Something better than my 120i for less than £5k
Discussion
Hi guys,
This is my first post in PH, but I've been reading you for a really long time now. You've got a great lovely forum!
Getting to the point, some time ago my 120i was written off, and I transformed it into a track only car. I really love the way the car handles (and is not just me, every single person on the passenger seat is really surprised about the good handle and how solid it feels) however, with just 170bhp it is a bit underpowered, to be fully enjoyed.
At this point I think I need something more powerful, but I still want to keep the the small 1 series handling. My budget is around £5k, and despite all the powerful cars I could buy with that money, I'm not convinced if any of them is going to behave any better on the track.
At this point, the obvious choice would be the 130i, but there's very few under 5k.
I've also considered the Z4 3.0, but it's exactly the same situation, only the very first M54 engined (228bhp) are on budget.
A good friend of mine has a track only e46 330i and he insists it is a great track car, but I'm not sure that the increase in power is going to be any noticeable due to the increase in weight.
Other option would be the Nissan 350Z 3.5, I love the way it looks and sounds, and I'm sure those 300 horses with a good diet would give me tons of fun out of the corners. But is it going to behave any good anywhere else on the track?
I've been a passenger on the famous Mini R53 and it feels like a great car, but I don't think it's going to be any better than my current car.
I'm completely lost now, every single day I think I've found the perfect car for me, and the next day doesn't look like a great idea...
Could you please give me any advice?
Thank you very much!
This is my first post in PH, but I've been reading you for a really long time now. You've got a great lovely forum!
Getting to the point, some time ago my 120i was written off, and I transformed it into a track only car. I really love the way the car handles (and is not just me, every single person on the passenger seat is really surprised about the good handle and how solid it feels) however, with just 170bhp it is a bit underpowered, to be fully enjoyed.
At this point I think I need something more powerful, but I still want to keep the the small 1 series handling. My budget is around £5k, and despite all the powerful cars I could buy with that money, I'm not convinced if any of them is going to behave any better on the track.
At this point, the obvious choice would be the 130i, but there's very few under 5k.
I've also considered the Z4 3.0, but it's exactly the same situation, only the very first M54 engined (228bhp) are on budget.
A good friend of mine has a track only e46 330i and he insists it is a great track car, but I'm not sure that the increase in power is going to be any noticeable due to the increase in weight.
Other option would be the Nissan 350Z 3.5, I love the way it looks and sounds, and I'm sure those 300 horses with a good diet would give me tons of fun out of the corners. But is it going to behave any good anywhere else on the track?
I've been a passenger on the famous Mini R53 and it feels like a great car, but I don't think it's going to be any better than my current car.
I'm completely lost now, every single day I think I've found the perfect car for me, and the next day doesn't look like a great idea...
Could you please give me any advice?
Thank you very much!
130i is the correct answer.
Can be had from as little as £4K.
Save up for an after market lsd
Transfer good bits from your current 1 series.
Or buy a cheap Rx8 with a strong engine prices are low but makes a good budget track car and surprisingly quick round a track.
3 series needs a lot doing to make it much good on track - suspension brakes then weight loss.
Can be had from as little as £4K.
Save up for an after market lsd
Transfer good bits from your current 1 series.
Or buy a cheap Rx8 with a strong engine prices are low but makes a good budget track car and surprisingly quick round a track.
3 series needs a lot doing to make it much good on track - suspension brakes then weight loss.
In that case it sounds like you are the only person to have made a dedicated track car with a standard power output, and perhaps that is your answer.
Stick with what you know and make it better.
A quick googling implies around £1k will see you with 220+ bhp.
Exhaust/intake/remap and you have the car you always wanted.
ETA.
for example, I got 238 out of my e36 328 which had 193 as standard with just those mods above.
Stick with what you know and make it better.
A quick googling implies around £1k will see you with 220+ bhp.
Exhaust/intake/remap and you have the car you always wanted.
ETA.
for example, I got 238 out of my e36 328 which had 193 as standard with just those mods above.
Edited by E-bmw on Saturday 21st July 19:45
Hi guys,
Thank you all for your answers, they are really helpful.
Regarding the Rx-8, the power output is lower than the 130i and I'm not confident about its reliability
Any opinion about the 350Z?? it looks like the best value bhp for money
Thank you very much!
Thank you all for your answers, they are really helpful.
rallycross said:
130i is the correct answer.
Can be had from as little as £4K.
Save up for an after market lsd
Transfer good bits from your current 1 series.
Or buy a cheap Rx8 with a strong engine prices are low but makes a good budget track car and surprisingly quick round a track.
3 series needs a lot doing to make it much good on track - suspension brakes then weight loss.
Yes, as I said, it is my first option, but there are not so many for that price, probably only the bad units. I just wanted to know if there is a better alternative.Can be had from as little as £4K.
Save up for an after market lsd
Transfer good bits from your current 1 series.
Or buy a cheap Rx8 with a strong engine prices are low but makes a good budget track car and surprisingly quick round a track.
3 series needs a lot doing to make it much good on track - suspension brakes then weight loss.
Regarding the Rx-8, the power output is lower than the 130i and I'm not confident about its reliability
E-bmw said:
In that case it sounds like you are the only person to have made a dedicated track car with a standard power output, and perhaps that is your answer.
Stick with what you know and make it better.
A quick googling implies around £1k will see you with 220+ bhp.
Exhaust/intake/remap and you have the car you always wanted.
ETA.
for example, I got 238 out of my e36 328 which had 193 as standard with just those mods above.
Probably the 328 engine it's much more tunable than the 120i N43. If you look at the aftermarket parts, all of them are for the 6 cylinder engine. I don't think the power increase is going to worth the money I will have to spend.Stick with what you know and make it better.
A quick googling implies around £1k will see you with 220+ bhp.
Exhaust/intake/remap and you have the car you always wanted.
ETA.
for example, I got 238 out of my e36 328 which had 193 as standard with just those mods above.
Edited by E-bmw on Saturday 21st July 19:45
Test driver said:
Honda S2000 is worth considering and within budget, very strong mechanically.
It's something I'd never considered, but looking at onboard videos, wow! that looks fast and nimble! I'm adding it to the list. I will test drive that thing for sure, thank you!Berkshire bred said:
If you like the car that you have and it is track only surely the answer is big turbo or supercharger, more power in the car you already like.
Well, I have a friend with a turbocharged mx-5, and in my opinion, turbocharging it's the best way to ruin your track day. As it is impossible to have a single trouble-free track session.foggy said:
Is swapping a 30i engine into your current shell not an option?
Yes, that was the first option, but my car is 4 cylinder and the 30i is a 6 cylinder, that means purchasing a wiring loom along with the engine. At the end of the day, it's much more expensive that just swapping the car.Any opinion about the 350Z?? it looks like the best value bhp for money
Thank you very much!
having come from an s2000 in the past, it's a very capable car on track.
i would say the usual brake upgrades first, then a rear wing. i found mine to be a bit light in the faster sweeping corners and did need some downforce on the rear.
They come with torsen LSD and fully adjustable suspension from factory so it's a good base to work with for the future.
i would say the usual brake upgrades first, then a rear wing. i found mine to be a bit light in the faster sweeping corners and did need some downforce on the rear.
They come with torsen LSD and fully adjustable suspension from factory so it's a good base to work with for the future.
Hi Guys,
Thank you very much for your answers.
At this moment, I feel like the 130i and the 350Z are the only two realistic options for me.
Owning a 120i already, I know how the 130i is going to be a fantastic tool on the track. But the 350Z still appeals me more than the BMW.
Bearing in mind I'm planning for a full stripped interior and lightweight work on the final car, plus a couple of modifications on the brakes and new suspension... Which one do you think is going to be a better track car?
I've seen some on boards on youtube, and looks like a fantastic car for track use, and I would not like to completely rule it out.
If I go and take a look at one of those sub-5k examples, what would be the things to pay attention at?
Thank you very much for your answers.
At this moment, I feel like the 130i and the 350Z are the only two realistic options for me.
Owning a 120i already, I know how the 130i is going to be a fantastic tool on the track. But the 350Z still appeals me more than the BMW.
Bearing in mind I'm planning for a full stripped interior and lightweight work on the final car, plus a couple of modifications on the brakes and new suspension... Which one do you think is going to be a better track car?
rallycross said:
Prices have moved up on S2000 and is no longer a £5k option for anything decent
Well, there are a couple of them advertised for a bit less than £5k.I've seen some on boards on youtube, and looks like a fantastic car for track use, and I would not like to completely rule it out.
If I go and take a look at one of those sub-5k examples, what would be the things to pay attention at?
mmm-five said:
Can you supercharge it?
Unfortunately, I don't think that's an option. Either because the lack of turbocharging kits for the N43B20A and because of the dramatic loss in reliability.350z is a great car and can be picked up for 3k
I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
My wife has a 1 series and the handling is pants compared to the 350z... can not compare the 2 cars
I will be at Brands on the 28th Aug for the evening, I am more than happy to take you round the track for you to get a feel for the car if you like.
I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
My wife has a 1 series and the handling is pants compared to the 350z... can not compare the 2 cars
I will be at Brands on the 28th Aug for the evening, I am more than happy to take you round the track for you to get a feel for the car if you like.
Edited by Welsh_Meat on Monday 23 July 10:15
Welsh_Meat said:
350z is a great car and can be picked up for 3k
I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
Thanks for the information, mate!I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
What's the difference between UK spec and imported for the 350Z?
Bose system, fancy seats... I don't really worry about those, as I will remove eventually. Brembo calipers and LSD, are at the top of my list, though.
I already have a bucket seat with harnesses on my 120i, which I will put into whatever I buy.
osdecar said:
Welsh_Meat said:
350z is a great car and can be picked up for 3k
I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
Thanks for the information, mate!I use a 350z GT (UK Spec) for track and it is lovely to drive... rewarding and well balanced
Comes will all the toys, brembos, heated leather seats, bose audio etc etc
The seats are really heavy so depending what you plan to do with the car i would suggest changing them for buckets
What's the difference between UK spec and imported for the 350Z?
Bose system, fancy seats... I don't really worry about those, as I will remove eventually. Brembo calipers and LSD, are at the top of my list, though.
I already have a bucket seat with harnesses on my 120i, which I will put into whatever I buy.
I will be at Brands on the 28th Aug for the evening, I am more than happy to take you round the track for you to get a feel for the car if you like.
mmm-five said:
Can you supercharge it?
osdecar said:
Unfortunately, I don't think that's an option. Either because the lack of turbocharging kits for the N43B20A and because of the dramatic loss in reliability.
Supercharge, not turbocharge.Much more reliable, and much simpler to fit - assuming there's a kit available for that engine.
Welsh_Meat said:
The GT UK Spec model comes with brembos and lsd as standard... the jap imports do not.
I will be at Brands on the 28th Aug for the evening, I am more than happy to take you round the track for you to get a feel for the car if you like.
Thank you very much for the offer mate. However, I will be on holidays in that period.I will be at Brands on the 28th Aug for the evening, I am more than happy to take you round the track for you to get a feel for the car if you like.
Enjoy the session!
If RWD, I think 330i / Z4 / 130i. Lots and lots of aftermarket parts available when you want to go track focused.
The 350Z is a good shout, but quite heavy.
Have you considered FWD? You could get a Megane R26 for the same money and that would like be faster than the above on the same track, although not as fun. But again loads of aftermarket support.
The 350Z is a good shout, but quite heavy.
Have you considered FWD? You could get a Megane R26 for the same money and that would like be faster than the above on the same track, although not as fun. But again loads of aftermarket support.
Jakg said:
If RWD, I think 330i / Z4 / 130i. Lots and lots of aftermarket parts available when you want to go track focused.
The 350Z is a good shout, but quite heavy.
Have you considered FWD? You could get a Megane R26 for the same money and that would like be faster than the above on the same track, although not as fun. But again loads of aftermarket support.
330i is a good option, but is almost as heavy as the 350Z (1400kg vs 1540kg) while 70bhp down on power.The 350Z is a good shout, but quite heavy.
Have you considered FWD? You could get a Megane R26 for the same money and that would like be faster than the above on the same track, although not as fun. But again loads of aftermarket support.
I know that everyone says FWD can be great fun cars, but I don't think they are my cup of tea after having had some laps as a passenger.
I have a 120i, but haven't taken it out on track because I also have an MR2 Roadster, which I use on track.
It is down on power, but much more involving to drive and accelerates faster due to weighing a lot less.
Most of the cars you have listed are quite heavy cars, why not look at sports cars? You could get a good MR2 or mk3 MX-5 for less than £5k or even a Boxster if you want more power.
It is down on power, but much more involving to drive and accelerates faster due to weighing a lot less.
Most of the cars you have listed are quite heavy cars, why not look at sports cars? You could get a good MR2 or mk3 MX-5 for less than £5k or even a Boxster if you want more power.
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