Gibbo

Well after 3 joyous years my RX-8 days are now officially numbered.

I placed my deposit down this morning on a new BMW 335. 6 Speed Manual Montego Blue with all the options.

After driving both the auto and the manual, my mind was quickly made up. The manual was for me.
The urge of the twin turbo 6 is just awesome. Smooth power down from idle, when I say smooth I mean the power delivery is flawless and the acceleration keeps you pushed back in your seat right through to redline.

I have ordered a Jan 07 manufactured car, delivery is due in March 07.

I am counting down the days.

I have to say it has been memorable having the 8, it pains me a little to think about letting her go, but I know it is a step forward.

Grizzly8

Congrats , baggs any spare parts from your ride

Mate you are the second person we have lost to a BMW 335 I Nick G over at RX8 AU has ordered one as well same colour

You might find this interesting reading A 335 D

http://www.carmagazine.co.uk/first_d...sid=239&page=1

Michael

boofhead

Nice choice. I also see that car as a possible future option but its price is getting up there a little. Anyway, have fun with your last few months of the Rx8.

takahashi

It is nice to know you are trading up Gibbo. Nice choice.

I am sure there will be 20 inch chrome wheel in that BMW as well?

I am looking at a second car in 2 years... maybe you should tell me what it is like?

cleoent

good choice, that 335 is one hell of a piece of engineering.

Detrich

i thought 2004 was the first model year for the 8?

Gibbo

Detrich,
My car is plated June 2003, I had it in my hot little hands at the end of the following month. I was one of the first here in Aust.
I can tell you I still love the attention the RX8 gets and the uniqueness.
But it was time to move on and nothing else has grabbed me like the 335.

Grizzly8

The servicing cost are way more expensive than the RX8 but they do call you SIR .

Michael

timbo

Good one, Gibbo. I must admit the tech specs of the 335 are very tasty, and the performance shame many a recent model M3. That motor in the Z4 coupé...hmmm

Gibbo

The Z4 M Coupe was my pick...but the wife over ruled me. Two kids put an end to any cars without a back seat.
The M3 was not an option considering the new model in 08, so the 335 was the pick of the bunch. The performance being on par with the current M3 was a big plus.

xxup

Farewell Gibbo... It was nice knowing you..

Revolver

Congrats Gibbo. It's certainly a wonderful drivetrain.

Although something tells me it won't turn as many heads as the blingmobile does.

Hope you stick around and continue inviting us to trackdays and cruises. I'd love to bomb some Bimmer cruises.

Gibbo

Just cause the car changes doesn't mean I will be deserting here.
I will still be here seeing who I can get to a track day.

kunz

I'm taking bets on how long it will take Gibbo to put on sweeeeet 22" bling bling's on the BMW.

Rotor Convert

Well what a lovely choice of car.

Interestingly I was speaking to a younger colleague today...his eyes popped out of his head when he saw my car He said to me. Oh wow I know nothing about cars...I bought a BMW 3 series and I could have had a cool car like that. My response was, well mate that's the beauty about being older, wiser and having more class! His was a pov pack car tho.

Well done for flying the flag so early with the 8. I am sure there will be things you will miss about it, but I know how exciting it is to get a new car.

Enjoy the zoom while you can.

EZZY

congrates Gibbo, great choice, well done!
bet you are excited. ;-)

NickG

Yup that makes two of us then! Ordered my Montego Blue 6MT 335i coupe back in August. It docks in Sydney on 24 November, so I should get it by mid Dec. Out of curiosity what interior did you get? I went Jade Grey/ aluminium trim. The thing is pretty loaded in standard form so I only optioned the stereo to the premium Logic 7.

I'm still enjoying my RX8 though. Although I'm soon parting with it I'm determined to derive as much pleasure from it as I can between now and then. The only bit I'm not looking forward to is the likely depreciation. Reckon I'll be lucky to get $35k in Sydney for a private sale poverty pack with 55000km. It pisses me off that dealers are selling so called "demonstrators" for under $50k now. Still I never bought the thing with high resale in mind.....

Gibbo

Nick,

I got the Black Leather with Brushed Aluminium Trim. I also got the sunroof, the active steering (for those track days), the upgraded stereo, anti dazzle mirrors int and ext., the comfort pack, the alarm and the radar cruise control.

How did price negotiations go? They were a tough bunch to haggle with because the car is only just released and demand is high.

NickG

Jeez you did go fully loaded didn't you! It's embrassing to admit but I paid list. Back in August there wasn't a lot of price negotiation going on. Guess they figure if your keen enough to pre-order before the launch they've got you anyway. I was more interested in the lease deal they could offer and am going with Full Circle, which gives a guaranteed payback after the agreed lease term. I've done way too much $$$ with cars failing to meet residuals before...

Gibbo

I only managed to get $3,000 off the price and this was an absolute battle, they said that they don't discount this car and it was only because my receptionist used to work for them that I got the discount at all.
I looked at full circle and then priced it against the guys that do finance for me here at work and I managed to save $500 a month off full circle with my finance guys. I wanted the full circle option but couldn't justify the extra cost. I did 50% residual over 3 years.

Gibbo

Thanks guys for the farewells.

I will miss you guys and the 8. IF only they bought out a factory turbo I would still be part of the conclave.

Gibbo

It would have been cheaper...but the warranty is a factor for me, hence no FI 18 months ago. Also resale is a bit of an issue, I already dropped a bit on the sale when I got all the options, dumping another $12,000 - $18,000 was not really that appealling when resale would not really be helped at all.

Also I like the raw factory power out of the BM....the possibilities for ecu work etc are already running through my head.

I just can't help myself.

Revolver

Not disagreeing with your other reasons Gibbo but just on that one, Archie from Mazfix had some interesting things to say to me at the Nats about the popular conception of waiting until warranty expires before going down the FI route.

He thinks there are good reasons for doing the opposite. However, rather than verbal him, those interested should contact him to discuss further.