RX-8 to Z4M Roadster or Coupe
Discussion
Daz...I heard my name.... in summary
Pros
Much much faster
Better economy
Better handling at speed, it just glides through the high speed stuff effortlessly
Better built and better spec
Looks
Better dealers, my experience with Mazda was not good.
Cons
Not so light on its feet and you can feel it on slow tight corners. However, the loud pedal is more useful for pushing you round
Hard ride and the damping on the Rx is better much better suited to UK roads
Harder to drive in town or in traffic
Running costs are much higher
The Cayman is more alike to the Rx8 but overall, the M is a real performance bargain and I doubt you will look back. I chose mine over the Cayman and have no regrets.
ETA -
To answer your questions
Steering feel - About the same, the M can sometimes be lighter but it's a hydraulic system so not too bad
Ride - Much harsher ride if I'm honest, the Rx8 was suitably damped for UK roads the Z4M is more suited for German roads/track use.
Reliability - From being a member of both forums I would say the M is much more reliable. However, if something does go wrong with the M it will cost more to fix.
Gearchange - The M isn't as smooth but the lower gears are protected due to the amount of torque passing through them. At high revs the change in the M is better imho. Everything is stiffer in comparison. Most owners remove the CDV (clutch delay valve)(30 mins labour at a local garage) as it makes changing gear in traffic difficult, you will get used to this and remember the mod if you struggle on the test drive.
Pros
Much much faster
Better economy
Better handling at speed, it just glides through the high speed stuff effortlessly
Better built and better spec
Looks
Better dealers, my experience with Mazda was not good.
Cons
Not so light on its feet and you can feel it on slow tight corners. However, the loud pedal is more useful for pushing you round
Hard ride and the damping on the Rx is better much better suited to UK roads
Harder to drive in town or in traffic
Running costs are much higher
The Cayman is more alike to the Rx8 but overall, the M is a real performance bargain and I doubt you will look back. I chose mine over the Cayman and have no regrets.
ETA -
To answer your questions
Steering feel - About the same, the M can sometimes be lighter but it's a hydraulic system so not too bad
Ride - Much harsher ride if I'm honest, the Rx8 was suitably damped for UK roads the Z4M is more suited for German roads/track use.
Reliability - From being a member of both forums I would say the M is much more reliable. However, if something does go wrong with the M it will cost more to fix.
Gearchange - The M isn't as smooth but the lower gears are protected due to the amount of torque passing through them. At high revs the change in the M is better imho. Everything is stiffer in comparison. Most owners remove the CDV (clutch delay valve)(30 mins labour at a local garage) as it makes changing gear in traffic difficult, you will get used to this and remember the mod if you struggle on the test drive.
Edited by daz4m on Tuesday 16th March 13:11
daz4m said:
I heard my name.... in summary
Pros
Much much faster
Better economy
Better handling at speed, it just glides through the high speed stuff effortlessly
Better built and better spec
Looks
Better dealers, my experience with Mazda was not good.
Cons
Not so light on its feet and you can feel it on slow tight corners. However, the loud pedal is more useful for pushing you round
Hard ride and the damping on the Rx is better much better suited to UK roads
Harder to drive in town or in traffic
Running costs are much higher
The Cayman is more alike to the Rx8 but overall, the M is a real performance bargain and I doubt you will look back. I chose mine over the Cayman and have no regrets.
ETA -
To answer your questions
Steering feel - About the same, the M can sometimes be lighter but it's a hydraulic system so not too bad
Ride - Much harsher ride if I'm honest, the Rx8 was suitably damped for UK roads the Z4M is more suited for German roads/track use.
Reliability - From being a member of both forums I would say the M is much more reliable. However, if something does go wrong with the M it will cost more to fix.
Gearchange - The M isn't as smooth but the lower gears are protected due to the amount of torque passing through them. At high revs the change in the M is better imho. Everything is stiffer in comparison. Most owners remove the CDV (clutch delay valve)(30 mins labour at a local garage) as it makes changing gear in traffic difficult, you will get used to this and remember the mod if you struggle on the test drive.
I own a Z4M Roadster .... but have only driven an RX8 - albeit for a fair bit with a view to buying. I would, however, say I agree entirely with the comments above ! The only thing I would add is that the RX8 gearchange is much easier than a Z4M which is a pain .... the rest of the car more than makes up for the gearchange though Pros
Much much faster
Better economy
Better handling at speed, it just glides through the high speed stuff effortlessly
Better built and better spec
Looks
Better dealers, my experience with Mazda was not good.
Cons
Not so light on its feet and you can feel it on slow tight corners. However, the loud pedal is more useful for pushing you round
Hard ride and the damping on the Rx is better much better suited to UK roads
Harder to drive in town or in traffic
Running costs are much higher
The Cayman is more alike to the Rx8 but overall, the M is a real performance bargain and I doubt you will look back. I chose mine over the Cayman and have no regrets.
ETA -
To answer your questions
Steering feel - About the same, the M can sometimes be lighter but it's a hydraulic system so not too bad
Ride - Much harsher ride if I'm honest, the Rx8 was suitably damped for UK roads the Z4M is more suited for German roads/track use.
Reliability - From being a member of both forums I would say the M is much more reliable. However, if something does go wrong with the M it will cost more to fix.
Gearchange - The M isn't as smooth but the lower gears are protected due to the amount of torque passing through them. At high revs the change in the M is better imho. Everything is stiffer in comparison. Most owners remove the CDV (clutch delay valve)(30 mins labour at a local garage) as it makes changing gear in traffic difficult, you will get used to this and remember the mod if you struggle on the test drive.
Edited by daz4m on Tuesday 16th March 13:11
rage999 said:
Thanks guys.
Daz,
In terms of the ride, will the roadster be any different from the coupe?
I believe but can't confirm that it is ever so slightly softer. However, without offending anyone I think the Coupe looks far better and will utlimately always be worth more money. But that's just an opinion others may see it another way.Daz,
In terms of the ride, will the roadster be any different from the coupe?
daz4m said:
I believe but can't confirm that it is ever so slightly softer. However, without offending anyone I think the Coupe looks far better and will utlimately always be worth more money. But that's just an opinion others may see it another way.
Never been proved back to back, just hearsay. However they are both excellent value.
The coupe is a real drivers car and will demand your 110% input to get the most out of it - it has been described as a modern TVR (a few converts now own one i believe).
Roadster looses on chassis stiffness but with a decent zort and the roof down will sing music to your ears...
Spring rates definitely softer on the roadster.
Plus steering rack is quicker in the Coupe and antiroll bars where also adjusted to make use of the stiffer body...
Both great cars which offer up slightly different driving experiances, although both centrally around what is a truely great engine. The noise is totally addictive and was one of the main reasons i bought mine. Suggest you drive both and see which you prefer.
Plus steering rack is quicker in the Coupe and antiroll bars where also adjusted to make use of the stiffer body...
Both great cars which offer up slightly different driving experiances, although both centrally around what is a truely great engine. The noise is totally addictive and was one of the main reasons i bought mine. Suggest you drive both and see which you prefer.
Do it, you won't regret it!
Never driven a Rx-8 so can't comment. My mate had a Rx-7 but thats a different story!
I went for the Coupe, as I'm not really a fan of convertibles in general.
They are surprisingly economical if you don't drive like a mad man all the time. I'm averaging 26.1 mpg and thats with some spirited driving...
Never driven a Rx-8 so can't comment. My mate had a Rx-7 but thats a different story!
I went for the Coupe, as I'm not really a fan of convertibles in general.
They are surprisingly economical if you don't drive like a mad man all the time. I'm averaging 26.1 mpg and thats with some spirited driving...
Gassing Station | M Power | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff