Xsara VTS track car - Would it work

[(steven)]

My quest for a decent E36 for tracking seems not to be working out. A couple of cheap Xsara VTR coupe's are for sale just round the corner. Would these do as a track day car? Obviously not as fast as the VTS but they will do 9.4 0-60 stock which is getting close to the pace. With a bit of brake, suspension & weight loss work, it looks as though it would be a laugh.

Have I missed the point

Edited by (steven) on Friday 1st February 16:30

[900T-R]

The 16V ZX, of which the Xsara VTS is basically a rebodied version, was a bit of a hooligan offering the kind of lift-off oversteer that 205 GTIs became famous for - only scarier. So from that POV I think it might just work.

Edited by 900T-R on Friday 1st February 12:41

[DanH]

Whats wrong with the e36? There are hundreds around and lots of parts + knowledge around racing them.

[900T-R]

DanH said:

Whats wrong with the e36?

Getting a decent one (i.e. one that hasn't been passed from one council estate to another over the best part of a decade) on a budget?

[(steven)]

http://search.autotrader.co.uk/es-uk/www/cars/BMW+3+SERIES/Ne-2-4-5-6-7-8-27-44-49-53-61-64-67-103-133-146,N-29-50-62-4294967201-4294967202/search.action?&sort=p_VehiclePrice&postcode=NG1+1ES&radius=30&showMoreOptions=&page=1 

Nottingham is a dead zone for cheap good condition e36's. If you trawl through the scrap yards worth of 316/318 you will find £1.5K for a worn out 325 which I am going to have to spend another £1K+ just to get in any kind of usable order.

This compares to £700 for a 70K miles, full tax and MOT VTR which will only need track day upgrades spending on it rather than me undoing the last 13 years worth of abuse.

[900T-R]

[quote=(steven)]
This compares to £700 for a 70K miles, full tax and MOT VTR

[/quote]

That's a whole differnt kettle of fish to a VTS. VTR is basically a trim level, the VTS is the sporty one with the 163 bhp 16v engine and more driver-focused suspension.

[(steven)]

Agree it's no VTS (again nottingham seems not to have any). The paper specs however suggest it shouldn't be far off the pace of a mk2 golf GTI and the suspension will get replaced anyway. I'm not suggesting that it will be as fast a BMW 325, but considering to buy and set up a BMW I will be looking at £3K for something which will be on the edge of a major breakdown the Citroen is considerably cheaper.

However what I don't know is, if when I get to the track I will find that it's about as interesting to drive as a 1.1 metro. Oh well maybe I will have to spread my search a little further.

[900T-R]

[quote=(steven)]

However what I don't know is, if when I get to the track I will find that it's about as interesting to drive as a 1.1 metro.
[/quote]

A VTR probably is. In fact you'd be better off finding a ZX then as it's lighter and more erm, forthcoming (mostly from the rear ; the 1.4i I drove was the only car I've spun... twice. )

[weed]

Hold out for a rear wheel drive machine.
Better to perfect skills with, as it frees up the throttle pedal for the finesse of car control.

m

[carlosvalderrama]

I spent most of this summer doing a similar search, looking at E30's and 36's. I was intending on going for RWD, and other than BM's there's not much else that's light and sporty enough, while being robust enough and with a good selection of fancy bolt ons available. I looked at Mk3 supras, which are fairly cheap now, even the 3.0 turbo.

Eventually I got a 328i coupe with me as the 15th owner(!). But so far ignoring the tuing bits, it's cost be about £50 for two rear top mounts and a radiator hose.

It's a bit leggy with 165k on the clock, but the motor is smooth and the gearbox is sweet. I suspect a citroen with similar miles might feel a bit baggy.

[gtdc]

If it was me I'd go for a 3 series over the Citroen any day.

Melindi
www.goldtrack.co.uk

[turbo red]

Think for me it'd have to be a Xsara VTS because they're such value for money, are front wheel drive, have 167 bhp as standard and handle fairly well as standard. I did buy one for track days but have now replaced it with a volvo 855 t5.

[trackattack]

Yep, I'd go 3 series BM everytime, much more fun IMHO..............

[powerslider555]

The bmw e30 325 is wicked around a track, but it depends on what you want i suppose, for me it has to rwd and with around 170 bhp as standard they are supperb fun.

Uprate the suspension and fit an lsd and you won't stop smiling!!!

plus the 6 cylinder engine although heavy has lots of low down grunt and leaves the 4 cylinder cars behind.