Just a quick question to the new owners;

How do you compare the interior quality compared to Audi or BMW? Many owners have been very positive but it is hard to guage where they are coming from (ie what was their last car). Presently owning a Audi TTC at the moment I would be interested to see how it compares.

Thanks

rael

 

I checked out a silver/black leather GT package preorder and cam away impressed with the interior...

For comparison, I drive a 2002 Audi A4, and the RX-8 held up very well in the interior department.

Loads better than the G35 and new Z. It's not up to German level in interior quality, but its not very far off. Overall, I was extremely pleased!

 

one thing...
i wish it was straight leather all around, none of that rubber stuff, and i wish the leather was of a slightly higher grade, but still, im VERY picky about interior quality and found the 8 to actually be very good, and comfy via support, not so much from cushioning, but there was plenty of cushion too
________
Marijuana Hemp

 

Be careful in using the phrase "not up to German level in interior quality."

I owned an Audi 225 Quattro Coupe and though there were lots of nice interior features the trim rattled like a maraca. Despite literally over six or seven trips to the dealer to try and quiet them down, not only were they unsuccessful but many of them returned. For example, the glove box door usually started rattling against the glove box after about six or seven months. The door was replaced, and about six or seven months later... it was back.

The same nits have been true with other German cars I'm familiar with. In all honesty I don't think the Germans care about trim squeaks, pops and rattles as even pricy German cars (read: Porsche Boxster, BMW M3, BMW M5, etc.) have lots of issues.

Meanwhile the trim inside Japanese marques is typically not as full featured but it is also usually blissfully silent. In a different post here I asked if any owners had problems with squeaks/rattles yet, and the response was no. Meanwhile every German car I've owned had them from the pre-delivery test drive. Draw your own conclusions.

 

I also drive a 2002 Audi A4 and my first impressions of the RX-8's interior were a little dissapointing. Admittedly I have not yet had the pleasure of owning the RX-8 and living with it, having only sat in several while at dealer showrooms. I did not care too much for the extensive use of hard plastics throughout the cabin; while they looked ok, the plastic did not feel that nice. The leather seating surfaces felt only ok, not soft like what I was expecting.

Even though I did not think the interior was as nice as the A4, I am still planning on getting the RX-8 after a test drive.

 

German cars - nothing. Anyone been in a LS430 recently? Tell me that's underfeatured - or has rattles/squeaks.

 

I was impressed by Canzoomers car. The roof liner is really cool - molded around the door "piller". It's not just cloth, but made from a stiffer material. The shiny bits (sides of console, door openers, and on dash) look very substantial. I'm sure they are just chrome on plastic, but they look great. The leather seats (usually "leather seating surfaces" - which means just the centre panels are leather) are great. Very well done. Rotors in the seat backs too. Dash looks ok, not cheap looking like some cars. Only the drivers seat is powered. Passenger front seat is manual. The console is much more substantial than my 3rd gen RX-7 s (I"ve had it go "crack" several times when I've leaned on it). The storage access door on the front console slides open. Very nice. The steering wheel - oh the steering wheel. It's oval and fits your hands soooo well. I'm jealous!

I had lots of time to examine everything as I was the passenger.

 

I agree about the rattles...for all of their great engineering, the Germans can't seem to figure out rattles!

What I mean about not up to German standards is the QUALITY of materials used for the interior. No one, and I mean NO ONE comes close to the German big 3 when it comes to quality materials....

With that said, I think the RX-8, for a $30,000 sports car/sedan has a very respectable interior. :D

 

As Boozie said - The Lexus LS430 and SC430 craps all over the German big 3 when it comes to QUALITY of materials for much less money, and is even better for fit and finish. I drove an MB S430 at a Cadillac driving event - the Deville had better materials. The LS430 there was much better than both of course (faster, better handling and better braking too).

If Lexus could find a decent designer (just pay Pininfarina or Guigaro for gods sake) then they would clean up. Hopefully the new LS430 design overhaul (2004 model) will be better than the current blandness.

 

I have an '01 S4 and like you, am spoiled Audi's interiors are so gorgeous and meticulously crafted that nothing else will compare. That being said, I think the RX-8's interior is great for a car that starts under 30 grand and is not German. I think the gauges are fantastic, the seats (while not soft and supple) feel and look great, and the center console (radio/AC/etc) looks top notch. I haven't explored it much by touch as I've only briefly sat in a couple, but I think it's an excellent interior - one of the main reasons I chose it over a Z or a G35C. There are a few bits that look a little plain, but on the whole I'm excited to get to drive mine in a few weeks. You have very high standards after driving an Audi though... that's for sure!

On a related note, I test drove the new A8L and had a quick ride in the new RS6 - now those are some gorgeous interiors, especially the A8L.

 

The new A8L is one of the nicest cars I have had the pleasure to sit in....Howard Stern just bought one :D Simply gorgous!!!

 

And we all know he's a man with exquisite taste...?

 

I think RX-8's interior is better looking than those of 3-series and A4. I am not talking about the quality of materials but only the style and the looks of it.

 

I owned a 2001 BMW 325i and while impressed with the choice of materials and no rattles to speak of, the build qualility was somewhat decieving. The back of the drivers/pass. seats (which were made of hard plastic) were scratched easily. I also remember some plastic piece broken off the front pass. door near the handle. The use of that rubbery material for the dash is really cool and so is the shiny "piano black" trim throughout the interior. I wonder if the interiors of current BMW's will be durable for many years to come?

On another note, I don't believe BMW puts enough distinction between the lower end 3 series and the M3. The interior of the 325/330 is almost identical to the M3. If I were buying a car like the M3, I would think the appearance of it would be of significant enough difference to seperate itfrom the "base" models. Just my opinion, though.

 

I agree. This is why I bought a Corvette over the M3 - every C5 comes with a minimum of 350 HP!

However, after owning 4 rotary-powered Mazdas in the past, I look forward to someday having an RX8 as well.

 

there's an acura rsx and lexus gx470 in the family garage and i must say the rx8 stacks up pretty damn nicely against even the lexus.