BMW's for ice driving?
Discussion
Bit of an unusual subject I think! I'm in the process of setting up a series of ice driving trips in Norway for the coming season, trying to keep prices sensible so avoiding the silly expensive cars to run (it's just as much fun in something cheaper anyway). Naturally RWD is a must, and as a BMW fanboy my thoughts naturally turn to E30's (maybe E36). I guess the main question is whether or not you think the cars are tough enough, and what kind of mods would be sensible (and of course, where do I find cheap 318/320/325's!). Overheating in -10C shouldn't be an issue, but do any of the systems object to such cold use? We may weld the diffs, so LSD not important. We'll probably put rev limiters on them (just a little below standard) as again it's not really important to have huge power, the fun is in balancing the things sliding around constantly.
Any thoughts? Are E30 maybe just a little too 'classic' for the kind of customer abuse they may receive and still be worth something afterwards? Do either of the petrol motors have serious issues which prolonged hard use can reveal? Also, I'd be interested on your thoughts about what type of oil may be appropriate for this kind of use. Our main objective is to keep the cars running to avoid having to share cars too much, so getting mechanically solid cars and keeping it that way is the preference (bodywork not important as long as it's basically solid). Thanks in advance!
Any thoughts? Are E30 maybe just a little too 'classic' for the kind of customer abuse they may receive and still be worth something afterwards? Do either of the petrol motors have serious issues which prolonged hard use can reveal? Also, I'd be interested on your thoughts about what type of oil may be appropriate for this kind of use. Our main objective is to keep the cars running to avoid having to share cars too much, so getting mechanically solid cars and keeping it that way is the preference (bodywork not important as long as it's basically solid). Thanks in advance!
Thought I'd give this a bump for the weekend crew; be good to get some feedback so I know we're going the right way. I've had a look at E39's too, 523's can be had for a very sensible price, offer a bit more power, robustness & modernity whilst having a lovely chassis balance; the extra size isn't an issue on the wide track we'll be using.
Old stuff & cooling is the main issue. Yes you need just as much cooling even in the cold weather, the cars will get hot, they will pop hoses & rads for a pastime unless fresh in the water works dept.
If its rwd & reliable I dont think you can far wrong with Lexus IS200/300's & GS300/430''s the BMW's are very much in trend for the drift guys not many cheap ones about & they are always ropey.
If you need an instructor or two hit me up
If its rwd & reliable I dont think you can far wrong with Lexus IS200/300's & GS300/430''s the BMW's are very much in trend for the drift guys not many cheap ones about & they are always ropey.
If you need an instructor or two hit me up
cptsideways said:
Old stuff & cooling is the main issue. Yes you need just as much cooling even in the cold weather, the cars will get hot, they will pop hoses & rads for a pastime unless fresh in the water works dept.
If its rwd & reliable I dont think you can far wrong with Lexus IS200/300's & GS300/430''s the BMW's are very much in trend for the drift guys not many cheap ones about & they are always ropey.
If you need an instructor or two hit me up
Fair point; for the cost of a few hoses it's worth throwing new stuff at them. Have thought about IS amongst other RWD stuff; thing with BMW's is E39, E36, even E46 fairly cheap to buy, parts are very readily available and 'our' guy who'll be spannering knows them. Very tempted to add a couple of MX5's too, something a bit more lively. My friend & I will be instructing so we're covered there but thanks anyway; but if you fancy a cheapish weekend skidding on a 4km track.... If its rwd & reliable I dont think you can far wrong with Lexus IS200/300's & GS300/430''s the BMW's are very much in trend for the drift guys not many cheap ones about & they are always ropey.
If you need an instructor or two hit me up
Why go with anything that old when the E90 is now available for a couple of grand?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
The E30s and 36s are most likely going to be a little past it and rusty. Even E46s are mostly rusty. If you can get not too rusty E46s with manual boxes they’d be ok. Though still may suffer with cracked floors. Avoid any with an engine code starting with N.
Whatever you buy will need lots of work to make it reliable. I’d put a new water pump and exp tank and rad in any E46 for example.
Whatever you buy will need lots of work to make it reliable. I’d put a new water pump and exp tank and rad in any E46 for example.
Lowtimer said:
Why go with anything that old when the E90 is now available for a couple of grand?
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
No need for something that new, with the added complexity and higher repair costs it'll bring. It's going to be bashed into snow banks anyway! We're going in line with what the locals use for their winter fun, E30/36/46/39 all popular, our guy knows how to prep & fix, parts are cheap and available. Ideally looking to keep car purchase <£1k so there's a bit in the kitty for prep, and there's plenty BMW's in that range - as well as MX5's for that matter.https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
helix402 said:
The E30s and 36s are most likely going to be a little past it and rusty. Even E46s are mostly rusty. If you can get not too rusty E46s with manual boxes they’d be ok. Though still may suffer with cracked floors. Avoid any with an engine code starting with N.
Whatever you buy will need lots of work to make it reliable. I’d put a new water pump and exp tank and rad in any E46 for example.
As long as they are mechanically sound, cosmetics are a non issue really. Rusted through floorpan obviously out, but typical e46 wheelarches? No problem. I have 2 myself so well aware of floorpan, 320's should be too much of a problem (but I know it can happen to all of them!). N engine codes are Nickasil, right? The later 6 pots?Whatever you buy will need lots of work to make it reliable. I’d put a new water pump and exp tank and rad in any E46 for example.
Good shout on pumps & rads. Our prep list will likely be at least:
strip interiors (although we'll keep one 4 door fully seated for demo/instruction rides)
new hoses
water pump, depending on mileage
new rads (they are cheap)
brakes checked as necessary
engine service
winter tyres, some with full rally studs
possible change steering wheels
I run a 325ti Compact as a daily and think it is great (there is a whole thread dedicated to them, so I'm not alone)!
I'd have thought a straight 6 petrol E46 would work well for what you have in mind.
The bonus with the Compact is it doesn't seem to suffer with rust like other E46s for some reason, and they tend to be cheaper than other body styles.
There was a leggy one that had been caged for track days on AutoTrader recently for just under £1,000!
Let us know how you get on!
I'd have thought a straight 6 petrol E46 would work well for what you have in mind.
The bonus with the Compact is it doesn't seem to suffer with rust like other E46s for some reason, and they tend to be cheaper than other body styles.
There was a leggy one that had been caged for track days on AutoTrader recently for just under £1,000!
Let us know how you get on!
Mr Tidy said:
I run a 325ti Compact as a daily and think it is great (there is a whole thread dedicated to them, so I'm not alone)!
I'd have thought a straight 6 petrol E46 would work well for what you have in mind.
The bonus with the Compact is it doesn't seem to suffer with rust like other E46s for some reason, and they tend to be cheaper than other body styles.
There was a leggy one that had been caged for track days on AutoTrader recently for just under £1,000!
Let us know how you get on!
£1000 already prepped? I'll have it! I'd have thought a straight 6 petrol E46 would work well for what you have in mind.
The bonus with the Compact is it doesn't seem to suffer with rust like other E46s for some reason, and they tend to be cheaper than other body styles.
There was a leggy one that had been caged for track days on AutoTrader recently for just under £1,000!
Let us know how you get on!
Not ruling anything out, as long as it runs well it's in. Quite fancy having a selection for people to sample - E39 will handle different to a compact, as would an MX5Gassing Station | BMW General | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff