E46 M3 SMG - Suitable Track / Weekend Toy?
Discussion
Evening folks. I recently got back from a week long European roadtrip with a few mates. Part of the trip involved visiting the Nurburgring for the first time where I had a go for a few laps with my Evo X.
I spotted a few different E46 M3s in the car park whilst we were out there and now I'm considering swapping the X for a M3 to run alongside a sensible daily. As much as I love the Evo it's getting a bit silly running a 480 bhp car on a daily basis when I'm usually stuck in traffic when commuting etc. It's also a bit heavy for track use and I'm wanting to get to some more track days this year.
The E46 M3 has been on my list of cars to own for quite some time. Does anyone run a SMG car on track? How do they hold up? I've read up on the known issues like the SMG niggles, cracked boot floors etc.
My budget is around £12-14k and I'd want to lose some weight by removing the rear seats and other pointless creature comforts like air con and replacing the front seats with something more suitable. Would I be better off finding a car that has already been fettled for track use?
I spotted a few different E46 M3s in the car park whilst we were out there and now I'm considering swapping the X for a M3 to run alongside a sensible daily. As much as I love the Evo it's getting a bit silly running a 480 bhp car on a daily basis when I'm usually stuck in traffic when commuting etc. It's also a bit heavy for track use and I'm wanting to get to some more track days this year.
The E46 M3 has been on my list of cars to own for quite some time. Does anyone run a SMG car on track? How do they hold up? I've read up on the known issues like the SMG niggles, cracked boot floors etc.
My budget is around £12-14k and I'd want to lose some weight by removing the rear seats and other pointless creature comforts like air con and replacing the front seats with something more suitable. Would I be better off finding a car that has already been fettled for track use?
My Evo X has a SST box but with rebuilt internals and an aftermarket cooling setup. Didn't have any issues when pressing on at the track. I bought it with the work already done, way cheaper on the wallet in comparison. Is it possible to upgrade the pump and other components in the SMG box?
I don't think I would do more than 5 or 6 track days a year in it, it would probably be used more on early morning drives on weekends. It wouldn't be a proper track car build either, just the usual stuff of brakes, suspension, exhaust/intake and then losing some weight.
Would be interesting to hear what the chap you mentioned has to say about the SMG box on track. From what I've read the SMG is a very marmite gearbox. Having driven a variety of auto/CVT/twin clutch cars I'm interested in seeing how the SMG compares. It can't be that bad surely!
I have this horrible habit of changing cars frequently and I think I'm almost set on switching to an E46 M3 in the next few months.
I don't think I would do more than 5 or 6 track days a year in it, it would probably be used more on early morning drives on weekends. It wouldn't be a proper track car build either, just the usual stuff of brakes, suspension, exhaust/intake and then losing some weight.
Would be interesting to hear what the chap you mentioned has to say about the SMG box on track. From what I've read the SMG is a very marmite gearbox. Having driven a variety of auto/CVT/twin clutch cars I'm interested in seeing how the SMG compares. It can't be that bad surely!
I have this horrible habit of changing cars frequently and I think I'm almost set on switching to an E46 M3 in the next few months.
Cheers for the info chaps. I figured if the SMG box was good enough for the CSL then it would be fine for the regular M3.
I'm hoping to find a car with the usual faults already sorted. Need to get a test drive in one first and see if I even like it.
With regards to grunt I have no doubt that my Evo would probably outgun an M3 but I'm growing bored of the Evo and surely there is something fun about a revvy NA engine.
I've signed up to cutters to keep an eye on the sale section. Any other forums I should look at?
I'm hoping to find a car with the usual faults already sorted. Need to get a test drive in one first and see if I even like it.
With regards to grunt I have no doubt that my Evo would probably outgun an M3 but I'm growing bored of the Evo and surely there is something fun about a revvy NA engine.
I've signed up to cutters to keep an eye on the sale section. Any other forums I should look at?
SebringMan said:
Keep yours eyes open everywhere.
Depending on your budget there is alot of rubbish out there:
Here's my experience ; they did seem a little cheaper a year ago too:
https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/03/11...
https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/03/15...
Good write up, enjoyed reading it. Can you make the whole thing easier by just selling me yours?Depending on your budget there is alot of rubbish out there:
Here's my experience ; they did seem a little cheaper a year ago too:
https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/03/11...
https://theleylandlegends.wordpress.com/2017/03/15...
Cheers for the feedback folks, I think this is the first time where I've asked around for feedback on a car and had nothing but positive responses!
I'll be getting my Evo ready for sale soon, hopefully it won't take long to sell. Then I can start the search for the M3 and a sensible daily driver.
I'll be getting my Evo ready for sale soon, hopefully it won't take long to sell. Then I can start the search for the M3 and a sensible daily driver.
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