video: direct comparison of RX-8 against BMW 135i turbo coupe
 

http://www.1addicts.com/forums/showthread.php?t=4242

Interesting direct comparison.

not much of a comparison.

I have a german friend.

He said:

It looks like the MSRP is around 35k for the bmw. The RX-8 msrp is around 27k. So 8k best case. Knowing we can get a 8 for less than MSRP, and the BMW is unlikely to be stripped down, the difference is likely more significant.

Unfortunately, stock to stock, we're looking at a 300 hp car with 290 tq vs a 230 hp car with 140 tq. Not going to be shocking which one wins.

isn't the bmw a turbo 6? if so what would you expect from a larger displacement FI car

Take the money you save and go to mazsport and buy a turbo kit for your 8

yep.... but at that point the bmw has a warranty and the 8 wouldn't, so that would not be a fair comparison either.

ah true I didnt think of that, oh well im happy with my 8 anyway

They liked the 8's acceleration at high rpms. They didn't like that the trunk needs to be opened with the key. I guess they didn't take the time to find out about the dash button - assuming that's standard on euro spec cars. They did like the 8's details better but said that the BMW was a better package. Closing statement was:"The BMW won our hearts, but it was also the better car objectively speaking." Comparing similar sized cars with a 75 hp difference seems counterproductive. I thought the tone of the whole thing was to make the BMW look better no matter what. Just my subjective opinion though. I would like to see the 215hp 199tq 135 compared to the 8, and I actually like BMWs. I would never buy one though until they make some progress in quality, and that is speaking from personal experience.

They are good cars but I only ever really liked the m3 or m5...don't care for the m6 styling and there are 3 series everywhere.

okayokayokay.. the 135 is faster, handles better(but that has to be by the slightest of margins) and consumes less fuel.. they forgot one thing though.. that car next to the rx-8 looks like rosie o'donnell next to halley berry.. watch the video again.. i'm right

biased germans! they picked an 8 to bully a jdm :rant:

should have compared that lunchbox with evo X as they have the same hp and msrp.

It does have that pot belly pig profile. No doubt it's a great performer, but in a couple years it'll be just as common as an accord.

also when they were driving the rx-8, upon shifting to 2nd, the driver said "oh" and when he shifted to 3rd, finished it with "wow".. doesn't matter what language you speak..

So a 3500+lb car handles better than a 3000+lb car? Right..... I call biased.

wight isnt everything you know? otherwise toyota yarises would be running circles around the rx8

weight is huge. it's the reason why the lotus is regarded as a fast car, even though it barely has 200 hp.

Speaking as someone who picked the 8 over a 330 with sport package, I can't see how the new 1 would handle better. In the end it was the opinion of 2 guys, but the 1 looks promising. The rear seat would keep it out of consideration for me; otherwise BM seems to be getting back to its roots with the 1.

Surprised the acceleration contest wasn't even worse. they obviously started both cars just off idle with no wheel slippage, something that wouldn't really affect the 135 but kills the 8.

weight is surely a factor but not everything. a lot of factors together contribute to the Elise' great handling and overall performance. Lotus is also known for its suspension tuning and weight balance/chasis engineering. Lotus designed the suspension for the GT-R, which has been proclaimed to handle better than a lot of lighter cars.

weight will play a greater role than just about anything else. Tweaking the suspension is something that you have to do anyway, and modify based on what track you're racing on.

I'm not denying that weight plays a big part when it comes to handling, but saying a statement like:,

"So a 3500+lb car handles better than a 3000+lb car? Right..... " is short sighted.

otherwise, like i said a yaris should be running circles around the rx8, if weight alone determines how well a car handles

You missed the point that both cars are sports tuned to handle. The Yaris is not. Using Yaris example is foolish. Atleast try the MX-5. Oh wait, the mx-5 does handle well. :uhh:

to me, the 1 series is better if you don't mind driving around in a car that looks like a square loaf of bread...

plus, if u add on options, the 135i hits $45k EASILY, not to mention tax & licensing puts it at almost $50k. fully-loaded, the 8 maxes out at $35k. not even in the same ball park or price range, if u ask me.

apples to oranges.

Time for you to quit.

Ouch... Now let's wait for a less biased comparison. Car & Driver perhaps?

Where is John Davis?!!!

ok, then your statement basically agrees that weight isnt everything, suspension tuning and other factors are also big contributors... yaris vs mx5 is a good example of relatively same weight yet other characteristics makes big difference in handling.


and just out of curiousity, to you, since both the rx8 and mx-5 are "sports tuned to handle." And since the mx-5 is lighter, does it handle better than the rx8?

people on that forum suprisingly not the usual 8 haters.

Quite the mature group. Go on youtube to find countless RX8 IS SLOW AS FUCK THAT CAR SUCKS ect..