Dedicated Track Car E92

[AlexC2er]

Hi, I’m wondering what’s the cost of running a E92 m3 as a dedicated track car. Mostly asking about mechanical maintenance stuff and consumables.

[Redd]

If you're worried about cost, the E92 M3 is probably not a good track platform for you. Wear and tear parts can be pricey, including brakes, tires, arms, and fuel also.

[reidetailing]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Hi, I’m wondering what’s the cost of running a E92 m3 as a dedicated track car. Mostly asking about mechanical maintenance stuff and consumables.

You'd likely get better traction (no pun intended) for this type of question in the Track / Autocross / Dragstrip / Driving Techniques section of the forum...not the General section.

Good luck with your inquiry.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by Redd

If you're worried about cost, the E92 M3 is probably not a good track platform for you. Wear and tear parts can be pricey, including brakes, tires, arms, and fuel also.

Well it sure seems cheaper to track with tons of mods readily available compared to the g80/g82. E92 cost wise seemed to be a good place comparing fun/ratio. I just don’t want a spec Miata. Things like tires and fuel is the same price on any track car anyways. I’m mostly asking about things needing to be replaced in the engine, suspension, things like that, and how often can I expect it to break

[mikerunt]

This is what I use to make myself cry every night.

[omgzirra_exe]

The G8X would actually be a lot cheaper to track, lol.

It's already FAST AF out of the gate; OEM comp suspension is great, and the M Diff is a GAME CHANGER if you have that.

To run a G8X, you're probably just looking at regular maintenance:

- Oil changes
- Fluids
- Tires
- Brake pads
- Brake rotors (2pc design so cheap to do)

example: a stock rwd G8X m3 runs easily 1:57s at buttonwillow CW13 in socal.

a G8x m3 with 200tw, lowering springs, and SPL arms with full interior will run low 1:55s...

the E9X m3 will require SOOO much to get even run similar to those times.

A track E9X M3, to be "fast," you're talking about:

- Stripping it down to sub 3200lbs.. even lower if your willing too go sub 3000lbs
- Drexler rear diff
- Decent set of one-way coilovers.
- BBK in front (yes, you can run OEM, but over time a BBK makes more sense due to rotor replacement cost)
- Solid rear diff bushing is a must
- SPL arms if you feel like you need them, but at the very least some type of monoball for the control arms
- A bucket seat (OEM seats suck ass on track)

You can easily turn a $25K E9X M3 and add $15-20K worth of parts, lol, just to make it "competitive."

But if you don't mind being down on power and other stuff... just tires, brakes, and fluids will suffice.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

The G8X would actually be a lot cheaper to track, lol.

It's already FAST AF out of the gate; OEM comp suspension is great, and the M Diff is a GAME CHANGER if you have that.

To run a G8X, you're probably just looking at regular maintenance:

- Oil changes
- Fluids
- Tires
- Brake pads
- Brake rotors (2pc design so cheap to do)

example: a stock rwd G8X m3 runs easily 1:57s at buttonwillow CW13 in socal.

a G8x m3 with 200tw, lowering springs, and SPL arms with full interior will run low 1:55s...

the E9X m3 will require SOOO much to get even run similar to those times.

A track E9X M3, to be "fast," you're talking about:

- Stripping it down to sub 3200lbs.. even lower if your willing too go sub 3000lbs
- Drexler rear diff
- Decent set of one-way coilovers.
- BBK in front (yes, you can run OEM, but over time a BBK makes more sense due to rotor replacement cost)
- Solid rear diff bushing is a must
- SPL arms if you feel like you need them, but at the very least some type of monoball for the control arms
- A bucket seat (OEM seats suck ass on track)

You can easily turn a $25K E9X M3 and add $15-20K worth of parts, lol, just to make it "competitive."

But if you don't mind being down on power and other stuff... just tires, brakes, and fluids will suffice.

Biggest consideration for me is would I want to gut a G or F series to cage and get all safety do-dads done? Am e9x starting price makes that decision a lot easier.

If you are W2W or planning to the. It probably doesn’t matter.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

Biggest consideration for me is would I want to gut a G or F series to cage and get all safety do-dads done? Am e9x starting price makes that decision a lot easier.

If you are W2W or planning to the. It probably doesn’t matter.

i mean if youre just doing HPDE.. then it probably wouldn't matter as much imo.

if your chasing lap times or w2w then yeah get a e9x chassis but even then it still hard to make a e9x m3 competitive in W2W with out going full send.. vs a corvette lol

the only reason why my m3 is a track and street car is because i can't have more than 2 cars at the moment sadly..

for me operating cost makes the most sense.. if you had aske me a GT3 vs E9X M3 for a track car. id pick the M3 over the GT3.

it just amazes me that the G8X out of the box is just that fast already with 0 to few mods..

[mikerunt]

I guess I assumed that “dedicated track car” meant full send.

[MineralWhiteF80]

yeah, please define "dedicated track car" as detailed as possible. Wayyyy too many variables to even get close to usable expectations.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

The G8X would actually be a lot cheaper to track, lol.

It's already FAST AF out of the gate; OEM comp suspension is great, and the M Diff is a GAME CHANGER if you have that.

To run a G8X, you're probably just looking at regular maintenance:

- Oil changes
- Fluids
- Tires
- Brake pads
- Brake rotors (2pc design so cheap to do)

example: a stock rwd G8X m3 runs easily 1:57s at buttonwillow CW13 in socal.

a G8x m3 with 200tw, lowering springs, and SPL arms with full interior will run low 1:55s...

the E9X m3 will require SOOO much to get even run similar to those times.

A track E9X M3, to be "fast," you're talking about:

- Stripping it down to sub 3200lbs.. even lower if your willing too go sub 3000lbs
- Drexler rear diff
- Decent set of one-way coilovers.
- BBK in front (yes, you can run OEM, but over time a BBK makes more sense due to rotor replacement cost)
- Solid rear diff bushing is a must
- SPL arms if you feel like you need them, but at the very least some type of monoball for the control arms
- A bucket seat (OEM seats suck ass on track)

You can easily turn a $25K E9X M3 and add $15-20K worth of parts, lol, just to make it "competitive."

But if you don't mind being down on power and other stuff... just tires, brakes, and fluids will suffice.

I feel like it would be cheaper overall no? I’m not looking for massive power but something with a roll cage and harness, buckets

[mikerunt]

Also - “dedicated track car” also means trailer and tow pig IMO. There’s more cost there.

[AlexC2er]

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

yeah, please define "dedicated track car" as detailed as possible. Wayyyy too many variables to even get close to usable expectations.

Originally Posted by mikerunt

Also - “dedicated track car” also means trailer and tow pig IMO. There’s more cost there.

Hand harness roll cage and helmets don’t make it illegal right? I’m just driving it back and to tracks

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

I guess I assumed that “dedicated track car” meant full send.

Originally Posted by MineralWhiteF80

yeah, please define "dedicated track car" as detailed as possible. Wayyyy too many variables to even get close to usable expectations.

yeah pretty much trailered car only.. but i guess there are example of fully gutted sub 3100lb E9X m3 that are still driven to the track and not trailered.

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

I feel like it would be cheaper overall no? I’m not looking for massive power but something with a roll cage and harness, buckets

The E9X could be cheaper, but you also somehow end up spending more than you should.

Old engine, high miles, you have to pray to the M Gods the engine doesn't give out.

Unless you're buying an E9X M3 that's already track-spec'd with everything done, which I know 2 of them for sale in SoCal, then yes, it would be cheaper.

In my opinion, if I had to do it again, F82 M4 GTS for under 85K USD... (my M3 build sheet is close to this price).

But for the same price, you can get a G80 M3 Comp and be even faster.

Both those cars offer a slightly more reliable engine. Sure, crank hub issues on both the S55 and S58 (maybe), but that's similar to rod bearings on the S65. I like the more modern engine that doesn't require any mods to be fast. You could literally track them with no engine mods, then get a warranty if something breaks.

But the E9X M3 does things that those cars don't do, and it makes driving fun.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

the E9X could be cheaper yeah, but you also somehow end up spending more than you should some how

unless you are buying a E9XM3 that is already track spec'd which i know 2 of them for sale...in socal. then yes it would be cheaper lol

In my opinion if i had to do it again... F82 M4 GTS for sub 85K USD...lol

but the same price you can get a G80 M3 Comp and be even faster.

but the E9XM3 does thing that those cars don't do and it's make driving fun

I happen to have a GTS and a fully built track specs e90 for sale at the moment!

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

I happen to have a GTS and a fully built track specs e90 for sale at the moment!

nicee combo!

what are your thoughts between the two?

[E92Bean]

Originally Posted by AlexC2er

Hand harness roll cage and helmets don’t make it illegal right? I’m just driving it back and to tracks

I think maintenance wise just $2700 for rod bearings and motor mounts. Consumables get with FCP euro and use the lifetime exchange.
I think e9x m3 running costs are on par with most ~3600 pound coupes.
The bulk of what people spend are in mods. I’d just source used parts to help cut a majority of that spending. Power wise, it’s catless x-pipe and tune. Rear section optional, but it can sound really good.

[mikerunt]

Originally Posted by omgzirra_exe

nicee combo!

what are your thoughts between the two?

The GTS is the most fun I’ve had in a car on the street. In the track it was an absolute weapon - but I was also terrified of wrecking it so the enjoyment was slightly hindered.

The e90m3 is day “slower” in terms of power but its setup is phenomenal. It’s on rails and I’m in general a lot more comfortable whipping it around.

[omgzirra_exe]

Originally Posted by mikerunt

The GTS is the most fun I’ve had in a car on the street. In the track it was an absolute weapon - but I was also terrified of wrecking it so the enjoyment was slightly hindered.

The e90m3 is day “slower” in terms of power but its setup is phenomenal. It’s on rails and I’m in general a lot more comfortable whipping it around.

sounds about what i expected.

i guess the cost of the car really does play a larger roll for some folks, for me id be boned if i crashed my M3... at least for a short while id be boned.. financially.

[MineralWhiteF80]

Let me break it down for you: A typical track day, consisting of five 20-minute sessions, typically sets me back around 800-1000 dollars. This includes the track day fee, insurance, fuel, brake pad wear (OEM, DTC-60/70), tire wear (200tw 18"), and oil changes. And mind you, this is the cost when I drive to the track in my E92 and drive back home (which is less than 1 hour away).

The costs of building a car to whatever level of crazy you want are subjective, and travel expenses are all over the place and specific to you.

My E92 build is pretty basic but an absolute riot and a pleasure to drive on track: Full bolt-on engine mods running E85 fuel, Nitron R1 coilovers, 275mm square tire setup, RaceTech seats/TRS 6-points/Half roll cage, and completely gutted from the B-pillars back.