I am dreaming of an R3 - Page 2

Sep 2, 2011 | 01:06 PM

#26

jasonrxeight

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Joined: Jan 2010

Posts: 3,487

Likes: 3

From: Omaha, NE

Quote:

Originally Posted by pistonhater

Not entirely. There is also a "performance" upgrade, lol.

The R3 has the foam-filled cross-members (which supposedly absorb road vibration delivering a "smoother" steering response) as well as bilstein shocks/stiffer suspension tuning. Therefore, the R3 comes with a few different "performance" upgrades installed from factory.

Sure, there are tons of aftermarket options out there for suspension and appearance upgrades.

So the R3 is really more of a convenience package. Off the show room you already have not only the body kit and wheels but also a couple of suspension upgrades as well.

+ Recaro seats and red stitching on the handbrake, shifter ****, steering wheel and front/back/door arm rests, also seats.
little things make you feel very special in R3.

Last edited by jasonrxeight; Sep 2, 2011 at 01:09 PM.

Sep 2, 2011 | 03:16 PM

#27

jrx13

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Joined: Sep 2004

Posts: 590

Likes: 3

The Shinkas also have a foam filled front subframe. It is the same part number. Mazda probably getting rid of old stock! If it made a significant performance advantage, I'm sure all the autox and Stock class race cars would be swapping to this subframe already.

And I already mentioned the red stitching! LOL!

Again, appearance package modifications.......except for the Bilsteins and the different rear sway bar.

Last edited by jrx13; Sep 2, 2011 at 03:20 PM.

Sep 3, 2011 | 12:13 PM

#28

pistonhater

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Joined: Nov 2010

Posts: 1,061

Likes: 1

From: Cacti Land, AZ

Quote:

Originally Posted by jrx13

The Shinkas also have a foam filled front subframe. It is the same part number. Mazda probably getting rid of old stock! If it made a significant performance advantage, I'm sure all the autox and Stock class race cars would be swapping to this subframe already.

Again, appearance package modifications.......except for the Bilsteins and the different rear sway bar.

The whole "foam-filled cross members" might just be a big marketing hype from Mazda to push the sales of special edition RX-8s. Apparently this feature "absorbs" road vibration and noise? for a better steering feel/response.

I test drove a Shinka, 40th Anniversary Edition, R3, Sport and GT before I bought my 40th AE RX-8. I experienced a difference in the steering response in those with foam filled cross members - especially around tight turns at high speed where the road was not as smooth.

But I agree with you; I do not think the difference is significant enough for people to be swapping this sub-frame left and right.

Actually, I read somewhere that Mazda has been using foam filled cross members in a variety of race cars. But I don't have the online link/source, so it may as well be bad internet information I found