Discussion
Hello, I'm looking to go back to the Nurburgring hopefully this summer, or perhaps next year if I can't get a car for this year. I went in 2005 as a young and foolish 20 year old in my old 1993 BMW E30 316 touring. Yes it is severly underpowered having only 100hp, but it was great fun nonetheless overtaking much more powerful cars in it, and the RWD handling characteristics meant that the driving was brilliant. The thing is I only bought that car for insurance purposes, the insurance company said that anyone under 25 could only drive cars up to 1600cc, such that I could still get free insurance (I was covered by my Dads company policy). I have since sold it and now have an F reg audi coupe 2.3 5 cylinder, not really appropriate to take to the ring. My question is this, can anyone recommend a car for me to take there? I don't mind if its not rear wheel drive but it would be preferred. I did have the perfect car, a BMW E30 318is, but unfortunately that was written off in December. I would spend whatever I get back from breaking that (likely to be in the region of £500) plus perhaps a little more.
Well I guess the obvious alternative is any of the small fwd hatchs.
Plenty of options that are signficantly lighter than the E30 so potentially quicker.
Lower running costs for the same reason.
No rwd fun though.
Are you going to keep it and gradually develop it as a track car? Is it going to become a daily driver?
Plenty of options that are signficantly lighter than the E30 so potentially quicker.
Lower running costs for the same reason.
No rwd fun though.
Are you going to keep it and gradually develop it as a track car? Is it going to become a daily driver?
jamie_Aero said:
So you don't think then that there is any cheap RWD alternative to the bmw?
Not that makes more sense to me than an E30. They are popular track cars for good reason. Plentiful, reasonably light, decent chassis, various powerplant options, heaps of upgrades available and well understood everywhere.I guess there is always stuff like Sierras etc.
Surprised if you can't find something cheap in the current climate.
You're probably aware of this already, but if not not, check the insurance status - virtually nobody covers the Nurburgring. I know a lot of people 'take their chaces' but it's potentially expensive. The other thing is to hire a car all-inclusive, but the minimum age limits could be an issue.
I would recommend Mk1 MR2 or MX5
MR2 probably cheaper & a great little track car - obviously underpowered but handles fantastic and it's a 1.6.
I had one with Konis and track pads & decent tyres only & round Cadwell, Oulton etc it would keep up with cars with double the power. Any circuit with long straights you're obviously going to be left behind but it's more about the corners.
MR2 probably cheaper & a great little track car - obviously underpowered but handles fantastic and it's a 1.6.
I had one with Konis and track pads & decent tyres only & round Cadwell, Oulton etc it would keep up with cars with double the power. Any circuit with long straights you're obviously going to be left behind but it's more about the corners.
I am aware that most insurance companies dont cover the Nurburging, and it doesnt make any difference to me, as I never have (or need to have) fully comprehensive anyway. An E36 looks like it would be a good choice, they are even cheaper that even standard E30s now, and you can pickup a 318is for less than a grand, however, they do have that kind of 'chavvy' image about them, in particular M3's. I would consider an MR2 or an MX5, thanks for suggesting them, the problem is we have an irrational dislike of Japanese cars at home, we only really deal in German, and Swedish cars.
jamie_Aero said:
Yes, thats what I'm saying, it was still awesome despite the lack of power, although going down the straight at the end and being overtaken by cars you've just had in the twisties is a little tiring.
It shouldn't be, given that the straight at the end should be used for cooling the car down! 
On a serious note though, what about a little hot hatch like a 106 Rallye or something? Not sure what goes for in the region of £500 these days but they are certainly cheap and very fun.
jamie_Aero said:
I am aware that most insurance companies dont cover the Nurburging, and it doesnt make any difference to me, as I never have (or need to have) fully comprehensive anyway.
Cause an accident at the ring and it could quite eaisly cost you many thousands of pounds. Beware.If you have an off with noone else involved and hit the armco, they will/could charge you for the cost of replcement armco, cost of recovery of your car and lost revenue whilst the cct is closed.
Get involved with someone else and the police get involed, it is a puplic road after all, and the other party could chase you through the courts.
You need to be very careful
Get involved with someone else and the police get involed, it is a puplic road after all, and the other party could chase you through the courts.
You need to be very careful
jamie_Aero said:
You mean if I hit someone else, surely no one is covered? I suppose that could easily happen, but damage to my own car I'm not concerned with because it is so cheap, and nothing happened last time anyway.
As grahamn says during TF it is nota track day it is a public road and a minimum of third party cover is a legal requirement.jamie_Aero said:
You mean if I hit someone else, surely no one is covered? I suppose that could easily happen, but damage to my own car I'm not concerned with because it is so cheap, and nothing happened last time anyway.
if you drop fluids and a couple of gt3rs get written off, police will investigate and bill you for the damage. you can imagine how much that will amount to. don't want to scare you off the place - its amazing, just be aware of the situationconleth
CTO3 said:
jamie_Aero said:
You mean if I hit someone else, surely no one is covered? I suppose that could easily happen, but damage to my own car I'm not concerned with because it is so cheap, and nothing happened last time anyway.
if you drop fluids and a couple of gt3rs get written off, police will investigate and bill you for the damage. you can imagine how much that will amount to. don't want to scare you off the place - its amazing, just be aware of the situationconleth
If you can, I'd be very tempted to rent a comprehensively insured 'ring toy'. You'll still have a pretty fierce excess, but it's tame compared to the 'forementioned GT3s or Ferrari 430s wiping out on your oil.
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