Notes from the other side of the fence
03-05-2009, 04:05 PM
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Notes from the other side of the fence
Hi all:
Just a quick note to a group that's meant a lot to me: RX8Club.com. I'm back driving a piston-engined car after logging well over 300,000 miles in rotaries; inclluding my '86 2gen Sport (bought new), my '94 3gen PEP and my '04 RX8 M6GT (also bought new). Mazda not bringing anything new to market, I crossed over to the Dark Side and bought a new '08 BMW 335i convertible (my first BMW) and took European Delivery on it in May-June of '08.
The Euro Delivery had a lot to do with my decision to change, since it's such a great experience (did it the first time on my wife's '04 Volvo S80T6). The BMW's got bags of power, lots of nice features and great technical developments, plus the top-down thing is great living as I do in SoCal. But it feels like a locomotive compared to the '8. It took the better part of a month to sell the '8 when the BMW finally made it here around Labor Day, which surprised me. I still feel like the RX8 is an under-appreciated gem, and I got a definite twinge today, spotting one on the drive to the office.
The thing that maybe surprises me the most is that the RX8 was still good for an average of one unsolicited comment a week, 4+ years after I bought it. The fact that it was Winning Blue probably didn't hurt its attention-grabbing factor. But apart from times when the top is down and people can see the Coral interior color, the BMW hasn't gotten a single comment/compliment, apart from when we had the car in Italy for three weeks (LOTS of comments there). Miss the car, miss this forum. And since Mazda has apparently shelved further development of a new RX7 indefinitely, it may be a while until I'm back in the fold.
See ya around the campus.
Just a quick note to a group that's meant a lot to me: RX8Club.com. I'm back driving a piston-engined car after logging well over 300,000 miles in rotaries; inclluding my '86 2gen Sport (bought new), my '94 3gen PEP and my '04 RX8 M6GT (also bought new). Mazda not bringing anything new to market, I crossed over to the Dark Side and bought a new '08 BMW 335i convertible (my first BMW) and took European Delivery on it in May-June of '08.
The Euro Delivery had a lot to do with my decision to change, since it's such a great experience (did it the first time on my wife's '04 Volvo S80T6). The BMW's got bags of power, lots of nice features and great technical developments, plus the top-down thing is great living as I do in SoCal. But it feels like a locomotive compared to the '8. It took the better part of a month to sell the '8 when the BMW finally made it here around Labor Day, which surprised me. I still feel like the RX8 is an under-appreciated gem, and I got a definite twinge today, spotting one on the drive to the office.
The thing that maybe surprises me the most is that the RX8 was still good for an average of one unsolicited comment a week, 4+ years after I bought it. The fact that it was Winning Blue probably didn't hurt its attention-grabbing factor. But apart from times when the top is down and people can see the Coral interior color, the BMW hasn't gotten a single comment/compliment, apart from when we had the car in Italy for three weeks (LOTS of comments there). Miss the car, miss this forum. And since Mazda has apparently shelved further development of a new RX7 indefinitely, it may be a while until I'm back in the fold.
See ya around the campus.
Last edited by boothguy; 03-05-2009 at 04:43 PM.
03-05-2009, 04:14 PM
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Hi all:
Just a quick note to a group that's meant a lot to me: RX8Club.com. I'm back driving a piston-engined car after logging well over 300,000 miles in rotaries; inclluding my '86 2gen Sport (bought new), my '94 3gen PEP and my '04 RX8 M6GT (also bought new). Mazda not bringing anything new to market, I crossed over to the Dark Side and bought a new '08 BMW 335i convertible (my first BMW) and took European Delivery on it in May-June of '08.
The Euro Delivery had a lot to do with my decision to change, since it's such a great experience. The BMW's got bags of power, lots of nice features and great technical developments, plus the top-down thing is great living as I do in SoCal. But it feels like a locomotive compared to the '8. It took the better part of a month to sell the '8 when the BMW finally made it here around Labor Day, which surprised me. I still feel like the RX8 is an under-appreciated gem, and I got a definite twinge today, spotting one on the drive to the office.
The thing that maybe surprises me the most is that the RX8 was still good for an average of one unsolicited comment a week, 4+ years after I bought it. The fact that it was Winning Blue probably didn't hurt its attention-grabbing factor. But apart from times when the top is down and people can see the Coral interior color, the BMW hasn't gotten a single comment/compliment, apart from when we had the car in Italy for three weeks (LOTS of comments there). Miss the car, miss this forum. And since Mazda has apparently shelved further development of a new RX7 indefinitely, it may be a while until I'm back in the fold.
See ya around the campus.
Just a quick note to a group that's meant a lot to me: RX8Club.com. I'm back driving a piston-engined car after logging well over 300,000 miles in rotaries; inclluding my '86 2gen Sport (bought new), my '94 3gen PEP and my '04 RX8 M6GT (also bought new). Mazda not bringing anything new to market, I crossed over to the Dark Side and bought a new '08 BMW 335i convertible (my first BMW) and took European Delivery on it in May-June of '08.
The Euro Delivery had a lot to do with my decision to change, since it's such a great experience. The BMW's got bags of power, lots of nice features and great technical developments, plus the top-down thing is great living as I do in SoCal. But it feels like a locomotive compared to the '8. It took the better part of a month to sell the '8 when the BMW finally made it here around Labor Day, which surprised me. I still feel like the RX8 is an under-appreciated gem, and I got a definite twinge today, spotting one on the drive to the office.
The thing that maybe surprises me the most is that the RX8 was still good for an average of one unsolicited comment a week, 4+ years after I bought it. The fact that it was Winning Blue probably didn't hurt its attention-grabbing factor. But apart from times when the top is down and people can see the Coral interior color, the BMW hasn't gotten a single comment/compliment, apart from when we had the car in Italy for three weeks (LOTS of comments there). Miss the car, miss this forum. And since Mazda has apparently shelved further development of a new RX7 indefinitely, it may be a while until I'm back in the fold.
See ya around the campus.
great post. but the bolded part , umm where did you hear that from btw?
03-05-2009, 04:23 PM
#5
Huge hole is huge
Good to hear you still miss the 8! It's one of those cars that will live with ya forever.
Get some pictures of the BMW, though.
Also, shelved any RX-7 development? They did say they weren't making an RX-7, but didn't say they were stopping Rotary development.
Get some pictures of the BMW, though.
Also, shelved any RX-7 development? They did say they weren't making an RX-7, but didn't say they were stopping Rotary development.
03-05-2009, 04:30 PM
#6
I just shat myself
I believe the reason you don't receive much attention in the BMW is because there are probably more of them in Cali than in Germany. The last time I was in San Diego I saw them everywhere. Even my broke-*** cousin had an 04 3 series with a salvage title and bald brakes which he couldn't afford to replace. It drove like complete garbage but the exterior was 100% so he was cool with it, rolling in the California style.
Oh, and there's this thing about BMW owners.... Please don't turn into a complete dick.
Otherwise I hope you love and enjoy your new car.
Oh, and there's this thing about BMW owners.... Please don't turn into a complete dick.
Otherwise I hope you love and enjoy your new car.
03-05-2009, 04:37 PM
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Good post boothguy.
Several members of this forum have gravitated to BMW's. IMO, it's the logical next step. I'm in the market for an M3 now but I will be keeping my 8 for my son (if his grades remain where they are).
Oh, and there's this thing about BMW owners.... Please don't turn into a complete dick.
03-05-2009, 05:22 PM
#8
Grand Chancellor
bmw 3-series are dime a dozen here. I dare say that they are about as common as the civic. So I can see why it is not a head turner at all unless it is an M3 or a fancy 6-series. Commonality breeds contempt maybe? Enjoy the 335i, it's a great car... in coupe format.
03-05-2009, 06:15 PM
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Lotsa great comments to answer - thanks!.
Re the "no new RX7", I know someone who works for Mazda NA in the design department, and though we haven't talked in a while, he sadly told me that Mazda had postponed further development on a new RX7 design indefinitely. That had a lot to do with my decision to go to another brand when contemplating replacement of my '8.
I definitely was concerned about becoming a BMW owner, and I gave it more than a little thought, and it caused considerable hesitation. I honestly never thought I would be a member of "that" ownership group, with all the negative coonotations it brings; and I was very put-off the couple of times I vivisted a local dealership before ordering my car. But the badge on the nose doesn't change a person into a dick when they get in the car. At least not automatically.
And for those who asked for some pics:
1. Me and the '8 when it was brand new January '04 (and before I put the clear corners in). I put 39,000 miles on it and loved every single one.
2. The BMW 335 'vert on a lighted turntable at BMW Welt in Munich - this is how you get your first glimpse of your new car on a European Delivery.
3. Balky transmission put me to the side of the road three times in the first 300 miles. Not happy. But BMW actually built me a brand new replacement car after we got home, having logged 2500 miles on the one in the picture. Honest to God. The safety vest in mandatory in Europe - stop that laughing!
4. Colorful house made a nice background - the Garfagnana valley in Western Tuscany (Italy).
5. Sunny afternoon near Montepulciano, Tuscany. Top's down, sun's out, transmission's working - all good.
Re the "no new RX7", I know someone who works for Mazda NA in the design department, and though we haven't talked in a while, he sadly told me that Mazda had postponed further development on a new RX7 design indefinitely. That had a lot to do with my decision to go to another brand when contemplating replacement of my '8.
I definitely was concerned about becoming a BMW owner, and I gave it more than a little thought, and it caused considerable hesitation. I honestly never thought I would be a member of "that" ownership group, with all the negative coonotations it brings; and I was very put-off the couple of times I vivisted a local dealership before ordering my car. But the badge on the nose doesn't change a person into a dick when they get in the car. At least not automatically.
And for those who asked for some pics:
1. Me and the '8 when it was brand new January '04 (and before I put the clear corners in). I put 39,000 miles on it and loved every single one.
2. The BMW 335 'vert on a lighted turntable at BMW Welt in Munich - this is how you get your first glimpse of your new car on a European Delivery.
3. Balky transmission put me to the side of the road three times in the first 300 miles. Not happy. But BMW actually built me a brand new replacement car after we got home, having logged 2500 miles on the one in the picture. Honest to God. The safety vest in mandatory in Europe - stop that laughing!
4. Colorful house made a nice background - the Garfagnana valley in Western Tuscany (Italy).
5. Sunny afternoon near Montepulciano, Tuscany. Top's down, sun's out, transmission's working - all good.
03-05-2009, 07:02 PM
#11
3. Balky transmission put me to the side of the road three times in the first 300 miles. Not happy. But BMW actually built me a brand new replacement car after we got home, having logged 2500 miles on the one in the picture. Honest to God. The safety vest in mandatory in Europe - stop that laughing!
....sorry I can't stop laughing.Congrats on the new car though
03-05-2009, 07:54 PM
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LOL @ Safety Vest!
Congrats on the car.
I'm really digging the Marronish leather interior in the car, it makes the car "stand out" more than the other ones.
Glad you still miss the '8 too!
Congrats on the car.
I'm really digging the Marronish leather interior in the car, it makes the car "stand out" more than the other ones.
Glad you still miss the '8 too!
03-05-2009, 08:21 PM
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Great post and photos boothguy.
When my wife was in the market for a car last year, I went to a BMW dealership and I just wanted to leave. There is an air about BMW that I just can't stand.
Anyways, I bought her a Miata instead... great car. But now that I have an 8, I no longer bug her about driving her car Love the rotary and can see why you miss it.
Take care.
When my wife was in the market for a car last year, I went to a BMW dealership and I just wanted to leave. There is an air about BMW that I just can't stand.
Anyways, I bought her a Miata instead... great car. But now that I have an 8, I no longer bug her about driving her car
Love the rotary and can see why you miss it.Take care.
03-06-2009, 11:06 AM
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Yep - I frequently got that same random, "..hey dude - I like your car" comment as well. Having lived with the second and third gen RX7s and been excited by the Renesis show car, I was a little let down when the RX8 was introduced, but it definitely stood out, and continues to do so today.
Not sure if 9krpm is joking or not, but yes, that's why they call it European Delivery, and why I've always thought it was too bad none of the Japanese manufacturers offered some kind of home market delivery.
In addition to BMW; Volvo, Saab, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche all offer European Delivery on new cars. You order the US-spec car from a USA dealer (local or Euro Delivery specialist) with a requested pickup date, typically 3+ months out, and set up the financing - through the manufacturer if you're leasing or any lender if you're buying. There's a discount with everyone but Porsche, and typically either free or discounted airfare to fly to your pickup city.
You get there, sign the final paperwork and they hand you the keys with varying amounts of fanfare (with BMW and Audi, it's a lot of fanfare). Then you're on your way. You can keep the car in Europe for six minutes or six months - up to you. Then you turn it in to the designated shipping agent, sign a couple of forms and the car shows up at your local dealership in a few weeks - all built into the price, just as if you bought a car off your local dealer's lot. You essentially get a free vacation in Europe with a really cool souvenir.
As I said earlier, my wife and I did European Delivery for the first time on her '04 Volvo S80T6. Picked up the car in Brussels, drove it in Belgium, Germany (including lapping the Nurburgring race circuit), Switzerland, Italy, France, and back to Belgium, totaling almost 4,000 miles in 21 days. This past trip for the BMW, we picked up the car in Munich (the only place you can pick up the BMWs) and spent nearly all our 25 days in Italy and covered less ground: about 2,500 miles. We borrowed European DVDs for the factory NAV both times: free from Volvo in '04 and from BMW forum members in '08.
It would be fun to do something like this with a Mazda, but I guess the combination of a LHD car on RHD roads, and the extreme difficulty of navigating the road signs in Japan would make it pretty tough.
A final note on the reflective vest. The law says you must be wearing one if you're outside your car on the highway for any reason - big fine otherwise. If you get stopped by the local cops, they'll check to make sure there's a vest for every person in the car, within reach in the passenger compartment. Otherwise, same big fine. You look like a dork, but they don't care.
Pics below:
1. Karen with her new Volvo in '04 - picked up at a normal dealership in Brussels, Belgium - special area for European Delivery cars only.
2. Both of us with my new BMW 335 'vert in '08. You can only pick up BMWs at their fantastic Welt building in Munich, and they make it a real experience that lasts about three hours plus a factory tour if you want.
Not sure if 9krpm is joking or not, but yes, that's why they call it European Delivery, and why I've always thought it was too bad none of the Japanese manufacturers offered some kind of home market delivery.
In addition to BMW; Volvo, Saab, Audi, Mercedes and Porsche all offer European Delivery on new cars. You order the US-spec car from a USA dealer (local or Euro Delivery specialist) with a requested pickup date, typically 3+ months out, and set up the financing - through the manufacturer if you're leasing or any lender if you're buying. There's a discount with everyone but Porsche, and typically either free or discounted airfare to fly to your pickup city.
You get there, sign the final paperwork and they hand you the keys with varying amounts of fanfare (with BMW and Audi, it's a lot of fanfare). Then you're on your way. You can keep the car in Europe for six minutes or six months - up to you. Then you turn it in to the designated shipping agent, sign a couple of forms and the car shows up at your local dealership in a few weeks - all built into the price, just as if you bought a car off your local dealer's lot. You essentially get a free vacation in Europe with a really cool souvenir.
As I said earlier, my wife and I did European Delivery for the first time on her '04 Volvo S80T6. Picked up the car in Brussels, drove it in Belgium, Germany (including lapping the Nurburgring race circuit), Switzerland, Italy, France, and back to Belgium, totaling almost 4,000 miles in 21 days. This past trip for the BMW, we picked up the car in Munich (the only place you can pick up the BMWs) and spent nearly all our 25 days in Italy and covered less ground: about 2,500 miles. We borrowed European DVDs for the factory NAV both times: free from Volvo in '04 and from BMW forum members in '08.
It would be fun to do something like this with a Mazda, but I guess the combination of a LHD car on RHD roads, and the extreme difficulty of navigating the road signs in Japan would make it pretty tough.
A final note on the reflective vest. The law says you must be wearing one if you're outside your car on the highway for any reason - big fine otherwise. If you get stopped by the local cops, they'll check to make sure there's a vest for every person in the car, within reach in the passenger compartment. Otherwise, same big fine. You look like a dork, but they don't care.
Pics below:
1. Karen with her new Volvo in '04 - picked up at a normal dealership in Brussels, Belgium - special area for European Delivery cars only.
2. Both of us with my new BMW 335 'vert in '08. You can only pick up BMWs at their fantastic Welt building in Munich, and they make it a real experience that lasts about three hours plus a factory tour if you want.
Last edited by boothguy; 03-06-2009 at 02:15 PM.
03-06-2009, 02:32 PM
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European Delivery is not a well known or heavily promoted program with any of the manufacturers. But it's such a fun experience, we'll do it again in 2010 to replace Karen's Volvo, maybe with an Audi this time - provided we survive the economic meltdown.
03-06-2009, 03:13 PM
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Yeah, I was talking to my boss about it earlier and he has owned at least 15 merc's and numerous BMW's and Audi's (he is German) and he has never heard of it so it must not be promoted much since he has never heard of it.
03-06-2009, 03:47 PM
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Congrats on the new ride. Looking at the pics i think the Beemer fits you very well. Not as flashy as your previous 8, but a very nice car that im sure you will enjoy at this point in your life.
03-07-2009, 01:05 AM
#21
Supposedly they do this to help reduce the number of imported new cars on their sales balance. Since the car is now used, it no longer counts towards their quotas.
03-07-2009, 01:43 AM
#22
Rotary Rasp did this and he took pictures of the entire trip!
Here is his thread: https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/farewell-my-rx-8-hello-e92-lots-pics-163852/
Here is his thread: https://www.rx8club.com/general-automotive-49/farewell-my-rx-8-hello-e92-lots-pics-163852/
03-07-2009, 03:17 PM
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Yep - that's it all right. I didn't want to get too much into the whole experience initially since that wasn't my reason for posting the thread. If anyone wants to read more, my Bimmerfest trip report is here,
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288271
complete with getting stranded for 2 1/2 days because of a bum transmission on a brand new high-dollar car.
As a general statement, I'd rate the RX8 higher than the BMW on reliability (never had the flooding problem in mine). In fact, in the 300,000 rotary-powered miles I put on my cars, I was never stranded once. Mazda is all about giving its customers a lot of value for their purchase dollar, and about a great driving experience in a nimble, innovative car.
http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=288271
complete with getting stranded for 2 1/2 days because of a bum transmission on a brand new high-dollar car.
As a general statement, I'd rate the RX8 higher than the BMW on reliability (never had the flooding problem in mine). In fact, in the 300,000 rotary-powered miles I put on my cars, I was never stranded once. Mazda is all about giving its customers a lot of value for their purchase dollar, and about a great driving experience in a nimble, innovative car.
Last edited by boothguy; 03-08-2009 at 03:16 PM.
03-07-2009, 04:00 PM
#24
3.2 Liter Inline Sex
Just like you Boothguy...I went BMW. Wanted more power and wasn't willing to go FI. I hope Mazda figures a way to increase the power...then I can entertain the idea of coming back.
I still miss my 8 from time to time. Definitely underappreciated.
I still miss my 8 from time to time. Definitely underappreciated.
03-07-2009, 04:04 PM
#25
3.2 Liter Inline Sex