E36 M3 for trackday car

[nickythesaint]

Hi All,

Have read in numerous places how adept the e36 chassis is for track work, lots of parts around and lots of places to do work on them.

Obviously being a track car I don't want to spend fortunes in case a bin it on the first trip out but looking around hard not to find any examples which don't have high miles.

I'm not that familiar with e36's, what is high miles?

For example, I found one which is totally standard, full s/h looks like the owner has looked after it. Got just under 100k miles. Listed for £3,800.

Is an M3 engine going to appreciate being raged to the edge of its life on a track with that kind of miles?

Apprecaite opinions?

Cheers,

NTS

[rex]

I have an M3 track car with 140,000 miles on it with no engine mods and has done about 2500 miles on the track in the last 2 years with no issues apart from minor oil leak. Just regular oil changes and servicing.

Great balance and does not bite if mistakes are made.

[nickythesaint]

Awesome, thanks Rex.

[dan5oclocksmith]

They can take the miles as long as you change the oil frequently - my track car had 136k when I sold it, which included a lot of ragging round tracks.

The E36 needs work to be a decent track companion, though. Try to find one that has already had the brakes and suspension sorted if possible, as it'll be cheaper than doing it yourself.

ETA - not clear if you're looking at 3.0 or 3.2. If 3.0, be aware of the Grp.N restrictor valve that's pretty much essential for reliable track work. The 3.2 doesn't suffer the same.

[rtv]

I was just going to suggest he found you and asked your advice Dan!

r-t-v

[isleofthorns]

My 3.0l had 140k before being stripped for the track..... I had new bearing shells fitted (and run-in) as this is likely to be weakest link in a high-mile s50 engine being used for track use.
Have done a few track days since and all well so far... Link to a recent outing

http://m.youtube.com/index?desktop_uri=%2F&gl=...

As others have mentioned, regular oil changes will help. I tend to fill slightly over the top line.
Some engines seem to have need a oil catch tank etc... Mine doesn't but others I know do.... Not sure why....

[dan5oclocksmith]

The design of the head of the 3.0 and the single pickup means it suffers from surge and starvation. The Grp.N restrictor valve is the most important mod, and then fitting the dual pickup Evo sump is an option after that.

I've seen a number of 3.0 lumps grenade due to this. You'll spot a number that let go on no5 cylinder, too.

[ortontom]

i ran an evo m3 over 20k (e36) and 107k miles - 10 track days - works a treat, brake pad upgrade though - as all bmw its not the best brake set up....