I Own an RX-8, and I love it. I have driven a lot of cars in my 34 years of driving including a Corvette and a tricked out Sunbeam Tiger. I went to a BMW dealership to test drive a BMW for charity(they said $1 paid to Susan Komen Cancer for every mile driven) and asked the salesman "do you have anything that handles as good as my RX-8 ?" (since I have read the M3 is about the same and nothing else by BMW is as good in the handling area). The salesman said the M3 was much better and that he had driven an RX-8 to compare, and that every other BMW on the lot (almost) was better than my RX-8.

So here is the million dollar question to those that have or do own a BMW, and have at least had a GOOD test drive of an RX-8, How does it compare to BMW's line ? Which are better in the handing area ?

 

The 8 handles way better. I was BMW shopping for three weeks and test drove tons of 330's, z3's and Z4's. I considered them all good handlers till i test drove the 8 and BMW became out of the question. Havent driven an M series.

 

i owned a 2000 323i. my advice, dont get a bmw. bmws are way overrated. theres really nothing special about them except for the badge, and even that isnt much now a days since everyone here in southern ca drives one. and bmws have A LOT of problems, u gonna be at the dealer a lot to get **** fixed. and bmw owners are incredibly arrogant and snobby people.

 

if he said that he hadn't driven an 8
________
Medical Marijuana Seeds

 

i'm sure bmw has come a long ways since i've had mine...an '84 325e :P or was it a 324? jeez it's been so long. since then i've had the chance to drive a z3 3.0, z3 1.9?, 530, 330... i'm scheduled for the susan komen drive on nov 4 and will get to swing around in a z4 and a 745 or something like that.

as i recall the z3 handled quite nicely, even the weak ones when they first came out. the current 3-series are actually surprisingly nimble, they *feel* light, and then you look at the speedometer and realize you're actually not going that fast, it just *feels* fast

looks are always going to be subjective...i mean there are people who don't like the looks of the FD... shrug, boggles the mind but as far as handling goes, i've not driven a bmw that handles as well as the rx-8 that isn't to say one doesn't exist. i've not driven a new m3 or z4 yet.

and if you don't plan on keeping stock suspension, i think the rx-8 has more potential as a platform for handling than the bimmers.

 

I currently own a BMW 3 series Coupe (a lowly 318Ci) and can honestly say that I am really dissapointed with it.

BMW build quality is supposed to be legendary. My car is just over 2 years old, low milage (I do less than 8000 miles/year) and so far:

- had front wishbones replaced.
- been in 3 times for a parking brake fault which still isn't fixed.
- had the brake fluid changed at less than 9,000 miles.
- the passenger door linkage broke and wouldn't open from the outside.
- the rear shocks/suspension just started to get noisy - somethings wrong there too.

And worst of all, in common with many BMW's, there are so many squeeks and rattles, it sounds as if you are driving about with a cage full of angry Chipmunk's....

I'm trading it in for an 8!

 

I drove a 1999 (e46) 328i and think the RX-8 handles much better. I switched from a 1997 Prelude SH into that car and thought the prelude had better handling as well.

The BMW was nice, but expensive, and VERY costly to maintain.

Much happier with the RX-8.

 

My M3 handles like a dream, but honestly, the 8 owns it. 5 minutes behind the wheel of my first 8, and I was 4 wheel drifting it around clover-leaf on-ramps. I wouldn't try that in my M3, it pushes a bit, making me a little hesitant to try anything fun on the street. The 8 was perfectly balanced however.

As far as total grip, my M3 'might' be a touch higher ... but only because of significantly fatter tires. As far as balance and feel, the 8 is way ahead.

 

Why are salesmen so stupid? Why do they think making completely unfounded sweeping statements will help to sell a car?
I would have far more time or respect for a saleman who pointed out the positive aspects of their car, and left you to make up your own mind on which is better. Fools.

 

I had a '97 328is (E36) and have to say that I loved it. I kept it for 2 and a half years and then traded it in on the RX-8. I put about 24,000 miles on the 328. It drove very nicely, but it's more a sport-luxury sedan than an sports sedan. It handled well, but not as well at the RX-8. It had more low end torque, but less HP. Both are VERY smooth at high speed. I wanted something sportier and less expensive to maintain (BMW maintenance is $$$). Gotta give the BMW service guys points for keeping you coddled....but you end up paying for it! I'll tell you this....I get more looks and attention in the RX-8 than I ever did in the Bimmer. My GF tells me that people are constantly checking me out on the road (I like to keep my eyes on the road rather than on the people in cars around me). Does any of this help?

 

Let me get this straight, you asked the BMW salesman which BMW handled better than an RX-8 and his response was "all of them do". What a surprise.

I own and have owned M3's, M5, X5, 7 searies and even a Z8. They all handle quite well and do somethings better than the RX-8 and perhaps some things not as good. One thing that stands out is the feeling of sure footedness and security you get driving a BMW. I can't say I feel the same way in the RX-8. On the other hand the RX-8 feels light and nimble.

 

GAGA

 

Well I'm cancelling my RX8 order immediately. I mean if you can't trust the word of someone who makes 80% of their income on commission from selling BMW's to tell you that BMW's are better than any other car, who can you trust?

Now lets see, which beemer can I get for the same money in the UK. A 520i, wow what a car, so undestictive and absolute bottom of the range. At least I can be just like everyone else driving two inches apart in the outside lane, in a car which is massively overvalued and overrated.

Cheers
---Dave

 

I forgot to mention that 30 seconds after driving my RX-8 onto the BMW lot, two salesman came over to look at it. I don;t know if you can see my plate number in my Avatar, but it is "04 RX-8", and they were discussing how dumb it would be if that wasn't the car (the rear was toward them where the RX-8 is also, so I don;t know what they were smoking). I wasn't really looking for any input, since from what I read on the forum the average opionion seems to be that the M3 (or is it M6) is about even in handing, and the rest of the beemer line is a little below that to some degree. What I found asounding was his unfounded statement that they were all better ! He says he has driven on, but now that I think about it, I doubt it. (he had to look to confirm what it was???)

Anyway, the concensus appears to continue (on average). I just wanted a confirmation since previous threads weren't quite as focused on my comparison.

Edit: and my fucus was only on handling, not upkeep (high on BMW), power, (BMW M3 is more) and price (BMW is a LOT more) IMO

 

Well, I have been currently looking at new RX8s and used M3s.

As far as power. No comparison on m3s from 2001 and beyond. The m3 will torch the rx8 (no big suprise) its got around 333HP and tons of torque.

Handling and feel... rx8 feels better in twists in turns IMO, but the m3 isn't too shabby. It (m3) definitely feels heavier. Straight/Highway driving isn't much different. The rx8 has a nimble feel, the m3 more of a "under control" feel.

Price. M3 ..... can you say OUCH! To get one you want (a >2001 model with decent options) is expensive. Somewhere between 10-30 grand more depending on year and options (M3 convertible is the priciest). The rx8 is close to a steal at its price range. The only things that keep it from being that is the slight hp disadvantage to "the other white meat" cars everyone knows about, and fuel economy (MPG). These aren't killers, but it does average out the price a bit.

SMG. This is THE option on the m3 i like. I really wish the rx8 had it. And I don't mean that trip-tronic torque converter crap. Some ppl may be purists, but me, I like the manual decisions without the hassle (f1 style). Turning the M3 SMG to aggressive mode is awesome. Can't beat those shift times. And then you have the options of auto models as well for traffic driving. Hell I'd pay aftermarket prices for that on a RX8!

Finally ..... m3 price.... ouch.. Can't help but mention that twice.

PS. The price issue aside, I am still looking around for used M3s with the SMG option, mainly because its so dam fun to drive. The rx8 is the next highest on my list. Farther down the list is a stock WRX if i decide to go the cheapest route and still get a decent car with some power (a little basic though).

 

RX-8 WILL have it, by the 2006 model year (I don't know if the 05s will have it yet, but definitely in 06). RX-8 will also have a 5 spd auto in 06 to replace the current 4 speed auto, for those who prefer their transmissions real slushy.

Regards,
Gordon

 

Thats really cool, but .... its not on there now for those of us who need to get a new car relatively soon ! I want it now, and its all about my needs

Oh, and any info on where you got that news ? What kind will it be ? How it works ?

Dave

 

RX8 is lighter better steering wheel feeling, handles not as good as M3, that could be becaue M3 have hotter set up from stock.

I will drive a Bimmer because less people have it. but if just talking about $ to $, rx8 is better bang for the buck.

 

Hi all;

I'm currently the owner of a '98 BMW M3, looking to buy an RX-8 GT 6MT sometime next year. My previous car was a '95 M3, which I campaigned to Solo II ESP class champion at my local SCCA chapter in 2000. That being said, I know a little about handling.

After a short, but very rewarding test drive in the RX-8 I can confidently say it meets or exceeds the E36 M3 in almost every handling aspect I consider important. It is a very well balanced, superbly tuned car.

There are a few things the E36 M3 does better: transitions and steering feedback. The M3 is slightly better composed during quick transitions. The steering gives a slightly more vivid picture of the contact patches. Other than that, the RX-8 has everything else covered. It is distinctly better balanced under power --the M3 will push hard in the tight stuff unless you have a disciplined right foot. The 8 has better initial turn-in (probably lower polar moment due to lower weight of the Renesis) and its overall cornering speeds are slightly higher.

Compared to other, more contemporary BMWs like the Z4 3.0i and the E46 M3, the 8 still compares very well. The newer M3 is tough to drive smoothly at the limit, flopping between understeer and power-oversteer. The 8 is much easier to balance.

The Z4 is actually a very very fine handling car..and probably a closer match for the 8 than the M3. The 8 has better steering though. Other Bimmers, like the Sport suspensioned 3-Series are close, but not really quite as good. But the New 5 series is a handling champ, believe it or not.

Anyway, the price of entry on the RX8 is much lower than a 330 and you get a lot of sports car goodness for your money. That's why instead of going with another BMW, I'm probably going to get into the 8.


///M-Spec

PS- To the guy with the 323i who about dumped on BMWs: sorry your experience with your Bimmer wasn't up to your expectations, but that's no reason to throw petty insults at other BMW owners.

 

are you joking?

 

let me clarify

bimmers are nice
but where I live in cali I see tons of them daily

 

I bought an M Roadster in 2000. Imola Red over Imola Red/Black, the car was my dream and extremely hot. Accerleration was absolutely stunning, power on demand, no need to wind the engine out.

Quality was mediocre at best; body panel fits were not great, interior materials were ok, top leaked constantly and had to be replaced, M badges turned from red to pink (embarassing), stereo not only was awful but rattled...

Handling was good -- car was all engine, brakes and tires -- but not great, sometimes scary.

Got rid of the car when I became the father of triplets -- have dreamed of getting it back ever since. That is until my RX-8 -- better in every way (except acceleration) than my M Roadster for roughly $15k less.

I am extremely satisfied with the RX-8.

 

I traded in my bmw 2000 328i and i had the premium/sports package. I think the handling on the bmw is great. RX8 is great too, but what i miss about my BMW are the comfort/practicality that it gives me. Like in rx8 the only one touch is to bring down the window down on the drivers side. In the BMW all the windows, including the moonroof is one touch down/up. Also, since in a rotary engine we need to check the oil rather frequently i don't know why the hood wasn't made to be one touch either. Also, i think the key and the alarm should have been combined. Even the 2004 accord has this. I know a lot of people say that the maintenace is expensive on the BMW, i personally never had to pay for any maintance cause i traded it in before the maintenance program was over. The car never gave me any problems and sometimes when i get a loaner car when i do my oil change (which i only have to do every 15,000miles) i get a nicer car than the one i have.

For now i'll enjoy my rx8 though...

 

eh those are petty little features

 

I own a 2002 540i and a Ti 8. Although I love both cars, the BMW is still king! The 540i could climb walls if possible!