E36 M3 as track car
Discussion
Hi all - any advice/ tips please on running one of these as track car? I'd still want to use it during week on road, so wouldn't want to go too crazy. More concerned to find out if there are any known issues I should be aware of when buying, as I'm guessing any M3 of that age will have had more than its fair share of thrashings. Or should I be looking at a different 3-series?
TIA
TIA
Great cars. Evos quicker, but if they have Vanos (valve) issues it can be costly. Non Evos probably just as good as a track car, and no Vanos.
However, the one big drawback is the brakes. Bin single pot calipers generate lots of localised heat and the discs warp when in use. I used to get 3 quick laps max out of mine before they started to go. They still work, but you get loads of judder and it's not condusive to a good smooth flowing driving style! If you can stretch to an AP racing brake upgrade, or somehting similar, for about £2k then you will have an excellent track car.
However, the one big drawback is the brakes. Bin single pot calipers generate lots of localised heat and the discs warp when in use. I used to get 3 quick laps max out of mine before they started to go. They still work, but you get loads of judder and it's not condusive to a good smooth flowing driving style! If you can stretch to an AP racing brake upgrade, or somehting similar, for about £2k then you will have an excellent track car.
Great choice, go for it. You'll be able to get a top-notch track machine with your kind of budget. I've just moved up to an E36 M3 from an E36 325i track car. The 325i was great but just lacked power on the straights so I'm expecting good things from the M3. It's an Evo saloon - slightly lighter and stiffer than the coupe (and I prefer the look as it reminds me of the touring car racers!). The car is booked in to be stripped and get the seats and harnesses fitted this week in time for its first track outing on saturday. All suspension and brakes still standard but will see how it goes on saturday before making the decision about what to change next. You're making a good choice!
kusee pee said:
Great choice, go for it. You'll be able to get a top-notch track machine with your kind of budget. I've just moved up to an E36 M3 from an E36 325i track car. The 325i was great but just lacked power on the straights so I'm expecting good things from the M3. It's an Evo saloon - slightly lighter and stiffer than the coupe (and I prefer the look as it reminds me of the touring car racers!). The car is booked in to be stripped and get the seats and harnesses fitted this week in time for its first track outing on saturday. All suspension and brakes still standard but will see how it goes on saturday before making the decision about what to change next. You're making a good choice!
Could we some pics of this before and after etc.? I would really like to see the car and hear your on-track experiences as it's a car i'm considering at the moment.Thanks
I like the choice of saloon over coupe - I agree they look somehow better. Too many memories of watching the saloons at Brands! I didn't realise they were lighter than the coupe though - that surprised me.
Would also be very keen to hear how you get on, and like Matc says - any pics will be great!
Would also be very keen to hear how you get on, and like Matc says - any pics will be great!
With that sort of Budget you will have a fine, fine track car. I would say leave the engine and transmission til last in your mods - they really are very good to start with. I had a lightened flywheel and short shift kit fitted to mine and it didn't really make all that much difference. Mid range pull was slightly better, but only at the expense of a step in the power which you otherwise get at about 4500 revs.
Autocar have been running a project Evo for track use which you may have seen. May be worth checking out some back issues for articles - it seems to end up at the 'Ring about every month!
Have been considering going back to E36 M3 myself recently. Don't quite have your budget, but early non-Evo cars are rediculously good value.
Good luck with it.
Autocar have been running a project Evo for track use which you may have seen. May be worth checking out some back issues for articles - it seems to end up at the 'Ring about every month!
Have been considering going back to E36 M3 myself recently. Don't quite have your budget, but early non-Evo cars are rediculously good value.
Good luck with it.
Thanks for the tip re Autocar - didn't know that, so will def have a look. I know EVO ran an E36 M3 as a track car and were doing various 'Ring trips in that. I think that is what really made me start thinking about the E36. The budget will be phased in, so hoping to get a good car for about £8k - £10k, then do cheap/ free things (like taking seats out etc.) and then use rest of budget over a few months to do brakes/ suspension first, then any engine mods.
That budget also has to cover tuition though! I'm sure I'll still be getting lapped by plenty of people in slower cars for half the money who just know how to drive a lot better!
That budget also has to cover tuition though! I'm sure I'll still be getting lapped by plenty of people in slower cars for half the money who just know how to drive a lot better!
Have a read of this thread which details the building of our E36 325 saloon track car. It's not an M3 but should give you an idea of the work involved in transforming the car.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
For good advice from people who really know their E30's and E36's, get over to http://www.zonemotorsport.co.uk/forum/ It's a BMW specific trackday site, but many of the guys on the site race and really know their onions.
http://pistonheads.co.uk/gassing/topic.asp?h=0&...
For good advice from people who really know their E30's and E36's, get over to http://www.zonemotorsport.co.uk/forum/ It's a BMW specific trackday site, but many of the guys on the site race and really know their onions.
Oh my Lord! What a car - and great thread too - just ideal for someone in my position right now.You're another one making me think a saloon is better than a coupe - just looks much more like the old BTCC of course. Perfect. Very interesting reading. I'll be keeping an eye on this!
Good luck with rest of project as well - very very jealous!
sjm18 said:
, then do cheap/ free things (like taking seats out etc.) and then use rest of budget over a few months to do brakes/ suspension first, then any engine mods.
Get one with a nice condition interior and someone will buy it off you on Ebay for a few 100 quid, if it's not in such great nick then haggle hard on the purchase price (don't let the previous owner know you want to rip it all out anyway!)For every part you rip out, put it on Ebay as someone may want either a replacement for their M3 or an upgrade for their other spec E36.
sjm18 said:
I like the choice of saloon over coupe - I agree they look somehow better. Too many memories of watching the saloons at Brands! I didn't realise they were lighter than the coupe though - that surprised me.
Would also be very keen to hear how you get on, and like Matc says - any pics will be great!
No worries guys, I'll keep you posted. It's very much a gradual project and I'll be tracking it in its various stages before deciding what to change next. Just dropped it off for stripping, seats and harnesses this evening so getting excited!Would also be very keen to hear how you get on, and like Matc says - any pics will be great!
Cavey said:
Ah yes, was Evo, not Autocar. Ahem... (goes to back of class).
Hi Martin, you are a double naughty Cavey at the back of the class, coz Jethros M3 is a 3.0GT not an Evo! Cavey said:
early non-Evo cars are rediculously good value.
Indeedy, after saying I wouldnt I then went & got a nice one myself 
dunno if it will replace my e30 track slag or stay a road car yet tho, e36 obviously a lot more mojo but a lot heavier & bits are mental expensive in comparison. Cavey said:
Great cars. Evos quicker, but if they have Vanos (valve) issues it can be costly. Non Evos probably just as good as a track car, and no Vanos.
However, the one big drawback is the brakes. Bin single pot calipers generate lots of localised heat and the discs warp when in use. I used to get 3 quick laps max out of mine before they started to go. They still work, but you get loads of judder and it's not condusive to a good smooth flowing driving style! If you can stretch to an AP racing brake upgrade, or somehting similar, for about £2k then you will have an excellent track car.
Lots of folks track happily keeping the stock set up tho, swapping to Evo discs ona 3.0 is easy & better for the heat disipation, but decent fluid & pads & cooling ducts is a lot lot lot cheaper than going for APs. However, the one big drawback is the brakes. Bin single pot calipers generate lots of localised heat and the discs warp when in use. I used to get 3 quick laps max out of mine before they started to go. They still work, but you get loads of judder and it's not condusive to a good smooth flowing driving style! If you can stretch to an AP racing brake upgrade, or somehting similar, for about £2k then you will have an excellent track car.
Sjm- thats quite a considerable budget you are thinking of there, with £10 to spend overa very decnt base car could build a mega car for that.
A spec that I think is ideal for track frollics & still roadable is Pooky's (on Northloop & e36 coupe forums) Quite a lot of work & development in his spring rates & suspension & spec wise I'd say this is a good guide on the way to go.
Spec:
Interior -
fully stripped
safety devices 6 point rollcage
4-point harnessess
corbeau pro-series seats
momo wheel and gear lever
180kg weight reduction
Engine -
Dave F induction
Viscous fan delete
Airpump delete
Aircon system delete
3.2 cylinder head conversion
3.2 throttle bodies, injectors, fuel rails and lines
3.2 airbox and trumpets
Chipwizards re-map
323 bhp @ 7700 rpm - 108 bhp / litre
Drivetrain -
Standard 5 speed with royal purple race oil and UUC track mounts
Standard diff with Motul LSD race oil
SPA Oil temp gauge on both
Chassis -
Bilstein PSS9
Individual Eibach front and rear springs
EVO steering rack update
Handmade lower column - rubber coupling removed (no welding...)
Rear EVO bush update
Eibach M3 adjustable ARBs
EVO brakes with Pagid yellow RS-29 pads front and rear
SRF brake fluid
Goodrich hoses
OMP alloy strut brace
Reversed EVO front top mounts - 2.5 deg negative front and rear camber
GT front and rear splitter
Wheels/Tyres -
Team Dynamics Race 1.2s with Kumho V70As (225 front and 245 rear)
You're in the South East so you really should speak to Bexley Motorsport www.bmsport.com (0208 304 9797) in Bexleyheath as these are some of the most knowledgable people in the UK when it comes to these cars for track/race use.
They have plenty of customers in a similar position to yourself and they will be able to advise you on what best suits your needs
They look after my race car and I've been a happy customer for years
They have plenty of customers in a similar position to yourself and they will be able to advise you on what best suits your needs
They look after my race car and I've been a happy customer for years
Edited by houlbt on Sunday 13th January 08:09
Edited by houlbt on Sunday 13th January 22:04
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