What track car: E36 M3 vs Mazda Rx7
Discussion
Am looking to spend 4-5k on a track toy (in a few months when i move to a place with a garage)
I have been on a track before but not really any sort of event just a course to terach me to get the best out of sports cars.
anyway, I was thinking of getting a car that would be ready to go on a track day from day one and then mod it as I get the taste and feel for trackdays.
I want RWD and I want a decent platform to begin with with plenty of scope so that I don't outgrow the car too quickly but something that is not going to be too expensive to replace should i smack it into a wall.
I kinda decided on an M3 but just realised I have completely overlooked the Rx7 and I like that most imports already come with quite a bit of track related work done (exhausts, suspension, single turbo, harnesses, seats etc) whereas the M3 would be stock for the money.
What would you choose out of the two and why?
Just to add: I come from running BMW M5 and M6 for the last couple of years so suggestions such as "save 3k and get a saxo" will not really be suitable because I feel I would get more thrills out of my daily driver.
I have been on a track before but not really any sort of event just a course to terach me to get the best out of sports cars.
anyway, I was thinking of getting a car that would be ready to go on a track day from day one and then mod it as I get the taste and feel for trackdays.
I want RWD and I want a decent platform to begin with with plenty of scope so that I don't outgrow the car too quickly but something that is not going to be too expensive to replace should i smack it into a wall.
I kinda decided on an M3 but just realised I have completely overlooked the Rx7 and I like that most imports already come with quite a bit of track related work done (exhausts, suspension, single turbo, harnesses, seats etc) whereas the M3 would be stock for the money.
What would you choose out of the two and why?
Just to add: I come from running BMW M5 and M6 for the last couple of years so suggestions such as "save 3k and get a saxo" will not really be suitable because I feel I would get more thrills out of my daily driver.
Hi Icon I purchased an E36 M3 3 years ago for trackdays and as a daily driver
As long as you keep changing the oil (I do before every track day) and keep on top of some basic maintenance the E36 can be a realy reliable and useful trackday weapon - the car was designed to be used on track and the quality shows through
As long as you keep changing the oil (I do before every track day) and keep on top of some basic maintenance the E36 can be a realy reliable and useful trackday weapon - the car was designed to be used on track and the quality shows through
Another Vote for the M3 great straight out of the box , if stripped of the interior alot of weight can be saved (german quality) and generaly a good all rounder , great for wide open Castle combe and snetterton it'd also be just at home at somewhere like Cadwell.
Rx7's (as said above) are expensive to run on the road let alone the track !
but if you're use to M5 running costs you'll be fine 
Rx7's (as said above) are expensive to run on the road let alone the track !
but if you're use to M5 running costs you'll be fine isee said:
Alright thanks gents, am off the RX7 idea, as much as i like their looks and tunability, i would like a toy that could actually complete a trackday and get me back home 
Here is another one I for some reason ignored: Honda S2000 (as above, against the M3)?
S2000 vs E36 M3 is a hard comparison, I'd suggest test drive both (if you can) as they're very different driving experiences:Here is another one I for some reason ignored: Honda S2000 (as above, against the M3)?
S2000- has to be revved the arse off of (around a track can be fun?) and is abit more twitchy and jumpy than the M3 but would still make a good track car, if I was opting for a track car tho I'd go for a tin-top (personal preferance)
M3- Lots of grunt across the Rev rang with a relatively linear Power delivery, the M3 is a little less twitchy and jumpy which enables you to obviously get it to the limit and keep it there. Rear end breaks away cleanly (depending on tyres) so it's relatively Thame to hold onto if your sliding it about.
Obviously both have LSD's etc but I'd still go for the M3
I drove my E36 M3 on track once and sprinted my s2000 all over the place last year
I wouldn't have thought there's a lot between to two, Once you get used to the S2000 it can be very quick on track. I didn't really enjoy the M3 on track felt that the standard brakes and suspension were not really up to the job but this was one of my first trackdays so it might have been just a lack of experience.
I think I'd still go for the m3 but change the brakes and put some decent coilovers on it.
I wouldn't have thought there's a lot between to two, Once you get used to the S2000 it can be very quick on track. I didn't really enjoy the M3 on track felt that the standard brakes and suspension were not really up to the job but this was one of my first trackdays so it might have been just a lack of experience.
I think I'd still go for the m3 but change the brakes and put some decent coilovers on it.
isee said:
BTW: which M3 is better for track? coupe or saloon? I think i read somwhere that coupe is a tad heavier and binning the seats out of that is more of a pain due to lack of rear doors.
No problems about the advice that's what PH is for I'd Say go for the Saloon as I've heard a similar story about being a pain to strip/work on when accessing the Rear portion of the Cabin.
Coupe's looks better but for pure track and ease to work on,more room etc I'd go for the Saloon if you can find a good'un.
M3BUZ said:
E36 saloon would be my choice, you can generaly find unabused ones a bit cheaper cause most want the coupe - i'd spend what i save on some bilstiens and performance friction front disks and pads for starters - would be ace for trackdays
Thanks, so blistein suspension and front disk kit (and perhaps braided hoses all round) and it's good to go as a first outing right?E36GUY said:
I run an M3 for track so it gets my vote. Pisses all over RX7s on track and S2000s
Can only imagine you being a faster and it seems more arrogant driver by the words of it.Back to the subject - I was having a similar choice a while ago, went for the M3, surely gets you lots for the money nowadays. I was advised by some folks that know RX7 that they require quite a bit of work in the cooling department to make them work fine on track.
Edited by chris7676 on Monday 24th January 08:36
isee said:
GALLARDOGUY said:
I have an rx-7 track car (picture in my profile) and it's a cracking track car. Runs rings around most things and an M3 wouldn't get anywhere near it. Good luck with whatever you choose though...
great! what is teh reliability like?My TVR has given me loads more problems!
I would also like to add that I have been using a RX7 on track for the last eight years and the engine has never let me down! you do have to think about fuel consumption though, just to give you an idea I get two laps at Goodwood to the gallon.
The rex is now to be pensioned off, and as such have bought a R33 Skyline, a bog standard one for £2K and I am spending another £2.5K prepping it. Now a skyline will do it straight out of the box, think about it.
The rex is now to be pensioned off, and as such have bought a R33 Skyline, a bog standard one for £2K and I am spending another £2.5K prepping it. Now a skyline will do it straight out of the box, think about it.
isee said:
M3BUZ said:
E36 saloon would be my choice, you can generaly find unabused ones a bit cheaper cause most want the coupe - i'd spend what i save on some bilstiens and performance friction front disks and pads for starters - would be ace for trackdays
Thanks, so blistein suspension and front disk kit (and perhaps braided hoses all round) and it's good to go as a first outing right?888's are the track day favourites but I have found the Vredestein Ultrack Sessantas to be hard wearing and perfectly trackable or the classic Goodyear Eagle F1 assymetrics perform well although these wear quite quickly
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