I don't really understand how you make such a statement going off of seats? Also Softer? I wouldn't say that, the IX is a marked improvement over the VIII, I don't really see how that makes it softer. A gain of 30lbs isn't really that significant, especially you take into the account the IX is faster than the VIII stock for stock. In my opinion the IX is overall the best EVO yet, the X will have its hands full trying to top the IX.

 

The IX seats are a great improvement, regardless of weight or opinion. The "Alcantara" suede is some of the best material that you can get for seats. I believe that the fabric alone has several supercar aplications. I would highly recommend Googling "Alcantara" and look at the website. Also the IX seats have genuine leather on the bolsters and IMO (cause you won't get away without it) the IX seats are much more comfortable and give the car an interior appearance more fitting to a 30k+ car. It's no contest....

 

my vote is for the evo 9 seats..they're hot

 

Why you 9 guys getting defensive on me???
I will most likely still trade up for the IX...

I like to use my Evo as a double duty autox/daily-driver...
So a better stock car means a more competitive car (autox rules on
modifications are strict). Still I would love the Evos to evolve more
toward Elise side of the world than the E46 M3s.

More power isn't the excuse to add more weight UNLESS you like to
go ONLY straight. How about handling?? I dont see 9 getting more
tires? do you?? How about braking?? Anyways, yes I admit that 30 lbs is
probably not all that significant but it is weight. I would hate to see 10
as a AWD BMW wannabe.

Anyways... all these are just my opinions... I like my car more hardcore...
more a single purpose car...

 

haha the ix fanboys attack

To be honest the only difference I noticed is that the IX interior with the seats matches the interior bit more compared to the 8 in which the blue recaro pattern was an eye sore...and the IX seats are a bit more squishy....

If the 30 pounds bugs you just get a mini battery, turbo-back exhaust + reflash and you should be good to go...

Is the e36 the sunday drive?

p.s. Could you post up your comparision of your current 8 to your ix rs when you get it, I would be interested...

 

Good that evo owners love their cars though..
I agree that blue doesnt seems to match anything with the interior.

Btw, any 9 seats squeak yet?? Both my 03 and 05 seats squeaks..

No, the E36 M3 was my autox-only car... sold it recently.

I'm sure 9 > 8 is just better power... I need that extra midrange punch.
Modding is out of question due to strict rules unless I want to put myself
against those 2700lb E46-powered 400+hp E36 chassis 335mm race tired
monsters...

 

I'm a bigger guy - 250 & 6'3". I did not like the 8's seats. They pinched my *** too much. The 9's seats are just a little wider. A little softer. A lot nicer with the leather.

 

SPOOLIN, did you trade up for 9 too?
Any other difference other than the seats, engine and front bumper?

 

Yeah, I did the trade in. I think there are a lot of differences between the two. Most are subtle. Shifting is smoother and the gears are different. I think I liked the 8's gearbox a little more. 4th gear doesn't really get you far past 100 mph in the IX, so you have to go into 5th while 1/4 mile racing. The seats are better (see above). Some carbon fiber here and there & the black steering wheel. The exhaust note sounds a lot better. Driving feel is better - by that I mean there is less lag and more torque down low. It spools quicker and sooner too. Handling is about the same.

IMHO - both the 8 & 9 are great cars. Stock for stock, the 9 > 8, but once you start to mod them up, they're really close.

 

You do not have to shift into 5th for 1/4 mile racing for a 5-Speed IX. If your shifting to 5th gear, your shifting way to early.

Yes my seats squeak a little, not to big of a deal. The seats do feel more cushioned compared to an VIII. The VIII seats just seem very stiff, could just be my imagination. I really do like the seats though on the IX, they just seem more attractive and upscale compared to the VIII. Honestly the seats of the IX was one of the deciding factors in my purchase of a 2006 EVO IX RS over a used 2005 EVO GSR or MR. There were other factors of course, but the seats also played a role.

 

I just want the 9 leather for my 8 leathers because of the red stitching...i think its sik. Black evo black tint black recaros w/red stitching...

 

they probably ngrip the same, i feel the 8 seats with the blue in the middle looks better.

 

Maybe you only trap about 99-100 mph in your 1/4 runs. For those of us that do 108 mph or more, you'll want to shift.

 

so who wants to trade 9's for my 8's???? im serious tho i dont care about wear and grip

 

Fragile and delicate? Its not suede first off. Alcantara (fake suede) will stand the test of time longer than leather, after 11k on my IX vs. 11k on my brothers VIII the leather seats look like crap with scrapes and creases in them.

As far as stiffness goes, I noticed no difference, both bolsters and back had an indistinguishable (sp?) difference to me.