e36 or e46

[jeff@autocouture]

considering both of these models as a track car,
ive owned both but never tracked them but i remember how easy my e36 was to toss around and how much fun it was.
i loved my e46 also but not sure which id rather have,
im leaning more towards the e36 and putting a s54 or euro engine in it.
whats your opinions on either car if you have owned and tracked either or both
id rather do it with my e90 and i know it will see the track.
but i want a dedicated track car also

[von_zoom]

Well, I am not sure you can make a bad choice. Either car, E36, or E46 are potentially great track cars. Both have puts and takes, and both can be exteremly quick. Both cars have ready access to parts etc, not like the E30. The E90 will cost you a lot more money to acheive the same level of track efficiency, so all I can really say is - - Let your pocket book be your guide.
What ever, good luck.
vz

[Chrisfast]

E36 FWIW. I have always missed my E36 M3's. I still want to pick one up one day and make it a dedicated track car. Something about the way they feel when driving them. Like you said, very tossable.

[dnvrdrvr]

I had the same dilemma and ended up with a 98 E36 M3. Love it. Miss the E90 HP on the straights at the track, but it's so fun in the corners. What surprised me the most is that I'm faster in the E36 by about 2 seconds. I suspect it's the weight and suspension differences (the E36 has AST 4200's).

FWIW, when I was researching, I remember reading E46 subframe issues - that more work needs to be put into beefing things up before it's ready for deidcated track duty.

I don't think you'd regret either though. Having a dedicated car is awesome!

[lucid]

I'd do the E46 if you'll start with a street car. S54 Engine swap if you go with the E36 will be costly. More importanly, you'd be starting out with a car that is 10 years newer. Stuff decays, and you'll have fewer components to troubleshoot and replace. (We spent 15 hrs trying to figure out why the injectors were flooding before we finally traced it to a brittle engine harness on my E30 M3, and I have so many such stories). Reinforcing the rear subframe and/or its mounting points should not be a major issue; it will need to come out during replacement of the tired rubber bushings anyway, which don't belong in a dedicated track car.

If you will start out with a fairly well developed car, which you should to save a ton of money, then it is somewhat of a different story, and depends on how well the cars are developed exactly.

If you have any intentions of racing, consider the target class as well.

[JAJ]

I've seen more written off E36 M3 track cars than all other makes and models combined, including other BMW models. They seem to be very unforgiving if you get out of shape.

Just sayin'...

[silverap1]

Originally Posted by JAJ

I've seen more written off E36 M3 track cars than all other makes and models combined, including other BMW models. They seem to be very unforgiving if you get out of shape.

Just sayin'...

Actually E36 is too forgiving so novice tend to overdrive them till they get out of shape.

[IMG]

E36 FTW !

[Richbot]

Originally Posted by lucid

I'd do the E46 if you'll start with a street car. S54 Engine swap if you go with the E36 will be costly. More importanly, you'd be starting out with a car that is 10 years newer. Stuff decays, and you'll have fewer components to troubleshoot and replace. (We spent 15 hrs trying to figure out why the injectors were flooding before we finally traced it to a brittle engine harness on my E30 M3, and I have so many such stories). Reinforcing the rear subframe and/or its mounting points should not be a major issue; it will need to come out during replacement of the tired rubber bushings anyway, which don't belong in a dedicated track car.

If you will start out with a fairly well developed car, which you should to save a ton of money, then it is somewhat of a different story, and depends on how well the cars are developed exactly.

If you have any intentions of racing, consider the target class as well.

This is good advice. Listen to it.

[jeff@autocouture]

if i get an e36 i only have one in mind which is immaculate and already built

if i dont buy that im leaning towards a e46 again, i just like how the e36 handles compared to the e46, but thats easily changable