Paul_in_DC

You own a BMW.
You drive an RX-8.

waldo

325i's have poorer quality because they are made in S Africa. 325ci 330i, 330ci are made in Munich. Z cars and the X5 are made in Spartanburg SC.

Without the SP an 8 is hands down better than a 330i. Your 330i would be a very good trade-in moneywise, though.

Good luck again.

RX8SpdDmn

Maybe you're not familiar with BMW's rich racing heritage.

BTW, not all BMW owners are yuppies who hang out at coffee joints.

Dragon Run
(Right-click and download)

Paul_in_DC

You're right, of course. I was thinking just of the yuppie crowd, especially the "I've got mine the hell with you" types I see around this area. I stand corrected. (BTW, cool pics!)

clyde

Using autocrossing as a criteria, it's still a tough choice. The 330Ci has won the SCCA Solo II Nationals in the past (2003 DS and DSL, 2002 DSL) and the RX-8 only had one decent showing in its class at a National event last year (Houston National Tour). OTOH, the RX-8 should be one of the real contenders in B Stock this year. What makes the comparison interesting, though, is that the RX-8 is a hell of a lot more fun to toss around an autocross course than any current BMW (and the E46 330 models aren't going to be in production much longer...the E90 versions will be a big ??? until someone develops and runs one).

For reference, before buying my RX-8, I drove a 2002 325xiT for two years (my wife's car now).

Which is the better car to own/drive on a daily basis depends on what you want. The BMW is a lot more isolated. The steering is relatively numb and almost imprecise (2002-2005, 2001 is worse). It's also a bit more comfortable, IMO. The 330i doesn't make you work for the power like the RX-8 does. Depending on your point of view and what you want from your daily driving experience, those could be plusses or minuses. I'd much rather have a 330i to commute in and take trips with than an RX-8, but I'd take the RX-8 for driving fun every time...and that's why I bought it.

RX8SpdDmn

thanks :D

Noob_for_life

Alright i am the ultimate source for this question...

I own an rx-8 my dad drives a 330ci

both manual

if ur looking for a straight up fun to drive sports car the rx8 is the best of the two

comfort styling status level that is what you get with the bmw. Also a BMW is a BMW not technically a Ford.

overall the BMW is fast luxurious and easy and fun to drive around in, on the downside long throws and not really race inspired.

Rx8 save money you get a fun car and you get some heads turning.
one more thing most people think an rx8 costs a lot more than it does this is always a plus!

Hope this helps

RX8-79

How is the RX8 "technically a Ford"?

I'd buy that if this was an example where a car was built by the parent company and rebadged, but that's not the case with the 8.

TODreamer

By your way of thinking a Merc is technically a Chrysler... you gonna dis an SLK55?

Further IMHO, a "bmw" is not a "bmw"...not if its a 3 series (not counting M3 and I'm not knocking the 3 series its a good car).... the luxury/class/status that BMW is supposed to deliver doesnt come out at the 3 series level.

so you drive a 330i ... big deal, so does everybody and his brother... wheres the status in that?

come down off that pony.. it aint no high horse

Matt RX8

Interestingly, I am currently struggling whether to buy a brand new RX8, keep my 330i, or buy a new 330i with performance package,xenons,cold weather, leather. There are current incentives right now on 330i sedans where they are offering 3800 cash back and I was able to get the dealer down another $1000 and I can also get another $ 500 due to BMW club rebate so I could basically get the car at $5300 below invoice (or about 38 K).
for those that don't know the performance package is a nice $3900 option. It has a more agressive diff, it's lower, more camber, stiff suspension, short throw shifter, tighter steering ratio. basically it's a really fun car to drive. Insurance for me is also $200/cheaper than an 8.

Or I could get an 2005 RX8 6speed with Sports Package for S plan at 26455 minus the rebates which are now 3000 if you finance through Mazda Credit. I wouldn't get sunroof or leather because I can't fit in the RX8 with my helmet.

The Mazda wouldn't be as loaded as the BMW but it would be just as fun to drive and that's what it's all about isn't it. Plus it's about 15,000 cheaper.

Now the BMW will hold it's value longer, but maybe not so good as the new model is coming out (E90).

Riggs

With all due respect, this is one of the most ridiculous statements I think I have ever read

Matt RX8

I agree, I own two 3 series (2001 330i and a 2004 convertible) and they are both great cars.

This weekend I will buy either an RX-8, 2005 330i with performance package, or a new 2004 M3.

Riggs

Machan

My choice would start with M and end in 3.
Especially considering what you have already.

The RX8 is a fun, unique drive though.

TODreamer

Well you can think what you want but a BMW is more or less supposed to stand for luxury no? (they do performance quite well but their meat and potatoes is luxury and status)...... I've driven many different Bimmers and I'm sorry but I'm just not all that impressed from a luxury stand point in a 3 series and I dont see the status in it either. Its a nice car mind you (decent performance.. not counting the M3) so dont get your panties all up in a bunch...I just think its a little over priced simply because of a badge.

maybe the new 3 series will be different,

But thus far... thats my opinion.. is that ok with you?

Matt RX8

I just got finished test driving a 2005 BMW M3 6 speed and I can say that is not the car for me. Granted it was a brand new car with less than 25 miles when we started so we had to keep it under 4500 RPMs (strict break-in period on an S54 engine) but I felt the suspension was incredibly brutal and not something I cared for at all (and my wife and I both currently drive BMWs). I like the RX8 much better. Oh, and you can almost buy two 8s for the price of the M3

Tomorrow, I'm back to the same dealership to totally abuse a used M3 that has already been broken it just to make sure.

Tomorrow, I'm also driving the BMW 330i with performance package (ZHP). It has the short shift kit, another 10 hp, stiffer suspension and some other goodies. With current incentives, it's about 8K more than the 8. I suspect the 330i ZHP will be an autocross beast.

I really like the 8 but the wife just isn't feeling it. She's all about the Munich thing even though she was born in the shadows of Mt. Fuji. WTF?

Ike

Yeah... that's why their catch phrase is "the ultimate driving machine". BMW has always been about status, but to call the 3 series any less of a BMW just doesn't make sense because without it BMW probably wouldn't exist.

shaolin

^^^ Couldn't agree anymore. Not everyone has the money for a 7 or even a 5 series, but with the advent of the 3 series, the average guy could manage it. You can guarantee that over half of BMW sales are 3 series.

TODreamer

ok now you're talking about the general business aspect of it which I was totally not talking about at all (note I was just talking about my personal opinion as a consumer)......but yeah, if you wanna start talking about business, I think the 3 series is the best thing to ever happen to BMW... and If I was on its board of directors, I'd have wet dreams every night about the 3 series and wake up with creamed undies simply because its lining my fat *** pockets.....I'd buy one and wouldn't even bother to drive it... just keep it in my garage with cordons around it with a sign that says "move'n on up don't only happen to George Jefferson" :D

there, you happy?

man, you guys take things a little too literally....thats why I used "quotations" when I wrote that....gawd

Matt RX8

So I test drove the 330 with performance package and the E46 M3. I liked the 330 but it is not very different at all from my current 330i. And since it costs 10-13K more than the RX8 I figure it's not worth it. The E46 M3 is way to much money in my opinion and I did not enjoy the driving experience.

So now I'm left to the decision of keep my 2001 330i or buy the RX8.

viggen

RX-8 is a more creative version of the same concept as the 330. Lighter, quicker reflexes, slightly more cubic feet of interior space, the RX-8 is a 330 with a little more imagination...

Riggs

Easy guys, I didn't mean to start a ruckus - I'm no flamer.

TODreamer - please don't take my comment personally. I stated that I thought that "one comment" was ridiculous and was not calling you ridiculous by any means.

The 3 series is the benchmark to which all sport sedans are compared and to which all other companies are trying to reach. I know that the G35 is a great car and has been placed just behind, or in some cases, just in front of the 3 but anyone who has driven both and is being truly objective knows that the G35 just doesn't have that "feel" or "connection" between driver and machine. (This is one of the reasons I love my RX8)

And if what I am hearing from word/friends back in Europe is true, the new 3 is going to push that envelope even further. Like IkeWRX and shaolin said, the 3 is the backbone of BMW and they cannot afford to screw up the new 3.

"the RX-8 is a 330 with a little more imagination..."

That's a good way to put it viggen. I drove a 2004 330 Coupe 6-spd for about 4 months and the RX8 is about the same speed, but the RX8 "feels" much faster and is alot more involving to drive (which I love). The BMW does everything so effortlessly where the RX8 makes you work for your fun

Picked up a 2005 STi on Saturday = yikes!
I grew up on WRC so I can appreciate the look and concept behind the design. It may be ugly but it sure moves :D

Genesis

Short quote of your post but brilliantly said Riggs...right on! I'd go with the fun factor that makes you work for it wherever possible and the 8 demands that over any BMW IMO....it's the prime igredient that gives you pride and a big smile when you can drive the 8 to its limits.

markd

I have to agree with this comment only b/c when I purchased my car, my Mazda dealeship gave me this article clipping on the 8 that compared the 8 to the Z and the 330i. It called the 330 the "definitive serious sporting sedan", although, if you ask me, the definitive sports car is the M3, not the 330i.

And daggumit, Riggs, that's one helluva garage you've got there! I'm jealous!

RX8-79

You deserve applause for this here paragraph. I say the exact same thing all the time when people say that the G35 "kills" the 3 series. I will admit the G is as close to the 3 series that ANY automaker has come, but the fun factor isn't there for a lot of people, myself included.

Riggs

Couldn't agree more Genesis. I first drove the 8 when it initially came out, didn't buy one at the time. But that "feeling" of balance, precision and feedback, combined with the amazing 9000rpm redline, the "whirring" of the rotary, the constant control throughout the gears - it all made me feel like I was driving a race car. I may not have been going as fast as a race car, but it damn felt like it.
And that first impression stayed with me for about a year until I purchased one.

The 8 needs constant input from the driver. You get out, what you put in. But the satisfaction for all that "hard work" is immense.