E30 Zone

I know this is an e30 forum but how do the two cars stack up against each other.

As a like for like comparison how do both cars compare as track weapons.

Building a S50 powered E30 is not cheap to do it properly.

Is it not madness to pull an engine from a 36 m3.

Does it not make more sense to turn the 36 into a track car instead.

I'm thinking out loud in terms of performance verses cost/time etc.

What do we think?

I think, you should stop thinking and just do something

DanThe wrote:I think, you should stop thinking and just do something

I know I'm a girl Dan. Too much thinking but there is so much to consider.

Pound for pound you will see quicker laps out of an e36, but if done properly the e30 can be just as fast. My m52'd e30 track turd passes standard e36/46 m3's all day

i think the e36 has fully trailing rear suspension, the e30 only has semi trailing, big factor in rear end behavior i think.

maybe have a dig around the results for some race series'

I know a lot of the rally lot prefer the e30 but this may be for nostalgic reasons!

Very, very different options - E36 is way easier, E30 is better if you love E30's =)

E30 is lighter but will probably be more expensive all up and you'll have to mod a ton.

if you are about York some time I ll take you out in my s50 e30 and you can see for yourself!

crossie wrote:if you are about York some time I ll take you out in my s50 e30 and you can see for yourself!

I'm just outside York

Are you in the Haxby area?

I would love a ride in one of these chariots.

Buy my sorted S50d track car and save yourself lots of time, hassle and money

If you can buy an already S50'd E30, like Pete's, then I'd take that over a 36, just because I prefer E30's. But the only way I'd take on a conversion, is if I found a cheap written off E36 to use as a donor, there's no way I'd break up a perfectly good one though.

Pete has my old car and I would be a lot quicker than E36 M3s on smaller and twisty circuits like brands indy or Cadwell park.

E36 has longer wheelbase so more stable and less twitchy on a big power circuit like goodwood, Silverstone or the Ring.

Pete's car now would need a well sorted e36 m3 track car to easily pass it.

pull your thumb out of yr ass and just buy pete's/my old car.

Once Pete has spent thousands sorting the issues over said car, it will be a nice toy to own, nice and solid shell!

Demlotcrew wrote:Once Pete has spent thousands sorting the issues over said car, it will be a nice toy to own, nice and solid shell!

Hardly thousands ! Wheel bearings, handbrake shoes, diff freshen up and LOTS of time should see it in rude health

pacerpete wrote:

Demlotcrew wrote:Once Pete has spent thousands sorting the issues over said car, it will be a nice toy to own, nice and solid shell!

Hardly thousands ! Wheel bearings, handbrake shoes, diff freshen up and LOTS of time should see it in rude health

any pics? is it in for sale section?

Or drop an S50 in a compact. I've one for track days. Quicker than e36 an e46 as it's lighter and the engine swap is easier than to an e30.

Or drop an S50 in a compact. I've one for track days. Quicker than e36 an e46 as it's lighter and the engine swap is easier than to an e30.

^^That is exactly what I have just done for someone, still the wrong side of 6k to complete though so still not a cheap option. (although we used a 3.2 evo and refreshed the donk)

One thing about the compact though is it does not seem to turn in like the e30, we are struggling a bit to get the thing as chuckable but I am sure that issue will be solved with some work.

For what its worth the e36 is much more competent in the suspension department than the e30, the 36 can be made to carry more corner speed easier than the e30/compact.

^^ I've a E46 compact quick rack on mine and no problems chucking it into corners.
My suspension is Z3M spec BC coilovers c/w topmounts,
E36 m3 front arb
Stock rear arb
Front polyflex eccentric lolly pop bushes
Rear polyfex beam bushes

polybushed and dropped on coilovers

Tedswagon wrote:^^ I've a E46 compact quick rack on mine and no problems chucking it into corners.
My suspension is Z3M spec BC coilovers c/w topmounts,
E36 m3 front arb
Stock rear arb
Front polyflex eccentric lolly pop bushes
Rear polyfex beam bushes

No matter what you do, it will never handle like an E30 or E36 saloon, It has some kudos but on track its a bit of an animal!

Agree totally, it's no e30 and an e36 may handle better but it's quicker than both and puts a huge question mark on people's faces when it corners faster and gathers up straights past much more exotic track day hacks. It is an animal though, in the wet I can't say it's much fun. That's where I notice the e36 shows the advantage.