E92 M3 - good track car?
Discussion
Hi guys,
It's been a while since I've had an E92, previously only had a 320d.
I'm looking for a toy that will double as a track car, and something a little more practical to do some daily miles than my current cars.
I thought that an E92 M3 DCT would be ideal, but how do these cars do on track?
Are they quite nimble and easy to control? Idea being that I track this in it's standard form, maybe with exhaust and suspension upgrades over time - but not strip out, roll cage etc.
I've never driven on a track before and feel this is probably a better place to start than my other cars, and it will double up as a nice daily too.
I'm thinking about £15-17k also, am I going to get a dog or can good cars be had?
Any advice welcome!
It's been a while since I've had an E92, previously only had a 320d.
I'm looking for a toy that will double as a track car, and something a little more practical to do some daily miles than my current cars.
I thought that an E92 M3 DCT would be ideal, but how do these cars do on track?
Are they quite nimble and easy to control? Idea being that I track this in it's standard form, maybe with exhaust and suspension upgrades over time - but not strip out, roll cage etc.
I've never driven on a track before and feel this is probably a better place to start than my other cars, and it will double up as a nice daily too.
I'm thinking about £15-17k also, am I going to get a dog or can good cars be had?
Any advice welcome!
vinnie83 said:
It's been a while since I've had an E92, previously only had a 320d.
I'm looking for a toy that will double as a track car, and something a little more practical to do some daily miles than my current cars.
I thought that an E92 M3 DCT would be ideal, but how do these cars do on track?
It might have been a saloon, and not the coupe - but Thruxton Circuit ran an E9x M3 as a track day experience car, with Tiff Needell driving. Must have done a few dozen laps each day (mostly sideways) - so I'd say it could take the punishment at least I'm looking for a toy that will double as a track car, and something a little more practical to do some daily miles than my current cars.
I thought that an E92 M3 DCT would be ideal, but how do these cars do on track?
Some examples of his laps with punters on-board on YouTube.That's quite some garage, OP!
I'm a big fan of the e92 M3 - I had two. And they make excellent dailies. But I wouldn't regard it as a nimble track car. I can see why Tiff might excel in one sideways around Thruxton, but it's probably not the best solution for learning clean, tidy lines on track.
I know you'd probably miss the power of your current fleet, but would the Toyota / Subaru GT86 thing be an option?
I'm a big fan of the e92 M3 - I had two. And they make excellent dailies. But I wouldn't regard it as a nimble track car. I can see why Tiff might excel in one sideways around Thruxton, but it's probably not the best solution for learning clean, tidy lines on track.
I know you'd probably miss the power of your current fleet, but would the Toyota / Subaru GT86 thing be an option?
They suffer the same as the E46 M3, too heavy, under spec'd brakes and suspension that needs modifying. That's from experienced track day folk i have spoke to.
If you're only doing a few a year the stock car will be more than sufficient, better pads and fluid, decent tyres and you'll have a hoot!
If you're only doing a few a year the stock car will be more than sufficient, better pads and fluid, decent tyres and you'll have a hoot!
If you have a 997 turbo I’d honestly save the £15k for running that on track
Or get something far more extreme like Caterham or Atom if you want a track car
E92 is a big heavy car I’m sure they’re awesome but I’d say more a good day to day and occasional track car than a 50:50 car.
Even a Cayman / Boxster might be better suited to 50:50 track / road use imo
Or get something far more extreme like Caterham or Atom if you want a track car
E92 is a big heavy car I’m sure they’re awesome but I’d say more a good day to day and occasional track car than a 50:50 car.
Even a Cayman / Boxster might be better suited to 50:50 track / road use imo
I think that the e92 is a great platform to start from for a track car but they do need work.
Lots lapping the Nurburgring these days, albeit many are totally stripped. The engine is great but the whole car is let down a little by its weight.
I’d say a Clubsport type spec with reversible modifications is the answer, so buckets, suspension, tyres and brakes. You’d need to manage the weight but it would be quick.
Lots lapping the Nurburgring these days, albeit many are totally stripped. The engine is great but the whole car is let down a little by its weight.
I’d say a Clubsport type spec with reversible modifications is the answer, so buckets, suspension, tyres and brakes. You’d need to manage the weight but it would be quick.
Would you want to run a nice example on track?
If you do go for one, I'd suggest a lower end, low spec one, you can then spend money on brakes (£3-4k), and some coilovers, some weight reduction and some new seats. That way you've not spend the extra on EDC, CIC sat nav, all the other gubbins people like on these cars.
Brilliant road cars when used as a daily, but they are flawed mainly by weight. People say they are not that heavy but I don't think the engine suits the weight of the car. Standard brakes are fine for road use in my opinion, but people complain. I wouldn't run them on track, no way.
They do handle well standard, loads of lateral grip, chassis can be quite adjustable at speed, but the front end can wash away in a sharper corner where a good hot hatch like a meg RS with an lsd will dig in.
Considering selling mine as my circumstances change and want to run a daily, I don't think the E92 M3 is special enough as a weekend car.
If you do go for one, I'd suggest a lower end, low spec one, you can then spend money on brakes (£3-4k), and some coilovers, some weight reduction and some new seats. That way you've not spend the extra on EDC, CIC sat nav, all the other gubbins people like on these cars.
Brilliant road cars when used as a daily, but they are flawed mainly by weight. People say they are not that heavy but I don't think the engine suits the weight of the car. Standard brakes are fine for road use in my opinion, but people complain. I wouldn't run them on track, no way.
They do handle well standard, loads of lateral grip, chassis can be quite adjustable at speed, but the front end can wash away in a sharper corner where a good hot hatch like a meg RS with an lsd will dig in.
Considering selling mine as my circumstances change and want to run a daily, I don't think the E92 M3 is special enough as a weekend car.
If your wanting something to track Id definately go for something light. Dont get hung up on "power"
A 140bhp ginetta would would probably pass a M3 on track ..
This
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
And an instructor for a day a couple of times and you will have a ball...
Or contact Track67 as he hires his ginetta out when he isnt racing in it...
Failing that something like this -
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
So much fun having to work the car and balance it through the corners with nothing but driver skill.
A 140bhp ginetta would would probably pass a M3 on track ..
This
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
And an instructor for a day a couple of times and you will have a ball...
Or contact Track67 as he hires his ginetta out when he isnt racing in it...
Failing that something like this -
https://www.pistonheads.com/classifieds/used-cars/...
So much fun having to work the car and balance it through the corners with nothing but driver skill.
I think that the e92 is a great platform to start from for a track car but they do need work.
Lots lapping the Nurburgring these days, albeit many are totally stripped. The engine is great but the whole car is let down a little by its weight.
I’d say a Clubsport type spec with reversible modifications is the answer, so buckets, suspension, tyres and brakes. You’d need to manage the weight but it would be quick.
Lots lapping the Nurburgring these days, albeit many are totally stripped. The engine is great but the whole car is let down a little by its weight.
I’d say a Clubsport type spec with reversible modifications is the answer, so buckets, suspension, tyres and brakes. You’d need to manage the weight but it would be quick.
The e92 is a good platform to modify from. The standard brakes are sh*t. For trackwork a BBK is definately needed. My car had EDC but i swapped the whole lot out for adjustable coilovers and it handles much better for it. Mine has apex track wheels with MPSC tyres and it goes pretty quickly.
Recent Donnington outing from June this year is here (apologies for the sound): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlnPfj_rxdQ
A few years back i went to the 'Ring and again did a reasonable time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xquKRL0Ue7A&t=...
spec of the car is full interior, Stoptech front BBK with Pagid RS29 pads. KW Clubsport coilovers and Apex 18" wheels with MPSC tyres.
Great thing about the car is it's just so useable. I can drive to a track on my road wheels and take my track wheels in the back.
Recent Donnington outing from June this year is here (apologies for the sound): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlnPfj_rxdQ
A few years back i went to the 'Ring and again did a reasonable time: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xquKRL0Ue7A&t=...
spec of the car is full interior, Stoptech front BBK with Pagid RS29 pads. KW Clubsport coilovers and Apex 18" wheels with MPSC tyres.
Great thing about the car is it's just so useable. I can drive to a track on my road wheels and take my track wheels in the back.
I have driven most m cars on track. And a few other race cars and exotica.
You can see my M3 on here and a few others them on my YouTube channel
as everyone says the m3 engine is epic. DCT is good. The suspension even with company pack is not great for track and the brakes are acceptable with yellow stuff and good fluid...
For a road car they are great, and a track is the best place to learn how to drive your M3 a little like Tiff.
If you plan to be a track day junky then something more race car like from the star dedicated would be better and cheaper to run..
https://www.youtube.com/user/mbrooksrgb
You can see my M3 on here and a few others them on my YouTube channel
as everyone says the m3 engine is epic. DCT is good. The suspension even with company pack is not great for track and the brakes are acceptable with yellow stuff and good fluid...
For a road car they are great, and a track is the best place to learn how to drive your M3 a little like Tiff.
If you plan to be a track day junky then something more race car like from the star dedicated would be better and cheaper to run..
https://www.youtube.com/user/mbrooksrgb
MikeGoodwin said:
Would you want to run a nice example on track?
If you do go for one, I'd suggest a lower end, low spec one, you can then spend money on brakes (£3-4k), and some coilovers, some weight reduction and some new seats. That way you've not spend the extra on EDC, CIC sat nav, all the other gubbins people like on these cars.
Brilliant road cars when used as a daily, but they are flawed mainly by weight. People say they are not that heavy but I don't think the engine suits the weight of the car. Standard brakes are fine for road use in my opinion, but people complain. I wouldn't run them on track, no way.
They do handle well standard, loads of lateral grip, chassis can be quite adjustable at speed, but the front end can wash away in a sharper corner where a good hot hatch like a meg RS with an lsd will dig in.
Considering selling mine as my circumstances change and want to run a daily, I don't think the E92 M3 is special enough as a weekend car.
If you go for an older one, higher mileage car i'd suggest changing the bearings as preventative maintenance before tracking regularly. Great cars though, the engine a peach and modded they can make a good weekend car imho.If you do go for one, I'd suggest a lower end, low spec one, you can then spend money on brakes (£3-4k), and some coilovers, some weight reduction and some new seats. That way you've not spend the extra on EDC, CIC sat nav, all the other gubbins people like on these cars.
Brilliant road cars when used as a daily, but they are flawed mainly by weight. People say they are not that heavy but I don't think the engine suits the weight of the car. Standard brakes are fine for road use in my opinion, but people complain. I wouldn't run them on track, no way.
They do handle well standard, loads of lateral grip, chassis can be quite adjustable at speed, but the front end can wash away in a sharper corner where a good hot hatch like a meg RS with an lsd will dig in.
Considering selling mine as my circumstances change and want to run a daily, I don't think the E92 M3 is special enough as a weekend car.
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