Budget Track Car: BMW M3
Discussion
I used to have a BMW 318is that I modified for track use. Due to house renovation, first child etc. I sold that about 18 months ago.
Then I went on a corporate track day and the guy lent me his Marcos to drive. That was it, I was hooked again so came home and started the hunt for a 328i Sport. Put in an offer ona fairly well sorted one but turned down so the search continued. Ended up with this (excuse the crap photos they are from the ad):
It has full electric Lotus White Leather which was a nice touch.
Took a punt and bought it unseen on Ebay and then booked it into my local specialist for a check with fingers firmly crossed. The report came back that it's a good 'un. So promptly booked a track day. Completely screwed the brakes but the car went well.
So then the work started:
Fitted EBC yellow stuff pads (until I can afford RS29's) all round with EBC disks.
Brake fluid changes to 5.1.
Oil + filter change
Z3M short shift fitted.
Then it started making the most horrendous noise. Thought the vanos was f
ked. Cut a long story short did another track day anyway at Combe where it was sounding awful but kept going (what is the worst that could happen). No video footage from me but look at the following video on youtube:
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j4LlQ5fVqCs
At around 1:28 a BMW appears. That was me. Anyway booked the car to the local specialist to be repaired but on a casual drive smoke started coming out the bonnet. Turns out to be the air con belt which I removed and the noise went as well. Was the clutch in the air con pump. RESULT!!
I then started work refurbing the alloys myself. Not going to be perfect but would rather spend the money on mods. This is ongoing.
Then some upgrades were called for. Fitted were:
Powerflex RTA bushes
Koni coilovers, E46 topmounts with Z3 reinforcement plates
X-brace
Braided brake hoses
Removal of air con pump and recirculation pump.
Odds and sods like exhaust brackets fitted.
DaveF induction kit bought and fitted. Hope to get the 4WA done tomorrow then on the hunt for some new seats and wheels. Haven't really had a chance to drive it since all the work has been done but hopefully will soon.
Here are a few pics of the stance now:
Then it was time to loose some weight:
Also fitted a new battery clamp as the old one was missing.
Since then all of the seats and doorcards have been removed and tonight I pick up some Corbeau Targa Sports. I also removed the air con condensor. Next track day booked for Colerne on the 6th August.
This is very much fun on a budget so upgrades are done as and when.
Then I went on a corporate track day and the guy lent me his Marcos to drive. That was it, I was hooked again so came home and started the hunt for a 328i Sport. Put in an offer ona fairly well sorted one but turned down so the search continued. Ended up with this (excuse the crap photos they are from the ad):
It has full electric Lotus White Leather which was a nice touch.
Took a punt and bought it unseen on Ebay and then booked it into my local specialist for a check with fingers firmly crossed. The report came back that it's a good 'un. So promptly booked a track day. Completely screwed the brakes but the car went well.
So then the work started:
Fitted EBC yellow stuff pads (until I can afford RS29's) all round with EBC disks.
Brake fluid changes to 5.1.
Oil + filter change
Z3M short shift fitted.
Then it started making the most horrendous noise. Thought the vanos was f
ked. Cut a long story short did another track day anyway at Combe where it was sounding awful but kept going (what is the worst that could happen). No video footage from me but look at the following video on youtube:http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=j4LlQ5fVqCs
At around 1:28 a BMW appears. That was me. Anyway booked the car to the local specialist to be repaired but on a casual drive smoke started coming out the bonnet. Turns out to be the air con belt which I removed and the noise went as well. Was the clutch in the air con pump. RESULT!!
I then started work refurbing the alloys myself. Not going to be perfect but would rather spend the money on mods. This is ongoing.
Then some upgrades were called for. Fitted were:
Powerflex RTA bushes
Koni coilovers, E46 topmounts with Z3 reinforcement plates
X-brace
Braided brake hoses
Removal of air con pump and recirculation pump.
Odds and sods like exhaust brackets fitted.
DaveF induction kit bought and fitted. Hope to get the 4WA done tomorrow then on the hunt for some new seats and wheels. Haven't really had a chance to drive it since all the work has been done but hopefully will soon.
Here are a few pics of the stance now:
Then it was time to loose some weight:
Also fitted a new battery clamp as the old one was missing.
Since then all of the seats and doorcards have been removed and tonight I pick up some Corbeau Targa Sports. I also removed the air con condensor. Next track day booked for Colerne on the 6th August.
This is very much fun on a budget so upgrades are done as and when.
Edited by chaosss on Tuesday 29th July 16:32
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