Best older BMW to use for track car project?

shadowmonk · 01-17-2009, 01:31 AM

Hi all,

I have never raced a car on a track, but I want to change that. I also have never really worked on cars before so I figure I could somehow learn both things at the same time. I have some friends interested in helping who know more about this stuff than I do. First off, I know I would like an older (80's or 90's) BMW of some sort to start off with transforming into a track day car. I only want to spend about 3-4k on the initial car and then learn how to work on different aspects as I go along. Any recommendations as to what's a good car to start with would be great, or any other advice for a noob who wants to learn this sort of thing. Thanks!!

bmstyle71 · 01-17-2009, 02:16 AM

well 3 series ummm I'd say e36. E30 would make a sick rally car though.

TwinTurboXI · 01-17-2009, 09:19 AM

E36, look around for a good one. I'm sure some on here will comment about what to look out for...

Year's_End · 01-17-2009, 03:49 PM

E30

RRGOO7 · 01-17-2009, 05:01 PM

E36 M3 can be had for about 12 grand

Deda · 01-17-2009, 05:41 PM

E 30!

sparkyg · 01-17-2009, 05:44 PM

I think an early 330i E90

stickypaws · 01-17-2009, 06:04 PM

E30.

Two people have mentioned the E30 and now you have a third.

Best car to set up for the track. Remember, you're going to be doing a LOT of changes to the car (including lots of required rule changes for racing.)

You can get into an E30 itself for not a lot of $$. But the rest of the stuff will cost $$. (and extra sets of rims, lotsa tires, brake pads, race standard fluids, are things you'll always be sinking money into.)

They make great conversions. You don't need M3 power, etc.. You need a car you can change out for the track. Cars take a beating on the track. Unless you are a millionaire, it's an expensive hobby.

btw, join BMWCA and go find some indie tuners in your area. Check for events, club racing, etc.. and just talking with a local race prep company is great info.

shadowmonk · 01-17-2009, 06:10 PM

Thanks for all the replys! I will probably check out a used E30 based on what people have said here. And yes, I need something cheap because I understand the extra stuff you do to the car is where the cost comes in. I don't need anything super fast, just something that works!

just4kickz · 01-18-2009, 02:23 AM

e30 m3. but probably wont get it at the range ur looking at...

GMWNashville · 01-18-2009, 11:34 AM

best track rat for the money is an e36m3...e30m3s are better but more money and more rare...

rroof · 01-18-2009, 11:50 AM

e30 M3, or better yet find an awesome 2002!

stickypaws · 01-18-2009, 12:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rroof

e30 M3, or better yet find an awesome 2002!

I used to race (SCCA) a 2002tii.

Back when I was just a puppy. Like racing go-karts.

MisterSkiMask · 01-18-2009, 01:38 PM

E30

Simple, solid platform, easy to modify, well tested (by others doing the same thing), parts cost/availability.

Socale92 · 01-18-2009, 04:07 PM

e36 m3

S_M · 01-18-2009, 05:23 PM

The E36 is a much better platform to work off of...

itsbrokeagain · 01-18-2009, 06:09 PM

E30

ZJP · 01-18-2009, 06:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

E30

+1

consolidated · 01-18-2009, 07:00 PM

Miata, okay, that's out of bounds but. E30 spec is a fun series I'm told. Consider looking into local race series, SCCA, NASA, club races...and think about buying what you might consider racing down the road, Spec Pinata (MX-5), E30 spec, Honda, 944 spec/cup...

There are a lot of deals to be had on racecars, the economy is taking it's toll on expensive hobbies. Buy it track prepped and save a ton a money and set-up time. Let the first guy take a bath. You can find deals for 40 cents on the dollar. Three 944 Cup spec cars just sold for around $5K on the E coast.

shadowmonk · 01-19-2009, 12:31 AM

Good ideas....miata is another option I was looking at.

stickypaws · 01-19-2009, 01:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadowmonk

Good ideas....miata is another option I was looking at.

Spec Miata under SCCA sanctions is a great option. Remember you'll have to do the accredited driving school thing first (you can rent a car, too.) Jim Russell in NorCal is the closest to you (I think)? Then get your permit, a few races and then the license. At least that's the way it used to be (I lived on the East Coast at the time and went to Skip Barber.) We used to run an old Austin Healey in HP class; pretty slow compared to modern cars but challenging.

Start saving money, it gets expensive

Ryker Emery · 01-23-2009, 06:16 AM

Good to see the transformation under way D...some good advice as well cheers guys, i think we're gonna run it pretty standard to start with and see how it goes from there....agree with better brakes etc, but just getting the thing lighter is our top priority at the minute....

01-17-2009, 01:31 AM	#1
shadowmonk Enlisted Member 10 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kirkland, WA iTrader: (0)	Best older BMW to use for track car project? Hi all, I have never raced a car on a track, but I want to change that. I also have never really worked on cars before so I figure I could somehow learn both things at the same time. I have some friends interested in helping who know more about this stuff than I do. First off, I know I would like an older (80's or 90's) BMW of some sort to start off with transforming into a track day car. I only want to spend about 3-4k on the initial car and then learn how to work on different aspects as I go along. Any recommendations as to what's a good car to start with would be great, or any other advice for a noob who wants to learn this sort of thing. Thanks!! __________________
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01-17-2009, 02:16 AM	#2
bmstyle71 Captain 115 Rep 635 Posts Drives: jet black e92 m3 Join Date: May 2008 Location: tampa florida iTrader: (0)	well 3 series ummm I'd say e36. E30 would make a sick rally car though.
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01-17-2009, 09:19 AM	#3
TwinTurboXI Lieutenant Colonel 158 Rep 1,523 Posts Drives: 2011 135i Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: . iTrader: (12)	E36, look around for a good one. I'm sure some on here will comment about what to look out for...
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01-17-2009, 03:49 PM	#4
Year's_End Lieutenant General 1137 Rep 12,444 Posts Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: FL iTrader: (0)	E30 __________________ Past: '08 E92 335i\|ZPP\|ZSP\|6AT Past: '15 Mustang GT\|401A\|PP\|6MT Current: '20 Shelby GT350\|6MT
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01-17-2009, 05:01 PM	#5
RRGOO7 Colonel 360 Rep 2,451 Posts Drives: GTR Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Miami FL iTrader: (13)	E36 M3 can be had for about 12 grand
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01-17-2009, 05:41 PM	#6
Deda Major General 563 Rep 7,034 Posts Drives: BMW M5 comp Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Croatia iTrader: (0)	E 30!
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01-17-2009, 05:44 PM	#7
sparkyg Brigadier General 142 Rep 3,522 Posts Drives: work truck Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Oil Country iTrader: (5)	I think an early 330i E90
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01-17-2009, 06:04 PM	#8
stickypaws Dictator 55 Rep 1,811 Posts Drives: people crazy Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: where you want to be iTrader: (0)	E30. Two people have mentioned the E30 and now you have a third. Best car to set up for the track. Remember, you're going to be doing a LOT of changes to the car (including lots of required rule changes for racing.) You can get into an E30 itself for not a lot of $$. But the rest of the stuff will cost $$. (and extra sets of rims, lotsa tires, brake pads, race standard fluids, are things you'll always be sinking money into.) They make great conversions. You don't need M3 power, etc.. You need a car you can change out for the track. Cars take a beating on the track. Unless you are a millionaire, it's an expensive hobby. btw, join BMWCA and go find some indie tuners in your area. Check for events, club racing, etc.. and just talking with a local race prep company is great info.
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01-17-2009, 06:10 PM	#9
shadowmonk Enlisted Member 10 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kirkland, WA iTrader: (0)	Thanks for all the replys! I will probably check out a used E30 based on what people have said here. And yes, I need something cheap because I understand the extra stuff you do to the car is where the cost comes in. I don't need anything super fast, just something that works! __________________
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01-18-2009, 02:23 AM	#10
just4kickz boku no namae ha... 336 Rep 11,025 Posts Drives: 2006 BS 330i Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: S. Bay Area, CA + Newark, NJ + ChiCity + True Blue iTrader: (11) Garage List 2006 E90 330i [0.00]	e30 m3. but probably wont get it at the range ur looking at... __________________ looking for a PreLCI Black Sapphire e90 front bumper without license plate holes "Akimbo shotguns. Broken wrists anyone? And don't give me that 'it's just a game' bull**. Where the are my akimbo interventions then?! One scope on each eye mother**er!!"
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01-18-2009, 11:34 AM	#11
GMWNashville Colonel 172 Rep 2,373 Posts Drives: 19 G05, 16 F80, 10 E70x5D Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Nashville, TN iTrader: (2)	best track rat for the money is an e36m3...e30m3s are better but more money and more rare...
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01-18-2009, 11:50 AM	#12
rroof Sniper 3 Rep 72 Posts Drives: '09 e92 335xi 6MT; '08 A3 2.0T Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Cincy, OH iTrader: (1)	e30 M3, or better yet find an awesome 2002! __________________ 09' e92 335xi Alpine White/Coral Red\|6MT\|JB3 1.2\|CDV\|Escort 8500\|Nav\|Sport\|Premium\|Comfort\| iPod\|HD\|Smartphone\|CWP\|BMW Aero Front/Rear\|M3 Rear Spoiler\|8500K GP
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01-18-2009, 01:38 PM	#14
MisterSkiMask Banned 147 Rep 2,014 Posts Drives: I Can not say Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: you must not know iTrader: (0)	E30 Simple, solid platform, easy to modify, well tested (by others doing the same thing), parts cost/availability.
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01-18-2009, 04:07 PM	#15
Socale92 DCT Test Pilot 83 Rep 558 Posts Drives: ???? Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: los angeles iTrader: (1)	e36 m3
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01-18-2009, 05:23 PM	#16
S_M Lieutenant 67 Rep 549 Posts Drives: Many Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: X5 iTrader: (0)	The E36 is a much better platform to work off of...
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01-18-2009, 06:09 PM	#17
itsbrokeagain 310 Rep 15,745 Posts Drives: 1999 528iT, E53 X5, E46 325xi Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Strong Island iTrader: (7)	E30
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01-18-2009, 07:00 PM	#19
consolidated Lieutenant Colonel 205 Rep 1,864 Posts Drives: F80 M3 Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Texas iTrader: (2) Garage List 2016 Porsche GT4 [0.00] 1999 Porsche Spec B ... [0.00] 2014 Ram 1500 Laram ... [0.00] 2007 Porsche GT3 RS [10.00] 2013 Tesla Model S 85 [0.00]	Miata, okay, that's out of bounds but. E30 spec is a fun series I'm told. Consider looking into local race series, SCCA, NASA, club races...and think about buying what you might consider racing down the road, Spec Pinata (MX-5), E30 spec, Honda, 944 spec/cup... There are a lot of deals to be had on racecars, the economy is taking it's toll on expensive hobbies. Buy it track prepped and save a ton a money and set-up time. Let the first guy take a bath. You can find deals for 40 cents on the dollar. Three 944 Cup spec cars just sold for around $5K on the E coast.
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01-19-2009, 12:31 AM	#20
shadowmonk Enlisted Member 10 Rep 37 Posts Drives: 2008 E90 M3 Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Kirkland, WA iTrader: (0)	Good ideas....miata is another option I was looking at. __________________
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01-23-2009, 06:16 AM	#22
Ryker Emery Registered 0 Rep 2 Posts Drives: bmw Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: us iTrader: (0)	Good to see the transformation under way D...some good advice as well cheers guys, i think we're gonna run it pretty standard to start with and see how it goes from there....agree with better brakes etc, but just getting the thing lighter is our top priority at the minute.... __________________ Car lease
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