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      02-08-2011, 05:02 PM   #45
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      02-08-2011, 05:27 PM   #46
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Why not just use the e92? Buy a square setup of Apex Arc8's and and Yoko AD08's and let it rip Cheapest route to make sure you like it and less PITA. You only have to garage/maintain the one car and you get to drive the M3 the way it was meant to be driven. Just change up the wheels before/after the track time and you're good to go. Buying a track only car is a slippery slope and a big investment for an activity you're just trying out. I just went through this last year when I got started and bought/modified a e46 M3 for the track. Great car, but I wanted to go faster so after 4 months and 3k miles I sold it and ordered a new e92 for a track car. All told the e46 cost me $10k for 3k miles of use. I would have been better off just buying the E92 immediately. Just my $.02
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      02-09-2011, 01:03 PM   #47
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I vote for S2000
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      02-09-2011, 05:02 PM   #48
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- $4k High Mileage e36m3 Coupe w 5-Speed
- $4k Race Cage
- $4k Suspension (Coilover, Sway, Bushings)
- $2k Engine Refresh
- $2k Brakes (Front 4-Pot BBK)
- $3k Seats/Harness/Fire System

Between $20-25k you can build a competitive e36m3 race car with 250 whp at 2700 lbs
I dont know if the same budget applies to the S2000 -- but if it does -- by all means
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      02-09-2011, 08:59 PM   #49
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I love this thread as I have been going back and forth between buying a $20K track car or tracking my M3. At the moment I am leaning towards tracking them M3 - that is why I bought it in the first place.

I can only fit one car in my garage, I do not like paying 2x insurance, registration, etc. And, any older car WILL have issues, especially when tracked. So you will be paying someone else to fix it or fixing it yourself, and then loosing time at the track tinkering with it. Instead you could be driving your BMW.

I have never seen a relatively new car have issues at the track, while older cars - there is always someone down.

So, I am still on the path to track the E92. I will shortly buy wheels, tires and pads. That should be sufficient.

Now, having said that. I am also eying my local go kart course. I like to get into racing, and racing karts is all I could afford. So will see.

Finally, the S2000 idea did resonate with me, but again why not the M3?

Now, if the M3 is out of warranty... then that is a different story. Too expensive, get something cheaper.

Ahh, also, I agree that Miatas should only drive with other Miatas or Minis. Way too slow - they get in a way ALL the time. I do not care how good of a driver you are, a punk in a ZO6 will be bump drafting you on the straight and blocking you in the corner. If you do not let them pass - black flag, get them pass - you get bored in corners. Where I go, everyone has 300 HP min. Just nor room for underpowered cars. I feel bad for them when they do show up.
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      02-09-2011, 10:52 PM   #50
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E36 M3. -200lbs + minor suspension tweaks + wheels and tires and no mostly stock E46 M3 will be near you

There's literally no point to get an E46 M3 for your purposes. Look up that cost to replace the brakes on each car then get back to me. One is about $1200 and the other is about $650. One car is heavier, thus has to replace the brakes more frequently...
Keep in mind the Euro-Spec E36 M3 had a faster ring time then the E46 M3 on that particular day.
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      02-10-2011, 09:31 AM   #51
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Definitely the s2000. It's a nearly perfect track car out of the box.

It simple, reliable, easy to work on, and the parts are reasonable. I've put about 12 track days and two autocrosses on mine so far and have been very impressed.

The consumeables on the e92 are very expensive. How many track days can you get out of a set of PS2s? I assume most people buy a second set of wheels and tires. Do you then put two of them in your back seat to get them to the track? I can't imagine having the paint on my e92 getting chewed up and sandblasted at the track. You can put clear film on, which of course adds to the expense. You can also use painters tape, but you're always going to get some wear on the finish.

The consumables on the S2k are MUCH cheaper. I put RE11's on mine right after I got it, and after 12 track days they still have >50% tread left.

The S2000 has much more adjustability in the stock suspension. With stock parts, you can get close to -3 camber front and rear.

The S2000 is very much a drivers car and will not hide any of your mistakes.

While it's a momentum car, it at least has enough power to be fun. A stock S will make as much, if not more power than a blown miata. The chassis is also much more rigid than the miata.

Best manual transmission EVER.

I really like the miata, but the S is more rigid, more powerful, and as reliable as anything.

I love my M3, but the S makes infinitely more sense as a track car. My previous track car was an e36 M3.
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      02-10-2011, 10:37 AM   #52
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If you put a roll-cage in to S2000, can you still use the soft-top?
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      02-10-2011, 11:53 AM   #53
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Quote:
Originally Posted by erhanh View Post
If you put a roll-cage in to S2000, can you still use the soft-top?
I would make a distinction between roll cage and roll bar. If you're talking about a typical 4 point roll bar with or without harness bar, then yes. There are a several aftermarket bolt in options available. That is what I have. It obviously works with both the soft top, and factory hardtop. Some have also had custom 4 point roll bars installed/welded in that work with the factory soft top.

Note that I did a number of track days without an aftermarket roll bar. Most sanctioning bodies consider the stock protection to be adequate for DEs. The stock protection is quite good, similar to a boxster or Z4.

I interpret cage to mean something that attaches to the chassis at more than 4 points. If you're taking the car to that level, I would think you would want to remove the soft top anyway.
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      02-10-2011, 01:03 PM   #54
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Quote:
Originally Posted by turbo8765 View Post
I would make a distinction between roll cage and roll bar. If you're talking about a typical 4 point roll bar with or without harness bar, then yes. There are a several aftermarket bolt in options available. That is what I have. It obviously works with both the soft top, and factory hardtop. Some have also had custom 4 point roll bars installed/welded in that work with the factory soft top.

Note that I did a number of track days without an aftermarket roll bar. Most sanctioning bodies consider the stock protection to be adequate for DEs. The stock protection is quite good, similar to a boxster or Z4.

I interpret cage to mean something that attaches to the chassis at more than 4 points. If you're taking the car to that level, I would think you would want to remove the soft top anyway.
In the future (couple years), I'm thinking of buying a car for track only. I never thought about S2000 until seeing this post. I really don't know how hardcore I'll go, but to me learning and enjoying the track driving is more important than going fast. In other words, I want to learn to go as fast as a car can go, with whatever mods it has.

So, if I get a s2000, it would be nice to use it as a summer time roadster occasionaly (sure it may look retarded to drive around top down with a roll cage, but I don't care what anyone thinks). I still want a cage for protection at the track and to increase body rigidity.
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      02-10-2011, 02:23 PM   #55
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OK, E36 or S2000 is what I gathered here. Any S2000 forum recommendations, especially from people that track them often? Maybe I should just trade me E92 for E93, and get S2000 for the track. Hmm, S2000 or E36?
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      02-10-2011, 02:33 PM   #56
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http://s2ki.com/forums is where I've been lurking since I'm in the market for one as well
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      02-15-2011, 09:56 PM   #57
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Great thread! What are your thoughts on the rx8?
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      02-15-2011, 10:07 PM   #58
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E46 M3.....get a cheap one...do work
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      02-15-2011, 10:08 PM   #59
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ajvee View Post
Great thread! What are your thoughts on the rx8?
Apex seals are no fun....
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      02-15-2011, 10:13 PM   #60
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nawaaz View Post
Give a used Evo 8/9 a shot.

Even though you prefer a rear wheel drive vehicle, the Evo is still a SUPER fun track car.....And it has tons of potential.
i 2nd that!
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      02-16-2011, 06:43 AM   #61
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Krozi View Post
Apex seals are no fun....
And they have issues with clogging cats (on nearly new cars), and hydrolock.

It's a shame, cause its a sweet car.
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