Why its good to have a disposable e30 . . .

[Axxe]

E30's = disposable. Most guys that run track do a lot of their own work anyway, so the labour costs in swapping your equipment to a new (read: unmangled) shell is the cost of beer and tacos/pizza.

[92 mtechnic cabrio]

E30's = disposable. Most guys that run track do a lot of their own work anyway, so the labour costs in swapping your equipment to a new (read: unmangled) shell is the cost of beer and tacos/pizza.

One day the US is going to run out of E30 shells. Then what? We have to pull crunched E30 shells outta the disposal yards? Import e30s from europe??

[Erisa_1974]

joelrkaplan,

I've seen some running/driving E30s go for a couple thousand in fine condition, even with suspensions. What else do you need? Consumables like brake pads and tires (hopefully you can swap over your wheels, maybe camber plates, etc). Sure, new bushings maybe, swap the seats...chip, whatever. Maintence isn't a value-adding item, nor "investment", so don't count it in the cost of the car you're tracking.

If we ever run out of E30s by people totalling then.... E36s will be cheap enough to be disposable.
Or Miatas, MR2s, 240s, RX7s, etc. can take their place.

[JRKOUPE]

joelrkaplan,

I've seen some running/driving E30s go for a couple thousand in fine condition, even with suspensions. What else do you need? Consumables like brake pads and tires (hopefully you can swap over your wheels, maybe camber plates, etc). Sure, new bushings maybe, swap the seats...chip, whatever. Maintence isn't a value-adding item, nor "investment", so don't count it in the cost of the car you're tracking.

If we ever run out of E30s by people totalling then.... E36s will be cheap enough to be disposable.
Or Miatas, MR2s, 240s, RX7s, etc. can take their place.

I dont think you are wrong here or way off base ...BUT




It was not that ez for me to find a decent to nice e 30 stock or otherwise for less than $4500. Maybe its better on the left coast... and to find one far away is a hassle and an expense. I drove mine 15 hrs from Fla, where I found her. Im just saying if you are into your car for 8, 10 grand this insurance is not something to just dismiss. Say you have a big off....everything could be shot save maybe the seats, 1 or 2 wheels...whatever. Sure youve seen cars for a coupla grand..but they are few and far between.

[Jordan325iC]

The thing is even small accidents will total e30s, most of the time totaled e30s still have %90 usable parts. Shells are very cheap almost anywhere you are. I've seen many free and sub-$500 e30 shells with many parts still on. Put your wrecked car and the new shell together, viola! New e30!

You don't need to go out a find a pristine 325iS everytime you wreck your track car, you can grab that 1985 325e and swap it all.

[Axxe]

One day the US is going to run out of E30 shells. Then what? We have to pull crunched E30 shells outta the disposal yards? Import e30s from europe??

Depending on the amount of mangling, reuse the shell that got mangled. That's what I'm doing.

[R3xTrash]

[track6]

ALERT!!!

Track coverage IS avail!!!!! Looking at @ $500 per yr for 10 events( non timed!) w/ @ 5k deductible. more events are avaialble for higher premium...20 or 30 events. You cant ask for less than 10 or like say 16 , 22 etc..it must be 10/20/30/.....Im considering this! PM me for details....its well known among DE guys w/ PCA...and I met 2 guys that had totaled cars rebuilt and covered.

All I'll say is talk to the insurance company that you already have. Many of them will cover driver ed type events (READ: NO TIMING!) I saw a 2003 Mustang Mach 1 leave the Carousel at Shenandoah for a head first into the wall. $10000 damage covered by his everyday policy from State Farm. Yes, he did tell them it happened on the race track during a "performance driving school."

All I'm saying is you should be up front & ask. You'll be amazed. It seems that some insurance companies would rather take the risk on the track in a controlled environment if it's to improve your driving on the street.

Far better that way than to get caught lying!

[Charlie]

All I'm saying is you should be up front & ask. You'll be amazed. It seems that some insurance companies would rather take the risk on the track in a controlled environment if it's to improve your driving on the street.

Buddy of mine *asked* his insurance company this very same question. Explained that it was not timed, not racing, and done with an instructor on a closed track. He was told no, and that was that.

The next renewal period, he was dropped. 10 years, clean record, no claims, only one speeding ticket. Company rhymes with "mogressive".

-Charlie

[track6]

Buddy of mine *asked* his insurance company this very same question. Explained that it was not timed, not racing, and done with an instructor on a closed track. He was told no, and that was that.

The next renewal period, he was dropped. 10 years, clean record, no claims, only one speeding ticket. Company rhymes with "mogressive".

-Charlie

Sounds like a good time to move to a reputable insurance company!
Seriously, if the described event happened just as described - that the guy was dropped for a phone call - he really should talk to a lawyer. I'm not questioning you, it' just that in PA that would be grounds for a successful lawsuit. That coming from my wife who spent the last 8 years or so as a Certified Insurance Service Representative.
(CISR - http://www.thenationalalliance.com/d...tions/cisr.htm )

I am with Erie Insurance & I'm covered for non-timed driver ed programs on my everyday car policy. As stated, I know State Farm covered the Mach 1. Beyond that, I still think you're better off asking. And definitely don't take my word for it, ask!

Or just accept the risk of taking your car on the track! To the original posters point - a "disposable" track car!

[Dave]

The reality is, more and more companies are writing the poliices to exclude coverage - some exclude any activity on a closed course, whether its education or not.

When I took my daily to the track last year, I asked my agent for something in writing from the carrier as to whether I'd be covered - I got that and something from him as well. My next renewal, the new policy had much different language in the form policy that cannot be read any other way but to exclude coverage for any track days, schools, auto-x, or evan arguably a fun rally.

No matter, I have no plans to use the daily for anything like that. Hence the disposable car.