Well half a year ago, I was debating between an RX8 and a BMW 330. In my mind, both cars are drop dead gorgeous. I ended up with a 330ci mainly because my wife couldn't drive stick and had no intentions of learning. Couldn't bear the thought of having an auto RX8 - at that time, they still had the crazy low hp engine.

Attended my first lapping day a few weeks ago and had a blast. The automatic is a real disadvantage on the track as the BMW steptronic will not hold a gear in manual mode. Why have a manual mode that shifts by itself at redline is beyond me.

Had a great time chasing down a pure stock Miata. Even had OEM all seasons on.

In any event, to the 8: got absolutely roasted by it. Man, the 8 is really fast on the track. You guys got something special in that car!

 

Good to hear some praise from a non-RX8 owner--most of the time we get -- your $h^! sucks threads. I was real close to getting a 330Ci myself, but I waited a little longer for the RX8 to come out.

 

While I love and appreciate your complimentary words, I'll just say this: it's all about the driver. Chances are the RX-8 pilot may have had some more experience on track and was able to squeeze more out of the car. I've shared track time with nicely prepared and well driven E46s who were as fast or faster than my RX-8.

As for the Steptronic on track, that's got to be really annoying. My DD is an E46 w/ a StepTronic, and I noticed the first time I took the car to redline in 1st that it upshifted for me. Beware of that transmission. I'm on my 2nd, and contrary to the above statement, I don't drive that car hard at all.

Good luck and get all the track time you can!

 

RX8 is a great handler though I think you made the right choice buying a manual 330 vs a manual RX8. Get yourself into a E46 M3 with SMG2 and you won't reget it a minute, I sold my E36 M3 sedan manual for a 05 6spd RX8 and I think it's a wash between the 2 cars.

 

Three years of ownership and I still think the 8 is agreat car for the money. If I had to do it all over again, I would buy a base model 8 with the Sport package. A 2800 to 2900 lbs car...that would be awesome.

 

Let's just say the 8 connects very well with the driver, very forgiving and is a great practice car on track.

 

all sport package does is give fogs and traction control. I've had an absolute base model 05 8 for a while now and have never regretted not getting traction control or fogs, the HID halogen lights are just fine for me.

 

Get a dinan tranny chip and that will fix that right up

 

Base model has halogen headlights, the sport model and above have the Xenon HID lights. There's a tremendous difference, IMHO.

 

theres a big difference, but the HID haologens seem alot brighter than the halogens on my m coupe.

 

I have a base model 04 Rx-8 and my headlights are crazy-bright. You guys mean they get brighter?!

BTW, awesome thread--it's very positive.

 

I'm about to place my order for ESS tranny software. And for the next track day, I'll be having BBQ RX-8 for dinner! :D

In all seriousness, if I could persuade the wife to learn stick, the 8 would be in my driveway right now!

 

there are three types of transmissions the 330Ci uses. ZF (auto trans from France), GM (that explains it), and a Getrag manual (same company that makes the manual trans for the supra). both the auto trans suck ***. when you are in steptronic mode, does it read S or M??

 

I have nothing but positives to say about traction control. It has save my *** more than once. Besides it doesn't add that much more weight.

 

There's an "S D" on the panel when in step mode.

Yeah, I couldn't believe it when when I read for the first time that the tranny was a GM product.