Looking for an E30 for track days / Nurburgring

[WayneH]

I visited the Nurburgring last weekend and went out as a passenger many times. It is an amazing place and I'm planning to go back there again next year. Having seen all sorts of machinery going around the track I have to say I was very impressed with the balancing on all the 3-series on the track - from the E30's all the way up to the present models. So, I have decided to try and get myself an E30 as a track day car so that I can take it to the Ring next year.

I will not have a huge amount of money to spend (i.e. probably less than £1000). I am most interested in getting a 325i. Is there any special things that I should look out for? Is this the best model for a track car?

How good are the engines? It does seem like they can do some major mileage?

Cheers
Wayne

[ChrisR]

325i is a great track car, be careful you buy a good one though lots have been crashed, I looked at about 8 before I found a good one, if you can't get a 325i I'd go for a 318is although that would probably be more expensive

I've recommend buying the car, servicing it and taking it to the track, then you can start improving it, its to easy to get bogged down in mods and foget you bought it to drive, also an initial run will let you know if you've nay serious problems. I'd do the mods as follows, good air filter and new plugs (poss leads), remove thermostat, strip interior, fit bucket seat(s) and harness(es), fit track pads, good tyres like a539's, fit an lsd, engine chip, no point doing all the mods then finding you've a a major problem

engines are good for high milleages but heads can crack

[ChrisR]

325i is a great track car, be careful you buy a good one though lots have been crashed, I looked at about 8 before I found a good one, if you can't get a 325i I'd go for a 318is although that would probably be more expensive

I've recommend buying the car, servicing it and taking it to the track, then you can start improving it, its to easy to get bogged down in mods and foget you bought it to drive, also an initial run will let you know if you've nay serious problems. I'd do the mods as follows, good air filter and new plugs (poss leads), remove thermostat, strip interior, fit bucket seat(s) and harness(es), fit track pads, good tyres like a539's, fit an lsd, engine chip, no point doing all the mods then finding you've a a major problem

engines are good for high milleages but heads can crack

[ChrisR]

missed out new suspension both springs and dampers probably before brake mods

[JimmyC]

I have been surprised how much fun my 320 racer has been, despite doing 4 engines in as many months

Get a good solid low miler, and spend the extra dollar now for a good engine- my engine issues have been a very expensive nightmare!

Brakes and suspension along with a stiff car will make you quicker than any engine mod so i'd start there when modding the car, but before that mod the driver with some training

[Cabrio]

As you are setting yourself a £1000 budget it is unlikely you can buy a car and do all the mods unless you get a car with most of the bits on cheap.

You can have fun round the ring in even a standard car you just have to be sensible..and maybe spend money on bits when you have then

Depends if you go used or new for parts when you can afford them...if you want parts or help inc.rollcage, suspension, seats etc...let me know but as long as the car is reliable you can enjoy yourself and learn fisrt as long as you take care...those barriers dont move easily

[JCB]

why do you say "remove the thermostat" ?? i have a viscous fan and an electric one for extra cooling. was thinking of linking the thermostat out and putting it on a manual switch.

[psychochild187]

i ring a 325i saloon and estate and both are good . 320 is to slow and so is 318is
spend the money on getting the brakes new and the engine up to scratch eg cam belt and brake pads and disks and just get the car healthy and then maybe a cheap new suspention kit and thats it . maybe then cage and harness
softer suspention is better on the ring as i have proved to people and u realy need a reliable car not something that has a cam and air filter but over heats . dont forget u have to get there too.

dont forget tires

[Lloydie38]

I have prepared my 1988 E30 325i from a Ebay purchase of Ԛ£1000 and spent a further Ԛ£3650 on it. It was a tidy car to start with and the seller had every MOT cert from when it needed one in 1991 to the present and also every reciept from the local BMW dealer including a service in 1992 for Ԛ£580.00

Have a look on my website to see the work done and pictures: http://www.whitetrack325i.webeden.co.uk/
In addition it's had a LSD now and a cage is in the process of being fitted...slowly!

I use it as a track car and occasional road car, it's awesome fun especially in the wet. I pass many cars that are 2,3,4 times the money and that is priceless It now handles really well but the best modification has been the reduction of weight from the car as it now weighs 1040kgs - I think the standard is 1200kgs but not certain.

I'm looking at improving myself with some driver training as I know I need it and then perhaps upgrade the brakes and steering and the car will be spot on IMHO.

Good luck in what ever you decide to do

Cheers

Ian

[Cabrio]

I have an original early Sport that you could use...it was stripped ready to build into a track car, you will still need to remove sunroof frame and put in a non sunroof cage etc (can get you a good deal)...likewise can help you with all other parts...has the engine...will put in new water pump etc cam belt ok...has gearbox, and lsd in it but will need also to do suspension etc and paint it...Ԛ£500 take it off my hands and save me breaking it

Cheers...plenty to do but good basis

[northloop]

The best option is to leave the car there for the year and fly / catch lifts back and forth to drive it........ The local experts have 100% more knowledge about setting cars up for the ring than you will ever get int he UK also

Finally are you a good RWD pilot? If not I would suggest a MK2 golf is probably the car for you. It will be easier to get round quickly than the 325.

Just my opinion of course ......

Gary

[Cabrio]

good thinking northloop...a friend is planning just that and leaving cars with a friend who runs a local BMW dealer and you can fly out and hire the car etc...

[Sharabi]

for your budget you are going to be very restricted.

i currenty own a stripped out 316 e30, and thats quick, been to the Nurburgring twice. around the bends its just awesome, just lacking straight line speed. This is a cheap car to run. (BTW its for sale)

I also co-own a e30 318is, this is just as quick as the 316 low down, but much more top end speed, this one has not been stripped out, so it could be a HELL of a lot quicker. But its cost us a lot more than Ԛ£1k to get things sorted on it.

[northloop]

I leave a 205GTi in Germany presently, it will be joined by my 325i next March ....... Striaght line speed and torque is something you dont want to be lacking in at the ring .....

[325eye]

Striaght line speed and torque is something you dont want to be lacking in at the ring .....

So how come you drive some old French clutter then. Have you considered a fast car?

[northloop]

Depends what you call a fast car I guess .........

[325eye]

Depends what you call a fast car I guess .........

Volvo T5 of course

[320Touring]

hmm, sorry to go a bit OT, but where are folks keeping their ring cars in germany?

I want to get a slaaag for the ring

[Davenotouring]

Depends what you call a fast car I guess .........

Volvo T5 of course

Even with that, I'd like to see you catch up with Gary (Northloop) round the Nurburgring!


Neil, PM Gary re: storing cars at the 'Ring. I might be doing this though, so don't take my space!

[320Touring]

Neil, PM Gary re: storing cars at the 'Ring. I might be doing this though, so don't take my space!

which Gary?

[northloop]

that will be me then .........

Gary

[320Touring]

that will be me then .........

Gary

will PM ya after lunch then dude

that will be me then......

Neil

[northloop]

These guys do storage for one ......... Left my car there for a season a couple of years back

http://www.ring-racing.de/

If you're serious come and join the forum linked to www.northloop.co.uk and we can talk about it properly

[325eye]

Depends what you call a fast car I guess .........

Volvo T5 of course

Even with that, I'd like to see you catch up with Gary (Northloop) round the Nurburgring!


Neil, PM Gary re: storing cars at the 'Ring. I might be doing this though, so don't take my space!

Are we talking about the same person?

The guy that runs that ring forum? Drives an old 205?

I could unplug an HT lead and still leave him before SX ???

[northloop]

I'll take a punt ............ you are either Westy or Andy?

[325eye]

I'll take a punt ............ you are either Westy or Andy?

Who???

[Cabrio]

My cars will be kept with a BMW dealer not far away...should have two E30s there soon...caged ready to go and have some fun...cheers

[Cabrio]

Also that early sport has been broken so not available now...just aswell as some of it was falling apart when the bumpers came off...deathtrap..any good shells with no sunroofs let me know

[Davenotouring]

325eye, I'm very confused!

In a 4 pot (5 pot) and beat Gary....Westy innit?

I'll follow and film!

[325eye]

He will have to pass me first

And who's Westy????

[Davenotouring]

Haha! That's cheating!

Westy McVestie.

[Davenotouring]

Can you tell I'm bored.

[325eye]

Who is Westy? You feeling ok

[Davenotouring]

Not really.

Boredom........

[northloop]

hey Andy you troll