Evo X cross country 2000 mile impression
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 567
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From: IL
Scalpel? An Evo X review.
2500 miles, two days of sleep deprivation, dodging drunk driving Indians in New Mexico, traveling through 3 inches of snow, a few dyno pulls, lots of Dr. Pepper, and a psuedo migraine later, I'm ready to talk about this car. I've had a lot of chances to push it to the limit and have fun with it.
In typical Evo fashion, this car still has the turning radius of a school bus.
But by far the best part of this new car is the fact it get all this and SAYC. I have never had SAYC, and it really truly is the best thing I have ever seen in a turbo AWD performance car. Remember that stupid understeer the Evo VIII and IX had? GONE. Period. In fact, switch all the traction nannies off, but the SAYC remains. And then you can provoke the car into oversteer. I'm not talking about a little bit of throttle on oversteer like an Evo IX with a nice thick rear bar. I'm talking about dori-dori-throw-the-back-end-of-the-car-out-be-careful-or-you-might-crap-your-pants-while-looking-like-a-rear-wheel-drive-ninja oversteer. I hit one of my favorite corners near my home with the traction nannies turned off at about 95% and had to majorly correct the yaw control bit so hard. I think I scared the crap out of the person behind me with them watching the rear end whip around. If that didn't assure them I was nuts, the maniacal laughter and rejoicing that ensued after more than certainly did the trick. Make no mistake, this little beeotch is the best handling car we've had in this country in this segment by a longshot. I'm far from a great driver, but I can't find the limit. You push it further and further and the car just laughs at it and gobbles up more road.
2500 miles, two days of sleep deprivation, dodging drunk driving Indians in New Mexico, traveling through 3 inches of snow, a few dyno pulls, lots of Dr. Pepper, and a psuedo migraine later, I'm ready to talk about this car. I've had a lot of chances to push it to the limit and have fun with it.
In typical Evo fashion, this car still has the turning radius of a school bus.
But by far the best part of this new car is the fact it get all this and SAYC. I have never had SAYC, and it really truly is the best thing I have ever seen in a turbo AWD performance car. Remember that stupid understeer the Evo VIII and IX had? GONE. Period. In fact, switch all the traction nannies off, but the SAYC remains. And then you can provoke the car into oversteer. I'm not talking about a little bit of throttle on oversteer like an Evo IX with a nice thick rear bar. I'm talking about dori-dori-throw-the-back-end-of-the-car-out-be-careful-or-you-might-crap-your-pants-while-looking-like-a-rear-wheel-drive-ninja oversteer. I hit one of my favorite corners near my home with the traction nannies turned off at about 95% and had to majorly correct the yaw control bit so hard. I think I scared the crap out of the person behind me with them watching the rear end whip around. If that didn't assure them I was nuts, the maniacal laughter and rejoicing that ensued after more than certainly did the trick. Make no mistake, this little beeotch is the best handling car we've had in this country in this segment by a longshot. I'm far from a great driver, but I can't find the limit. You push it further and further and the car just laughs at it and gobbles up more road.
LOL
glad to heart this thing handles like a champ. hopefully itll prevent retards from wrecking it somewhat (?)
Seth, I completely agree about the weight. You can tell that it's there. To me, the braking didn't feel the same when compared to an Evo VIII or IX. The acceleration is there, but it does feel like it gives out after that initial rush has passed. I almost expected a little more top end power. I'm sure a little tuning and leaning out that fat AFR will help things though.
The X is a great car. It's an Evo for sure, but it leaves behind some of the rawness that the VIII and IX had. Then again, coming from a modified VIII may not be the best comparison. The X is defiantly a more refined Evo made more for a larger audience that weren't too impressed with the previous boy-racer looks of the past models.
The X is a great car. It's an Evo for sure, but it leaves behind some of the rawness that the VIII and IX had. Then again, coming from a modified VIII may not be the best comparison. The X is defiantly a more refined Evo made more for a larger audience that weren't too impressed with the previous boy-racer looks of the past models.
Last edited by Event-Horizon; Jan 29, 2008 at 12:04 PM.
The X is a great car. It's an Evo for sure, but it leaves behind some of the rawness that the VIII and IX had. Then again, coming from a modified VIII may not be the best comparison. The X is defiantly a more refined Evo made more for a larger audience that weren't too impressed with the previous boy-racer looks of the past models.
I really think the ultimate car could be a IX with SAYC. Since that didn't happen on the US market cars, I'd gladly take my X over my old IX. The USA got screwed badly with no SAYC on the VIIIs and IXs.
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Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 49
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From: Miami Lakes
Scalpel? An Evo X review.
The interior sucks. Its not the absolute worst, but the competition has it whipped in spades. Granted, the Evo is an unapologetic weekend track toy that is licensed for use on the street, so if you only care about the interior, you probably should buy something else. The plastics used on the dash are really low grade and cheap. The fabric on the seats is much lower quality than what they used on the IX. There is a general low rent touch to most of the controls. I am noticing this because I came out of a BMW. This interior isn't Pontiac Grand Prix crappy, but its infinitely worse than what they are using in a modern 3 series.
The radio sucks. There, I said it. I have an SSS package car, and although it was easily worth its cost for the HIDs and the spoiler, the stereo is not a reason to buy this package. There are some very good factory stereos out there. Case in point? The Logic7 in my 335i made this Rockford Fosgate look like a Kraco radio from the 80s. Sirius is a bit silly, so I'm glad it was free for six months. It sounds very compressed and low quality compared to a CD, and is kind of like listening to MP3s ripped at 64kbps.
The gearing sucks. Its just way too short. The IX gearing was better, but honestly give me VIII gears with a IX 5th and I'd be so happy. Thank goodness this car is more focused on handling, because it will never be a drag racing rockstar since it doesn't attain a very high speed in 4th gear. Unless it can be revved really deep, running elevens on the stock turbo in this car will be the epitome of challenge. Fuel economy is effected by this too. I struggled to hit 23mpg in Texas driving back on flat roads with cruise control (after the engine had 1000 miles on it). The EPA sticker says 16 city, 22 highway. Yikes! This also translates to a bit too much cabin noise, especially on the interstate. Drive faster that 70mph, and it gets a bit loud because of the RPM. When you shut the door on a 3series, you shut the world outside and have nothing to bother you.
The extra weight is a little disheartening. Although you won't feel it in the way the car handles, there is no denying it is there, as acceleration, the aforementioned fuel economy, and braking all suffer because of this. I am all for a lightweight car. A 3500 pound car is just too heavy. A 3500 pound four cylinder is just plain wrong.
The gearbox is notchy and maybe even a little bit crunchy. There are people online already complaining about having a second gear grind. I have a second and third gear notch at upshift if I don't shift slowly or rev the car to close to 4000rpm. In downshifting or in spirited driving, this issue does not exist. With what is supposed to be a better transmission, these things should not be happening in my opinion. I'm a 34 year old dad, and I haven't abused this car a lick.
In typical Evo fashion, this car still has the turning radius of a school bus.
So after all that, it sounds like I hate the car, right? Not so. I'm just trying to give you all a very comprehensive review after putting 2500 miles on it. Here are some of the good things:
The seats are great. The fabric covering them is not the best, but the comfort and bolstering they provide is just phenomenal. I'll go one step further and say they are the best stock seats I've ever used in a car.
I think the steering ratio is an improvement. Its still wicked fast, but the darty edge of it that put it a little too far over the top is gone. You won't have to worry about ending up in a guardrail if you sneeze anymore.
The crazy driveline thrash of the Evo VIII and IX from light throttle in first gear is gone. This car is a lot more civilized in that regard.
Power delivery is nice, but a bit boring with the weight. You saw my dyno a few posts back- its fat, but offers lackluster peak numbers in stock form.
The place this car really just obliterates the IX is the chassis. Its ridiculous good. I know I keep saying it, but this car is screwed together so much better than the older Evos, that its worth lifting them from their graves for a chance to point and laugh. It rides over bumps so much better than the IX, and almost none of the road harshness reaches the wheel. What does reach the wheel is enough feedback to take over the tarmac. You feel like you can correct your line within a couple of millimeters to clip a tiny pebble in the middle of a tire if you wanted to.
But by far the best part of this new car is the fact it get all this and SAYC. I have never had SAYC, and it really truly is the best thing I have ever seen in a turbo AWD performance car. Remember that stupid understeer the Evo VIII and IX had? GONE. Period. In fact, switch all the traction nannies off, but the SAYC remains. And then you can provoke the car into oversteer. I'm not talking about a little bit of throttle on oversteer like an Evo IX with a nice thick rear bar. I'm talking about dori-dori-throw-the-back-end-of-the-car-out-be-careful-or-you-might-crap-your-pants-while-looking-like-a-rear-wheel-drive-ninja oversteer. I hit one of my favorite corners near my home with the traction nannies turned off at about 95% and had to majorly correct the yaw control bit so hard. I think I scared the crap out of the person behind me with them watching the rear end whip around. If that didn't assure them I was nuts, the maniacal laughter and rejoicing that ensued after more than certainly did the trick. Make no mistake, this little beeotch is the best handling car we've had in this country in this segment by a longshot. I'm far from a great driver, but I can't find the limit. You push it further and further and the car just laughs at it and gobbles up more road.
The new Advans are better than the old ones as I mentioned, and the brakes are still great.
I love the styling everywhere except the front from a profile angle. I'm sure I'll get used to it.
This car is not as good of a commuter car as the 335i was, but it a lot more fun (and capable) when driving fast.
If handling was what sucked you into your VIII or IX and 4G63 drag racing heritage is not your thing, run to a dealership and put your name in the hat for an X. Its infinitely better at carving up the twisty sections of road and you won't regret it one bit.
The interior sucks. Its not the absolute worst, but the competition has it whipped in spades. Granted, the Evo is an unapologetic weekend track toy that is licensed for use on the street, so if you only care about the interior, you probably should buy something else. The plastics used on the dash are really low grade and cheap. The fabric on the seats is much lower quality than what they used on the IX. There is a general low rent touch to most of the controls. I am noticing this because I came out of a BMW. This interior isn't Pontiac Grand Prix crappy, but its infinitely worse than what they are using in a modern 3 series.
The radio sucks. There, I said it. I have an SSS package car, and although it was easily worth its cost for the HIDs and the spoiler, the stereo is not a reason to buy this package. There are some very good factory stereos out there. Case in point? The Logic7 in my 335i made this Rockford Fosgate look like a Kraco radio from the 80s. Sirius is a bit silly, so I'm glad it was free for six months. It sounds very compressed and low quality compared to a CD, and is kind of like listening to MP3s ripped at 64kbps.
The gearing sucks. Its just way too short. The IX gearing was better, but honestly give me VIII gears with a IX 5th and I'd be so happy. Thank goodness this car is more focused on handling, because it will never be a drag racing rockstar since it doesn't attain a very high speed in 4th gear. Unless it can be revved really deep, running elevens on the stock turbo in this car will be the epitome of challenge. Fuel economy is effected by this too. I struggled to hit 23mpg in Texas driving back on flat roads with cruise control (after the engine had 1000 miles on it). The EPA sticker says 16 city, 22 highway. Yikes! This also translates to a bit too much cabin noise, especially on the interstate. Drive faster that 70mph, and it gets a bit loud because of the RPM. When you shut the door on a 3series, you shut the world outside and have nothing to bother you.
The extra weight is a little disheartening. Although you won't feel it in the way the car handles, there is no denying it is there, as acceleration, the aforementioned fuel economy, and braking all suffer because of this. I am all for a lightweight car. A 3500 pound car is just too heavy. A 3500 pound four cylinder is just plain wrong.
The gearbox is notchy and maybe even a little bit crunchy. There are people online already complaining about having a second gear grind. I have a second and third gear notch at upshift if I don't shift slowly or rev the car to close to 4000rpm. In downshifting or in spirited driving, this issue does not exist. With what is supposed to be a better transmission, these things should not be happening in my opinion. I'm a 34 year old dad, and I haven't abused this car a lick.
In typical Evo fashion, this car still has the turning radius of a school bus.
So after all that, it sounds like I hate the car, right? Not so. I'm just trying to give you all a very comprehensive review after putting 2500 miles on it. Here are some of the good things:
The seats are great. The fabric covering them is not the best, but the comfort and bolstering they provide is just phenomenal. I'll go one step further and say they are the best stock seats I've ever used in a car.
I think the steering ratio is an improvement. Its still wicked fast, but the darty edge of it that put it a little too far over the top is gone. You won't have to worry about ending up in a guardrail if you sneeze anymore.
The crazy driveline thrash of the Evo VIII and IX from light throttle in first gear is gone. This car is a lot more civilized in that regard.
Power delivery is nice, but a bit boring with the weight. You saw my dyno a few posts back- its fat, but offers lackluster peak numbers in stock form.
The place this car really just obliterates the IX is the chassis. Its ridiculous good. I know I keep saying it, but this car is screwed together so much better than the older Evos, that its worth lifting them from their graves for a chance to point and laugh. It rides over bumps so much better than the IX, and almost none of the road harshness reaches the wheel. What does reach the wheel is enough feedback to take over the tarmac. You feel like you can correct your line within a couple of millimeters to clip a tiny pebble in the middle of a tire if you wanted to.
But by far the best part of this new car is the fact it get all this and SAYC. I have never had SAYC, and it really truly is the best thing I have ever seen in a turbo AWD performance car. Remember that stupid understeer the Evo VIII and IX had? GONE. Period. In fact, switch all the traction nannies off, but the SAYC remains. And then you can provoke the car into oversteer. I'm not talking about a little bit of throttle on oversteer like an Evo IX with a nice thick rear bar. I'm talking about dori-dori-throw-the-back-end-of-the-car-out-be-careful-or-you-might-crap-your-pants-while-looking-like-a-rear-wheel-drive-ninja oversteer. I hit one of my favorite corners near my home with the traction nannies turned off at about 95% and had to majorly correct the yaw control bit so hard. I think I scared the crap out of the person behind me with them watching the rear end whip around. If that didn't assure them I was nuts, the maniacal laughter and rejoicing that ensued after more than certainly did the trick. Make no mistake, this little beeotch is the best handling car we've had in this country in this segment by a longshot. I'm far from a great driver, but I can't find the limit. You push it further and further and the car just laughs at it and gobbles up more road.
The new Advans are better than the old ones as I mentioned, and the brakes are still great.
I love the styling everywhere except the front from a profile angle. I'm sure I'll get used to it.
This car is not as good of a commuter car as the 335i was, but it a lot more fun (and capable) when driving fast.
If handling was what sucked you into your VIII or IX and 4G63 drag racing heritage is not your thing, run to a dealership and put your name in the hat for an X. Its infinitely better at carving up the twisty sections of road and you won't regret it one bit.
. It has the luxury of a lot of the euro cars have had now for several years (keyless ignition, snazzy lcd between the gauges, stylish interior, heavy doors). You dont get the same feedback from the engine or road that Im used to. Acceleration seems laggier and the gears are very narrow, more so then my VIII (it might just be because of a different power band 
). The clutch is very different as it doesnt feel consistent from full in to full out. The seats do feel like they hug you. Im a bit disappointed by the outcome of the next big evolution for the evo as it strays away from heritage imho. The price point has jumped so high that it makes the car not the steal it used to be and what you get is something slower, not as edgey, and not as competitive. I would upgrade to a used IX before ever thinking about a X unfortunately.It will be interesting to see how the tuners tap into the power of this new engine and maybe in the long run with some added power it can become a car to appreciate as the chassis feels rock solid.
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 99
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From: Alexandria, VA
Great read! I have long been against the changes the Evo X has brought with it. I still don't like it, but I appreciate the fact that the car is a considerably more solid platform than the previous generations.
This means weight....but that's the compromise for a larger, more rigid platform.
I have to say I wanted to wait to see the car in person to make my final decision on whether or not I might consider trading in my IX....
I did see it. I will soon drive it. I was greatly dissappointed in the up close impression the car left on me. I was hoping for something just slightly MORE. I thought, the pictures don't give it any justice, just wait, it's different in person.
I'm sorry to say I gave it the benefit of the doubt. The interior is just different than the old. Not better in my eyes. It still looks GM cheap.
I like sharp lines on the exterior of a car that is as agressive as the Evo is. Curves are soft and don't do the car any justice. The grill and the tail lights look good, that's it.
Mechanically the car seems very sound. That's good. Saying the car can handle better than the previous model. ehhh....Shedding 270lbs to get this car down to comparable weight will take a lot. Do that, and I agree it would kill the previous model around any track and do it with more grace and refinement.
Bye the way, I love the blue.
This means weight....but that's the compromise for a larger, more rigid platform.
I have to say I wanted to wait to see the car in person to make my final decision on whether or not I might consider trading in my IX....
I did see it. I will soon drive it. I was greatly dissappointed in the up close impression the car left on me. I was hoping for something just slightly MORE. I thought, the pictures don't give it any justice, just wait, it's different in person.
I'm sorry to say I gave it the benefit of the doubt. The interior is just different than the old. Not better in my eyes. It still looks GM cheap.
I like sharp lines on the exterior of a car that is as agressive as the Evo is. Curves are soft and don't do the car any justice. The grill and the tail lights look good, that's it.
Mechanically the car seems very sound. That's good. Saying the car can handle better than the previous model. ehhh....Shedding 270lbs to get this car down to comparable weight will take a lot. Do that, and I agree it would kill the previous model around any track and do it with more grace and refinement.
Bye the way, I love the blue.
Doesn't the SAYC need to be serviced in a spec way? Meaning from what I remember it's another added exspense (to the already high maint cost of a Evo) to get the fluid changed and or serviced as one can not do this with average tools.
When the warranty runs out, how much do parts cost for the SAYC.
Not that one would not buy a X becouse of this, it's something to keep in mind
I guess I should post questions like these in a X tech forum, but hell, why not start here. One other thing is that if you are a old school DSMer you can pretty much fix a VIII or IX. For whatever reason I feel like I would be lost working on a X.
Great reveiw
Few questions on the SAYC. When added to the IX, how much weight did it add?
Doesn't the SAYC need to be serviced in a spec way? Meaning from what I remember it's another added exspense (to the already high maint cost of a Evo) to get the fluid changed and or serviced as one can not do this with average tools.
When the warranty runs out, how much do parts cost for the SAYC.
Not that one would not buy a X becouse of this, it's something to keep in mind
I guess I should post questions like these in a X tech forum, but hell, why not start here. One other thing is that if you are a old school DSMer you can pretty much fix a VIII or IX. For whatever reason I feel like I would be lost working on a X.
Great reveiw
Doesn't the SAYC need to be serviced in a spec way? Meaning from what I remember it's another added exspense (to the already high maint cost of a Evo) to get the fluid changed and or serviced as one can not do this with average tools.
When the warranty runs out, how much do parts cost for the SAYC.
Not that one would not buy a X becouse of this, it's something to keep in mind
I guess I should post questions like these in a X tech forum, but hell, why not start here. One other thing is that if you are a old school DSMer you can pretty much fix a VIII or IX. For whatever reason I feel like I would be lost working on a X.
Great reveiw
According to the manual, the SAYC requires fluid changes like the differentials do. Its not much in the way of weight AFAIK. It uses the smallest amount of fluid as well. The good thing is that its weight in the rear of the car, where you want it to be.
After having it, I would not want an Evo to be without it. I can't imagine what an SAYC IX would feel like.
