Please forgive my ignorance, I recently purchased an 09 R3 and was wondering what the meaning of the R3 designation means? thanks in advance.
-Alex

 

for the rx7's, there was an R1 and R2. R3 is the 8's version of that

 

The RX7 FD had a R1 and R2 editions. I guess the R3 is just a continuation in the special editions line. The R editions were about performance tweaks. The Shinka special editions were more about special color paint than anything else.
That last line will probably start an argument.

 

It has a slightly different exterior (front bumper, side skirts, spoiler)... Recaro seats... Different shocks (Bilsteins)... Different wheels too...

Basically it is just the fixed up top version of the 2009-2011 8s.

 

...So in other words, all this extra info should help develop a huge, massive GRIN on your face.

(You have the coolest 8 out there )

 

Thanks for the quick replies gentlemen! As for putting a grin on my face? Yes it does!

 

R3 means it's extra awesome. Not that I'm biased or anything lol

The only thing less awesome is the ride quality, bit I can't think of anything I care about less than smooth ride. Perhaps fuel economy or emissions?

 

I skipped the R3 (Series 2) (because of my age mainly and bad back) and went for the GT model as the US calls it or Luxury version as Australia calls it, OUR R3 is called a GT...Confused yet??..

Anyway the "luxury" (my Series 2) has all leather seats with power adjust, the Recaro's don't.
Mine has "softer" suspension more like the Series 1 RX-8's, BUT the Bilsteins are great in the R3, BUT gives you a firmer ride, sway bars are slightly thicker in R3 also by I think 2-3mm.

R3 also gets rear spoiler, side skirts, lower front bumper set up and foam filled engine cross member. 19' alloys and tires.

Mechanically they are identical.

But is does not have electric Sun or Moon roof, high power sound of 9 speakers instead of 6 in R3 (with Sat Nav Aust).

That is about all, BOTH are GREAT SPORTS CARS!

 

According to the Mazda brochure the R3 does have a 300 watt Bose 9 speaker centerpoint surround sound system and audiopilot 2

 

Yes my 2010 R3 has the bose 9 speaker setup. Sounds good but lacks alot in the low end

 

Much depends on Region (country), Model,
Like, Sports, GT, Luxury, R3, from 2003-2011

Both Series RX-8's have same 4 speakers, OR there are 6, and OR 9.


The 4's do not have small tweeters inside opposite door mirrors.
The 4's do not have a Middle Speaker at top of dash center above red LED readout.
Just 2 in front doors and two in rear parcel shelf for the 4 speaker set up.

The 6's do not have Middle Dash Speaker either, but have the two door mirror ones.
The 6's do have different Door Speaker, the same as the 4's, but the 9 door speakers are different.
Just 2 in front doors and two in rear parcel shelf and two mirror speakers for the 6 set up.

The 9's have all the above plus...
The 9's have two rear Parcel Shelf tweeters.
The 9's have a different rear speaker also to 4 and 6 set ups.
The 9's have a better two front door speaker also
Just 2 in front doors, 2 in behind door mirrors, 1 in middle of dash, 2 in rear shelf and 2 tweeters in rear shelf=== 9 speakers.

The 9's have a Rear Amplifier which can be seen from inside Trunk, under Parcel Shelf in the middle..If you do not have one of these then you don't have the so called 300 watt system.

So there is the layout..easy hey!

 

Maybe you don't care, but some of use who drive long distance over marginal highways might. That's one feature of the RX-8 I really appreciated the first time I drove one - that the suspension can handle so well without beating up the passengers. This has been observed and documented countless times by automotive journalists. But, the shock & swaybar settings on the 40th anniversary and R3 are firmer than the standard, so the ride quality suffers.

Personally, I think the standard suspension handles more than adequately, so I don't think the tradeoff is worth it.

 

Thanks for the clarification Ash8, after posting I realized that they all come in different flavors around the world.

 

Then the R3 isn't for you, but to me the tradeoff is totally worth it. I drive on some pretty rough roads, but i'm in my 20's and I don't mind it. I also only drive maybe 10,000 miles a year, spread out over 2 cars. I'm just glad Mazda gives us the choice, so you can have the smooth riding, yet more than adequately handling RX8, and I can have the stiffer R3. To be totally honest, I drove an RX8 GT and i thought it handled great, and i have never pushed my R3 to the point where a GT wouldn't be able to keep up. When I drove the GT I too was shocked how nicely it handled corners and bumpy roads. I didn't expect that at all! The thing that sold me on the RX8 was the fun to drive engine, and the huge rebates I got on my R3. I'm just a weird person I guess, I like a firm ride. Maybe thats why R3's are so rare! only weird people buy them! like me.

Also, if I had to ride in the back seat of my car for extended periods of time, I would certainly want a GT. The back seat sure is bouncy in an R3... It's a good thing I only drive it! lol

 

Ash, I think your info is wrong there -- UK R3s have the full 9-speaker Bose :-)
http://www.mazda.co.uk/showroom/rx-8/specification/

 

No my information is for ALL Regions, in FACT all series 2003-2011, there is NOT a specific R3 Spare Parts EPC, I wish the some would get it out of their head that this is the ONLY RX-8 model made from 2008 as it is not. (Not suggesting you are saying this). An Yes I know it is a R3 thread, I put up ALL the information to stop any specific questions/request.

I will edit post so it is not so 'Confusing'..

Thanks



Australian R3

 

OK, your edited post reads better now (so I was somewhat correct )! My bad for "assuming" we were talking about R3s in this thread! Must remember to ignore topic titles in the future.

Here in the UK, the Series 2 is ONLY available as designated "R3" model.

UK R3 has "Premium Bose® audio system with Centrepoint® technology, 6-CD autocharger and nine speakers." - from link I posted above.
(My R3 definitely has 9 speakers )

UK Series 1 (available in UK 2003-approx. 2008) had the Bose with 6 speakers.
I don't have a source to quote, and can't be bothered to look [in the filing drawer - just over there -----> ] at the original brochure, to check if "4 speakers" was available and 6 was the "option" -- but think they were all 6 in uk, regardless.
(My Series 1 231 "with leather" definitely had Bose with 6 speakers ).

Not sure what the 2007/2008 "Anniversary" or other (UK) "special editions" had Bose with 6 or 9? (Anniversary was somewhat akin to a series "1.5" -- having some mechanical improvements of Series 2, but bodywork of series 1 )

It appears that the model "designations" could also change country-to-country - from here, it seems the UK R3 is equiv of "Luxury" in the parts list you show

I AM NOT questioning you knowledge (and accessibility to information), but more care required when quoting things about "UK" vs other countries, I think.

 

Jeez SEAN Shut Up mate...

As I originally said UNEDITED...."Much depends on Region (country)".

The Term R3 is a "Brochure" title ONLY, as I said and IF you READ above it as and example the GT here (Australia) is in fact the R3.

Yes, as I have also said before the UK and Europe came in late to the Series 2 (because they had so much OLD S1 Stock), in fact it was not even going to be imported...MME and MMUK decided to order only ONE Spec and Call it R3.

For the last time the SPEAKER info I put up there was for ALL Regions and for ALL Countries.

Even the Official Europe and UK Mazda Parts refers the the R3 RX-8 as the '2008' version, just so happens to be the Brochure model of R3, Jeez there is not even an R3 badge.

HUH, NO, what shown (in blue) is the ON-LINE Details from Mazda Australia site, and NO your R3 is not a Luxury, just because it has 9 speakers..

IN Series 2 there are basically four levels to Order from WORLDWIDE and remember some countries that even started selling Series 2's in 2008 no longer do..like Hong Kong.

1.Basic (man, 4 speak)
GT (USA) or Luxury (AUST), ALL Leather Power Seats, memory and lumbar, Moon-roof, 9 Speak.
2.Auto/3.Man
4.R3 (USA,UK), GT (Aust), Body Kit, Suspension, Foam, Leather ****,9 Speak, 6 Speak (AUST)man.
You then get other variants like, some US models have No front Fog Light, Some have Sat Nav., Blue Tooth, Auto Head and Wiper (from later 2010).

It is not a competition on information/knowledge, I usually put up ALL the info I have listed so when you invariably get the "Dumb" question it is all covered.

If you have ever been 'A' seller of any component parts for any device, you get to know that the "owner" does not always tell you what you need to know, to help them.

Like, (example) I want a front Bumper for my 2005 RX-8...No VIN Supplied, so I ask, does it have Headlamp Washers or not, usually the reply is Derrrr, UMMM, Yes, think I so.