Light tracking, GTR or M3?

[NoSoupForU]

I am considering either a used R35 GTR or E92 M3 and I wanted to do about 8 track days per year. Is there a huge difference in the extra costs to track the cars? I plan to leave either car completely stock except for maybe an alignment and pads/fluid.

I know the GTR will be faster but I just wanted to see what the difference in cost will be to track either car.

[smmmurf]

It depends if you take the GT-R back to the dealer every time like Nissan wants you to. And it also depends if they deny you warranty coverage because you tracked it and something expensive breaks.

In terms of consumables, the GT-R is probably pretty comparable in terms of the cost of track tires/pads. An M3 will require a BBK if you are serious about tracking it.

If it isn't going to be your DD, try something lighter and more involving like an Exige, S2k, Miata, Cayman, etc.

[Dascamel]

3-4 days is more light tracking, 8 days is pushing it. Anyway, the M3 will cost less per day. Brakes are your weak point on the M, not really sure about the GTR. BBK would be ideal, but others seem to get by with upgraded pads. In fact, brake ducts are probably your best bang for the buck.

[mastek]

u cant fit 18's on a GTR
no 18's .... no R-Comps

[niqui]

it seems like u want a dedicated track car: neither of these would be on the top of my list, personally.

[von_zoom]

I agree, if you are looking for a dedicated track car, look for something else. Of the two however, I would select the E90X and bite the bullet at a minium for brakes, rims, and tires. Its a fast, but very heavy car.
vz

[BRDHNTR]

I did 8 track days last year in my e92 M3. Ducts would help a lot, but pads did help considerably. I was going to buy track wheels for r-comps and a bbk to track the car this year, but decided on a dedicated track car instead. I went with an e46 M3, but that's because I love going to BMW CCA driving schools. I drive my father's GT-R a fair amount and it is very fast, but it would get pricy to track it. The brakes are strong, but it's all relative. The motor is so strong and the car is so heavy that you are kind of breaking even (excuse the pun). Plus, you will be doing big speeds in a car with no cage. You never know what's going to happen

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by mastek

u cant fit 18's on a GTR
no 18's .... no R-Comps

To my suprise as well, you can fit 18's.

If you track a GTR & tranny fluid goes over 230 F(I think), tranny fluids need to be changed.

10 liters @ $80/L + labor

M3 is the clear winner here.

[STALKER]

How much track experience do you have?
I think that would be a good place to start.
Is it your DD?

[NoSoupForU]

Yes this would be my DD. I want to keep either car 100% stock in order to keep the warranty so a BBK would not be an option right now. I have a modified STi that I track right now but I am tired of modifying cars and I want a more grown up car that I can drive everyday and track about 8 times a year.

[von_zoom]

Well, I think the E92 would be a good choice for your multible use. You just have to be aware of the down side issues of track use with the car and be prepared to make changes to tires and brakes if you track it agressively. I have tracked my E92 with stock out of the box config and enjoyed the handling on the track. I took it easy, in that I was aware of brake issues and expected the looseness of the car on street tires. None the less, the car was fun on the track. I doubt you will be disappointed.
vz

ps - You may wish to consider M School at the Performance Center in South Carolina. This would afford you a great opportunity to experience the M3 in stock condition. Cost would be worth it considering what you are about to invest in a new car. Just a thought.
vz

[clubspec330i]

Personally, I like NA car. Turbo car has HP potential but than again, you are likely to run into more problems after the upgrade.

GTR is a beast for a 4000# car. M3? It is just a very balanced car.

You would be happy with either one.

[TheKosherStogie]

track + rwd = Fun

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by sammyrusso

track + rwd = Fun

That's one trait of the M3 that I kind of miss.

[jajr1098s]

Originally Posted by mastek

u cant fit 18's on a GTR
no 18's .... no R-Comps

Hi guys,

My DD is an E92 and I love it. I had BBK done and TC Kline double adjustable coilovers as well as a custom set of CCW C-10 Wheels in 18 to cover the BBK. I did about 8 events last year and the car is indeed really well balanced. I had a ton of fun with it.

My brother just sold a GTR and we also had CCW make C-10's in 18's to cover the brakes. The one issue we had with the GTR was that because of it's weight and how quickly it picked up speed (has 507 to the wheels) the brakes were definitely an issue as pads are super expensive and not many choices really if any last year. Not to say that the pads (PF-01's) I use in my M3 are inexpensive but at least I have several choices.

Choosing between the two is a really hard call.

[NoSoupForU]

Originally Posted by ScotyH

That's one trait of the M3 that I kind of miss.

So you have an M3 and a GTR? Have you tracked both?

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by NoSoupForU

So you have an M3 and a GTR? Have you tracked both?

No tracking with either. Maybe this year.

Since I got the GTR, my focus really went away from the M.

The power of the GTR more than makes up for some of its flaws.

[jml]

There are a few guys running GTRs in texas, and I've had the good fortune to get a chance to drive a student's car for 10 or so hot laps. The GTR is faster out of the box than the E9X for someone who is learning to drive. It's weight is masked very well and it's quite enjoyable to drive (except for the brakes, which are actually pretty terrible, much like the E90s - too little heat capacity for the weight, and the pads are not track oriented). My issue with it is that it is too fast, and there is too much computer intervention to learn how to drive. I've yet to ride with or follow a GTR driver who drives the car at its dynamic limit unaided- but invariably they are very fast even in the hands of someone who closes their eyes while cornering.

A buddy of mine bought a GTR to track. He's a damn good driver coming from an S2000 and several years of racing and instructing. He now keeps it in his garage because he goes through a set of tires and pads in 1-2 HPDE days. The consumable costs are VERY high, close to 3x that of an M3 with 18" wheels. The car also remembers a lot of what it has been doing, so if push comes to shove, the dealer knows you've been tracking it. His warranty was voided as well.

BMW knew I was tracking my E46 heavily and didn't care. I ripped through inspection 1, 2, then 1 again before 50K and they didn't seem to mind. They also didn't care that they replaced pretty much every major component on the car save the motor. The only consternation I dealt with was due to the alignment and ride height (they didn't care about the coilovers). My E90 is already asking for new brakes and rotors (seems to be integrating braking gs over time and predicting brake wear) and the dealer thinks it's funny.

[ScotyH]

Originally Posted by jml

There are a few guys running GTRs in texas, and I've had the good fortune to get a chance to drive a student's car for 10 or so hot laps. The GTR is faster out of the box than the E9X for someone who is learning to drive. It's weight is masked very well and it's quite enjoyable to drive (except for the brakes, which are actually pretty terrible, much like the E90s - too little heat capacity for the weight, and the pads are not track oriented). My issue with it is that it is too fast, and there is too much computer intervention to learn how to drive. I've yet to ride with or follow a GTR driver who drives the car at its dynamic limit unaided- but invariably they are very fast even in the hands of someone who closes their eyes while cornering.

A buddy of mine bought a GTR to track. He's a damn good driver coming from an S2000 and several years of racing and instructing. He now keeps it in his garage because he goes through a set of tires and pads in 1-2 HPDE days. The consumable costs are VERY high, close to 3x that of an M3 with 18" wheels. The car also remembers a lot of what it has been doing, so if push comes to shove, the dealer knows you've been tracking it. His warranty was voided as well.

BMW knew I was tracking my E46 heavily and didn't care. I ripped through inspection 1, 2, then 1 again before 50K and they didn't seem to mind. They also didn't care that they replaced pretty much every major component on the car save the motor. The only consternation I dealt with was due to the alignment and ride height (they didn't care about the coilovers). My E90 is already asking for new brakes and rotors (seems to be integrating braking gs over time and predicting brake wear) and the dealer thinks it's funny.

You gotta pay to play!

[consolidated]

GTR is a good choice if your looking to "win" a DE.

[jml]

Originally Posted by ScotyH

You gotta pay to play!

$2500 in consumables per weekend is race territory. I'd rather race.

[von_zoom]

The M3 is going to have an initial cost of around $5000 to get it ready for HPDE events, and that is only if you consider tires, rims, and brakes. So, either way, there will be incremental cost to face. Like ScotyH says, You pay to Play. And at the track, you had better know where to play, and most important, where you will pay.
vz