Rotary/Renesis Longevity
 

Hello,

I apologize if this question has already been addressed, but I didn't see anything specific to this.

I am considering purchasing the RX-8, but am also looking at the 350Z.
I am a bit concerned about the Rotary Engine. While cool now, I have read and heard from my mechanic roommate that Rotary Engines do not have a long shelf life. Only around 80 - 90K miles before a complete overhaul is needed. The 350Z engine is listed as very stable and can handle up to 300K miles.

Does anyone have any documented information about an improvement in the new design that would suggest otherwise. If the engine is something that I do not need to worry about, it will push me more toward the RX-8.

Some reliability threads

http://www.rx8forum.com/search.php?a...der=descending

Re: Rotary/Renesis Longevity
 

One thing to think about is even if an "overhaul" is needed, on a rotary that largely means new apex seals, since there are no valves, connecting rods, pistons, piston rings, etc. to worry about.

Many other people with naturally aspirated rotaries have gotten well over 200K out of them. So figure maybe, just maybe $800 for apex seals at 100K and you're doing better than most people with piston engined cars - especially if they have to replace timing belts every 60K...

It was common for 1st and 2nd generation rotary engines to last 200K+ miles without noticing any performance decrease.

Your friends are right about longevity on the 3rd generation cars, which were all twin turbo. Mazda seriously goofed the cooling on that car, and if you hit 100K miles in that thing you were lucky.

Remember too, those high mileage rotaries are from the late 70's to the late 80's technology. I imagine Mazda learned their cooling lesson on the previous RX-7 and since the car is not turbo, I have little doubt that this engine will be the most reliable rotary yet.

Nissan makes very good cars too. But I don't think you can go wrong. The problem on the 3rd gen car was NOT the rotary engine. Don't give any car enough cooling and the engine won't last, piston or otherwise.

You can visit the other threads if you need more. Hope to see you in the 8!

My ride: '87 RX-7 Turbo II

My Miles: 152,990

# Rebuilds: 0

Any questions?l

My 1985 RX-7 was 13 years old and had 269,000 Miles on the original motor when I sold it to buy my 1999 Miata.

Admittedly, I was getting the tell-tale blue smoke on start up, which meant I was begging to burn oil, hence the seals where giving up. I believe part of the reason it lasted so long was my frequent oil changes and, after I hit the 100K mark, I would add a tea-spoon of automatic transmission fluid to the oil. This was a tip passed on to me by someone from Mazdatrix to help keep the side-seals lubricated.

God I miss that engine. So smooth, so rev happy, such cool sounds :D

Longevity
 

I had one of the original rotaries, a 1973, and after a cooling system issue that was covered under warranty, I got a new motor at 119k miles.
I can assure you that even then, 30 years ago, the motor was rock solid reliable, and there was NO performance difference between the new one and the one that had 119k on it! Acceleration, fuel economy & oil use where identical.
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doc

Have you ever heard of The Star Mazda Series? It is a premier amateur formula racing series.

On Reliability: