Bought a dedicated car for DEs and Autox - BMW 3-Series (E90 E92) Forum

larryn · 06-06-2007, 08:37 PM

Okay.. it started as an early hunt for a combo autocross car car for me, and a car that my daughter will need in a year, once she's driving. With that, I had four requirements:
1.) safe
2.) fun
3.) manual tranny (she's going to drive a stick whether she likes it or not)

4.) a BMW

Okay, I found a neat, light, powerful car in decent shape locally

and lost it same day posted on a local craigslist ad.

I was bummed out for a week, until I got emailed back saying the buyer couldn't get financing. I was there the next morning and bought it.

Here's the specs:

1997 318ti 5 speed, non-sport, with California roof (rare), with 63k miles, silver

S52 M3 motor and tranny transplant
M3 motor power pulley
CAI
Turner custom chip
Supersprint exhaust
M3 calipers upgrade
Cross drilled rotors
All stainless brake lines
Bilstein sport shocks/struts
H&R Sport springs
M3 sway bar up front
M3 front spoiler/side skirts
M3 black leather vader seats
Euro ellipsoid projector headlights with angel eyes
UUC Short Shifter with UUC Rob Knob
Style 71's with new tires
M Contours with Snows

.. I know I'm forgetting some things..

I've ordered a 3.25:1 LSD and Schroth harnesses for it, and I want to replace the Bilsteins with Koni adjustables. Also, I already rolled the fenders and have my 17x9 lightweight wheels and 255/40/17 track tires on all four corners.

I ran at the local Porsche autocross event on Saturday with it, and only a handful P cars were faster, out of 70. I CAN'T WAIT to get the diff in this thing.

I always thought I'd be a two bimmer family, but I figured my wife would have the wagon instead of her audi.

larryn · 06-06-2007, 08:41 PM

I don't have many decent ones. I took these to show the fender rolling and track tires.

Let me tell you though. This thing is a SLEEPER. Damn it growls and is fast.

kevbh · 06-06-2007, 09:00 PM

A sleeper??? You're going to make some people cry with that thing! Sounds awesome, and somebody really poured some money into it. I almost bought a 318ti in 1997 when I was car shopping, but chose the Integra GSR instead.

Despite my indiscretion, I've always been a fan of the 318ti. However, I'm not sure I would give THAT car to a teenager...

Enjoy!

larryn · 06-06-2007, 09:06 PM

HAHA. No kidding. My wife's driven it, as it is, and thought it drove nice. If you don't get on the gas, you can drive this thing normally very easily. However, if you do get on it... Hochimama!

I have receipts from the former owner, and they are not a complete portfolio. Not including the donor M3 parts, there were $14k+ in receipts since 2001.

DrewKo · 06-06-2007, 09:10 PM

Man, that things looks great! I would drive it because of how cool it looks. What did you pay for it?

l4wr3nc3 · 06-06-2007, 09:18 PM

When i saw the thread title, i was just about to say, GET A E36 M3 AS A DEDICATED TRACK / AUTOX CAR. But looks like your way ahead of me. That sleeper is going to shock the hell out of everyone.

Congrats on the purchase.

larryn · 06-06-2007, 09:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DrewKo

Man, that things looks great! I would drive it because of how cool it looks. What did you pay for it?

$9500, asking was $1000 more.

larryn · 06-06-2007, 09:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l4wr3nc3

When i saw the thread title, i was just about to say, GET A E36 M3 AS A DEDICATED TRACK / AUTOX CAR. But looks like your way ahead of me. That sleeper is going to shock the hell out of everyone.

Congrats on the purchase.

Most of the goodies of an M3, minus a few hundred pounds, plus a few upgrades.

The Cali roof is really cool though, and I bet it lowers the center of gravity by having cloth instead of metal up there. When it's open all the way, the entire roof is open to the sky, and the canvas is 'accordianed' into a spoiler shape right above the ACS roof spoiler. When closed, it has a nice black lining, very finished looking.

DrewKo · 06-06-2007, 09:29 PM

Yeah, i'm sure I don't have to tell you what kind of sweet deal you got for the car with those upgrades. Wow.

Josh49 · 06-06-2007, 09:38 PM

What happened to the trunk!!

Were you rear ended!?!

Josh49 · 06-06-2007, 09:39 PM

Congrats btw.. And enjoy*

*There is not one doubt in my head that you will..

larryn · 06-06-2007, 09:46 PM

Howdy Josh.. we having a meet soon, or are you coming out to an event at all? I'd be torn as to which car to bring. Both have a decent amount of coolness factor.

Oh, and I am already enjoying.

larryn · 06-06-2007, 09:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Josh49

What happened to the trunk!!

Were you rear ended!?!

Unfortunate smelting accident.

E90Boy · 06-06-2007, 10:00 PM

Hey Larry, when is the meet?

larryn · 06-06-2007, 10:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by E90Boy

Hey Larry, when is the meet?

I don't think there's anything planned for e90posters getting together right now, but there probably should be. I wouldn't mind hang with the crew again!

The next autocross is a week from Saturday (in 10 days). Looks like we'll be shutting down registration on Monday, or when 2 more people sign up.

06-06-2007, 08:37 PM	#1
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '08 135i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,432 iTrader: (0)	Bought a dedicated car for DEs and Autox Okay.. it started as an early hunt for a combo autocross car car for me, and a car that my daughter will need in a year, once she's driving. With that, I had four requirements: 1.) safe 2.) fun 3.) manual tranny (she's going to drive a stick whether she likes it or not) 4.) a BMW Okay, I found a neat, light, powerful car in decent shape locally and lost it same day posted on a local craigslist ad. I was bummed out for a week, until I got emailed back saying the buyer couldn't get financing. I was there the next morning and bought it. Here's the specs: 1997 318ti 5 speed, non-sport, with California roof (rare), with 63k miles, silver S52 M3 motor and tranny transplant M3 motor power pulley CAI Turner custom chip Supersprint exhaust M3 calipers upgrade Cross drilled rotors All stainless brake lines Bilstein sport shocks/struts H&R Sport springs M3 sway bar up front M3 front spoiler/side skirts M3 black leather vader seats Euro ellipsoid projector headlights with angel eyes UUC Short Shifter with UUC Rob Knob Style 71's with new tires M Contours with Snows .. I know I'm forgetting some things.. I've ordered a 3.25:1 LSD and Schroth harnesses for it, and I want to replace the Bilsteins with Koni adjustables. Also, I already rolled the fenders and have my 17x9 lightweight wheels and 255/40/17 track tires on all four corners. I ran at the local Porsche autocross event on Saturday with it, and only a handful P cars were faster, out of 70. I CAN'T WAIT to get the diff in this thing. I always thought I'd be a two bimmer family, but I figured my wife would have the wagon instead of her audi.

06-06-2007, 08:41 PM	#2
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '08 135i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,432 iTrader: (0)	A couple of pics I don't have many decent ones. I took these to show the fender rolling and track tires. Let me tell you though. This thing is a SLEEPER. Damn it growls and is fast. Attached Images

06-06-2007, 09:00 PM	#3
kevbh Second Lieutenant Drives: 2006 325i Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Marietta, Georgia Posts: 129 iTrader: (0)	A sleeper??? You're going to make some people cry with that thing! Sounds awesome, and somebody really poured some money into it. I almost bought a 318ti in 1997 when I was car shopping, but chose the Integra GSR instead. Despite my indiscretion, I've always been a fan of the 318ti. However, I'm not sure I would give THAT car to a teenager... Enjoy! __________________ 2006 325i Alpine White/Beige, Sport Package, Power Seats

06-06-2007, 09:18 PM	#6
l4wr3nc3 lawl Drives: :D Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Rowland Heights, CA Posts: 13,603 iTrader: (4) View l4wr3nc3's Garage	When i saw the thread title, i was just about to say, GET A E36 M3 AS A DEDICATED TRACK / AUTOX CAR. But looks like your way ahead of me. That sleeper is going to shock the hell out of everyone. Congrats on the purchase. __________________ Flickr - updated 2.01.10

06-06-2007, 09:38 PM	#10
Josh49 Major General Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 6,700 iTrader: (33)	What happened to the trunk!! Were you rear ended!?! __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.

06-06-2007, 09:06 PM	#4
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '08 135i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,432 iTrader: (0)	HAHA. No kidding. My wife's driven it, as it is, and thought it drove nice. If you don't get on the gas, you can drive this thing normally very easily. However, if you do get on it... Hochimama! I have receipts from the former owner, and they are not a complete portfolio. Not including the donor M3 parts, there were $14k+ in receipts since 2001.

06-06-2007, 09:10 PM	#5
DrewKo Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335i Montego Blue Saddle Brown Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,546 iTrader: (4) View DrewKo's Garage	Man, that things looks great! I would drive it because of how cool it looks. What did you pay for it?

06-06-2007, 09:29 PM	#9
DrewKo Lieutenant Colonel Drives: 335i Montego Blue Saddle Brown Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 1,546 iTrader: (4) View DrewKo's Garage	Yeah, i'm sure I don't have to tell you what kind of sweet deal you got for the car with those upgrades. Wow.

06-06-2007, 09:39 PM	#11
Josh49 Major General Drives: E90 325xi Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Boston, MA Posts: 6,700 iTrader: (33)	Congrats btw.. And enjoy* *There is not one doubt in my head that you will.. __________________ E90 325XI, MYSTIC BLUE ON BLACK/ALUM, STEP, NAV, PDC, CWP, XENON, SIRIUS, ALARM, MUD GUARDS, CLEARBRA, CHROME GRILLS AND TIPS, VALENTINE 1 (HARDWIRED), HO CERAMIC 40%, 161'S, REAR FOG MOD, LUX 4.0, BLACKLINES, OEM PEDALS, MTEC FOGS, GRUPPE-M REP INTAKE. 156'S AND RUBBER MATS FOR THE WINTER.

06-06-2007, 09:46 PM	#12
larryn Major General Drives: '97 332ti, '08 135i Join Date: May 2005 Location: Massachusetts Posts: 7,432 iTrader: (0)	Howdy Josh.. we having a meet soon, or are you coming out to an event at all? I'd be torn as to which car to bring. Both have a decent amount of coolness factor. Oh, and I am already enjoying.

06-06-2007, 10:00 PM	#14
E90Boy Captain Drives: 06 E90 325i Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Boston Posts: 634 iTrader: (4) View E90Boy's Garage	Hey Larry, when is the meet?