Thinking about older m3 for weekend/track car?

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by Jason@Renn-Spec

get a s2k

Good thought. But id ready have an m. Never had one and since ive got the 335, its a good time for it. Thanks though.

[RENN Spec]

Yeah, when you drive an M, you'll know it's a M.

[Seminole]

Originally Posted by NewSong

I've seen Miatas lapping E90s at the track. It's a weight thing.

Don't ever underestimate a Miata. I went on a car cruise this past weekend and there was a early 00's Miata that was lowered to about 3in off the ground and turboed. It spanked a Saleen Mustang that tried to race it.

[NewSong]

Originally Posted by Seminole

Don't ever underestimate a Miata. I went on a car cruise this past weekend and there was a early 00's Miata that was lowered to about 3in off the ground and turboed. It spanked a Saleen Mustang that tried to race it.

Whenever I go to the track, it's Miata's and other cars like CRX's that are usually tooling cars worth 20x as much.

[deletedelete]

I dont care how fast a miata is......its not even a consideration. There a 90s hondas that will destroy most cars in a straight line. Doesnt mean I want one. But yeah, ive underestimated many a car both at the strip and track and been way surprised sometimes.

[Blake]

but the thing about the miata is it's balance. it's got nearly perfect weight distribution and very lightweight. it's not about power on the track...it's more about balance, being lightweight, and power to weight ratio.

[ragingclue]

Yeah Miatas rule at the track. And really don't cost shit to get going.... S2K's are badass too, esp autox. Out of the box even.

Honestly, I can't remember one BMW I've owned that was actually a good track car since the E30's.... The E36 was a complete PITA trying to keep it from falling apart. It also has subframe, bushing, and cooling problems. I'd suggest changing to poly bushings, checking all subframe mounts, and overhauling the cooling system entirely if you're going to take an E36 to the track. Strip it of its insides because the panels falling off and electrical modules failing will drive you insane if you don't.

They really aren't made for the track when you think about it.... You push them to their limits, and they start to weaken until you get a crippling failure of one type or another. But this can be prevented by overhauling and upgrading all the systems prone to failure. At that point, though, you've sunk quite a bit of money into a car that wasn't supposed to be a money pit in the first place.... Ask me how I know.

[Joonsup]

Look for an e30 for under $1500 and swap in an s52 motor and you'll have a quick and fun car to throw around at the track. I'm hoping to do that for mine in the future. I have yet to take the e30 to the track (nov 29th), but I've been to the track with my 335 and I still had a lot of fun and it had plenty of power around the turns.

I took a ride in my friend e36 m3 that same day and I guess I can't really compare since I didn't drive, but it seemed to handle better than my 335 around the corners.

[deletedelete]

Oh, I look into a e30. At $1500 im liking it already. I doubt I would be at the track more then 2 or 3 times in the year that I got it if that much. I just want a cheap fix up car to mod and play with. My first m.

[Spec 1]

/\ While you can get an E30 for $1500 to start as a project car (got mine for $5500 in good condition) you can't get an M. E30 M's are $20k+, while E36 M's are like what, $8k now?

Either way, E30 or E36, expect to start shelling out money for upgrades. I've dropped 2x what I paid for the car in mods. Ugh.

[dakarm3]

If you're only tracking it 2-3 times a year, I'd get a cheap e30 series and do some maintenance on it..parts are cheap, plentiful and easy to work on.

Blake..where in SA are you? Should come out to H2R and play with us.

[deletedelete]

I dont want a non-m. The goal is not just to have a track car. I just want an m. One that I can inexpensively restore and occasionally play with on the track or just on the weekend. Its more about getting my first m and getting some experience playing with it.

[mesropb23]

i have an e36 m3 and a 335i and theyre both amazing in their own ways i wouldn't classify either one as being better than the other

[Sniz]

Originally Posted by Prowess Symphony

I dont want a non-m. The goal is not just to have a track car. I just want an m. One that I can inexpensively restore and occasionally play with on the track or just on the weekend. Its more about getting my first m and getting some experience playing with it.

then an e36 m3 is your choice, the e30 m3 will bleed you dry.

racingclue must have had a lemon of an e36 from the sounds of it.

OP, you are more than welcome to come check mine out once i'm done w/ the newest upgrades.

[deletedelete]

Originally Posted by Sniz

then an e36 m3 is your choice, the e30 m3 will bleed you dry.

racingclue must have had a lemon of an e36 from the sounds of it.

OP, you are more than welcome to come check mine out once i'm done w/ the newest upgrades.

Awesome. Id love to see it. Just let me know when.