RX-8 or E36 M3?
 

I'm contemplating either car. A low mileage M3 is priced right around a used '04 RX-8. Here are some pros/cons I see for each.

M3 - Good
Great handling
It's an M3
Torque
20/28 gas mileage
More HP than RX-8
Smooth inline 6

M3 - Bad
Is a bit dated
Not sure how maintenance will be
No DSC
5 speed

RX-8 - Good
Good styling
Great handling
Unique Rotary Engine
6 speed

RX-8 Bad
Gas mileage
Flooding issues
Resale value

If you had a nice RX-8 GT (no nav) with 28K miles and a nice M3 with 28K miles for about the same price which would you go with? I know this is an RX-8 board so it will be a biased answer but I'm interested in your thoughts.

Thanks,
Bill

Me, I pick the 8 hands down. All the things you list under "Bad" are of no consequence to me. But that's just me.

IMO, while M3 outperforms the rx8 in power and handling and overall performance, Its just so old and so costly to maintain. E36 M3 parts are very expensive, they also tend to break down a lot. E36 M3 = lots of fun and a huge headache at the same time. Id rather have a rx8. And Im not baised toward the rx8, I drive a G35 coupe and my dad has a E46 M3.

Both are fun, bad parts about equal out for each. I'd say it's a matter of taste/style.

Huh? The E36 had 240 hp, hardly more powerfull. But to say that a car that is nearing two generations old (think it came out 11 years ago) handles better or has better overall performance, what do you base this on exactly. Actually, nevermind.

Anyways, my opinion, buy new and if you can't afford it, wait 'till you could.

I passed an M3 at Portland International Raceway last year :)

just on personal experience, thats why i said IMO :p:
dont be fooled about the hp rating of the E36 M3 though, the thing is deceptively fast. While the RX8's hp rating is overated, the E36 is faster than its hp ratings indicate.
The handling IMO is actually superior to the E46 M3's handling, it just has a better car to driver feel, and percision. In my mind, as much as I love the E46, the E36 is the ultimate experssion of the M3 in terms of handling and feel and more of a driver's car

http://www.fantasycars.com/sedans/html/3.html for stats.

I wanted to purchase an M3 as well but I realized that I just didn't want to spend my savings and disposable income to keep the car running. Here is an example of what one owners possible repair costs (Over $8,500).



"Ok so i took my car in and they found hella problems i can't scan the estimates so i will type them out and u guys let me know if this is right. it will be listed problem and below that will be the part. this is part 1 of the estimate

Page 1

Brake light switch. Line total 144.54
brake light sw. 3/88 1

Replace rear schock tower mounts. Line total 318.58
shock tower mounts 2

Replace leaking power steering reservoir,
supply lines and return lines. Line total 670.42
hose clamp 4
power steering res. 1
power steering hose 1
pipe 1
ATF 3

Replace belts. Line total 169.94
belt: 5pk906 1
belt: 6pk1555 1

Break fluid flush. line total 122.72
brake fluid/pint 3

Replace left and right door seals (both torn) Line total 661.22
left seal 1
right seal 1

Replace High beam stock (high beam switch) Line total 318.29
turn sig. switch 1

Replace left and right spindals including left and right wheel bearings.
Line total 1761.36
wheel hub nut 2
king pin left 1
front wheel bearing 2
King pin right 1

Total: 4,646.92

Page 2

Replace front control arms. Line total 1328.01
control arm 1
control arm 1
control arm bushings 1

Replace rear trailing arm bushing. Line total 566.61
rear trailing arm bush. 2

4-way thrust weighted computerized laser alignment including rear adjustment. Line total 175.00

Replace front struts (left is blow out and they must be done in pairs).
Line total 1198.76
strut housing 1
strut housing 1

Replace front flex disc. Line total 400.48
flex disc 1

Total: 4,056.12

Isn't this messed up? does this sound right? some of the things in est. 1 i dont think i need at the moment. give me some input plz. thanks"

that sounds about right :), thats about as bad as the E46 too :p:

Last E36 M3 was a 1999, IIRC. Earliest RX-8 was mid 2003, as a 2004 model. So for the same money, you're buying a car that's 4 years older, has no warranty, and is expensive to repair. Also, while the E36 M3 isn't a bad car by any means, it does have its share of common problems, which could lead to expensive repairs. As for performance, the torque of a BMW 6 cylinder is a terrific thing. Also, the E36 M3 is considered by many to be a great driver's car. However, compared to the 8, it is about as quick around a race track and the 8 also qualifies for the "great driver's car" label. For my money, I would definitely go with the warrantied, recent RX-8 over an E36 M3.

Oh, and by the way, by "I would" get an RX-8 over an E36 M3, I actually mean "I did". I considered the E36 as well and used the reasoning above to get a new 8 instead.

Thanks for the replies everyone! I've got some thinking to do but at this point I may be leaning towards the RX-8.

Thanks,
Bill

Just make sure you drive them both before you buy. I know that should go without saying but I know many (BMW owners) who said my 8 was not as good as their car. Then I let them drive my 8. They admitted the 8 was much more fun to drive and had better feedback.

Even my buddy with the STI thinks the 8 is a great car and is impress with the endless revvs and smooth suspension with pretty much equal handling.

Unless you have a decent amount of disposable income to put towards repairs, go with the RX-8.

929, yes the E36 M3 is faster and more powerful, handling wise it's hard to say which is better.

Warranty of RX-8 > *

I don't believe it!! Did Ike just recommend an RX-8 over some other car to somebody here??? Aaa... agghhhh.... <heart attack>

I've done it many times in the past.

I spent considerable time choosing between those two choices as well. In fact I drove far more miles in E36 M3 test drives than RX8s. Although the numbers are not that different, they have considreably different feels when driven briskly in my opinion. The RX8 just has a lighter more agile feel and felt more direct which is why I ultimately went that way. The lesser age and warranty were just bonus points in top of what I felt was a more agile feeling chassis.

Hard to say, M3 is a great car and you'd love it but once the repairs kick in, which could really be any time with a BMW. and your paying 1000 every repair almost every month you'll be wishin you had the rx8. I've owned 2 bmws and they were both amazing cars, gas millage wasnt any better then the rx8 ( i had a 540i though v8)but repairs got out of hand, I'd say go with the rx8.

I'd go with an 8, you can get 04 GTs for 18 or 19k now and you still have a warranty. Not to mention better styling and better access to the rear seats.

Listen to what these guys are saying, there right, unless you have deep pockets or you have wrench skills, i would go with the 8. I owned a 94 328is w/DINAN chip,Remus Exhaust , Dinan Air intake, fun car, even with my wrench skills, replacing parts became out of hand,but it was more nickle and dime stuff, like comfort relays, relays, switches, fuses, mostly piddley stuff, but in some way shape and form it played a major part in making the car run.

The M3 parts are rediculious on the wallet :Eyecrazy: , trust me......

Stick with the 8.....

I'm sure that's true. This is the first one that has fallen upon my retinas, compared to innumerable posts in the opposite direction.