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I am not sure understeer will be a problem, the chassis is completely different than a 135.
I have put 50 miles on the car. I am still getting used to it, but can't see understeer being a problem. The car is really well balanced and the power delivery is awesome. I am going to properly break it in, so it will be a few months before I can really play around.
So far, I am impressed. It is 350 pounds heavier than the RX8, but feels as nimble. It combines the touring comforts of my 8 with raw power (and none of the drawbacks) of the STI I had before. Loving it.
I thought the chassis is the same?
Trust me, on the track, you will plow if you drive it hard. The power makes up for that though.
On handling... "The 1M is an improvement on the 135, which I've spent some time in, but NOT my favorite car. In fact, I hate this car. It won't turn. The thing I didn't like about the 135 was its mid-corner understeer, its reluctance to turn once it was in the corner, and the 1M still does that. And it's the primary thing I remember after driving the car. That it is very lazy on turn-in."
Originally Posted by Roen
I thought the chassis is the same?
Trust me, on the track, you will plow if you drive it hard. The power makes up for that though.
Thank you for posting a link to the one review that WTBrotary had read.
Come on guys, Motortrend? Show me ANY love for that magazine on this site. I have no idea what was up with Pobst's test drive, but no one else has had that to say. Having driven the car after 5 years with the 8, I see NO problems with turn-in and the car is very well balanced.
Thank you for posting a link to the one review that WTBrotary had read.
Come on guys, Motortrend? Show me ANY love for that magazine on this site. I have no idea what was up with Pobst's test drive, but no one else has had that to say. Having driven the car after 5 years with the 8, I see NO problems with turn-in and the car is very well balanced.
Jeremy Clarkson later chose the 1M as his favorite car of the year. The Stig put down a 1:25.00 on their test track when the track was damp.
Bring on the flames.
No flames here... your 1M is a hell of a nice ride. I haven't driven an 1M or any other 1 series, so I can't comment on the handling or performance. I have driven a multitude of BMW's of all shapes, sizes, and years, so I do understand them and what BMW engineers accomplish.
I do agree with your assertion that Motortrend isn't worth the paper it's printed on.
Waking up this old thread....because I’m planning on being back. I hope to have an RX-8 in the stable again in the very near future.
Reading this thread was fun and nostalgic. I have not forgotten how the RX8 fits like a glove. I still have the 1M, and it has become more of a dedicated autocross/track car. I have street tires for it and it is still very well suited to twisty roads and highway cruising, but once race season begins, the track brakes and tires usually stay on. I trailer it to and from events.
I’m introducing my wife and 16 year old to track days and we are getting an RX-8 for that purpose. I can’t wait to get back into an RX-8 myself!! There is another post on that, but thought I would update this thread with a new pic of the car that replaced the RX8, but at times has made me miss it even more....
Its no longer stock. It has high flow cats in down pipes, no secondary cats, full exhaust, intercooler, charge pipe, air filter and a tun to approx 450ft-lb 3000-4500 rpm, 380 hp at 5900 rpm at the wheels on a braking dyno (not mustang numbers). Chassis mods include OEM M3 convertible front sway bar with Turner adjustable end links, camber/caster plates, Ohlins Road/Track DFV coilovers. Track brake setup is PFC V3 2-piece front rotors, stock rear rotors, PFC-08 compound pads, Castrol SRF fluid, Turner braided lines.
Pics below....can’t wait to post up pics of a new rotary powered machine!
As an old fart who has had lots of cars, demonstrators, owned different brands, makes and models.
I currently still own my Series II RX-8 Luxury (63,000 KMS or 36K Miles) a Winter car now (we do not get snow), and my NC MX-5 PRHT.
I love BOTH these cars, even though platforms are almost identical, top down, sunny day, there is nothing like a Miata, you can have fun on public roads without speeding and treat it like a track car.
But the RX-8, well after nearly 20 years since first build, this car is still Really Special, as nothing on the road (yes I know that is a Big Call),
Nothing handles like an RX-8, and it is because of the Rotary Engine and it's position in chassis, 50/50 weight distribution and the fact that the engine is so light.
This gives car the Razor Sharp steering and handling around corners, just a delight to turn in fast, long and short corners.
Like many members here I have driven and or owned for some time virtually all Rotaries from R100 10A and RX-3 10A RX-2 12A, RX-5 13B, RX-7 12A and 13B and 13B Turbo, stock SII RX-8. (apart from RX-7 and RX-8 all the others had horrible chassis, brakes, transmission, and suspension set ups, the RX-5 was getting there but steering/brakes are terrible).
The RX-7 and RX-8 are the special ones, from a handling and practicality the RX-8 wins over the RX-7, outright performance and the FD RX-7 wins, but the RX-8 beats ALL RX-7's in the Steering and Handling and Driver Position (which is overlooked and VERY Important) and the actual engagement of the car with the driver the RX-8 wins every time.
I could never get an enjoyable Driving Position with the FC and FD RX-7, it felt strange, particularly FD with the high console, low seating position and high wrap around dashboard and long hood (lots of interior rattles in the rear hatch and trims).
The original SA22C RX-7 12A was the Miata type in handling and steering as the car was light and tossable.
The FE RX-8 is close to 20 years younger in engineering terms over the FD and it shows, RX-8 is better from a engineering standpoint which reflects in the cars abilities.
Could the RX-8 have more power and torque, yes, BUT this is not what the car is about, just like the Miata MX-5, it is not about power.
The RX-8 really is a very special car of it's times and there is still nothing in the way of an ICE vehicle that matches it.
(Having said that there is one new car that I would like to test out and that is new Supra).
11-22-2011, 09:20 AM
