E36 M3 - First track car ? Advice welcomed !
Discussion
Hi all,
Have been getting more into track days and now starting to think about buying a dedicated road legal track car rather than beat up my car with more regular track use.
I have two on my short list and am edging towards the first as it's much more affordable (at least purchase price, but would welcome thoughts on likely running expenses):
- BMW E36 M3 (minters seem to go for £6k ?)
- Porsche 968 Club Sport (much more money, £15k ?)
What are your thoughts guys ? I would be buying with a mate and we would share. We are both pretty inexperienced but looking for a car that has predicatable handling, rear wheel drive and enough power to be fun. We'd be using it to drive to track days and reliability is also very important.
The BMW seems like a good place to start and we could always step things up if (when?) we get the bug.
If I go down this route what are the common problems with the E36 M3 and am I better buying a car that's already had some track use and the usual light track modifications ?
Would welcome your thoughts !
Stuart
Have been getting more into track days and now starting to think about buying a dedicated road legal track car rather than beat up my car with more regular track use.
I have two on my short list and am edging towards the first as it's much more affordable (at least purchase price, but would welcome thoughts on likely running expenses):
- BMW E36 M3 (minters seem to go for £6k ?)
- Porsche 968 Club Sport (much more money, £15k ?)
What are your thoughts guys ? I would be buying with a mate and we would share. We are both pretty inexperienced but looking for a car that has predicatable handling, rear wheel drive and enough power to be fun. We'd be using it to drive to track days and reliability is also very important.
The BMW seems like a good place to start and we could always step things up if (when?) we get the bug.
If I go down this route what are the common problems with the E36 M3 and am I better buying a car that's already had some track use and the usual light track modifications ?
Would welcome your thoughts !
Stuart
Great tracks cars. Take a look here.
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=661008
Unfortunately the new owner crashed it at the 'ring this month on his second lap. Car is no longer
http://pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.asp?t=661008
Unfortunately the new owner crashed it at the 'ring this month on his second lap. Car is no longer
You specify "dedicated track car", are you going to trailer it or drive to track days?
I have a semi dedicated track car, a Caterham. Use it for evening blasts occassionally as well. I trailer it there, parts / running costs etc are VERY cheap, and whilst I am no Lewis Hamilton, the car is a hell of a lot of fun, and goes past 80% of track traffic (and is about 20% of the cost of some of them).
I think an M3 would make a great track car, but I do think you will need far deeper pockets long term (run & maintain, as well as depreciation) than you would in a lightweight track special like a Caterham.
The Caterham is a pain if it pisses down (no windscreen, doors, roof etc), but is a hoot if it is wet or damp. Equally I had a tin top track car prior to this, and sitting in the paddock queue at Brands or Goodwood could see you cooking inside it!
I have a semi dedicated track car, a Caterham. Use it for evening blasts occassionally as well. I trailer it there, parts / running costs etc are VERY cheap, and whilst I am no Lewis Hamilton, the car is a hell of a lot of fun, and goes past 80% of track traffic (and is about 20% of the cost of some of them).
I think an M3 would make a great track car, but I do think you will need far deeper pockets long term (run & maintain, as well as depreciation) than you would in a lightweight track special like a Caterham.
The Caterham is a pain if it pisses down (no windscreen, doors, roof etc), but is a hoot if it is wet or damp. Equally I had a tin top track car prior to this, and sitting in the paddock queue at Brands or Goodwood could see you cooking inside it!
Hi Graeme,
I've driven Caterhams and think they're absolutely great fun. I definitely want something road legal as the prospect of a trailer means that logistically the whole exercise of getting to track days becomes more cumbersome, and I am therefore likely to do less.
Definitely note your point about expense though.
I've driven Caterhams and think they're absolutely great fun. I definitely want something road legal as the prospect of a trailer means that logistically the whole exercise of getting to track days becomes more cumbersome, and I am therefore likely to do less.
Definitely note your point about expense though.
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