delhi

the 8 is about sublime communication b/t driver and car. Something that is not measurable with electronics. Hence lots of folks who have never driven it will often count it for not. 100kmiles is alot. In the RoW measurements that's 160,000km. My longest lasting car (that I have kept) racked up to only 90,000km before selling it for something else. And that was my daily driver. With the 8 as my 2nd car it will likely not see those mileage ever before I sell it for something else again... if that ever happens. Will you be driving cars in upwards of 160,000km?

XxSaMiRxXS

So do I, i jst cant get enough of it

J wind

Coming from a 2nd gen rx-7 owner, if the 8 is anything like the 7, we all should be fine. my FC's motor was at 170,000 miles with a compression of 85psi both front and rear. That was before I attempted a rebuild project. And I kept up with maintenance like I was crazy, oil every 3k miles, spark plug/wires every 10k, all fluids changed every 15k.

And I know alot of other 2nd gen owners that have seen higher mileage 7s. This is assuming your keeping up with maintenance, and your not adding more power.

I forgot where I read this, but I remember reading that as long as the motor does not see any power mods, the motor will last alot longer. More power equals to more wear and stress on the motor. So in other words, you can't have something for nothing. You want more power? then be prepared for a shorter life span motor.

Renesis07

iTrader: (1)

The 8 is nothing like the FD. The exhaust ports are on the side of the renesis as opposed to the bottom like the 7's. They did this to reduce emissions. The design was to build up the carbon then 'blow' it out through the cycle of the rotary.

That is why many renesis engines fail from carbon-lock as opposed to actual wear of the engine, and thats why we are recommended to redline often; to do what the engine is designed to do

Shinka-RX-8

Thanks for asking this!!! This is the issue I'm also interested in because of so many opinions about rotary engine. And this is very good forum to find all necessary information because of wonderful members

Flashwing

The survival of your rotary engine really comes down to understanding the politics behind Mazda's decisions for things like emissions, oil, and stuff like that. The fact is that there have been many compromises made which in the 2004 and 2005 vehicles resulted in some motors going bad.

While there are still many people here with warranties on their RX8, I would suggest two major upgrades to increase the life of your motor. First is the accessport. The AP allows you to increase your OMP output so you get more oil injection into the motor as well as lowering fan switch on temps to increase cooling. The AP has a host of other features as well as fuel mapping and ignition timing changes.

The other upgrade is the sohn adapter or anything related to it. This adapter plate blocks off the flow of oil from the oil pan and redirects it to an external tank. This allows you to inject clean 2 cycle oil into the rotary chamber while allowing you to run whatever oil you want in the crankcase.

Speaking of oil, that's a huge area of debate but one that we can agree on some basics. Mazda suggests 5w-20 non-synthetic oil for your motor. Honestly in most climates this oil is way too thin.

The most accepted suggestion is to at least run 5w-30, but if you live in a warmer climate I'd look into a 10w-30 or something like that. I ran royal purple for 40,000 miles and they advertise their oil as being rotary engine safe.

Sticking to a 3,000 mile oil change schedule, using good gas, driving the car hard and taking care of it will make it last a long time.

Huey52

iTrader: (2)

Good insight and logic, but I think you meant to type 10W-40 for a warm climate.

5W-30 to 10W-30 only impacts the low temp range capability of the oil, not the high temp.

Riken

Goooooooooo and buy it now!!!!!!!

Philip_SA

Hi

My 8 has now nearly 203 000km on, (127 000 miles)

the only thing i had to replace so far was fuel pump about 5000miles ago.

i also replaced the coils as i know they have problems, but it wasnt necesary.
and then normal oil and filter changes and plugs.

i now have a small problem, battling to start, have to turn long, especially when driven far and still hot, but power still fine.

I love my 8 and dont want to sell it, cant think of going to a piston car and changing cambelts, valve stem seals etc etc.

Rotary stays best

Philip

otakurx

I've got an 04 that I have driven aggressively for the last 90,000 miles and the only things I've had to do were standard maintenance. I also have an 83 RX-7 that has over 230,000 miles on the original motor without any issues. These motors are great as long as you take the time to care for them. I think everyone on this forum is in love with the car even tho you can read about every problem imaginable on the forum here.

These cars are drivers cars, they may not be the fastest but neither is a Lotus. It's all about the feeling you get while your behind the wheel and if that is what excites you get the car.

ShottsCruisers

Holy shxx! Well said!

cornholio135

iTrader: (2)

Here, Here Love this car!!!!!!!!!

my 04 GT had the engine replaced around 47k miles and have not had any problems since. I redline often, do not premix, use 5w-30, top off every other fillup, and just rolled 90k miles last week....

Philip_SA

I think if a premixed earlier it still would have been ok

maybe not even motor.

but very wel said

the sound, the revs, the feel, smoothness, just keep on revving

is what i like the rotary for

Philip

04RX8man

^yes premix is (a must I feel) for the 04-08 models

CyberPitz

I'd say premixing will help loads to lube up the middle of the apex seal, but I don't think it's needed to keep the car alive 100%. Maybe if you plan on doing some extensive spirited driving like on a track or something, I'd say it's needed most.

Then again, absolutely no hurt in doing it 100% of the time!

AAChaoshand

I bought my car at 17700 miles on it and its an 05. I haven't had the slightest of issues with the engine itself, I change the oil regularly, complete fuel cleaner when I deem necessary, and redline every time I get a nice straight shot. I would say at minimum do that and you oughta to be fine, im pushing 29000 miles now...(thre dreaded 30k tune up comming oh well 500 dollars well worth it...)

Crowboy

As an owner of a Series I engine I can tell you that if you take care of your engine, she'll take care of you.