BaN

Hi All,

Long time lurker. I'm thinking about purchasing an RX-8 sometime this summer and I'm definitely getting the GT package which comes with the leather.

For all your long term 8 owners out there, how do you rate the 8's leather quality? I'm driving a '99 BMW 328i and the leather is first rate with the leather still looks brand new after 5 years, and my windows are not even tinted!

On the other hand, I've heard horror stories about leather creases only after a few months (Acura's MDX).

TIA

BIMMER5&RX8

I have two 5 series and I think the RX8's leather is comparable to the bimmers'.

Riccio

Leather quality in mine, so far - great.

You can replace your whole leather interior for less than $2K -
so if in 2 or 3 years - if it was bothering you that much you could replace it - or just the part that was worn. This would obviously cost WAY less than the $2k!

I have only had trouble with the left lower bolster of the drivers seat - I always feel that I slide pretty hard against it on both entry and egress. In all my cars (and in all used cars I've seen over the years) this seems to be the biggest "universal" wear spot.

Carolina8

I've had a few bimmers and Volvos in the last few years, all with excellent leather. If they represent a "10" in the look and feel of the leather, I'd give the RX8 a score of "8". It's very good, just need to keep it clean and conditioned.

Ditto on the left bolster issue... I'm 6' 2", 190 lbs, and feel like I compress it fully everytime I get out of the car. We'll see how it holds up.

KC_Prelude

Leather seems to be of good quality. Not so sure about those crappy ribbed plastic inserts though.

artmt

Not bad, but not quite BMW quality. I really like BMW's vinyl (aka "leatherette") - feels better than leather, looks good and very durable.

fietguy

can't disagree with all of you more...

bimmer's have cheap leather interiors....of all the german manufacturers, i think all there parts are cheap...i owned a 325i and the leather was just okay, pales in comparison to a mercedes...

right before i test drove the 8 i remember stopping at the bmw dealer and sat in the X3, that interior is junk, must be the worst quality leather i have seen in a car...

than after that sitting in the 8, it was beautiful, i was like, wow, this interior is almost german....id give the 8 leather an 8...i think the vynel inserts are great...

Jercs02

the leather quality is definently par with that of the beamers, although you'll for sure want tinted windows for the rx8 because so much of the leather is black, and you know how black is with sunlight

BaN

Thanks all for your reply.

Jercs02,
My BMW has all black leather and that's why I'm so impressed with its leather as my windows are not tinted. I always park my car at work in the beautiful sun of southern california. After 5 years, the leather still looks as new, except the lower left bolster part just like a few of you pointing out. But even for that part, it's still minor to me, just a few subtle crack lines.

Hey, maybe the ribbed rubber side bolsters are a bless in disguise as the rubber material may be more durable and less chance of having the common crack line/creases in the long term?

Opinion from one of the first 8 owners?

Sue Esponte

Loved the leather in all of my BMWs (3, 5, Z3). The leather in my Audi TT has held up well too. My parents had a Volvo 850 some time ago...nice leather, but it started to show some wear a few years into their ownership. A few friends and relatives have Acuras. Acura leather is the worst. It feels thin, smells like fish and wears horribly.

Leather is not vinyl (leatherette) and will never take the abuse plastic will without showing signs of deterioration. That being said, not all leathers are equal. At first glance/feel the RX8's leather struck me as falling somewhere between BMW and Acura leather...which is fine since it showed a tendency towards BMW. lol ...especially when it came to the fish scent, or lack thereof.

-Eric

BIMMER5&RX8

I don't think the BMW interior is cheap. Most people will disagree with you. The materials on my 5ers are better than the 8. The leather part is similar though. Among the German cars, Audi has the best interior. Then BMW. and then M-B. M-B is a better version of Buick.

PhineasFellOff

The plastic pieces on the RX8 seats are located at high-wear areas and will prevent wear-and-tear.

rxeightr

Had my GT for 9 months now. Still looks very good -- no issues.

fietguy

Beamer 5 may have nicer leather...that car must be at least 2 times as much cost as the 8...entirely a different league....the beamers 3 series are just okay....have you tried the X3, thats a 35K car and the interior is absolutely junk...how much longer can BMW make these car's with cheap material...anyhow, as a consumer i can tell the difference....BMW is a long way from the quality of MB

and the vynel inserts i believe will decrease the chances of the 8's leather cracking, as rear ends usually brushes up against that edge first...

Sue Esponte

Bimmers are BMW cars

Beemers are BMW motorcycles

Beamers are...fill in the blank

-Eric

BaN

rxeightr,
Thanks for your input.

With the euro-us dollar exchange rate not in their favor, I think the German car makers are struggling with the price increases they have in the states. An example is the new X3, a compact SUV the size of the Toyota RAV4 for $35K plus! Give me a break. As much as I am a BMW fan I think that's way over priced. No wonder I don't see any X3's on the road at all.

Sue Esponte

Not trying to hijack the post but I couldn't agree with you more on the X3.

I'm a big BMW fan but I think they missed the mark with the pricing on the X3 and I don't think it's the result of currency rates.

An X3 3.0i prices out well into in the X5 3.0i price range and even its size is almost comparable to that of the X5, albeit a bit smaller. Given the harsher ride, lower quality materials and panache of the X3 vs. the X5 I think BMW will lose more X3 buyers to the X5 than they will gain from people trying to save money by going with the X3 over an X5.

A well equipped X3 3.0i should max out in price at about $36K and the 2.5i itself should have a lower base.

-Eric

BaN

Eric,

Believe it or not, I read in the news the other day that most experts are surprised that German cars are not more expensive than what they are now considering the exchange rates. Most expect that most European car makers to raise their prices soon or they start selling at a loss.

stickman

The only issue I have is I think the foam in the seat bottom side bolsters is too soft. On Monday I am taking it to a shop and having denser foam installed so it doesn't crush down so easily. Will cost $125 to do driver's seat. I'll let you know how it comes out.