E30 Zone

Ok new job, new year, I need a new hobby!

So - after having a mooch around Giles trackday beast, I think I need to do more trackdays, and in a dedicated car (Dont want to thrash the commuter mobile).

So, which e30 do you think best for track day fun?

Basically the options seem to be 318iS (underpowered, expensive to fix, but light), 325 (heavier, but cheaper and quicker) or a 325 sport (just enough power, but dont handle as well?)

I'd be looking to strip it out completely, fit a cage (eventually) uprate the brakes and get more power.

Presumeably an MOT failure would be a good starting point?

I'd be looking to spend around £1000 - 1500.....

Do able?

Im thinking of doing this too.

I dont know much about the iS (except expense) so I will probably stick with a 325i. Plus ive got my old m20 that I should do something with.

Just a thought but unless its cheap or you really want the kit, dont bother with a 325i sport. If its a dedicated track car and your going to strip it down to save weight anyway, then you might as well buy something without the kit in the first place - one less job to do.

Russ,

Just a normal 325 stripped out with a few bits would be ideal, don't need a Sport!

New Hobby.....Get your race licence and do the Milltek Sport Challenge!

Milltek Sport Challenge?

Russ wrote:Ok new job, new year, I need a new hobby!

So - after having a mooch around Giles trackday beast, I think I need to do more trackdays, and in a dedicated car (Dont want to thrash the commuter mobile).

So, which e30 do you think best for track day fun?

Basically the options seem to be 318iS (underpowered, expensive to fix, but light), 325 (heavier, but cheaper and quicker) or a 325 sport (just enough power, but dont handle as well?)

I'd be looking to strip it out completely, fit a cage (eventually) uprate the brakes and get more power.

Presumeably an MOT failure would be a good starting point?

I'd be looking to spend around £1000 - 1500.....

Do able?

I don´t think after stripping the car
that a 325i still has that much of an edge on a 318is as it´s got better center of gravity, also cam and chip along with decent headers you can out run a 325i

Yeah, but I've had an iS, and IMHO the engine is:

a) fragile
b) expensive to fix!

I'd rather a 325 because of the better pull lower down, you could get bogged down in slowish corners if you don't choose the correct gear in a 318iS.

I'm not saying they are slow, I'd choose a 325i, but that's my opinion.

The Milltek Sport BMW Challenge is what the SELOC Series was last year.

Have a look at www.selocmotorsport.com for details.

I'm 'hoping' to race later this year, or next year for sure.

Russ wrote:Yeah, but I've had an iS, and IMHO the engine is:

a) fragile
b) expensive to fix!

Do what I did and buy one with the money already spent on it ;)

Dom wrote:

Russ wrote:Yeah, but I've had an iS, and IMHO the engine is:

a) fragile
b) expensive to fix!

Do what I did and buy one with the money already spent on it ;)

Thats hilarious!

O/T How is the car?

russ, i asked this question noit so long ago have a look here, it may help you a bit.

http://com4.runboard.com/be30zoneforum. ... ckday.t134

Running like a trooper! Got a small random fuel leak in the engine bay coming from the fuel filter -> injector rail pipe so ordered new ones for that. Otherwise just generally keeping it tidy, replacing the boot lid, refitting the kit/arch, new discs. *looks for thumbs up smiley*

Oh and some new washer jets ;)

billgatese30 wrote:russ, i asked this question noit so long ago have a look here, it may help you a bit.

http://com4.runboard.com/be30zoneforum. ... ckday.t134

Cheers bill

and lol @ doms washer jets.

no probs dude, the other thing you could try is to get a small sponsor (optional) and join a race series.

billgatese30 wrote: and join a race series.

davetouring suggested the same but I just havent got the time / money / talent.

likewise mate.

Russ,

I've got the perfect car as a base!! I just posted it on the For Sale section.

I originally bought as a Rally Car project but the missus said enough is enough with 1 rally car.

Regards

Mark

Why are you ignoring the sport? Remember that the LSD and closer ratio box of the sport makes a huge difference on the track. Having driven the racer with both combinations, I now run on the sport gearbox and LSD. One other thing to note is that the sport has better standard suspension than a standard 325. Although you'll probably be looking at changing suspension anyway, it's a better starting point.

hi one and all i agree with M3 you cant ignore the sport its by far the best choice for a track hack ( ive just purchased one off of a local banger geek for £150 with a knackered lump ) so looking forward to getting to meet up and burn some juice . you may pay a bit more for it but consider what you will pay for lsd and close ratio box when you buy a normal 325 and then realise you need them !

I think all 3 would make good track cars at the end of the day, just be aware its always cheaper to buy a car thats already been sorted by someone else.
The costs quickly mount up I've found

eg. say you find a cheap 325 for £700ish

then you need to sort the brakes
ATE Power discs (Front) ATE solid discs (rear) £86
Goodridge Braided lines £52
Ferodo DS2500 pads all round £125
SRF fluid £45

Add an LSD £250

You're already over £1250 before you've even thought about better suspension, race seat/6 point harness, maybe a zone chip, what about tyres?

Lordschleife wrote: what about tyres?

Part worns!

If you WERE to buy a pre-prepped track car, how much have you thought about spending...?




Just out of curiosity...

I wil be selling a track prepared 325 with LEDA suspension and a hell of a lot of new parts

Geeman wrote:If you WERE to buy a pre-prepped track car, how much have you thought about spending...?




Just out of curiosity...

I dont know mate, what would something like your be worth?

I dunno. Not wanting to sell it really, but was just curious what somebody would be prepared to pay for it if I found it neccessary to move it on.

It's cost me over Ԛ£3k including the purchase price, but would probably let it go for Ԛ£2,750 at a push, as I've only ever had it out once! It needs nothing...

Just waiting on a stainless system for it, then it's ready to fly.

Geeman wrote:I dunno. Not wanting to sell it really, but was just curious what somebody would be prepared to pay for it if I found it neccessary to move it on.

It's cost me over Ԛ£3k including the purchase price, but would probably let it go for Ԛ£2,750 at a push, as I've only ever had it out once! It needs nothing...

Just waiting on a stainless system for it, then it's ready to fly.

Now having seen yours, i'd have no trouble with that being what its worth.

I'd guess the trouble with track cars, is that they are always going to be worth MUCH less than the sum of their parts!

I'd be looking to spend 1500 max i think (need to keep it at a "disposable" (ish) level), but I wouldnt be looking for something as "fully sorted" as yours IYKWIM.

I just want a quick, light fun car!

Yeah, I suppose I have gone a bit over the top. There isn't a part of the car I haven't altered or paid attention to...

A few mods on a 325i would see you having fun on the track... Couple of hundred quid on a decent suspension set-up and some tyres would see you racing...

I think a couple of hundred quid on a suspension setup will be a total waste of money. A decent set of eibach antiroll bars are more than that.

Think long and hard about your purchases.

I spent over Ԛ£5500 on my car and I will prob let it go for Ԛ£2500. Anything less and it is better if I break it and use the bits elsewhere.

Karl

I'm thinking kind of a happy medium between yourself and giles' cars, and masterbates Ԛ£50 316i!

In which case your best bet is probably get a cheap iS (or sport if you can find an OK one at that price) then at least it'll have the mtec suspension. Put better pads on and some decent brake fluid in, don a lid and away you go!

You can always spend more on it later if you decide to get serious

russ m8 the 325i is for sale i have im only round the corner from you i only want 1k for it too!!
its on ebay anyway but needs to b gone to make way for another beast!!

H35-IAN wrote:russ m8 the 325i is for sale i have im only round the corner from you i only want 1k for it too!!
its on ebay anyway but needs to b gone to make way for another beast!!

Cheers mate, but i've decided Im not really in the market just yet

I cant decide whether I might be better spending the money on upgrading the MRT and tracking that.....

Yeah... spend stupid money on the MR2, MASSIVE turbo, race suspension... then track it, then crash it, then no road car to drive... excellent!

Geeman wrote:Yeah... spend stupid money on the MR2, MASSIVE turbo, race suspension... then track it, then crash it, then no road car to drive... excellent!

I was thinking more along the lines of much better brakes, a chargecooler, speed delimiter and upping the boost a little bit.

I see your point, but loads of people track their everyday cars.....dont they?

Yeah they do.

I tracked my 320iS when I had it. Felt really guilty afterwards... no tyres, new ball joints, new brakes...

If I had crashed or damaged it, I would have been mortified...

i am having the same feelings..., i always rag my car yet feel guikty as hell after, although its bloody good fun, and i reckon ill track it but only once or twice, but ill be finding a shiter of a 325i to track once the e30m5 is done, and i''l sell my sport

kit the 325i out with slammed suspension poly bushes, loud exhaust, strip it, cage it, 15in bbs and lsd and hey presto---- sideways beast is created.

Karan