Series I or II...
 

As soon as I get back in the US, I'll be in the market for an RX8. However, I'm having some problems deciding on a series I or Series II. From what I've read here, the series I is best if you plan on serious modifications (oh, and I do). I could be misled in that area though.

I would really like to go FI, but my main concern is if the Series I motor can get any kind of longevity when its on a FI setup, and if the S2 would be better in that regard.

I like the looks of the S1 way better hands down, I don't know wtf mazda was thinking when they re-styled the front, but I may be able to forgive that (or get a body kit or something) if the S2 engine is really that much better.

Thanks.

The real question is tuning.
While there has been progress on SII tuning (using MazdaEdit) it's hardly what I would call a Cobb AP type solution. That being said with some more time and continued efforts it may (likely) end up being better!

Even with the design changes to the SII engine (Oil Injectors just for one), IMO you'll not see any longer life expectancy than you would with a SI engine ... all things being equal

Looks like you'll be located in AZ which is the home of BHR.
Contact Charles@blackhaloracing.com if you're looking for a great installer or just someone to bounce idea's off.

Other than that, try and search around a bit more the topic has been covered extensively on this forum.

Good luck

I'm leaning towards the 2008's, the 40th anniversary ones, I really like the dark gray paint job they all seem to have.

Thanks for the info, I'll keep reading up.

S1 for looks... :p:

I'm not mod-savvy so I went for the S2. I agree with the re-styled front being lame, particularly the mustache, so I just bought the M'z custom bumper.

Ii...

huh?

Fatfinger+smallphone?
QED.

S1, because its more fun when things break :rollingla

Seriously though the aftermarket scene is much better, and you can pick one up in decent shape real cheap, hence more money to invest into it.

If you're looking to go FI, I'd have to agree that S1 is probably best, mostly because they're starting to go out of warranty. I recently bought a 2010 R3 which I would love to modify, but I would hate myself if I blew an engine right after voiding my warranty, which has plenty of time and miles left on it. It just seems like there's less to lose on an S1.

i vote series one for u

but i wouldnt trade my r3 for one, but i dont plan on FI'ing it either

Series 2 for reliability.

I agree with wcs. What are your plans for the 8? DD? Track? Street? Depending on your plans, that would determine which way to take. S1 has the aftermarket backing and you'll be able to tune it compared to the S2 8's.

S1
- Looks better (Inside and out, minus the R3 front bumper and rims)
- Tuning
- Has better aftermarket
- Cheap

Odd, I feel that the SII cars look better (angry Rychu look instead of happy Pikachu look). The R3 cars look better than anything else, period.

The handling is better in both R3 and non-R3 versions.

The engine was given half a chance to last longer by Mazda, as they had learned all the lessons from the first couple of years of the S1 cars before they started the design of the SII engine.

I think the interior materials is considerably better (dashes aren't cracking, and the seats aren't crapping out, plus the center console button doesn't break, and the sun visor doesn't rip off the ceiling, and kill the car's electrical system).

Then there's the whole reliability aspect of other parts.
Better starter. Better Battery.
More oil injected into the engine.
Better fuel pump. Better coolant pump.
Better ignition coils.
SSV valve that has yet to be reported that it was carboned up.

But none of this means anything if you want to ruin your car by putting a bunch of mods onto the engine. You have to admit, most people ruin their cars by modding them. Only a select few actually come out with a better car by modifying it, and those people are very few and far between.

But, it's up to the OP on what he wants, a car that will drive damn well, and last longer, or a car he can modify, and spend more time under the hood, fixing mistakes that occur, or were designed in.

BC.

I agree, but we'll see, we shall see

I'm starting to notice as the years and mileage grows more SII posts about failing engines and other typical crap you see from the SI's

Just say'n
Juuusssst saay'n

It's a good pub talk'n subject

I think I've seen only 2 such reports here, and both of them seemed a bit suspicious, with root cause questionable.