Discussion
I want a bit of track day fun and I dont fancy trashing my 997, therefore have decided to go for an E36 after receiving the thumbs up as a good choice.
I know the coupe is the more sought after but any views on the saloon?
Might pop over for a look at this one
http://pistonheads.com/sales/4184497.htm
Slightly concerned at faulty warning light but assume it will be a fairly easy fix (hopefully).
any thoughts?
I know the coupe is the more sought after but any views on the saloon?
Might pop over for a look at this one
http://pistonheads.com/sales/4184497.htm
Slightly concerned at faulty warning light but assume it will be a fairly easy fix (hopefully).
any thoughts?
Biggriff said:
I know the coupe is the more sought after but any views on the saloon?
I seem to recall Evo magazine saying the saloon was actually the better of the two (but that may just have been an example of the now commonplace trend for a motoring hack to hold a 'controversial' view just to be different)Wasn't it a E36 M3 Saloon that Hammond had in one of the TG challenges?
You can't tell the difference between how a coupe and saloon drives.
You'll end up upgrading the brakes, the suspension and the seats when you get into trackdays (as a minimum) and also fit a cross brace from a convertible.
That one looks ok. Depending on the actual message on the OBC, it could just be the brake pedal switch - £10 plus some swearing.
You'll end up upgrading the brakes, the suspension and the seats when you get into trackdays (as a minimum) and also fit a cross brace from a convertible.
That one looks ok. Depending on the actual message on the OBC, it could just be the brake pedal switch - £10 plus some swearing.
If you're interested in a coupe, mine is up for sale
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
virdeeb said:
If you're interested in a coupe, mine is up for sale
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
Isn't that the standard M3 spoiler? I thought the GT2 spoiler was a two-deck affair...http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
eta: like this:

Edited by monthefish on Friday 31st August 13:35
virdeeb said:
If you're interested in a coupe, mine is up for sale
http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
Hasn't yours been up for sale for some time? http://www.autotrader.co.uk/classified/advert/2012...
It already has HSD coilovers, ARP Conrod bolts, Performance friction brake discs and pads and a rear strut brace already fitted so most of the work is already done
Nothing between Coupes and Saloons ... start off with the best car you can.
You can spend a small (or large) fortune getting these cars to the right level and its hard to know where to start as each car is different. ARP conrod bolts have to be the first enhancement for damage limitation if nothing else.
From there its a case of lightening by removing as much as possible, stiffening the chassis, adding some coilovers and working on the brakes. AP's are great but aren't strictly necessary ... once you remove some of that weight, add some evo disks, braided hoses, new fluid and some RS-29 pads, you're braking on track will be massively improved with no fade. Brembo calipers with E46 disks and decent pads are a worthwhile upgrade if you can get hold of some.
Then there's using the 5 speed 3.0 box if its an evo, adding a shorter diff ... etc etc. The worlds your oyster, just depends how deep your pockets are.
All in all they make great cars for track use ... rear wheel drive, lsd, enough power out of the box and very very cheap at the moment. I'm thinking of going down this route again as a dedicated track car ... did it before with a M3 GT but it was a road car as well so slightly compromised ...

You can spend a small (or large) fortune getting these cars to the right level and its hard to know where to start as each car is different. ARP conrod bolts have to be the first enhancement for damage limitation if nothing else.
From there its a case of lightening by removing as much as possible, stiffening the chassis, adding some coilovers and working on the brakes. AP's are great but aren't strictly necessary ... once you remove some of that weight, add some evo disks, braided hoses, new fluid and some RS-29 pads, you're braking on track will be massively improved with no fade. Brembo calipers with E46 disks and decent pads are a worthwhile upgrade if you can get hold of some.
Then there's using the 5 speed 3.0 box if its an evo, adding a shorter diff ... etc etc. The worlds your oyster, just depends how deep your pockets are.

All in all they make great cars for track use ... rear wheel drive, lsd, enough power out of the box and very very cheap at the moment. I'm thinking of going down this route again as a dedicated track car ... did it before with a M3 GT but it was a road car as well so slightly compromised ...

For the $ of the linked to Evo saloon you could get a far more focused car.
For similar dosh I've just taken a deposit off a pal for one I've been developing, a grands worth of proper suspension, full Weichers cage, buckets, harnesses, x brace, front brace, rear brace, all new bushes, & a solid rot free good history base car.
If he pulls out of he deal- I'll drop you a line.
I've written a fair bit on here as have others ref e36 track cars, might be worth a search, if the facility is still working.
Current M3 tracker at Donny on Friday-


For similar dosh I've just taken a deposit off a pal for one I've been developing, a grands worth of proper suspension, full Weichers cage, buckets, harnesses, x brace, front brace, rear brace, all new bushes, & a solid rot free good history base car.
If he pulls out of he deal- I'll drop you a line.
I've written a fair bit on here as have others ref e36 track cars, might be worth a search, if the facility is still working.
Current M3 tracker at Donny on Friday-


Edited by iguana on Sunday 2nd September 23:26
virdeeb said:
screwloose said:
Hasn't yours been up for sale for some time?
Yep it has, it seems like a tough market to sell these kind of cars at the momentTEKNOPUG said:
With so many E36 M3s now being tracked, it makes little sense to convert a stock road car unless you have very deep pockets or you pick one up very cheap. Much cheaper to buy a car that has already been modified for track.
It would seem that way ... part of the fun though is doing things your way. Also, there are some cars out there where there owners simply add the cost of the car to the mods and expect to recoup the whole amount ... so they're priced too highly. There are however some well sorted base cars which can be had for good money. A car with a cage and decent motorsport (not 'fast road') coilovers is a great basis to start. See above! 
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