Advice please

[MacGTR]

Hello, I am new to the community, so just a hello to start.

I am in the process of selling my first car to move onto a fun trackday toy as I am at university in London, so don't have much use for a normal car! I used to do a lot of karting and I want to move onto the track to improve my skills, while having a good time! I have spent the past few hours reading up on all the different engine's and body types and I am still a little confused to be honest. The whole idea of the project is a step up from my first car which was a stripped out lupo with some mild modifications.

The advice I was looking for is what car do I want to start off with and what costs am I looking at? I don't want to do any major engine modifications so a solid engine is my first concern. I want to concentrate on handing primarily, so It will be stripped out, roll caged, brakes, tyres etc. From reading I am getting the idea that a 325i could be a good bet?

I have a loose budget of £4000, so, what can I get for my money?

Thanks

[N00b]

I have a loose budget of £4000, so, what can I get for my money?

Thanks

Hello and welcome mate.
The short answer is.....plenty.
The first question I think you need to ask yourself, is do you want to actually compete in the car, or do you just want something focussed to take to track days?
If you want to compete, then construction rules will dictate which direction your build will have to go. For example, I believe the PBMW series don't allow 325 engined cars.

[MacGTR]

Yes, eventually, I definitely want to move onto motorsport but not for another 2 years due to university commitments, so it gives me a nice long time to get the car prepared and get some good track experience in a car rather than a kart. Just been reading up on the PBMW series and it looks a great starting point for me. It seems pointless buying a 325 if I want to move onto motorsport, so I think it has to be a 320 as I want to be competitive overall. If anyone has one for sale, give me a shout.

Time to go shopping

[gareth]

if it's a first car and the main intention is learning and developing skills etc, a 318is would be a good bet. not the fastest car out there but they're supposed to be pretty sweet in the handling stakes (lighter as it's a revvy 4 pot) and start off with better brakes and suspension than a 320.

that won't be a lot of use if you intend to do the PBMW series though as i believe it's 320's only

[MacGTR]

The PBMW series is open to 318's and 320's so thats fine. I will most probably be changing the brakes and suspension as it allows it in the regulations so thats not an issue. The 318i's can be a min weight of 1065kg and 320i's of 1125kg so there is not a huge difference but better weight distribution. I think the 320's have done better overall in the series so I am sticking with that, unless a good 318i comes up.

[N00b]

The PBMW series is open to 318's and 320's so thats fine. I will most probably be changing the brakes and suspension as it allows it in the regulations so thats not an issue. The 318i's can be a min weight of 1065kg and 320i's of 1125kg so there is not a huge difference but better weight distribution. I think the 320's have done better overall in the series so I am sticking with that, unless a good 318i comes up.

If you're up for throwing four large at a car then you will DEFINITELY be changing the entire braking system and the suspension.
I look forward to the build thread. Will you be doing the spanner work yourself?

[MacGTR]

Yes, my friend and I will be doing all the work on the car ourselves (apart from the roll cage) at my fathers warehouse. He is an aspiring racing engineer so it will be useful to have him onboard. I will be keeping a detailed picture documentary as the project goes on and I can put it on here if anyone is interested?

I am now just waiting for the right car to come along and I can get this project underway.

If anyone on here is currently racing in the PBMW series, I would love if you got into contact with me so I can talk about prepping the car for the series.

Thanks.

[MarkT]

IIRC it's the 8 valve 1.8 used in this series not the iS's 16 valve mate

[MacGTR]

I know its the M40 engine, which is the 8v. I think I have managed to find a suitable 320i anyway.

I will be off to take a look at it in the next few days hopefully.

[RPM]

Hi

I run the PBMW series, if you email me I can send you the latest regs before you start doing anything if thats your plan! '09 regs are here: http://www.pbmwc.co.uk/downloads/ but there are quiet a few tweaks for 2010 to help keep it cheap.

either info@raceperformancemodified.com or jimmyc@pbmwc.co.uk

You can build a competitive car for £4k. A 318is is not allowed in PBMW but you could run it in our sister series TTRS (toyo tires racing saloons).

Any advice you want drop me a an email or give me a call

Where you based?

Jimmy

[MacGTR]

Due to me being busy these next few months, I can't see myself being able to actually build a car from ground up in time for the new season, so I have taken the plunge and bought a car already built to the majority of the PBMW regs.

I know, I know. I will get some pictures up as soon as possible but you will have to wait till next week when I collect it.

Thanks for all the advice, now I just have to wait till the registration opens!

[MacGTR]

Finally got her back to Bucks last night after a nice long drive!

It was too dark outside to take any pictures and I didn't have any time to get my camera so I used my phone in the garage but you can't exactly seem much! I didn't even drive it much, all I got was a blast up and down the road and it felt great for that 30 seconds! Then it was into the garage with the car, grab my suitcase from the house, run to the train station, and back up to London for another month. So, its sitting alone in the garage for a while!

No idea if Simon is active on these forums, but thanks to him for the car, just need to get it out to a track day to see what it has in it. Hopefully on the 6th of March!

Anyway, some terrible pictures...

[Screacher]

.........ust need to get it out to a track day to see what it has in it. Hopefully on the 6th of March!

Rocky? If so, see you there!