That BMW looks like a TeleTubbie.

 

Mazda RX-8 0-60 = 5.9s.

http://www.ssmoparmuscle.com/speedcomp.htm

Regards

Serge

 

The M3 sedan looks better than the coupe you have shown there. Actually the M3 coupe pics I have seen looked just like the sedan really, except the absense of two doors. Kinda like the difference between a 325i and 325ci.

 

I've been down the BMW route before. I won't do that again in the near future.

 

Apples and Oranges.

The M Coupe is not an M3 and aside from the engine (and other related components) it shares little with an M3 Sedan or Coupe. An M3 Coupe (there isn't an E46 M Sedan in the US) is an entirely different animal since the M Coupe was based on the e36/7 chassis of the Z3/M Roadster.

And, If you live in Spartanburg you could have seen TONS of M Coupes on the road....especially during the annual Z3 Homecoming each fall that takes place just around the corner at BMW Manufacturing.

-Eric

 

I don't often drive that stretch, cause the plant is on 85 really in Greenville, not Spartanburg. Actually I believe that the old ones, like before 2002, that had the old engine were probably most of what I've seen. Maybe that is what the newer version looks like. I believe that maybe most of what I've seen was the old version.

 

There is no new version of the M Roadster or coupe, you just haven't seen the coupe around much because they aren't very common.

 

As we all know, the RX-8 went up against the G35 and the SVT Mustang Cobra in Car and Driver and recently went against the 350Z and S2000 in Motor Trend. All four competing cars beat the 8 in 0-60 times and in C&D the 8 was 1.3 seconds and 2.1 seconds slower in 5-60 times than the G35 and SVT respectively. As can be inferred by their status as testers in major automobile publications, these guys know (and love) cars in general. And in the end, both sets of testers placed the 8 in first place ahead of the other 4 "faster" cars. Drive all five cars yourself and see if you don't agree.

BTW, I previously owned a '02 WRX (another "faster" car). I can say without a doubt that the 8 is MUCH more fun than the WRX was. Fun is a subjective term, but again, driving the 8 is the only way to decide if you like it.

Also, recently posted some pics:
https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=22511

My 2 cents,

Durahl

 

There was and is only one M Coupe. BMW made both an E36 M3 Coupe and an E36/7 M Coupe. The M Coupe was actually manufacturered in South Carolina. The M3 was (and is) not. They were two different cars. BMW sold the M Coupe between 1999 and 2002. The top pic is of the M Coupe. The bottom is of the E36 M3 Coupe.




See the difference? I've been to the plant in Greenville several times and during Homecoming Greenville/Spartanburg is flooded with over 500 Z3s including a very nice showing of M Coupes. You should take a trip over to the plant this fall during Homecoming. It's quite a sight and experience.

-Eric

 

I have an 8 and think it has plenty of speed for me and yes if you need to pass someone the power is there just down shift &go it may not put you back in your seat but its still fast enough

 

BMW is going to be releasing the new M5 this coming summer I think? I was reading it while waiting for my loaner car (recalls) and the new 5 is rumored to have at least 500 WHP looking more towards 600 with 500lb tq from a V-10. Base price was est 73k I wonder if they would finance :D !

 

The next person that says the Evo/STi are built for straight line racing needs to stop talking about cars, period

The 8 got beat by a plain-jane WRX and a G35C in that BMI comparison, on a racetrack, with curves. Not entirely scientific, but an object lesson on why torque is not just for drag racing. And 99% of you will never take your car to a road course anyway...

john

 

Agreed, the Evo/STi are not just drag racers - to say anything else is ignorant.

OTOH, Top Gear has the RX-8 matching the 350z and M3 track times - all with the same driver. The relative performance of all these cars is obviously venue dependent. I am surprised, however, that a WRX beat an RX-8 on a road course. Do you have a link? I'd like to read.

 

Actually on the Best Motoring Video (Volume 9 I believe), a RX8 did beat a WRX on the track. Beat an S2000 and a G35 (Skyline) during that race as well.

 

That was the lineup for best motoring 7 or 8, plus add a Miata and an Integra Type R. The RX-8 only beat the Miata and was pretty far off the pace of the other 4. That's the only one I'm aware of where the RX-8, G35, S2K, and WRX were run stock.

 

Naw, they had another race after that which I believe is Volume 9. I've got the clip for it...

 

Ah yes, I saw the video with the Miata. These things don't mean that much to me, when you have different drivers in each car. But it's still fun to watch.

 

Ok, i thought i had a clip for it. I got it off this site at the multimedia forum. It is called the revenge battle. There seemed to be some problem with the third intake port opening or something on the 1st race.

 

Revenge battle? Never heard of it..

BMI9 was "Fuji Fast", IIRC there are no RX8's in it.

john

 

Ok, I believe I found the video here

https://www.rx8club.com/showthread.p...threadid=18676

I tried to have it as an attachment but I don't think that went sucessfully

 

You're going to have to do a little better than that, I can't find it in that mess and I'm getting a can't find server from Takashi's site.

 

123V,

Most of the magazines put the 0-60 in the 5.9 - 6.4 category. It is above average car fast in other words. The other factor to consider though is the handling factor and the overall pleasure of the ride itself.

I was torn GREATLY between the 350 and the G35 and the RX8. Each car had strengths. The Z is obviously the sprint runner/torque king. I was just turned off by the overall ride on the same roads I commute daily. Whatever I picked was to be my daily driver so, the RX8 won on ride and comfort over the Z primarily. On the other hand, the G car was better than the Z (to me) on matching the RX8 but it still had a jar in the ride and the back seat was not made for adults .(head clearance) FInally, the looks - the Z and the 8 were more preferred by these eyes.

If I wanted a beautiful screamer I would look to the Z car.

If I wanted/neede an all around winner - 4 persons, stealth sports ride, cool looks, great performer then consider the 8. Hidden benefits on 8? likes regular gas and insurance is less than other two as per my agent.

If you are younger looking for only performance and can go for the "ricey" look then even consider the WRX sti - 4 seats, 0-60 4.9 secs. rough ride though (I'm told)