RPM the other day and didn't know it. If that helps.

RenesisPower

Thanks for all the replies.

What are you comparing the Renesis to ? I know the Honda Accord is not a sports car but it has a very refined, quiet, vibrationless engine at any RPM.

The Renesis on the other hand(at least mine) is very buzzy at over 4K RPM. I can't hear the stereo at 7K RPM.

zerobanger

maybe someone put a V8 in it and didn't tell you.

RenesisPower

No this aint no V8. Defenitely sounds like a small 4 banger running on 3.

zerobanger

Ic well enjoy your geo metro.

RenesisPower

Geo Metro? What does that have to do with this discussion?

My two other cars are German V8s but it would not be fair to compare the Renesis to a 5.0 litre 300+ BHP Mercedes engine, after all this is supposed to be a small sports car.

The most direct competitors to the RX8 are the Nissan Z and Infiniti G35(pretty much the same car) and they are more refined.

I have not driven the Subaru STI or the Mitsu yet so can not make any comparisons.

zerobanger

I drove the G35 4 door, the 350Z and the S2000, the Rx8 is the most refined car/engine of the bunch with the S2000 second. The 350Z's engine while offering alot of low end torque got so buzzy and lost its breath after 4500 RPM.

M-ster

Well, recalling what Jeremey Clarkson had said in his show: The 8 doesn't seem like running on anything vulgar like diesels or petrols, but on DOUBLE CREAM!

rodmeister

This thread coincides with a question rattling around in my head. Can the Renesis rotors and counterbalances be tuned further, to make it even smoother, say as smooth as a turbine? Does a service like this exist and how much would it cost.

zerobanger

here are few things he said about the 350Z incase you missed it, lol.


part of the reason nissans Z cars came so fat and so heavy is cause they were designed for the american market and the american car is as you know an enormous sofa. this one wasn't just designed for the americans, it was designed by the americans. to be honest it looks a bit of a mess. but it would cause its a jap car designed in america and the head of a project was an indian and the engine is french. we have had fusion food before, but its the first fusion car. Think of it as being a raw hamburger curry served in a disinterested way in a bed of garlic ajuis. If your the sort of person that likes to cruise the stsreet annoying everyone with the stereo this car is for you.

it doesnt take very long to work out that this car has many weak links and the weakest link of all is the engine. first there is the noise and its just a noise and annoying drone and it gets on yoru nerves. Then there is the perfomance. they say it will do 0 to 60 in six seconds ...but it never feels that fast. when you look at the 350Z you expect it to be light, sporty and agile, but its not. I was expecting it to be like a mx-5 fun...but its not. not even a little.

What it is is a ton and a half of iron mongry. its just a muscle car and muscle cars should be fun but its not. The noise is driving me mad. The hard ride and the effort it takes to drive this car makes it one of the most exhausting cars I have ever come across. The look of the interior is fine, but what is not so good is this (showing the flimpsy build quality) I've seen better build quality in an allotment share. There no practicality. The 350 is a 3 out of 10, it could do better.

Racer X-8

Well, there you go dude. He just answered your question. I have an Infiniti & I can't bring myself to rev it higher than 4,500 rpm, cuz it starts sounding real disturbed.

Maybe your Mercedes seems smoother. Maybe it's the engine mounts & exhaust system, whatever. Mercedes knows how to appeal to the sensory perceptions & does things to that end. Nothing wrong there, it's Mercedes. They can do those things and people will drool over them and the wealthy will buy them off the showroom floors.

Crap, I've run out of things to say here. I'm not gonna insult your intellegence with obvious jargon. Just what did you expect?

Gord96BRG

Either something is seriously wrong with your engine (doubtful, but possible), or you're confusing sound with vibration. You're talking about the sound at 4K and 7K rpm - that has nothing to do with smoothness! You'd probably say a Ferrari V12 sounds harsh too at 7K rpm, but those are smoother than a V8 too.

Regards,
Gordon

mqandil

I have owned many cars, and this engine is very smooth, but loud. However that note it makes between 4k-7k is an absloute delight. This is not to say there are not other smooth engines in the market. My previous car was 2002 325i BMW with Dinan intake, & exh., and it probably was as smooth as my engine now, and yes it was also quite. But so is this Renesis.

Mark

Rotary Titus

yea I'd second the part about it being loud... I sometimes refrain myself from revving it to a normal acceleration from a red light cause all the people around would think I'm launching the car and look at that punk when in fact I'm just revving it to where it normally operates...
but it's smooth as... yea as clarkson said, double cream
one of the reasons why I chose this car is that it's the closest sounding thing to a motorcycle with 4 wheels

S3/P3/E2

Yep, have to agree 100% with that one, Mark. I just finished my break-in period and am slowly working my way up the rpm range. I had been going easy on it the last few weeks; but the last few days I've started easing toward 7k, and it's amazing to hear what almost equates to a turbine whine (jet type, not turbocharger type) of note to me. Keeping it in a lower gear as I come off a long 270-deg onramp onto the freeway has become downright fun. Amazes me (although I should know better after reading everyone's posts the last couple months) at how much the power really does build in that range. Couldn't do that in my old 3000GT (or maybe it just wasn't as noticeable). Either way - it's absolutely smooth as can be in comparison to my old 3.0L V6. :D

MazdaManiac

iTrader: (3)

Wow. That is so different from my experience.
I find it hard to tell if the car is even ON when it is at idle and the sound when you rev it is so quiet (compared to what with I am familliar) that I think it seems wimpy to anyone that might hear it.

I often find myself cruising along at 6k or so because I forgot to upshift.
Sometimes, I'll go down the road to my office at 7500 or higher in second. Why you might ask?
Why not?
It feels the same as doing it at 3000 in 4th. Purr...

RX-GR8

yes low gear, high rev builds that power and then if you suddenly tap the gas pedal(haven't really done a WOT at that point i'm sure it will scream too fast for the traffic patterns i'm usuallyin) it is very responsive. what an engine!

S3/P3/E2

More often than not, the only real stretch of freeway on the way to work is just a short one that usually has a CHP cruiser parked on it somewhere. I've had to make special effort to watch my speed (or at least just play for short stints) because it does climb so quickly. Moving to the east coast in about 2 weeks, so I'll have lots of open interstate (and a Passport 8500) to wind it up a bit.