mkaresh

I performed a thorough search, and found no detailed comparisons of the Shinka/40th Anniversary suspension vs. the standard suspension.

I'm interested in impressions from people who've driven cars with both suspensions, preferably back to back on the same roads.

What differences did you notice in ride, handling, and road noise?

I'm assuming that '05 Shina, '06 Shinka, and '08 40th Anniversary car have the same suspension mods. If not, I'm specifically interested in the '06.

Mrktplayer

I can't find the video, but I've seen a Best Motoring video on youtube. One of the driver was test driving the Prestige (Shinka) and stated that the suspension is stiffer and has much better handling over the standard Rx8.

I have a Shinka and have put about 3K miles so far. Loving every mile of it :-)

alnielsen

iTrader: (4)

The only difference between a Shinka and a GT was body color, foam filled frame members and Bilstein shocks. I don't think you will feel a difference.

mkaresh

The changes were a little more extensive than this. The 2005 (and possibly the 2006 as well) also had reinforcements to the body structure.

I've read plenty of opinions of the difference between the two cars based on the specs. What I haven't been able to find are any detailed comparisons from people who have actually driven both cars. Or, even better, owned both.

I assume there are some people who traded a regular RX-8 for a Shinka. I'd like to know what they think of the differences.

monchie

More information could be found here about the differences of the rx8's styling... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mazda_RX-8

New Yorker

Chassis improvements:

• Suspension cross member injected with foaming urethane improving performance and ride quality
• Unique Suspension tuning with thicker 14mm damper shafts (up from 12mm)

Source: http://rotarynews.com/node/view/472

mkaresh

Thanks, guys, I appreciate the attempt to help. There are already plenty of threads with links to the official press release and the wikipedia article. What we don't have are any detailed comparisons from people who have actually driven both cars. This is all I'm interested in. The specs don't tell me what I want to know.

pistonhater

I've recently driven both the Shinka and Sport - also drove a couple of R3s and a 40th Anniversary Edition.

There is a significant difference in handling and steering/feedback response between the Shinka and the base model. I would rather buy the Shinka not doubt about - plus the interior is quite beautiful with the different color leather seats. I found the "all-black interior" of the Sport a little "boring". But of course, people have different tastes so my opinion is completely subjective to what I personally like.

Let me add a couple more thoughts you may find helpful. The R3 and 40 Anniversary Edition certainly have stiffer suspension tunings, mostly because of the Bilstein shocks. The Shinka - by comparison - is much more commuter-friendly, but it didn't feel to me as "soft" as the base model. So I would say the Shinka has the most balanced suspension of the three. I believe the 40 AE is the only Series I RX-8 that actually has the exact same suspension set up as the R3, with the Bilstein shocks, revised suspension geometry and of course the foam-injected cross members. This translates - in my experience - to a much more "firmer" ride. Not everybody's cup of tea, but that's the suspension set up I like the most. The 40 AE does have an amazing interior. That Cosmo red interior is strikingly beautiful.

Hope that helps as you make your decision.

New Yorker

Maybe it's just a case of only a few people having compared them back-to-back. Here's what some journalists had to say:

"Bilstein dampers are also part of the package, but I didn't really notice any change in the car's great handling. But you will be able to impress your neighbours saying that your RX-8 has a foam-filled suspension cross member."

"First up are the uprated Bilstein dampers that sharpen the RX-8's handling and to improve the RX-8's refinement, the front suspension cross members are packed with polyurethane."

pistonhater

Indeed. I guess the differences might be rather subtle and/or subjective to some people!

mkaresh

This is exactly the sort of evaluation I'm looking for.

I drove a 40AE, and it felt tighter and more solid than I remember the regular RX-8 feeling, but I haven't driven a regular RX-8 in half a year. I wasn't aware that the 40AE was tuned like the R3 and significantly different than the Shinka. Has anyone confirmed (or not) that the part number for the shocks is the same for the 40AE and the R3? I would be surprised if the 40AE shared suspension geometry with the Series II cars, as this is much more complicated than altering the shocks and cross-member.

I didn't feel as in-tune with the 40AE as I have with the regular RX-8, but this could be a matter of the roads in the area I test drove it (not much in the way of curves). Or it could be that the additional stiffness filters out some of the feedback from the road. Not what it's supposed to do, just my impressions based on a short test drive. A stiffer suspension can sometimes also make a car feel less agile and lively, as there's less roll when the wheel is turned, and so less of a sense that something is happening. On the other hand, the 40AE did feel like a more solid, quieter, higher quality car.

I'm also most used to the cloth seats. My sense was that you don't sink into the leather ones nearly as much--the seat in the 40AE felt a little overstuffed to me--again, short test drive. The suede in the '06 Shinka might fall between the two in feel? The 40AE seat also felt higher than I remember the cloth seat being in its lowest setting. Do they have to raise the leather seat to provide space for the power seat motors?

Recognizing the limits of my test, I came here looking for impressions from people with more seat time. Pistonhater's is a great start. Anyone with similar or different impressions?

pistonhater

Again, my understanding is that the 40th AE does have the same suspension set up as the R3. Not sure about the part number for the shocks though.

I personally prefer the firmness of the leather seats better. Somebody posted not too long ago that the Recaros in the R3 feel very high too. That wasn't my impression after comparing between the different models. But I tell you, there was quite a bit of disappointment when testing the Sport right after testing an R3. Those Recaro seats are awesome

mkaresh

I really wish I could drive them all back-to-back. I cannot remember if I've even sat in the Recaros. But my father will be driving this car more than I will, and the dealer in his area has an R3 and he strongly disliked the Recaros--and he's pretty thin. So he's veto'd the R3.

He cranked the seat up a bit with the cloth, so if the leather seats are a little higher that won't be an issue with him. I personally like to sit lower.

pistonhater

Ha, ha, ha, even though I think the Recaros are awesome, I can also see why they could be quite uncomfortable to some people.

You are right about test driving as many cars as you can. That's what I've done for the past few weeks. What a tremendous positive experience. It does help as you try to narrow the possibilities down, things you can live with/without, etc. At the end you know what is the car you really want.

Actually, I haven't been able to test drive a Grand Touring yet. I'm curious to see if the extra luxuries really add to the driving experience. But since I tested the 40th AE, I figured they would be similar - with the exception that the 40th does not have the navigation option - which I don't really care for that much.

Personally, I think the key-less entry (also available with the 40th AE) and blue tooth (only available in the Series II only I believe) are really cool things to have And having seat warmers would be a big plus if you live in a cold weather region.

Before I forget, I think you could probable get the best deal on a new Sport. There are many 2010s out there, and you could probable get one for something close to $20K. The Sport does not have traction control - which some reviewers think is negative - both hey, maybe you find that you don't really need it. There are some 40th AEs out there around that price range too.

mkaresh

The problem I'm running into is that there are no Shinkas to drive in my area. Dealers tend to have no RX-8s here. But most likely we'll go with a Shinka.

A problem with the newer cars, other than not wanting to spend $20k, is that the color choices are much more limited. But that's a different topic.

I wouldn't want one without the stability control. Don't need it often, but when you really do need it it's very good to have.

pistonhater

I see you live in Michigan. I lived there and I know you definitely want the traction control option with that weather

You cannot go wrong with a Shinka. If you find one in good shape that you can buy...do it!!! It's a great car all around plus they are different than most other RX-8s. I was very pleased when I test drove one.

mkaresh

The car will initially be kept in Virginia, and even in Michigan I do not expect to use it in the winter. I've learned the hard way that Mazdas and salt do not get along. But I like the extra margin provided by stability control even on dry pavement.

Some people on this forum have owned both cars. Hoping a few of them will chime in.

New Yorker

You must've driven a really good one meticulously maintained by its owner.

Romboter

Hell ya there are, not too hard to find a well maintained and low mileage 40th AE for under $20k.

There are three that sold for between $18-20kish this month, each with under 16k miles. All good deals if you ask me.

pistonhater

Absolutely...LOL!!!

I've never driven a "used" car in such perfect condition. Totally flawless

byako

iTrader: (1)

Sorry for the semi-thread revival but:

This means that I can run the R3 Bilsteins on an 05 Series I correct? I ask because I knew most coils were universal between both series, but some people say they won't fit or that they have higher perches so you will have a higher ride height. I have a set of used R3 Bilsteins from my fathers car (swapped to Teins) and want to mount lowering springs (maybe Tanabe, Eibach, or MS) on them and run them on my 05. But I can't seem to find some good info on this setup. Can anyone give me some tips?

jrx13

The R3 Bilsteins and the 40th Anniversary Bilsteins have different part numbers. I believe the springs are different part numbers as well, but don't quote me on that one. So not sure if the 40th anniversary has the different spring perch or what.

I don't believe anyone has every did a comparison side by side though.

Hey didn't you and I discuss this in another thread already? LOL!

byako

iTrader: (1)

Yes, but I never got useful info so I am still hesitating on getting the springs
I mean if worse comes to worse I can run them on the stock shocks but.. as another thread mentions, it makes the ride feel unstable and I don't want that, even if it is a daily driver.

Bladecutter

First of all, I doubt that using just the Bilstein shocks from an R3 is going to make your car unstable in any way, shape, or form.

You have to remember that the sole purpose of a shock absorber is to control the oscillations of the suspension components after the tire hits a bump.

This is done in many different ways, varying from fluid weight, orifice size, air space size, and even air pressure, not to mention any differences in construction (like a shim stack versus damper rod setup).

Your springs are already sufficient for holding the weight of the car, so the Bilsteins aren't going to be over-taxed in that regards. Chances are they will change the way the car reacts to bumps, however. Most likely in quicker rebound damping, and less compression damping.

In other words, they will probably feel a smidge harder when you hit a bump, and reset to neutral position quicker than your stock shocks.

As for if they have the same perch location, you will only know that when you put the R3 shock side by side with your current shock.

I say go for it.

BC.

iemdan

iTrader: (2)

in addition to suspension differences, tires, their inflated pressure, alignment, age, wear, and tear will alter how the car feels and responds.