(Disclaimer shared among all of my posts tonight) - I apologize ahead of time for seeming so needy and having multiple threads in multiple sections simultaneously. I also apologize if I seem to make no sense, I just picked up my new RX-8 from VA and drove it back to TX, I've only had an hour of sleep so bear with me.

Hello! I have a question regarding the body kit that came on the 8 that I bought. First of all I was wondering what kind it was, I assume the mazdaspeed one since it's branded all over with the stickers but I just wanted to make sure.

Second, I wanted to see how expensive it would be to repair damage to the front lip. Unfortunately I ran over a shred of trucker tire on the way back that took a decent painted chunk out, then a support piece just came undone when I was rolling down at back road at like 20 mph, I retrieved it...a 24 hour ride and I made it until like the 20th without incident other than that the car is immaculate inside and out.

Third, this is more just for my reference but what is generally preferred among the 8 community, body kits or raw? I was thinking that a body kit is just extra weight after all, and personally I plan to gear mine towards being as light and as fast as possible. Maybe something like a carbon fiber hood and some lightweight black racing wheels are all I intended on installing, but then I was wondering if it was really my preference or if I was subconsciously trying to justify not paying for repairs to the front bumper. One thing is for sure, I don't know if it's the kit or the 20" wheels but it seems to ride very low. The dealer said it wasn't lowered, it just appeared to be, but I can hardly fit my arm under the car.

Anyway I'll include some more pictures in a bit, I just attached a general one I had saved to my phone for starters. Any help/advice/opinions would be much appreciated!

 

1. Mazdaspeed kit. Seems authentic
2. Call around your local shops
3. The kit you have is used by rx8 race teams. Search around for it. The wheels, on the other hand...

 

More pictures of the kit, and the damages, I forgot it also broke a bracket or something near this light, it keeps wiggling out of place now

 

+1

the rims are good quality, but are way too large. might be able to trade them down to a 18inch wheel.

 

I wouldn't call it a bodykit, it's more or less an OEM part.

It's rare, better quality, basically all the parts most 8 owners would jump on in a second if they could. They use a different material than a standard bodykit called "Metton" liquid molding.

The front bumper actually improves cooling up to 20% apparently.

I would lose the wheels, too big for the car and lose the brembo covers.
If those are real brembos, they forgot what a BBK is but I'm going with my instinct and saying they're just covers as the rears are still OEM and there's no point in having a BBK in just the front since it's a RWD car.

 

Definitely not the Mazdaspeed kit. You keep that on your ride, and even old ladies will point and laugh as you drive by.

I'm surprised that's not obvious to you.

But, you seem nice, so I'm going to do you a huge favor. I'll take the OEM parts off of my car, board a plane, and swap with you. Heck, I won't even charge you for the upgrade.

Deal?

 

Because your post is so long, I'm going to use this quote as a starting point.
1. I got nothing to add
2. Because the MS bumpers are "Metton", I don't know if they can be repaired. Be prepared for that eventuality.
3. Your wheels are made by Enkei. This is good. The reason some people don't like the size is because of the weight. An 18" wheel will be lighter. Most of the track guys here will go for a 17" to be lighter still.

 

I'd be more concerned with painting the hood and front bumper more so than swapping the wheels. You say the car is too low and your arms barely fit underneath? IMO the car needs to be lowered because the wheel gap is heinous.

 

It's kinda hard to tell if it's authentic or not, unless if it's done right and it fits perfectly. The wheels looks too big, you may want to chage it to 18's...just a suggestion.

 

That's a legit MS kit and those are legit wheels. If you wanted to swap for more performance oriented 18" wheels I am sure you would not have a problem getting rid of those or trading them for a decent set of wheels. But if you don't track your car then leave them, they look good and will look great with proper suspension setup. Some properly sized tires would benefit you as well.

The kit can be repaired and will be unnoticeable but it will never be as strong in that spot.

Where in Texas are you?

 

Painting the hood? What's wrong with it? It wasn't damaged at all if that's what you mean. I'm actually thinking about a carbon fiber hood...


@9k Thanks, yeah I may stalk the sales section here and see if I can find some. I'm in San Antonio.

 

Whatever the paint work done on the hood and bumper does not look good. If you like it then who cares what I think.

 

Oh that stuff. No everything on the hood is stickers. I was planning on taking them all off except the mazdaspeed on the side skirts. There's a clear tank bra on the front of the hood, but other than that the color is the same as the rest of the car.

 

I'd pull the stickers...

Your wheel gap is killing me! Here is a chop of your car dropped a bit. Looks way better.

 

Haha...hmm now that I can actually see it, you may be on to something.