track car/daily... what are the options?

[Justinas]

Feirny said:

At that budget I couldn't really look past a Megane R26. Recaros, 4 Pots, 230bhp and an LSD as standard. Simple remap sees 260bhp and some decent tyres and it's the ideal car for your situation.

100%

[W211]

Like the sound of the R26.

I admit ive never driven a Renaultsport car of any kind... but i constantly hear very good things about them.

What is it that marks them out as special?... and which ones are the real gems (putting my budget to one side for a second)?... there's quite a confusing array of them...

[anonymous-user]

They're pretty much track-ready out of the box, readily available and later on in their life were regarded as the best in their class to drive.

I'd specifically look for an R26 if you can get one - should be easily available at your budget and the LSD makes a big difference.

https://www.evo.co.uk/renault/megane/6185/renault-...

[Ahbefive]

A couple of friends and I have been enjoying ours this year.

[braddo]

HustleRussell said:

Good RX8 + big fund for engine rebuild / ignition / exhaust work?

Cool suicide doors & torsen diff as standard?

I would definitely give one of these a go.

[braddo]

A RX8 used for trackdays etc in the classifieds which had an engine rebuild a few years ago. £2k. Amazing value.

https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...

[Justinas]

Ahbefive said:

A couple of friends and I have been enjoying ours this year.

Nice. What issues have you guys had this year so far?

[Ahbefive]

Well, the silver one was bought early thiis year and already had a forged engine and hybrid turbo and is running around 330bhp, fully stripped, carbon bonnet, plastic windows, gaz shocks, full roll cage, Hankook slick tyres etc. It's had no problems at all yet and is now a dedicated track car on a trailer. It is quite a beast.

The black one is just being prepped for next year using parts that were on the silver one.

Mine is the yellow one which I bought last year and has done maybe 15 track days and 2 Nurburgring trips since then. Other ther than a few upgrades (Reyland brakes, stage 1 remap, cooksport springs, cup 2 tyres etc) it was totally reliable until I just got a bill for a new pair of rear calipers that seized up, track rod ends (surprisingly expensive from Renault and inner steering arms).

They are rugged little cars but Renault parts can be a bit pricey.

[Sf_Manta]

You could probably get a decent 3 series for that money, either a early E90 or a very late E46 in decent condition.



My well documented 330i Manual Touring is proof that with the right choice of mods, can be a seriously fun track weapon. Managed a 9.42 BTG back in Sept this year.

[daniel-5zjw7]

Another vote for a 325ti sport here, biased perhaps as that's what I have but I had similar wants to you at a much lower budget and so far its been perfect, I've not done a track day in it yet as slowly getting it to a level of preparation I'm happy with, but I know it's going to be good enough and has been excellent as a commuter/school run/family car and an enjoyable steer when I'm on my own and the circumstances allows, it's seen plenty of upgrades now but still owes me less than your budget.

Isofix, solid/safe (most will have had new driver/passenger airbags due to a recall which is a bonus!), RWD, hatchback, sound great, good driving position, reliable, good spec and plenty of refinement for day to day. Also easy to work on with sensible parts prices and a million upgrade options, given the popularity of the e46 there is usually plenty of used bits like uprated suspension available most of the time, so building a car to the spec you want with good quality parts is doable without breaking the bank.

For your needs I'd be wary about spending close to your max budget, to make this work you need to make whatever car you get as bombproof as possible, and likely any cheap road car you buy will need some prep to get it up to standard and reduce the risk of it letting you down under the pressures of spirited driving or trackdays, so I'd keep a good chunk of money back for this.

Certainly a Clio 172/182/197 may also fit the bill, but isn't quite as good an all rounder imo.

[QBee]

It comes down to you in the end - what speed and handling limitations you will be happy with, and how much compromise of its road use.
I am presently tracking my road going TVR (you mentioned you had been there) and cannot imagine enjoying track days in a lower powered/tonne car.
But my driving is extremely average. if you are a good driver, you will enjoy the challenge of seeing how much speed you can carry in a car with half the power of a TVR, but that handles. The Renault solutions mentioned above would be my choice, probably the Megane.

[1781cc]

I track my TT and its a very quick car now but its had a lot of time and money spent on it, I agree with other posters that its heavy and complicated as stock, its only a good track car if you are prepared to gut it, change all the suspension, change all the brakes, some single mass flywheel, mess around with the aero, tweak loads of bits in the engine and gearbox.

I think your best bet would be a BMW of some sort, its finding that balance between the weight of a big engine compared to power output, sometimes a modest engine can be better if the balance is right, but any car can be made to go quick with enough time and effort spent on it. I saw a Skoda Yeti on track about 18 months ago wiping the floor with everything out there, including serious Porsches and Caterhams

[scottos]

130i for your needs, literally perfect for it.

Could go e46 330ci or compact 325i for less money so you can upgrade bits bit my e46 was a mare for rust, id be opting for 130i.

[DrewRX8]

+1 for the RX8. Bought mine two years ago for £1800. Ten track days in and I’m on third set of tyres/pads and second set of discs. And a LOT of fuel.
Nice to drive to and from the track, great handling once on it. Not the fastest accelerating thing in the world so prefers longer/faster tracks.
Very safe intro to rear wheel drive if you leave the TC on (which I do - doesn’t appear to be faster without).
The kids love it and they have plenty of space in the back.
Cheers
Drew

[Xcore]

Ep3 type r or Clio for mechanical simplicity

[QBee]

DrewRX8 said:

+1 for the RX8. Bought mine two years ago for £1800. Ten track days in and I’m on third set of tyres/pads and second set of discs. And a LOT of fuel.
Nice to drive to and from the track, great handling once on it. Not the fastest accelerating thing in the world so prefers longer/faster tracks.
Very safe intro to rear wheel drive if you leave the TC on (which I do - doesn’t appear to be faster without).
The kids love it and they have plenty of space in the back.
Cheers
Drew

I have passengered around Mallory Park in an RX8 on standard road tyres and was amazed by the speed it carried around Gerrards - I was fully expecting to be on the grass at any second, but it stuck to the track remarkably well.

[C70R]

Sf_Manta said:

330i Manual Touring ... track weapon ... 9.42 BTG

I think we're stretching the definition of "track weapon" a little bit here.
The Megane R26 could comfortably knock 1min off that time with moderate commitment/talent.

[Ahbefive]

C70R said:

Sf_Manta said:

330i Manual Touring ... track weapon ... 9.42 BTG

I think we're stretching the definition of "track weapon" a little bit here.
The Megane R26 could comfortably knock 1min off that time with moderate commitment/talent.

Indeed I have done a 9min flat lap in my R26 and I don't know the track that well. It took some commitment.

https://youtu.be/qtYAAWTC6Ok

I'm sure if anyone watches it I will get slated for my driving and the uncouth language from my passenger but oh well....

Edited by Ahbefive on Thursday 29th November 18:55

[iguana]

C70R said:

Sf_Manta said:

330i Manual Touring ... track weapon ... 9.42 BTG

I think we're stretching the definition of "track weapon" a little bit here.
The Megane R26 could comfortably knock 1min off that time with moderate commitment/talent.

Yeh that is a failry hopeless time, I assume it'd his first visit & couple of laps or something, even an 8.40 in that isn't particularly quick, the R26 & the BMW are both low 8's cars with a tad of talent, the R26 is a sub 8'er pretty easy too with some experience.

[Ahbefive]

iguana said:

the R26 is a sub 8'er pretty easy too with some experience.

It certainly isn't as standard. No chance.