BMW Z3/Z4 as track car?
Discussion
I owned my MX-5 for just over 6 years and never tracked it, apart from the occasional parade lap. Problem was, it was an RS-Limited (a mere 500 built for the Japanese domestic market, there are probably only about 50 in this country), and although the mods (LSD, thicker ARB's, extra bracing, lower final drive etc) would have made it fun on track, I never took the plunge due to its rarity and my wishing to keep it more ot less standard.
However, I sold it this week - so the hunt is on.
I notice that Z3s have been affordable for some time, and Z4s are starting to come into that price range now. So any thoughts on either of these as a track car?
(I know I could buy another MX-5 but I'm a bit perverse and always like to try something different.)
However, I sold it this week - so the hunt is on.
I notice that Z3s have been affordable for some time, and Z4s are starting to come into that price range now. So any thoughts on either of these as a track car?
(I know I could buy another MX-5 but I'm a bit perverse and always like to try something different.)
An mx5 will be much quicker than a z3 they aren't that good a car. Also a z4 do have stupid sized wheels which will be expensive on tyres and also brakes so will cost a lot more. Also to modify them costs a lot more money than a mx5.
There is a reason why the mx5 is one of the most popular rwd track day cars around.
There is a reason why the mx5 is one of the most popular rwd track day cars around.
Does not make any sense why not take the old mx5 on track before selling?
Why now thinking to buy something that is not as track ready ( but costs the same to buy) and Will need more money spent to take it on track?
You can take any car on track and have fun, does not really matter what it is the fun bit is driving it at the limit.
Why now thinking to buy something that is not as track ready ( but costs the same to buy) and Will need more money spent to take it on track?
You can take any car on track and have fun, does not really matter what it is the fun bit is driving it at the limit.
rallycross said:
Does not make any sense why not take the old mx5 on track before selling?
Because I didn't want to risk wrapping it up or blowing it up, then being unable to sell it!I really need the dosh at the mo which is why it has been sold; when the house has gone too and I get my share of the proceeds, I can then think about buying a daily driver AND a track car.
How about an S2000? Sort out some good pads and brake fluid and you are all set for track days in them.
There was a quick 3l Z4 at a recent trackday but that had aftermarket suspension, sticky tyres and a big brake kit to the front AND rear, so cost a fair old amount to make it fast (well at least stop). I'm not sure if anything else had be done.
There was a quick 3l Z4 at a recent trackday but that had aftermarket suspension, sticky tyres and a big brake kit to the front AND rear, so cost a fair old amount to make it fast (well at least stop). I'm not sure if anything else had be done.
Edited by robinandcamera on Friday 11th September 09:48
Edited by robinandcamera on Friday 11th September 12:31
Wow. Lot of hate for the BM.. and I'm an Mx5 owner!
Having driven both the MX5 and Z3 on track I'll offer the following:
Mx IS more suited, a cheap one would be the best option for a track car in my opinion (and that of many others). However they are relatively low powered.
Forget the Z*M's, they're proper money.
Z3 with a 3.2 can be had for chump change - that's a lot faster than an MX5 around any track for around about 5 minutes, BUT the brakes are woefully inadequate for track work (frankly they're a bit marginal for fast road). You have to buy an M for proper brakes. That said I'd not see that as a blocker; simply fit 'M' spec brakes to it in the same way the MX community likes putting later 1.8 brakes on 1.6's.. Or look for a 3rd party brake upgrade.
Handling wise the one I drove was properly hillariously oversteery. It was a proper shed with mismatched ditchfinder specials all round, so I'd put it down to that car; however a fair chunk of power and front engine/rear drive is always going to tend that way. If it tickles your fancy, go do it.
Having driven both the MX5 and Z3 on track I'll offer the following:
Mx IS more suited, a cheap one would be the best option for a track car in my opinion (and that of many others). However they are relatively low powered.
Forget the Z*M's, they're proper money.
Z3 with a 3.2 can be had for chump change - that's a lot faster than an MX5 around any track for around about 5 minutes, BUT the brakes are woefully inadequate for track work (frankly they're a bit marginal for fast road). You have to buy an M for proper brakes. That said I'd not see that as a blocker; simply fit 'M' spec brakes to it in the same way the MX community likes putting later 1.8 brakes on 1.6's.. Or look for a 3rd party brake upgrade.
Handling wise the one I drove was properly hillariously oversteery. It was a proper shed with mismatched ditchfinder specials all round, so I'd put it down to that car; however a fair chunk of power and front engine/rear drive is always going to tend that way. If it tickles your fancy, go do it.
Nobody specified the parameters of the 'much faster' - but seriously, who really gives a toss? 
Better is subjective, OP wants a track car for sensible money, not a car for a given race series or a like for like comparison.
Mx5's are great. 3.whatever litre z3's are silly cheap, no wrong answer, just do what floats your boat.
Better is subjective, OP wants a track car for sensible money, not a car for a given race series or a like for like comparison.
Mx5's are great. 3.whatever litre z3's are silly cheap, no wrong answer, just do what floats your boat.
Preaching to the converted here Mark, the vast majority of my track hours have been spent with 100bhp.
I agree that the issue is subjective- but with that in mind, weight is all-important in my opinion. That's why an MX-5 is a better starting point out of the box, that's why the Z3's brakes and suspension are marginal for track use, and that's why the MX-5 is fundamentally a more suitable track car out of the box than the BMW.
I agree that the issue is subjective- but with that in mind, weight is all-important in my opinion. That's why an MX-5 is a better starting point out of the box, that's why the Z3's brakes and suspension are marginal for track use, and that's why the MX-5 is fundamentally a more suitable track car out of the box than the BMW.
How about getting a 'ready turboed' MX5 for use on the track if you want a bit more oomph?
Alternatively you can get a drive-in drive-out turbo conversion fitted and mapped for about £2k nowadays, I think G19 engineering do one.
There is a proper track focused 1.8 on MX5Nutz for £2k at the moment, if I wasn't buying a house I'd buy it and turbo that with the bits I've collected for my 1.6.
Alternatively you can get a drive-in drive-out turbo conversion fitted and mapped for about £2k nowadays, I think G19 engineering do one.
There is a proper track focused 1.8 on MX5Nutz for £2k at the moment, if I wasn't buying a house I'd buy it and turbo that with the bits I've collected for my 1.6.
quit kidding yourself on the cost of running a 1500kg car for track days - it's definitely cheaper to rent something purpose-designed and get back in your nice road car at 5pm with no worries of crash damage, depreciation, repatriation or engine rebuilds.
anyone who thinks otherwise is using man-maths and not adding up all of the costs, IMO.
Jonny
BaT
anyone who thinks otherwise is using man-maths and not adding up all of the costs, IMO.
Jonny
BaT
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