E36 cheap track day toy
Discussion
Its been a while and I was hoping for the videos to come in by now. But I will review Spa now then link the Videos when my friends finally send them.
We set off early morning on Wednesday. The M20 annoyingly being shut halfway there. which put us back by and hour. Thankfully Le Shuttle tickets are valid for any train around that time. Driving through France was easy and smooth going. When we entered Belgium it started to turn.
The rain was pretty hard but as we made it to Brussels it started to ease off. So we stopped for lunch.
Tricky to find as it was gone two. French and Belgian restaurants seem to stop doing food by about two. But in the end we found somewhere and it was good.
I wont stop in Brussels again. I'm sure there are nice bits, but it was not worth the traffic. Getting out of Brussels after lunch took nigh on two hours.
We pushed on getting to Spa just as darkness fell.
The next morning we headed down early. We hired a pit again because I cant see the point in not. Both cars fitted with loads of room. Then it was time to head out.
As you can see not exactly a dry track.
Not actually raining but with wet surface and lots of spray. The track was however brilliant. Quite a lot of grip for a wet surface. We had a couple of moments, but a dry line did start to appear before lunch. I would recommend a trip here to anyone in any car. I thought the BMW might be a bit slow for a high speed track like Spa. The straight after Eau rouge is a little bit of a wait to get to the end while most things go past. But then it starts to go down hill right until the pit straight. The corners are quite wide and fast. We started to catch cars up that past us on the straights. Then as the dry line came along we started to pass cars.
We stopped for lunch. A very good although expensive restaurant on top of the pits.
When we came back out the snow had started. It didn't really settle but made the track a lot colder and wetter. The dry line completely gone we started to slow down. As time went on I started to get into the hang of it, rather like I had at Donnington. I started to go up Eau rouge flat out in fourth again as I had in the morning. Things were slippery now, touched the grass sideways a few times and did a full 360 at the top of Eau rouge. Very much brown trousers time, but we carried on.
Once again a great time was had. Both cars and everybody survived. We went out in Malmedy that evening and toasted our survival many many times.
Unfortunately then you have nothing to do but drive all the way home.
Despite not having seen all of the pictures or any of the videos yet, I would like to thank everyone who came, there have been some "artistic" shots and some good action ones already. Vids soon I hope.
We set off early morning on Wednesday. The M20 annoyingly being shut halfway there. which put us back by and hour. Thankfully Le Shuttle tickets are valid for any train around that time. Driving through France was easy and smooth going. When we entered Belgium it started to turn.
The rain was pretty hard but as we made it to Brussels it started to ease off. So we stopped for lunch.
Tricky to find as it was gone two. French and Belgian restaurants seem to stop doing food by about two. But in the end we found somewhere and it was good.
I wont stop in Brussels again. I'm sure there are nice bits, but it was not worth the traffic. Getting out of Brussels after lunch took nigh on two hours.
We pushed on getting to Spa just as darkness fell.
The next morning we headed down early. We hired a pit again because I cant see the point in not. Both cars fitted with loads of room. Then it was time to head out.
As you can see not exactly a dry track.
Not actually raining but with wet surface and lots of spray. The track was however brilliant. Quite a lot of grip for a wet surface. We had a couple of moments, but a dry line did start to appear before lunch. I would recommend a trip here to anyone in any car. I thought the BMW might be a bit slow for a high speed track like Spa. The straight after Eau rouge is a little bit of a wait to get to the end while most things go past. But then it starts to go down hill right until the pit straight. The corners are quite wide and fast. We started to catch cars up that past us on the straights. Then as the dry line came along we started to pass cars.
We stopped for lunch. A very good although expensive restaurant on top of the pits.
When we came back out the snow had started. It didn't really settle but made the track a lot colder and wetter. The dry line completely gone we started to slow down. As time went on I started to get into the hang of it, rather like I had at Donnington. I started to go up Eau rouge flat out in fourth again as I had in the morning. Things were slippery now, touched the grass sideways a few times and did a full 360 at the top of Eau rouge. Very much brown trousers time, but we carried on.
Once again a great time was had. Both cars and everybody survived. We went out in Malmedy that evening and toasted our survival many many times.
Unfortunately then you have nothing to do but drive all the way home.
Despite not having seen all of the pictures or any of the videos yet, I would like to thank everyone who came, there have been some "artistic" shots and some good action ones already. Vids soon I hope.
Edited by Hamster69 on Friday 30th October 12:12
I know no one but me cares about the stickers, but I have had this in my tool box for a very long time. It feels good to have finally fitted it. On the plus side. Post Spa inspection finds about 50% brake pads left and 5mm of tread on the tyres. Ready to go straight away next year hopefully.
Not Spa vids yet, but just found this from the pit wall at Silverstone. Some sort of evidence that I was actually there.
Silverstone drive by
Silverstone drive by
I should have been working but...I enjoyed this thread more 
You are so lucky to have the skills, space, tools and mates to help you with this. And we scrapped our P reg 318i when it cooked itself after the plastic pipe at the back of the engine cracked. Arghhh!!! We could both have had a second life!
Keep enjoying it :-)
You are so lucky to have the skills, space, tools and mates to help you with this. And we scrapped our P reg 318i when it cooked itself after the plastic pipe at the back of the engine cracked. Arghhh!!! We could both have had a second life!Keep enjoying it :-)
I'm not sure about lucky. The skills took me years to learn and the tools many many years to pay for. I really don't have any space, I rush around in the evenings or Saturday afternoons after work. But I certainly do have some good friends.
I'm pleased you enjoyed the read. That is why it's here.
I'm pleased you enjoyed the read. That is why it's here.
Hamster69 said:
I'm not sure about lucky. The skills took me years to learn and the tools many many years to pay for. I really don't have any space, I rush around in the evenings or Saturday afternoons after work. But I certainly do have some good friends.
I'm pleased you enjoyed the read. That is why it's here.
'Lucky' not as in jammy or zero effort! Lucky as in well played - the job suits the hobby. But I do respect the effort in tackling rusty bolts and starting work again just after you have finished the day job!I'm pleased you enjoyed the read. That is why it's here.
Looking good in the new pics too
Well done OP, looks like you have worked your b
ks off to make this a reality. Friend of mine suggested a track day the other day - then I read this. Cue massive look on flea bay for an E36. Have space,and the workshop, and a few quid (but not sure if I want to pour many many weekends into an E36).
Anyway, good on you, it's a joy to realise there are people out there with this level of bonkers.
ks off to make this a reality. Friend of mine suggested a track day the other day - then I read this. Cue massive look on flea bay for an E36. Have space,and the workshop, and a few quid (but not sure if I want to pour many many weekends into an E36).Anyway, good on you, it's a joy to realise there are people out there with this level of bonkers.
Hamster,
100% agree, it is hard work, it is difficult to motivate sometimes. And then you take her out on a day & realise what you do it all for.
I bought my first one to do a charity event & then over 2 years made it a competent car. Then replaced it & that was 5 years ago & she still is a "work in progress" as every time I leave her alone for a few weeks I think of something else to try.
Rinse, repeat.
I say it again as you did "JUST DO IT" it only sounds hard when you say it all in one go, it only sounds expensive when you add it all up.
100% agree, it is hard work, it is difficult to motivate sometimes. And then you take her out on a day & realise what you do it all for.
I bought my first one to do a charity event & then over 2 years made it a competent car. Then replaced it & that was 5 years ago & she still is a "work in progress" as every time I leave her alone for a few weeks I think of something else to try.
Rinse, repeat.
I say it again as you did "JUST DO IT" it only sounds hard when you say it all in one go, it only sounds expensive when you add it all up.
Thanks guys. Positive feedback on here is often the best thing between track days.
Bearman. The amount of time you pump in is totally up to you. If you buy a sound car, put some tyres on and go. That's basically what I did.
Troubledsoul. The drive over was bearable, the new exhaust tips do make the cabin more liveable. I couldn't do it every day. The BMW is not a commuter. Well worth it though for the excitement at the other end. If you go to Belgium in October don't bank on good weather.
Bearman. The amount of time you pump in is totally up to you. If you buy a sound car, put some tyres on and go. That's basically what I did.
Troubledsoul. The drive over was bearable, the new exhaust tips do make the cabin more liveable. I couldn't do it every day. The BMW is not a commuter. Well worth it though for the excitement at the other end. If you go to Belgium in October don't bank on good weather.
Ken Figenus said:
Hamster69 said:
Hey it's never to late to learn.
Been there TR8 + midnight oil + swarfega in my ears Hamster69 said:
Thanks guys. Positive feedback on here is often the best thing between track days.
Bearman. The amount of time you pump in is totally up to you. If you buy a sound car, put some tyres on and go. That's basically what I did.
Troubledsoul. The drive over was bearable, the new exhaust tips do make the cabin more liveable. I couldn't do it every day. The BMW is not a commuter. Well worth it though for the excitement at the other end. If you go to Belgium in October don't bank on good weather.
Europe in October you say? Weather? Bearman. The amount of time you pump in is totally up to you. If you buy a sound car, put some tyres on and go. That's basically what I did.
Troubledsoul. The drive over was bearable, the new exhaust tips do make the cabin more liveable. I couldn't do it every day. The BMW is not a commuter. Well worth it though for the excitement at the other end. If you go to Belgium in October don't bank on good weather.
That's what we got when we went to the 'Ring etc. at exactly the same time of year!
E-bmw said:
I am sorry, and I know you will call me down but.....'Ring..... No helmets..... REALLY?
Aye, really. Just like the other people we saw there. We weren't pushing the car due to the weather and not knowing the track very well, it wasn't an issue. It was also very quiet due to being an evening weekday session. The wife got a completely clear lap without another car in sight. 
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