advice for track car?

[Rockinlittle325i]

here are some of my ideas

I'm a sort of new driver (karting, autox, and drifting history)

I'm considering:
buying a 318i/s learning, THEN suspension/tires, THEN motor swap
or
Buying a 325i/s learning, then suspension/tires, then building the M20
or
buying a 325i/s learning, then suspension/tires, then motor swap

my question is what is the better route? reliablity? speed? cheap? fun?

what are some problems some of yall have come across?

[briansjacobs]

what is the ultimate goal? Just a track rat? racing? budget? give me something to work with.

[kishg]

i'd go with a 325i/s, make it dead nuts reliable and then get as much seat time as you can afford. As you progress, add the suspension/tires and other go-fast parts.

[briansjacobs]

id go with an E36 M3

[kishg]

id go with an E36 M3

wasn't in his option list.. but if i was to do this all over, i'd still do it in an e30.

[briansjacobs]

I really do love this stupid fucking car. I have more money spent on this car and track events/racing in this car than I paid for my first house.

[briansjacobs]

I really do love this stupid fucking car. I have more money spent on this car and track events/racing in this car than I paid for my first house.

with that said, best advice I can give you is, stop now!. seriously, can you afford this kind of addiction? It is worse than crack or heroin!

[kishg]

I really do love this stupid fucking car. I have more money spent on this car and track events/racing in this car than I paid for my first house.

i wish i could say the same about more than i paid for my first house (bought in 2005 at the top of the bubble), but its probably worth more than the house at this point.. nah, probably not lol..

[Rockinlittle325i]

well I'm selling my crotch rocket for the build, I work 3 jobs plus school
ya I've heard e36's have issues that must be resolved

the goal is just a track rat, maybe racing down the road

budget is about 5k ish for start up I plan on starting with a stock car for learning

[briansjacobs]

I would say a 325e

[rThor432]

ya I've heard e36's have issues that must be resolved

E36's can be dead reliable if you maintain a few key points-- primarily, the cooling system. Every single component can and will grenade.

I've had all of the cars mentioned in your options and had plenty of experience with all sorts of odd-ball E30's. Anything from a 318i to high-powered turbo M20's to 4.4L V8 cars. My personal opinion? 318is. With a chip and flywheel these can drive right with M20 cars. They are very intuitive to drive, which is reassuring for new drivers (at the track). Very easy to drive. One of the best local drivers (Mike Skeen) used an M10 318i for a loooong time. Low power helps with learning, really.

For less than $5k you can have a nice 318is that is very respectable for street and track driving--

Mine cost $2k up front with 138k on the clock. I installed a new Sachs clutch kit when the clutch started slipping with a JB flywheel and Z3M short shifter setup for roughly $750. The car was rock solid at that point, but you could add a radiator, water pump, timing chain guides + tensioner, and fluid in the trans + diff for $2k more. Even with all of that you could be in for under $5k and have a rock solid car that is ready to go another 100k+ miles.

Let me know if you need a hand with anything.. I work with BMWs and motorsports in general in the Charlotte area. I'm always glad to help, especially local guys.

Ryan

[Rockinlittle325i]

ryan you know me, I bought my first e30 from you guys,

another question, which one of the final product builds would be the best on track, both reliable and speed?

also with the 318is how hard is a motor swap compared to the 325i's?

[xwill112x]

ryan you know me, I bought my first e30 from you guys,

another question, which one of the final product builds would be the best on track, both reliable and speed?

also with the 318is how hard is a motor swap compared to the 325i's?

well...the m42 comes ous easier! :)

[briansjacobs]

btw, an M42 can be worked to make some really good power. There is a guy down here with a very well built 318 that keeps up with my 2.8 stroker.

[kishg]

you can't go wrong with either 318is or 325i/s IMO. buy whatever example you find that is better maintained so you can use more of your budget for seat time.. remember seat time. don't worry so much about the car as long as it's safe and reliable.