PH Fleet: Mazda RX-8
Finally released from insurance purgatory things were looking up for Dale's RX-8 ... and then
Fresh new Michelins barely got scrubbed in
And the engine died.
The cries of a thousand forum experts echoed silently through the car as the mirrors filled with light blue smoke and the engine vibrated like a brick in a tumble-dryer. Somehow we were already bouncing over the grass and trying to stop. Within seconds the Mazda was parked behind a barrier and I was running down the safe side of the guardrail. No sign of oil or coolant on the floor or on the car itself. Upon returning to the car, I found the sudden stop had boiled it over.
The final indignity? Um, not pictured, thankfully
Firstly, remove engine, rebuild it, install it. This option could weigh in at less than a grand, but I’m not really capable of any of these things. I don’t have the time and I certainly don’t have the talent.
Second option would be to get a pro to do the above. Prices range from £1,250 for a 14-day warranty eBay motor to several thousand pounds for a guaranteed race motor from somewhere like Haywards or Rotechniks. I don’t have that much money, and I wouldn’t want to put myself in the same position again. Thinking that my motor is perfect, then watching the oil smoke appear on a bike-filled Nordschleife. No, never again.
Recovered, but going nowhere
Luckily for me my friend Jens has a crashed RX-8. It’s a no-expense-spared dedicated track day car, but he had an argument with barriers. Now it needs a front-end transplant. Well it’s got one.
A painful decision, but the right one.
From my initial investment of around £3,000, I have only a thousand. But using the rather nifty options drivetrain and power options of the new Pistonheads Classifieds, I think I’ve found myself another 200hp, rear-wheel drive ’ring-toy to replace the Mazda.
Now you can all say it: “I told you so.”
Car: 2004 Mazda RX-8
Run by: Dale Lomas
Bought: December 2011
Purchase price: £2.800
First month: Ignored the critics, bought a Wankel, made grand plansfor modification but secretly hoped the mod budget won’t be spent on a re-con motor...
This month: Blew the motor. Didn’t have the budget for a re-con motor, sold the whole thing as a wreck. Gutted.
Previous reports:
A lap of the 'ring on a BMW S1000RR reminds Dale why he really needs the Mazda back
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
I think your story confirms what I always suspected. It never was developped in a proper way.
Moved on to BMW and Porsche. The engineering quality is clear from the first turn of the key....
What I do not understand is why you did not drop another engine in it. With the RX 8 it is extremely easy. The engine also ways in at half a 325i and you have lots of room to work on.
The only mod you would need to make is the separate oil tank and pump that injects oil on the wankels tips so that you are not using the engine oil to do that.
Maybe it is not to late yet.
Michel
But, I can say- You Woos! One blow up and you flog it on, what kind of odd-metal choice was this?!
Not very PistonHeaded of you at all, hand your bo**ocks in on the way out! :-)
The right choice would be to work your arse off rebuilding it (repeatedly) after each blow up and continue trying to justify it to us all.
I do wonder sometimes.
Anyway, this isn't what you want to hear right now chap, sorry to hear you ran out of luck. But I'm sure the E36 will be a fantastic replacement, massive potential to work on these as they're so popular, and it'll look right at home at the 'Ring too!
I had one of the first in the country, and never had an issue with mine (although only had it a year or so). I think the chap that bought mine still has it and hasnt had issues.
Such a nicely balanced car, and incredibly practical. Just spoilt by hideous mpg, and rotary issues. I dont think the low bonnet would take a "normal" engine, and anything lumpy would likely ruin the handling, perhaps a subaru boxer engine would work - dont know how heavy they are?
RIP the RX8 (this one and the demise of it new now).
It is otherwise a decent car, a drivein/drive out V8 conversion service for a decent price would be brilliant for all the RX8's out there with knackered Rotaries.
k do I know? 
Yes he had compression test done before buying and the car has full service history.
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