Better Track Car out of the Box?

[dd1981]

Im wanting to get into autocross, and I been tossing around several cars that would fit my needs.

Wich M3 would be better out of the box for auto cross? THe e46 m3? or the e90/92?

I tossed around some ideas of getting an older cayaman/boxter, but the upkeep is just too expensive and so are the performance parts.

Im really favoring the e46 and the prices have been dropping on all M3's since the new F80/82 are around the corner.

Sorry if it sounds dumb but I want something that is gonna be easy enough to keep up and not be a slouch. THe only mod I really want to do is brembos maybe, maybe coil overs.

Thanks

[Crypty]

I'd say the e46 for autocross. Actually e36.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by Crypty

I'd say the e46 for autocross. Actually e36.

A couple people actually told me the e36 sedan. Does the sedan handle beter?

[CBS]

E36 - they're lightweight, plentiful and reasonable to maintain / mod.

[03BeastCharmer]

E36 M3 for autocross. For autocross it has enough power and light weight. E36 M3's are regularly faster than e46 or e9x at our events. I have no doubt that my e36 will continue to be a faster autocross ca compared to my e92. Now once you go to the big tracks for DE, the e92 hp will kick in and spank the e36.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

E36 M3 for autocross. For autocross it has enough power and light weight. E36 M3's are regularly faster than e46 or e9x at our events. I have no doubt that my e36 will continue to be a faster autocross ca compared to my e92. Now once you go to the big tracks for DE, the e92 hp will kick in and spank the e36.

Got ya. Cool, it makes it even better the e36 is way cheaper. Thanks for the help.

[piloto]

Originally Posted by dd1981

A couple people actually told me the e36 sedan. Does the sedan handle beter?

The E36 sedan's chassis is stiffer than the coupes, hence why the'r telling you to go with that. And yes, for autocrossing, where power is less important, and lightweight (or lighter weight) is more critical, E30>E36>E46>E9X.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by piloto

The E36 sedan's chassis is stiffer than the coupes, hence why the'r telling you to go with that. And yes, for autocrossing, where power is less important, and lightweight (or lighter weight) is more critical, E30>E36>E46>E9X.

Very good. I like that, the sedans are even cheaper! THis looks like a very promising start and sooner then expected due to the price of the e36. Any way to get the Euro spec parts on the US cars to get them up to 282hp?

[03BeastCharmer]

Originally Posted by piloto

The E36 sedan's chassis is stiffer than the coupes, hence why the'r telling you to go with that. And yes, for autocrossing, where power is less important, and lightweight (or lighter weight) is more critical, E30>E36>E46>E9X.

I'd have to disagree with the E30 being the best. While it is the lightest of the group it's lower hp make it harder to recover from small mistakes as it's very much a momentum car. The only E30's that are competitive at local and national BMW CCA autocross events are highly modified. I think the E36 meets the sweet spot.

This is coming from someone who has autocrossed an E30 M3, E36 M3, modified E36 M3, 07 M Coupe, E46 M3 & an E92 M3. I've also autocrossed an E39 M5, but I wouldn't recommend that. It sounds great, but suffers from the weight issues.

[Majdnoon]

E36. Cheap, plentiful, easy to maintain, and you can always mod it to get big power gains to make it closer to euro-spec. You won't regret getting one.

[Ervin87]

I love my E30. So light and so much fun to drive.

I have a E30 non-m, E36M, E46M, and E92M and they are all great. E30 would be the best by far if it had more power ( which is the reason a S52 is going in mine), but out of the box, I love the E46 M3. Plenty of power. E36 is nice but the E46 is more raw.

[MKE_M3]

BMW's are generally not classified very favorably. Dodge Neon's and other boring shit usually is better, if you want to be competitive. I've been out of the scene for a while, so I don't know what's winning now. Brembos will likely put your car in a very difficult class, like modified, and will not help your times AT ALL.

As I mentioned, it's been a while for me. I recommend you do some of your own research.

[M3NNIS]

What about other then m3 or bmws?
frz maybe?s2000?
I'm asking as I don't know

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by 03BeastCharmer

I'd have to disagree with the E30 being the best. While it is the lightest of the group it's lower hp make it harder to recover from small mistakes as it's very much a momentum car. The only E30's that are competitive at local and national BMW CCA autocross events are highly modified. I think the E36 meets the sweet spot.

This is coming from someone who has autocrossed an E30 M3, E36 M3, modified E36 M3, 07 M Coupe, E46 M3 & an E92 M3. I've also autocrossed an E39 M5, but I wouldn't recommend that. It sounds great, but suffers from the weight issues.

Lots of great info I'm glad I posted this. Thanks for all the tips.

Originally Posted by MKE_M3

BMW's are generally not classified very favorably. Dodge Neon's and other boring shit usually is better, if you want to be competitive. I've been out of the scene for a while, so I don't know what's winning now. Brembos will likely put your car in a very difficult class, like modified, and will not help your times AT ALL.

As I mentioned, it's been a while for me. I recommend you do some of your own research.

I will look into it, maybe another manufacturers car should be considered.

Originally Posted by buschy

What about other then m3 or bmws?
frz maybe?s2000?
I'm asking as I don't know

Yeah it seems that's kinda something I'm now considering. I'd love to pick up maybe a high mileage Elise. I think it be a great start and stay stock until I really learn to be good.

[Edjay]

M3. I think E36 4dr would be best out of the box autox car.

Other cars, Miata, They are fun right out of the box but you will be in a difficult class to win

Good base with alot of cheap go parts and easy to work on honda civic, or acura integra yes they ware front wheel drive but the can be made to handle short courses really good.

[scm6079]

Originally Posted by buschy

What about other then m3 or bmws?
frz maybe?s2000?
I'm asking as I don't know

As for fun track day cars, my vote is a Lotus Exige! Great track-day cars.





Of course, the car is classed very high. I would also second the recommendation for an e36.

[Bmw135er]

Z4M coupe or E36 Would be my vote.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by scm6079

As for fun track day cars, my vote is a Lotus Exige! Great track-day cars.





Of course, the car is classed very high. I would also second the recommendation for an e36.

That thing is so bad ass. What is it 340hp right? 2100lb chassis lol my god that thing carves the corners. It be a super fun weekend car too.

Edit: I was thinking of the Evora for the 340hp, looked up exiege is 240hp.

[Z K]

Definitely an E36 are the most competitive of the M3s at autocross. I can imagine an E30 can be better but E30 M3s are so rare you rarely see them. That said, Miatas and S2000s regularly run circles on M3s at autocross.

You should figure out what class you want to run in and find out what cars are best for that class's rules.

I run ST-U class and it was mostly dominated by E36 M3s and Evos. I had an Evo and it was competitive. Now with the E90 M3, it can't keep up with the top runners anymore.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by Z K

Definitely an E36 are the most competitive of the M3s at autocross. I can imagine an E30 can be better but E30 M3s are so rare you rarely see them. That said, Miatas and S2000s regularly run circles on M3s at autocross.

You should figure out what class you want to run in and find out what cars are best for that class's rules.

I run ST-U class and it was mostly dominated by E36 M3s and Evos. I had an Evo and it was competitive. Now with the E90 M3, it can't keep up with the top runners anymore.

Not sure about class, but something for beginners. Which I also assume the cars have to be absolutely stock.

[Z K]

Originally Posted by dd1981

Not sure about class, but something for beginners. Which I also assume the cars have to be absolutely stock.

There are beginners for all classes... Autocross doesn't require anything. You can take any car and go drive.

You should probably just take your own car out, drive and see what people run and what class they run in to get an idea of what you'd like. I've seen everything from Toyota Camrys to SUVs at autocross and they have a great time.

[dd1981]

Originally Posted by Z K

There are beginners for all classes... Autocross doesn't require anything. You can take any car and go drive.

You should probably just take your own car out, drive and see what people run and what class they run in to get an idea of what you'd like. I've seen everything from Toyota Camrys to SUVs at autocross and they have a great time.

That's actually great advise. Ill do that