First Track/Race Car question
Discussion
I currently own an E39 530i sport which i use as an everyday road car and i am looking to gain track experience with track days with a view to go motor racing. For this me and my friend are currently building an E36 328i race/track car however we are having problems with the electrics and progress is painfully slow.
I had originally planned to spend around 5-10k on a car to replace my 530i as a daily runner but i really want to get on the track, plus the 530i is a pretty good runner. So im now thinking of keeping it and looking to spend 5-8k on a pre built race car ideally a saloon car. I would want to keep 2k aside to spend on the 530i so the questions are is it worth buying a pre built car or is it a better idea to splash the cash on the 328i i already have.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated, just to add im currently looking at pre built E36 M3's and also i have seen a couple of Vaxuhall Vectra Challenge cars which look quite interesting.
I had originally planned to spend around 5-10k on a car to replace my 530i as a daily runner but i really want to get on the track, plus the 530i is a pretty good runner. So im now thinking of keeping it and looking to spend 5-8k on a pre built race car ideally a saloon car. I would want to keep 2k aside to spend on the 530i so the questions are is it worth buying a pre built car or is it a better idea to splash the cash on the 328i i already have.
Thoughts and suggestions appreciated, just to add im currently looking at pre built E36 M3's and also i have seen a couple of Vaxuhall Vectra Challenge cars which look quite interesting.
HustleRussell said:
Buy a Caterham Supergraduate or Megagrad for £10k... The 530i won't even know it's towing it, and the Caterham will be quicker,more competitive, cheaper on consumables and arguably more fun than a BMW
thasts pretty much what I would do if I had the time and money. Even £8k gets a "classic" caterham which will be loads more fun on a track than an old beemer http://www.graduates.org.uk/forsale/default.asp
Its generally regarded that buying a ready built race car will be cheaper than building your own. There are pros and cons to each and having done both I preferred the building my own route as you know the car in depth... Though we did virtually rebuild the bought car anyway lol... That money would get you a built class C spec TVR with change too. Great championship wiyh great people!
Good luck whichever route you take!
Good luck whichever route you take!
It's always cheaper to buy a preped car than build one - the real question is do you want to build your own car.
Choose where you want to race, then build a car to that specification or buy one that was competitive in that series previously, otherwise the car will always be compromise.
Pete
Choose where you want to race, then build a car to that specification or buy one that was competitive in that series previously, otherwise the car will always be compromise.
Pete
having done both built and bought race cars, at the level your looking at it will be soooo much cheaperneasier and much quicker to buy something ready running.
it will also teach you what you need / want for the next car which will then save you a bundle if you donthen build.
i would also advise racing ancar / style of car you like. I like tvrs so race them. Youmsound like a bimmer fan so id start looking at bmw options.
g
it will also teach you what you need / want for the next car which will then save you a bundle if you donthen build.
i would also advise racing ancar / style of car you like. I like tvrs so race them. Youmsound like a bimmer fan so id start looking at bmw options.
g
I would love to build my own but time is not on my side at this rate it will take a couple of years. I have seen a couple of e36 m3's and i could adapt these for different series any thoughts on the vectra challenge cars also. Im taking it that its worth opting out of a newer road car to go racing.
sharpeharper said:
Never considered a Caterham didn't realise they were that cheap.
Also i am 6 foot 4 would i fit in one?
Based on the experience of 2 friends of mine who are both over 6 foot, I think you would struggle to fit one. You may be able to find one with a lowered floor but these tend to be newer and consequently outside your budget. Also i am 6 foot 4 would i fit in one?
sharpeharper said:
....any thoughts on the vectra challenge cars also....
There is still one or two about for salehttp://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/43106/vectra...
http://www.racecarsdirect.com/listing/41537/ex_vau...
Old adverts now but you never know. There's also a chap who races one in the BRSCC EuroSaloons series who always seems to know where others are that may be for sale but not advertised.
They were very well built by MSD in their day - the shells were virtually to Touring Car standard of the time and they cost about £70K each. Gearboxes were a weak point, I think and there were about 3 different versions including quaife internals.
Ideal for the CSCC "Moderns Classics" series in the 1800-2500cc class (with their original engine types)
sharpeharper said:
Never considered a Caterham didn't realise they were that cheap.
Question is would i kill myself?!! Also i am 6 foot 4 would i fit in one?
I have been offered an E30 racer fully prepared with a 286bhp alpina 3.5 straight six for £7000 too good to be true?
Will you kill yourself? I'd say you're no more likely to kill yourself in one of these than a Beemer! They're seriously tough little cars. 6'4" not a problem, plenty or cars knocking about with lowered floors and tall cages. I can't recommend it enough, because the cars are all the same and no modifications are permitted, we don't get chequebook racers. I'm on the tightest budget but I know that if I drive we'll enough I'll win races.Question is would i kill myself?!! Also i am 6 foot 4 would i fit in one?
I have been offered an E30 racer fully prepared with a 286bhp alpina 3.5 straight six for £7000 too good to be true?
sharpeharper said:
Howndo the caterhams compare in driving style to a tin top bmw?
Caterhams are a 'racey' experience straight out of the box. For next season windscreens have been made optional in 4 of the 5 classes, do it's an open car with a little aeroscreen to deflect the worst of the wind/rain. It's more of a single seater feel but with the added safety of an all-enclosing cage.I can't comment much on racing BMWs because I never have- but my thoughts have always been that the thousands you spend prepping a tin-top are pretty much all to make it behave more like a Caterham- lighter, quicker steering, shorter gear shift, better power to weight etc etc. the main benefit to me is that once you have a sorted car it'll cost you very little to compete at a competitive level- maximum 3 sets of tyres (£180 or 360/set depending on class), and if you're feeling flush a gearbox refresh (£200) and a top end engine refresh (£400). You can replace all the brake discs and pads for £300. All the vulnerable bodywork is fibreglass- £55 for a rear wing, £30 for a front, £80 for a nose cone... And it's all made out of old every day cars- front upright: triumph spitfire, £89 etc etc.
The main disadvantage is if it rains you get wet, but now I've driven a space frame race car I don't think I'll ever go racing in a tin top.
Lastly the racing is fantastically close- guaranteed. All the way down the grid.
ETA: blatant video plug
http://vimeo.com/21938949
One of the best races I've had, even if I did start 2nd and end 4th...
Edited by HustleRussell on Sunday 9th December 19:07
For what it's worth I'd agree with just about everyone here.
Caterhams are tight. I don't fit (unsurprisingly) without major mods and even then it's not ideal. You should try one first, contact the factory if you can't find one, they will be very helpful I'm sure. The limited running I have had in them confirm the rawness and excitement of the whole experience; it's not far from the single seater feel. The racing is awesome, I wish I fitted.
An E36 M3 would be an ideal weapon for many series, cheap to buy, competitive in almost standard trim and all the bits are off the shelf.
Compact BMW a ludicrously cheap series because the donor cars are less than you think.
In terms of building your own. Do it if you have the time, money, energy and knowledge to do the job properly. Do it if you would end up re-shelling a bought car anyway to get it to the front of the grid because you can't buy a front runner.
Don't do it when you start out, and don't do it unless all the above applies.
Besides, a browse through the listings and you'd find something in no time..
S.
Caterhams are tight. I don't fit (unsurprisingly) without major mods and even then it's not ideal. You should try one first, contact the factory if you can't find one, they will be very helpful I'm sure. The limited running I have had in them confirm the rawness and excitement of the whole experience; it's not far from the single seater feel. The racing is awesome, I wish I fitted.
An E36 M3 would be an ideal weapon for many series, cheap to buy, competitive in almost standard trim and all the bits are off the shelf.
Compact BMW a ludicrously cheap series because the donor cars are less than you think.
In terms of building your own. Do it if you have the time, money, energy and knowledge to do the job properly. Do it if you would end up re-shelling a bought car anyway to get it to the front of the grid because you can't buy a front runner.
Don't do it when you start out, and don't do it unless all the above applies.
Besides, a browse through the listings and you'd find something in no time..
S.
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