PH Fleet: Mazda RX-8

Thursday 26th July 2012

PH Fleet: Mazda RX-8

A lap of the 'ring on a BMW S1000RR reminds Dale why he really needs the Mazda back



I love driving the RX-8. But it's been nearly two months since I last sat behind the red-and-black leather wheel after my little Nurburgring accident. But the other morning I finally drove the scraping, battered Rex up the hill from the Mazda dealer in Adenau to our Rent4Ring workshop in Nurburg.

Damage hopefully just skin deep
Damage hopefully just skin deep
All the best advice is that I shouldn't do any repairs until the insurance companies come to some sort of conclusion over who's paying who. But I just can't wait any longer! There are so many reasons to get the car repaired and on the road; the weather is definitely one of them. As I write the Nurburgring is basking in sunshine like a giant 21km asphalt snake.

Lead us not into temptation
It's been so achingly wonderful that I even took to the track on a BMW S1000RR motorcycle in an effort to sate the adrenaline demon. Demon definitely sated by that shot of fear and excitement, for now, but it's definitely another major reason to repair the car and get back within the safety of my four-wheel 'cage', if not for me, but for my wife and kids.

What was that about not riding bikes again?
What was that about not riding bikes again?
Thankfully most of the damage to my car is cosmetic, so I'm planning to be on the road again soon. A rough-and-ready repair with secondhand parts. The brand-new Toyosports cat-back exhaust system (that was only fitted for a few days) is now bent in half a dozen spots and dragging shamefully on the floor.

This will be replaced with either another example of the same or a secondhand system. I could just put the standard system back on immediately, but having sampled the two-stroke buzz of the twin-rotor wankel, I'm keen to put a sports exhaust back on. So we'll see what the forums or eBay throw up in the next couple of weeks.

Alignment check on the to-do list...
Alignment check on the to-do list...
Are we aligned on this?
The front wing looks purely cosmetic, with no signs of scuffing to the front wheel. I'll be borrowing the laser alignment kit to make sure that is indeed the case.

At the back of the car, the bumper is also a complete mess. Right now I'm actually thankful that there are so many blown-up RX-8s lurking around the country. Because the price, and choice, of secondhand parts is pretty amazing. I'm hoping to pick up the bits I need for only a few hundred quid! Not bad for a Japanese sports car less than 10 years old.

...as is sourcing another suitably loud exhaust
...as is sourcing another suitably loud exhaust
As with the exhaust, I've got my eyes on eBay and the usual forums. So by the time my next pay cheque lands I should have some options lined up and the 'send money' of my Paypal button in sight. Then I can get back to what I love, driving the RX-8, instead of fixing it!

 

 

 



FACT SHEET
Car
: Mazda RX-8
Run by: Dale Lomas
Bought: December 2011
Mileage: None
Purchase price: £2,800
Last month at a glance: Rescued from the insurance compound, assessing the damage


Previous reports:
It hasn't been a good month for Dale's Mazda...

Ordering pieces of paper to pass the German MOT
Dale makes a new RX-8 mate
PH fleet intro: Mazda RX-8

 

 

Author
Discussion

trickymex

Original Poster:

85 posts

181 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
I am tempted to buy a RX8. Seems like a lot of car for the money, I was wondering what sort of engine I could cram in the engine bay once the wankel inevitably kicks the bucket. Any ideas guys? I do love the S54 m3 engine but I've never even looked under the bonnet of the an RX8 so have no idea what would fit

firman

1,407 posts

192 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
In before the title!

Oh and if you look after the engine there is nothing to say it will kick the bucket

JayTee94

10,974 posts

156 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
In before the title also. biggrin

If the engine does go, then IIRC there is a PH'er that has tried to put a VTEC engine into one. The thread is in Readers Rides. The lower priced ones are surely asking to be used as a track-day toy nowadays. When/If the engine does go, just put another in or find a replacement engine.

smile

The Nur

9,168 posts

184 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
IBTTT

Bisonhead

1,567 posts

188 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
Did make it?

PHEW!

Good write up too smile

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
trickymex said:
I am tempted to buy a RX8. Seems like a lot of car for the money, I was wondering what sort of engine I could cram in the engine bay once the wankel inevitably kicks the bucket. Any ideas guys? I do love the S54 m3 engine but I've never even looked under the bonnet of the an RX8 so have no idea what would fit
Easy:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dm0IKl6cd2c

Or try and source a 20B and turbo. 500bhp is simple and up to 1200bhp possible (with a lot of cash!)


Edited by Ali_T on Thursday 26th July 18:31

Bassfiend

5,530 posts

249 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
I did 76,000 miles in three years from new in my company-hack 230hp 55 plate RX-8 and it was showing absolutely no signs of getting tired - it was "beeped" on almost every gearchange and still felt as good as new the day it went back to the leasing company.

No faults beyond a faulty level sender in the coolant expansion tank and bubbling of the laquer on the alloys (both sorted under warranty).

Absolutely superb car and they're cheap as chips nowadays...

Phil

Crimp a Length!

5,697 posts

222 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
Great driving cars but the one i owned needed a clutch at 11k, a common problem.
My hoover also has more torque.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
trickymex said:
I am tempted to buy a RX8. Seems like a lot of car for the money, I was wondering what sort of engine I could cram in the engine bay once the wankel inevitably kicks the bucket. Any ideas guys? I do love the S54 m3 engine but I've never even looked under the bonnet of the an RX8 so have no idea what would fit
There's not a lot of room under there really. The RX-8 is built around the engine. In many ways I can't see the point in wanting one without the rotary. No in fact I can't see any point in wanting one without the rotary.

greggy50

6,161 posts

190 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
Great cars if looked after smile
Nice 56 plate came into petrol other day and would not start in the heat explained she had probably flooded the engine and should leave it a few minutes and best to not do shorter trips etc...
She just ignored me and kept trying to start it until the battery went and the AA had to come out ffs

otolith

55,794 posts

203 months

Thursday 26th July 2012
quotequote all
Dale said:
The brand-new Toyosports cat-back exhaust system (that was only fitted for a few days) is now bent in half a dozen spots and dragging shamefully on the floor


or



The Toyosports is a bit...

No, I'm being a terrible snob.

Edited by otolith on Thursday 26th July 23:09

carinaman

21,172 posts

171 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
greggy50 said:
Great cars if looked after smile
Nice 56 plate came into petrol other day and would not start in the heat explained she had probably flooded the engine and should leave it a few minutes and best to not do shorter trips etc...
She just ignored me and kept trying to start it until the battery went and the AA had to come out ffs
They pushed the car away from the pump before jump starting it?

Striple

162 posts

140 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
I borrowed one of these from a friend once and remember the fuel consumption being shocking. Maybe she had already run out of petrol...

Had to be thrashed to extract the goodness but great car to drive though

highplaindrifter

13 posts

141 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
Rx8's are the biggest pile of **** I've come across in a while, rubbish mpg for little power,naff build quality and awful looks, they're cheap for a reason guys, mind you , you pays your money......

Peppka

107 posts

189 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
Agree at traffic lights grand prix my AR GTV V6 left RX-8 behind easily, mind you I have Q2 diff so wheelspin practically eliminated in dry.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
Peppka said:
Agree at traffic lights grand prix my AR GTV V6 left RX-8 behind easily, mind you I have Q2 diff so wheelspin practically eliminated in dry.
erm no wheelspin... you sure it's a V6 or are you running 2 foot wide racing slicks? I know an LSD will help reduce single wheel spin, but you should have more than enough power to still easily break traction.

As for the RX-8, no they are not a HP monster. And getting them off the line quickly is very brutal, requiring almost max revs and semi side stepping the clutch. This way Motor Trend (I think) were clocking 5.9 sec 0-60mph in the 231 model. More normal use will not see you doing this though.

300bhp/ton

41,030 posts

189 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
highplaindrifter said:
Rx8's are the biggest pile of **** I've come across in a while, rubbish mpg for little power,naff build quality and awful looks, they're cheap for a reason guys, mind you , you pays your money......
mpg vs power is poor I agree. Although that's not what they are about. Disagree totally with the rest of what you've said.

M@1975

591 posts

226 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
Borla exhaust is the one to have, a friend had one on his and it made a massive difference to how it sounded and to throttle response.

homerjay

1,242 posts

224 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
highplaindrifter said:
Rx8's are the biggest pile of **** I've come across in a while, rubbish mpg for little power,naff build quality and awful looks, they're cheap for a reason guys, mind you , you pays your money......
not having this at all.

Ali_T

3,379 posts

256 months

Friday 27th July 2012
quotequote all
300bhp/ton said:
There's not a lot of room under there really. The RX-8 is built around the engine. In many ways I can't see the point in wanting one without the rotary. No in fact I can't see any point in wanting one without the rotary.
There's far more room than people think. The entire engine is behind the front axle line.



The alternator you see under the strut brace is on the front of the engine. That plastic cladding covers the battery, fusebox and airbox. Relocate the first two and you could easily get a 6 or 8 cylinder in BUT you'd completely muck up the balance.

Edited by Ali_T on Friday 27th July 12:33