I know some people hate these threads but...

I'm currently driving a 2001 BMW 330i and thinking of switching to an RX8. I probably will eventually, if not now, perhaps in a year of two when they come out with a Mazdaspeed version of the RX8?!?

Why is a Mazda RX8 better than a BMW 330?

I think the RX-8 is quicker in a straight line (0-60 of 5.9 seconds versus 6.4 seconds for 330).

330 has more torque but I think the gearing and flat torque curve of the RX-8 compensate in this area. When I launched and shifted the RX-8 it seemed like it always wanted to be above 3000 rpm and was settled nicely in the torquey RPM bands of the rotary engine.

Handling, RX8 wins hands down. It's lighter and more agile in the twisties.

Anyone else have any thoughts on this?

 

You're right...the RX8 is 500 lbs lighter than the Beemer, tighter through the curves and easier on the wallet for servicing. My last service cost me $220...whereas most BMW owners usualy part with $1000 or so for a service (or so they do here in Australia).

 

my woman actually wanted the 330ci. I drove over an hour to the nearest dealership to test one and on the way back home...bought the 8. Two very different cars...the 330 feels much heavier (dont even know if it is or by how much), more solid, and the finish and quality of materials on the interior especially is better. The 8 is a nimble car and delivers its power very differently. The driving experience is excellent in both...good feedback and response...paint is probably better on the 330. The BMW defines sophisticated but the RX-8 is dead sexy and begs to be driven hard.

 

It's ironic that you ask this question because that is the same two cars I was looking to get for the last couple of months. Then I decided on the Mazda at the end. Here are my observations:

- The 330 has more space, is more comfortable from a passenger standpoint, it does have more torque, but that is expected with an inline 6 and more displacement. You pay more to have the BMW name badge on the car, also. That is ultimately what turned me off to the beemer.

- The Mazda is MUCH more fun to drive and to be seen in. It is MUCH more unique than the BMW. Once I decided I wanted one of these two cars, I started to notice the BMW everywhere, but the Mazda is a more rare sighting. The Mazda is going to need more attention than the 330, but some people kind of like that aspect.

- Plus, the Mazda uses ALOT more gas! More is better, right?

Ultimately the decision comes down to you and what you want more, comfort and roominess or a little less room and comfort and (probably) more smiles per mile. :D


Chris....

 

You may want to consider switching now. There are some amazing deals on the '04 8's this time of year!! As for the MS version, don't hold your breath!! From what I hear, the MS version is NOT coming to the US market. As for comparrison, search this forum, also, test drive an 8, I think you will be able to make up your mind. Both GREAT cars, both very different.

Good luck!!

- Irish

 

One thing I forgot to mention, I hated the dash design in the BMW's, it seemed like it was designed in 1989. On the other hand, the dash in the Mazda really does it for me. I am astonished at how many auto mags talk bad about the digital speedo, when that is one of my favorite things! I am biased though, I come from the motorcycle world and the digital speedo is an expectation for me now.

Chris....

 

Just out of curiosity, anyone know how the 330 does on gas consumption compared to the 8?

 

Well, this may be an answer that's different than a lot of peoples' on this board, but, I'd go with a BMW 330Ci over an RX-8. Now, the difference is that I said "Ci". I'd still take a 330i over an RX-8, as long as it had a 5-speed, or if it had the Performance Package (mmmmmm...). I'm a BMW guy, though. I just love everything about them. I truely miss my '95 325is. It had M3 suspension and brakes. I still have the Z3, though.
Anyway, I'd take a 330Ci 5-speed with the Sports Pkg. over an RX-8. I would've even gotten a 325Ci over the RX-8 if they were as cheap. A 330Ci 5-speed should match the acceleration of an RX-8, and I know how rediculously capable they are at speed. Comparable to an RX-8. Close enough, in fact, that I couldn't just outright say that one is OBVIOUSLY faster than the other. I'd take the solidity, refinement, luxury, engine, heritage, and status of the BMW over the RX-8. I like my 8. I'd just rather have the bimmer if I could've afforded it.

 

You should be averaging in the low to mid 20s. I was doing about 20-22 (with fequent abuse) with my Z3 and my 325is. I don't think they're much different now.


I have to correct several people on something:
A BMW car is a BIMMER, and BMW motorcycle is a BEEMER!
Get it straight!

 

Remember, the 330 is a sedan that is sporty and the 8 is a sport car that is practicle. If you like sport car more, than the 8 is your choices. However, if you like a sedan that have some sport car feel than the bmw is not a bad choices. Personally, I'm a sport car guy, so I'll take the 8 anyday.

 

**Said with the Steve Martin voice** - Well excuuuuuse me!


Hey, I did say that I come from the motorcycle world. But comments like that re-enforce my notion that I did the right thing and passed on the bimmer. I'm not into status or coffee shops.

Chris....

 

First, the 8 is cheaper. For the price difference, you can outfit your 8 with the complete MS mod list and let a dealer do all the work. You can get pretty close to a Mazdaspeed 8 this way and you'll keep your warranty.

Second, the BMW is a very fine car, but it's boring compared to the 8. You don't get the feeling that you're driving everyone else's car in the 8 (especially if you live near Munich as I do, where BMWs swarm like flies).

Third, the 8 is the only car of its kind. Once you've gotten used to its 9k redline, its linear power increase and its jetfighter roar, other cars become boring.

Fourth, steering and handling. I haven't driven a car that comes close to the 8 and I've driven various BMWs (worked for a company that had a whole fleet of them as company cars). The 8 completely outhandles the BMW 3 series at high speeds, basically because its roadhold gets better and better the faster you go, while the BMW gets shaky at a certain point (beyond 120 mph in my experience).

 

so true and the bmv is so plain

 

When I was deciding on the 8, two of the cars on my shortlist included a new 320ci or a used 330ci.

The Beemers are okay to drive, but are not exactly what you call fun or involving........

 

Ok, as a former BMW M3 owner I think I know what I´m talking about... I must admit, before I bought the 8 I had never owned a car other than beemers with the last one being the M3. Actually I wasn´t planning on bying a new car when I bought the 8. My girlfriend went to check out some other ride at dealer and I thought I´d take the 8 for a ride. I have always loved the driving in a beemer, kinda like the commercials say. "More car than you would ever know" but after driving the 8 I never want to drive another beem. The 8 is so much fun driving all other cars seem kinda neutral.
Sure the M3 has a bigger engine with its 341hp, but the 8 feels faster. No doubt I´d go for the 8, over and over again...=)

 

I missed out on a sweet deal on a used 03 330i. This is when I went and bought my 8 for less than the 330 was although not by much. The 330i is the only other car on the A list for me even though I drove many other comparable cars.

The 330i is stiffer and more practical than the ci. The 3.0L puts close to 200hp to the wheels stock, in line with many opinions that BMW underrates the motors.

Some interesting information about your car though. 2001 BMW changed the steering to a higher ratio. This reduced the effort and reduced the feel. BMW fanatics cried bloody murder. MY2001 was the only boosted model. There is a retrofit, but many feel it wasnt a complete fix. (http://forum.e46fanatics.com/showpos...86&postcount=6)

Your 330i is also almost four years old. I cannot remember if the warranty was 4/50k yet then but your car will soon rapidly lose value. With the E90s coming out, E46s will probably drop in value, although any BMW doesnt plummet in resale.

I dont regret my decision on the 8. I still want a 330i. The Bimmer (not Beemer) is a very fun drive and very capable, although a little heavy. It has been a 10Best at least every year the E46s have been on the road.

As far as piston engines go youve got the smoothest with the 3.0L. But the 1.3L in the 8 is smoother.

Good luck with your decision. You are potentially going from one great car to another.

 

hmm well it depends on what you want the car for, but personally speaking I'd take an 8 over a 330i or even a 330ci

before I start, If you really need the "4 doors" you shouldnt even be posting this because the answer is obvious. However, I'm assuming this isnt quite the case.

Reason why I would take an 8?...... for less money you can get a car that rides smoother, is just as "luxurious" as any 3 series, handles better, can accomodate the same amount of people and has better performance. Nothing against the bimmer; its a good car in and of itself. But you're not really driving a "BMW" at the 3 series level (I'm not counting the M3 as thats off in its own little special world)... its "luxury" but its not all THAT luxury....and while the performance is good, it doesn't really get that sport appeal accross to the driver. You really are paying a premium simply because its a "BMW" and while that may mean something for some.... it means nothing to me. If you were to buy a car based on "stigma", IMHO The stigma that BMW is supposed to offer is not really put forth in the 3 series..... sure, you got yourself a nice car but depending on some of your motives, you may end up not quite getting what you were looking for... but thats just my opinion

The 8 just seems like better value

 

i read report a few years back, that the 3 series bmw was prone to more maint. then the other bmw's cause it was cheaper made vehicle. i also know a couple of people that bought 325i's and wish they hadn't. basic stuff door handles and window cranks that would pop off. alot off money for a car that won't hold together

 

My friend has a 330ci and it ran upwards of $40k, it could probably be had for around $36k now. If you had to make the decision now, I'd get the 8 over the 3 series. The only noticeable thing you'd be sacrificing is space.

But, if you have time and money is no thing, I'd wait for the Masdaspeed RX8 because all it needs is that little oomph to be the perfect car - even better than the next to shelf 3 series excluding M3, of course. No other car in production like the 8. Amazing value. Good luck with your decision.

 

I guess it depends upon your age. I grew up in the 60s and the bikes and cars were all bimmers. The term beemer didn't start until the 80s when all the yuppies had to have their status symbols. I didn't like beemer (again it implys a status symbol) then and I still don't, to me they are all bimmers.

But each to his own. We know that both mean BMW.

 

I'm looking at a 2004 BMW 330Ci's with about 10,000 miles on them for a couple of thousand more than a loaded 2005 Rx8. I'm coming out of a 2000 BMW Z3 which has been a terrific car, but now with kids 10 and 8 will need a couple of extra seats for the next 6 or 8 years until they start driving.

The 330 with a 6 speed is a very nice car to drive, it has the advantage over the Rx8 of lots of low end torque. The car handles very well for it's weight - but the Rx8 wins hands down on fun to drive. Fit and finish is better in the BMW and there is good reason why it is considered the gold standard of luxury sport coupes.

Direct comparison:
330Ci: better fit and finish, great handling for it's size, lots of low end torque, more "image", conservative styling, proven technology, better gas mileage (consistently in the 20's for city driving).

Rx-8: More agressive styling, more fun to drive between 3,000 and 9,000 rpm, better handling, only 1 model year of experience, fuel consumption is higher, unique car in the world

Service: I have had very positive ownership experiences with both Mazda and BMW for reliability and durability. The dealership experience was better at BMW from purchase through to service, I have already been directly lied to by 2 Mazda dealers who both got me on their lot to grind me. For service you get "pampered" by BMW, they come to pick up your car for servicing and leave you a loaner. Of course you pay for that service, tune ups and annual servicing for the bmw were about $500.

I'm strongly leading to the Rx-8 - it reminds me of my old miata with more substance. I just need to find an ethical dealer - 0 for 2 so far.

Good luck with your purchase - I will likely be buying one in a few months when the value of my Z3 goes up a little.

 

I test drove the 8 and was very impressed with the ride and handling. Last year I began autocrossing and I think the 8 would be a blast on the autocross course. I also plan to do some DEs this year and again I think the 8 would be a lot more fun on a road course than the BMW.

I have S plan with my company so I can get the car at invoice minus any incentives. Right now there are $3500 cash incentives on leases which is a pretty sweet deal. I guess S plan is not such a great deal because from reading the board it looks like most people can get the car at invoice without S plan.

 

330 with a 6-speed manual gets 30mpg on the highway and 20mpg in the city.

It's actually slightly better than the 325i which get 29 hwy and 20 city.

 

yep, I had the steering retrofit done for free by BMW. I lucked out because most people weren't able to get this done as a second owner but somehow I lucked out.

Some other things with my car, I don't have the sports package so I'm riding on all-season rubber and 17x7" wheels. Without the sports package, the suspension is nowhere near as sporty as the 8. So to get my car more trackable, I'd have to invest at least $600-700 in shocks/springs +install (or more with coilovers) and probably another $1200 for summer wheels and tires. Of course, if I buy the 8 I'd have to get some winter tires.

 

BMW car --> Beemer. :p