Hey everyone, hoping you would help me out. Coming from 2 M3's, I know the basic differences between the base IX and MR IX but would like your help in making a choice.

Option 1:
Evo IX w/ NO SSL
Work Wheels
Coilovers
JDM IX rear bumper

Option 2:
Evo IX MR


I was thinking, the MR does have a 6spd and a few other things like the generator, aluminum roof, hids etc. I was going to change out the wheels and suspension anyway but I would have to wait at least a year or so to get the money.

If I get a base IX I can do all the stuff I want to in option 1. I think of it as the base IX is kinda similar (no options) but mainly without a 6spd.

Is it worth getting the MR for the sole benefit of getting the 6spd. I can live without the vortex generator and aluminum roof.

btw, am I able to get the hids put in easily. If I were to buy a set of oem hids from the Evo IX's with the SSL package etc and just stick them in my headlights. Is it "plug and play"?

TIA!

Start new with the MR. Don't buy a used Evo, it's better to be safe than sorry. The rims and suspension are good, but you want to do what is right for you. Don't know too much about hid's, but you don't have to worry about them in the MR. Good luck

HIDS/Fogs in the MR. less weight. bilstein suspension for the softer ride with better handle. BBS Rims aren't too bad to live with for a year either.

I think he is saying that if he buys a base IX he will have leftover money to do those mods

get the mr, i just picked mine up last saturday and im lovin every minute of it

Well if you plan on switching out the suspension and wheels either way, the bilstein upgraded suspension is thrown out the window. What are your intentions with the car? Daily driving, autocross, drag racing? That will be the main thing as far as deciding on whether you want the five or six speed. Many people do all of the above with both transmissions and do it quite well. I can honestly not advise you which one is better as for I do not currently own an evo.

There is a how-to on here in the how-to section explaining how to add HIDs. If you have some electrical knowledge I think you'll be more than capable. The standard halogens are not that bad from what I've seen in person, although if you've had the luxury of HIDs they sure are a downgrade.

Seems to me, you should go with the base IX save yourself a few grand break the car in and go from there. There are few people that can truely push the limits of the stock suspension. There is really no need to change it right away. Unless you drive race cars or just have a lot of track time. But it is your money so do as you please. I think the base IX will more than suit you and you'll be happy with the five speed.

Good luck!

I have a 5-speed IX and I love it. The MR is geared the exact same way, so as far as the transmission in racing they are very similar. 6th gear would be nice on the highway, I rev between 3-4k RPM in fifth gear depending on speed. The Bilsteins on the MR are descent, but in no way equal to some of the higher-end coilover setups (Mueller JICs/Ohlins)...I will say this:
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a) For the price of an MR you can get the base IX, a great coilover setup, and wheel/tire combo...If you want HIDs, they are ~$300 and vortex generators go for around 300 as well. (no luck with aluminum roof though)
---->You would probably break even if you went with an aggressive coilover and lightweight 18" rim. (adjust for brands, installations, etc.)
b) Are you racing stock class? Because if you are a weekend-racer and want to stay in stock class the MR is a great compromise. You will have strong factory equipment and if you leave it alone a WARRANTY to back.
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Ultimately depends on how committed you are to racing and if you have a lot of interstate commuting...If you spend hours on the interstate, the 6-speed would be a better choice and, as you stated, leaves you no reason to want to modify. The IX is good in the stock form (as far as race-ready), but coming from M3s I imagine your skill-level would be adequate to utilize stock equipment. (assuming that you’ve raced for a few years now)
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Next issue, what are you ready for?...I would rate accordingly
>>>base IX suspension: good
>>>IX MR suspension: great
>>>modified IX suspension: extreme
I would recommend, if you are into racing, to try and master the stock suspension (with whichever model you choose) before upgrading. [regardless of skill level, the car will definitely handle differently, even coming from a high-end car like the M3] And of course, you will sacrifice ride-comfort the stronger you go, so keep that in mind. Do you have plans for engine-modifications?

get the ix w/out ssl....you can buy the extra's.....aftermarket coilovers are much better than the mr's and you get rims of ur choice... the jdm rear is super hotness...and you get a better transmission as far as i know (from what most people say) hid kit is 300-500$... i think the mr is only worth it if u plan on keeping the car stock....but obvisouly u dont plan on doing that....

cheers....either way youll be in good shape

You should probably drive both. Seeing that the main reason your looking at the mr is b/c of the transmission , then get the one you like better.

For me, the question comes down to how much modding are you wanting to do? In other words, how important is the factory warranty to you? I much prefer the MR platform, since I want decent performance and virtually NO mods - just to preserve the factory warranty.
Something tells me that if you show up at (most, anyway) dealership for service a year after buying a IX with aftermarket suspension, HIDs, etc., they'll try to find a reason to deny warranty (probably saying you modded it to race it). Not saying they're right to do so, just saying the may do that.
On the other hand, the MR is a pretty nice package stock - espcecially for a daily driver.

Like everyone else is saying. Warranty is the biggest issue. . .

Great response so far! To answer a few questions...

I will not be auto x'ing, or road racing on a course. My intention for the c/o's is just for the drop on the 18's. I will not be modding the car for at the least a year, maybe even 2 years.

I am more into the appearance. The only time I race is when I do a few random highway pulls.

So I can either choose a NEW IX base with wheels, susp, and IX rear bumper, OR a NEW MR and maybe just slap on some spring with the bilsteins. Maybe the eibach springs, since the bilsteins are german made as well. Or another option is to slap on the RS-R TI 2000's.

Now that Ive thrown that in the mix what would you choose?

1. NEW IX base with wheels, susp, jdm rear bumper

2. NEW MR with springs on bilsteins. (any springs that I desire)

Thanks!

http://w44.photobucket.com/widgets/d...=/f28/ae86one/
Wow your specific huh but hope this helps, i have a Evo 9 MR No SSL on 18x9 Advan RG2 with +29 Off set, 245/40/18, Apexi EXV Coilover (custom spring Rates and Robispec set up) Corner weight and sway bars. lots of suspesion tuners would argue that the stock suspesion set is great and that most springs out there is just for looks, but Robispec has custom rated springs that are specialy made for stock struts. i Went with an evo 9 mr because i was sold on the solid feel of the shifter i know the engine is all the same but it was the shifter solid feel that made me get the mr

Uhh.... there is no such thing as an MR w/ SSL...

All that being said, I would go with the regular IX. If you just put the springs on the stock struts, you risk blowing them out and then the extra money you spent on the MR is kinda pointless unless you really want the 6 speed. It doesnt sound like the wheels, vortex generator, or aluminum roof mean very much to you so theres really no sense in spending the extra on the MR.