| desertaero | 09-13-2006 12:23 PM |
E30 track/auto-x car?
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Does anyone here have an E30 auto-x or track car? I love the idea of buying one and then gutting it and all that good stuff...my friend just picked one up for $900 (not amazing condition, but driveable). How much money do you have to put into these cars to make them fun and competitive. I'm definately gonna work on my driving for one more season, but just wanted to know if anyone here has any experience w/these. Here is a vid of me auto-x'ing...im still learning!
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzByqv3mGQ4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzByqv3mGQ4[/URL]
[URL="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzByqv3mGQ4"]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PzByqv3mGQ4[/URL]
| REX8 | 09-13-2006 01:02 PM |
An E30 is one of the best handling BMW's ever made. A great choice for autox, and especially the track...
| spazegun2213 | 09-13-2006 01:10 PM |
There is an entire racing class in NASA devoted to the e30
[url]http://spece30.northamericanbavarianracing.com/[/url]
[url]http://spece30.northamericanbavarianracing.com/[/url]
| waktasz | 09-13-2006 01:10 PM |
That course scares me.
| cooleyjb | 09-13-2006 01:24 PM |
I just went aroudn Road America last weekend in a E30 that has been built for IT.
from turn 5 to turn 12 not many cars were faster. Flat out through the kink, flat out through 7, and in the carousel it chewed up and spit out many 'faster' cars.
I am currently looking for an E30 race car now. I'll probably get rid of the WRX and replace it with a tow vehicle and an E30 track car.
So to answer your question, YES.
from turn 5 to turn 12 not many cars were faster. Flat out through the kink, flat out through 7, and in the carousel it chewed up and spit out many 'faster' cars.
I am currently looking for an E30 race car now. I'll probably get rid of the WRX and replace it with a tow vehicle and an E30 track car.
So to answer your question, YES.
| solo-x | 09-13-2006 01:48 PM |
[QUOTE=REX8;15231081]An E30 is one of the best handling BMW's ever made. A great choice for autox, and especially the track...[/QUOTE]
:huh: the e30 rear suspension is pretty rough. the reason the M-Coupe doesn't live up to it's potential was because it used the same rear suspension as the e30's instead of the much better e36 design. don't let that hold you back from getting an e30 track-ho if that's what you want, just don't think you have one of the best handling bmw's ever made. the e36 and newer cars all handle much better.
nate - would buy an e36 325/328/m3 if he could after driving codemnky's car. 285 r-comps, yum!
:huh: the e30 rear suspension is pretty rough. the reason the M-Coupe doesn't live up to it's potential was because it used the same rear suspension as the e30's instead of the much better e36 design. don't let that hold you back from getting an e30 track-ho if that's what you want, just don't think you have one of the best handling bmw's ever made. the e36 and newer cars all handle much better.
nate - would buy an e36 325/328/m3 if he could after driving codemnky's car. 285 r-comps, yum!
| subieworx | 09-13-2006 02:15 PM |
An e36 M3 would be badass, but they are not cheap by any means. An E30 is a much better budget minded choice.
| desertaero | 09-13-2006 03:08 PM |
Waktasz, why do you say that? I'd have to buy this car w/the money I save up from my summer jobs...I'm in college. In fact, its probably not smart to pursue buying one until I'm out of school...but I don't think like that lol.
| waktasz | 09-13-2006 03:58 PM |
^^ Seems like you pass pretty close to the other cars that are waiting in line at the start. I pull enough 360s at autocrosses that setups like that scare me :)
| cooleyjb | 09-13-2006 04:20 PM |
[QUOTE=waktasz;15233996]^^ Seems like you pass pretty close to the other cars that are waiting in line at the start. I pull enough 360s at autocrosses that setups like that scare me :)[/QUOTE]
That and I think that you run a version of autocross sanctioned by NASCAR.
Holy three laps of left turns batman. :eek:
That and I think that you run a version of autocross sanctioned by NASCAR.
Holy three laps of left turns batman. :eek:
| desertaero | 09-13-2006 05:53 PM |
Lol i no i no, I didn't like the layout either. But I want to do these smaller events and get some driving time before I do the big SCCA events.
| frostyTSM | 09-13-2006 05:58 PM |
[QUOTE=waktasz;15231210]That course scares me.[/QUOTE]
That's like the smallest autox course I've ever seen. :eek:
Way too close to the cars in grid. Probably very confusing for a novice ("err, how many times around the circle again?). It made me think of nascar + autox because you just keep making left turns. :lol:
That's like the smallest autox course I've ever seen. :eek:
Way too close to the cars in grid. Probably very confusing for a novice ("err, how many times around the circle again?). It made me think of nascar + autox because you just keep making left turns. :lol:
| REX8 | 09-13-2006 07:29 PM |
[QUOTE=solo-x;15231786]:huh: the e30 rear suspension is pretty rough. the reason the M-Coupe doesn't live up to it's potential was because it used the same rear suspension as the e30's instead of the much better e36 design. don't let that hold you back from getting an e30 track-ho if that's what you want, just don't think you have one of the best handling bmw's ever made. the e36 and newer cars all handle much better.
nate - would buy an e36 325/328/m3 if he could after driving codemnky's car. 285 r-comps, yum![/QUOTE]
In a top 5 from BMW, the E30, 36 and 2002 wouldn't all be there???
You can't compare the E30 suspension on an acutal E30 to later M Couple, Z3, setups of recent years...totally different as far as overall balance of the car is concerned...
nate - would buy an e36 325/328/m3 if he could after driving codemnky's car. 285 r-comps, yum![/QUOTE]
In a top 5 from BMW, the E30, 36 and 2002 wouldn't all be there???
You can't compare the E30 suspension on an acutal E30 to later M Couple, Z3, setups of recent years...totally different as far as overall balance of the car is concerned...
| esteve | 09-14-2006 12:46 AM |
[QUOTE=solo-x;15231786]:huh: the e30 rear suspension is pretty rough. the reason the M-Coupe doesn't live up to it's potential was because it used the same rear suspension as the e30's instead of the much better e36 design. don't let that hold you back from getting an e30 track-ho if that's what you want, just don't think you have one of the best handling bmw's ever made. the e36 and newer cars all handle much better.
[/QUOTE]
:lol: Yeah, if you look at the design it's a wonder E30s handle as well as they do! On each side, there's a beefy trailing arm bolted to the crossmember flanges/tabs in 2 spots and that's it! You can imagine the amount of deflection that occurs, as well as wheel angles that aren't ideal. The rear toe and camber angles are notoriously off, and IIRC your only recourse is to try to align them with a porto-power!
But hey, at least things don't break off in the rear like in the E36s and E46s.:lol:
[/QUOTE]
:lol: Yeah, if you look at the design it's a wonder E30s handle as well as they do! On each side, there's a beefy trailing arm bolted to the crossmember flanges/tabs in 2 spots and that's it! You can imagine the amount of deflection that occurs, as well as wheel angles that aren't ideal. The rear toe and camber angles are notoriously off, and IIRC your only recourse is to try to align them with a porto-power!
But hey, at least things don't break off in the rear like in the E36s and E46s.:lol:
| desertaero | 09-14-2006 01:42 AM |
Wait...so there is a trailing arm similar to that on the imprezas, but no lateral links or anything...just a strut??
| arthurmchan | 09-14-2006 04:49 AM |
It's true. I autocross a '91 318is in GS class - this is about all there is to the rear suspension, minus spring and shock:
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG]
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG]
| REX8 | 09-14-2006 10:47 AM |
[QUOTE=arthurmchan;15241171]It's true. I autocross a '91 318is in GS class - this is about all there is to the rear suspension, minus spring and shock:
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]
:lol:
They just don't build them like they used to...
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]
:lol:
They just don't build them like they used to...
| Gonz | 01-03-2007 12:16 AM |
[QUOTE=desertaero;15240496]Wait...so there is a trailing arm similar to that on the imprezas, but no lateral links or anything...just a strut??[/QUOTE]
(sorry to dig this up, I was searching for some E30 info......)
What's missing in that diagram is the half shaft. If this is anything like my old 2002, and I'm sure it is, the half shaft serves as your lateral link.
It's not splined, so toe (and camber) change as the suspension compresses. Part of the reason why semi trailing arm type rear suspensions are well known for trailing throttle oversteer.
BMW must have used this design for close to 40 years.
G
(sorry to dig this up, I was searching for some E30 info......)
What's missing in that diagram is the half shaft. If this is anything like my old 2002, and I'm sure it is, the half shaft serves as your lateral link.
It's not splined, so toe (and camber) change as the suspension compresses. Part of the reason why semi trailing arm type rear suspensions are well known for trailing throttle oversteer.
BMW must have used this design for close to 40 years.
G
| Kostamojen | 01-03-2007 02:03 AM |
[QUOTE=solo-x;15231786] the e36 and newer cars all handle much better.[/QUOTE]
And weigh more...
And weigh more...
| Storz | 01-03-2007 10:43 AM |
check out [url]www.grassrootsmotorsports.com[/url] lots of E30 nuts over there
| kfoote | 01-03-2007 11:16 AM |
Is it the ultimate track car? No.
Is it a highly modifiable relatively inexpensive and reliable track car with huge aftermarket support? Yes.
Especially if you're in MD, I'd look very stongly into the NASA Spec E30 class as mentioned earlier, and build the car in that direction.
Is it a highly modifiable relatively inexpensive and reliable track car with huge aftermarket support? Yes.
Especially if you're in MD, I'd look very stongly into the NASA Spec E30 class as mentioned earlier, and build the car in that direction.
| speedblind | 01-03-2007 01:38 PM |
Odd that this popped up, because I just bought a 1989 325i with the intent of making it into a track car, though not to the extent of stripping everything out. Great condition cars can be had for 3-5K range, with shells and decent shape cars coming in below that. My goal was to build a fun track toy capable of handling DD duty when necessary for under 5K.
To give you an idea of what you're up against, here's a look at the financials for my car. SpecE30 cars are commonly build from between 8K-12K, car and safety equipment included.
[B]Car - 2,300[/B] trailered out from L.A. We agreed on 2K, but I couldn't pick the car up, so the guy threw it on a trailer and drove it out for 300.
The car was in pretty good shape, but didn't sell at the 3K+ the buyer wanted because the rear subframe bushings were shot, it had cooling issues and the alternator was shot. The solutions to each respective issue proved to be pretty easy and cheap, so he probably could have made more money on the sale by fixing this stuff. The paint and interior are in very good shape, and the engine runs strong. I feel like I got lucky, but there's no way you can't get a similar car for about what I paid.
My car also (according to the owner) has the E30 M3's 4.10 LSD. The common LSD for regular E30s is 3.73 (I think), and there was also a 4.10 open diff. Be sure you know what you're getting.
[B]
Initial Maintenance:[/B]
Alternator - 110
Fan - 25.00
Urethane subframe bushings - 100
Urethane trailing arm bushings - 130
[B]
Track stuff:[/B]
Bilstein sport shocks (SpecE30 setup) - 400
HR Race springs (SpecE30) - 180 (used)
GC rear strut mounts - 100
SS brake lines - 100
New calipers at all four corners - 80
Kosei K1 16x7 with decent tires - 400
HR spacers for the koseis - 200
Turner motorsport wheel studs - 120
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that puts me in the neighborhood of 4,245 for a HPDE-ready car. The Koseis/spacers were a splurge on my part and will probably be devoted to street duty, so you could knock 600 off that figure and buy some r-comps for the stock wheels.
[B]
Couple things I've learned so far:[/B][LIST][*]Rear camber/toe kits are available, as the rear suspension doesn't offer much in the way of adjustability. Ireland engineering is a popular source for these parts.[*]Engine mounts are a crucial item. If they aren't changed, the engine can tear the mount, putting the fan through the radiator and putting a nice dent in the hood. My car suffered this fate in the hands of the PO, thus the cut fan and cooling issue.[*]This car is easy to work on. [*]One caveat to the above would be the aluminum brake calipers. Careful when you're installing your SS lines, or you may strip them. ;) [*]Four new calipers in good shape cost 80 shipped from a junkyard. This is great for easing the pain of a boneheaded install.[*]In general, parts are pretty cheap. If you're looking to build a nice DD, you're in even better luck as these cars are being converted to race cars at a very high rate. The only outrageously priced part I've seen is the plug wires.[*]The front suspension is unnecessarily difficult to disassemble. At least in my opinion.[*]Lots of weight to be saved by stripping the trunk. 50lbs. or so of sound deadening in there.[/LIST]
There appears to be pretty good aftermarket support for these cars. I've ordered from Turner, Ireland and Flying Brick Performance and had great service. If you need OEM parts, Pelican Parts is the way to go.
To give you an idea of what you're up against, here's a look at the financials for my car. SpecE30 cars are commonly build from between 8K-12K, car and safety equipment included.
[B]Car - 2,300[/B] trailered out from L.A. We agreed on 2K, but I couldn't pick the car up, so the guy threw it on a trailer and drove it out for 300.
The car was in pretty good shape, but didn't sell at the 3K+ the buyer wanted because the rear subframe bushings were shot, it had cooling issues and the alternator was shot. The solutions to each respective issue proved to be pretty easy and cheap, so he probably could have made more money on the sale by fixing this stuff. The paint and interior are in very good shape, and the engine runs strong. I feel like I got lucky, but there's no way you can't get a similar car for about what I paid.
My car also (according to the owner) has the E30 M3's 4.10 LSD. The common LSD for regular E30s is 3.73 (I think), and there was also a 4.10 open diff. Be sure you know what you're getting.
[B]
Initial Maintenance:[/B]
Alternator - 110
Fan - 25.00
Urethane subframe bushings - 100
Urethane trailing arm bushings - 130
[B]
Track stuff:[/B]
Bilstein sport shocks (SpecE30 setup) - 400
HR Race springs (SpecE30) - 180 (used)
GC rear strut mounts - 100
SS brake lines - 100
New calipers at all four corners - 80
Kosei K1 16x7 with decent tires - 400
HR spacers for the koseis - 200
Turner motorsport wheel studs - 120
I'm sure I'm forgetting something, but that puts me in the neighborhood of 4,245 for a HPDE-ready car. The Koseis/spacers were a splurge on my part and will probably be devoted to street duty, so you could knock 600 off that figure and buy some r-comps for the stock wheels.
[B]
Couple things I've learned so far:[/B][LIST][*]Rear camber/toe kits are available, as the rear suspension doesn't offer much in the way of adjustability. Ireland engineering is a popular source for these parts.[*]Engine mounts are a crucial item. If they aren't changed, the engine can tear the mount, putting the fan through the radiator and putting a nice dent in the hood. My car suffered this fate in the hands of the PO, thus the cut fan and cooling issue.[*]This car is easy to work on. [*]One caveat to the above would be the aluminum brake calipers. Careful when you're installing your SS lines, or you may strip them. ;) [*]Four new calipers in good shape cost 80 shipped from a junkyard. This is great for easing the pain of a boneheaded install.[*]In general, parts are pretty cheap. If you're looking to build a nice DD, you're in even better luck as these cars are being converted to race cars at a very high rate. The only outrageously priced part I've seen is the plug wires.[*]The front suspension is unnecessarily difficult to disassemble. At least in my opinion.[*]Lots of weight to be saved by stripping the trunk. 50lbs. or so of sound deadening in there.[/LIST]
There appears to be pretty good aftermarket support for these cars. I've ordered from Turner, Ireland and Flying Brick Performance and had great service. If you need OEM parts, Pelican Parts is the way to go.
| dubwrx | 01-03-2007 03:13 PM |
great car to race. friend of mine runs an 87 325is.
i have an 85 318i for sale if you are interested. was going to build it but picked up a miata after the fact.:rolleyes:
i have an 85 318i for sale if you are interested. was going to build it but picked up a miata after the fact.:rolleyes:
| Calamity Jesus | 01-03-2007 04:41 PM |
[QUOTE=arthurmchan;15241171]It's true. I autocross a '91 318is in GS class - this is about all there is to the rear suspension, minus spring and shock:
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]It's called a semi-trailing arm because of the angle at which it's mounted to the subframe. A true trailing arm mounts 90 degrees to the driveshaft. This gives it some very nice toe-in during compression on the stock suspension, which makes it very easy to hamfist around turns (in stock form) and extremely simple. It's the same design from the e21 and the 2002 before it... hell, all BMWs had it at one time, iirc.
[IMG]http://realoem.com/bmw/diagrams/o/k/5.png[/IMG][/QUOTE]It's called a semi-trailing arm because of the angle at which it's mounted to the subframe. A true trailing arm mounts 90 degrees to the driveshaft. This gives it some very nice toe-in during compression on the stock suspension, which makes it very easy to hamfist around turns (in stock form) and extremely simple. It's the same design from the e21 and the 2002 before it... hell, all BMWs had it at one time, iirc.
| NotAnRS | 01-03-2007 08:03 PM |
Gee, I don't check this board for six months and I find this thread. :p
I'm building a Spec E30. I had it on the track back in October for the first time, and I was [I]very[/I] impressed with the car, particularly considering it's 1980s technology. Granted, I have the race suspension on it, but it's got great power, neutral handling, is easy to work on and parts are cheap. I'm very pleased with my decision to go this route and am just annoyed I didn't do it sooner.
I'm building a Spec E30. I had it on the track back in October for the first time, and I was [I]very[/I] impressed with the car, particularly considering it's 1980s technology. Granted, I have the race suspension on it, but it's got great power, neutral handling, is easy to work on and parts are cheap. I'm very pleased with my decision to go this route and am just annoyed I didn't do it sooner.
| silver arrow | 01-03-2007 09:45 PM |
I've been thinking about buying a E30spec car too. Great new series. Never could see myself in a Miata, even though they are probably more reliable and cheaper.
| LordBass | 01-03-2007 10:08 PM |
Would a later E30 318 be sufficient for fun at a local autcross event, or would one wish they had bought a 325?
| Kostamojen | 01-03-2007 10:23 PM |
You can always engine swap :)
| Bob_Sagget69 | 01-03-2007 10:28 PM |
[QUOTE=silver arrow;16529813]I've been thinking about buying a E30spec car too. Great new series. Never could see myself in a Miata, even though they are probably more reliable and cheaper.[/QUOTE]
From the shopping that I've done looking for a nA miata I've found that most hold their value real well. I haven't really seen a hint to a cheap 1-3k one to buy. All the dealers around my area either ask too much or won't go down any lower for what I am looking for. I recently found a 92' with 140k miles and they were asking 6,000 for it!:mad:
Maybe I am not shopping in the right places...:furious:
From the shopping that I've done looking for a nA miata I've found that most hold their value real well. I haven't really seen a hint to a cheap 1-3k one to buy. All the dealers around my area either ask too much or won't go down any lower for what I am looking for. I recently found a 92' with 140k miles and they were asking 6,000 for it!:mad:
Maybe I am not shopping in the right places...:furious:
| dubwrx | 01-04-2007 08:59 AM |
[QUOTE=silver arrow;16529813]I've been thinking about buying a E30spec car too. Great new series. Never could see myself in a Miata, even though they are probably more reliable and cheaper.[/QUOTE]
[QUOTE=Bob_Sagget69;16530275]From the shopping that I've done looking for a nA miata I've found that most hold their value real well. I haven't really seen a hint to a cheap 1-3k one to buy. All the dealers around my area either ask too much or won't go down any lower for what I am looking for. I recently found a 92' with 140k miles and they were asking 6,000 for it!:mad:
Maybe I am not shopping in the right places...:furious:[/QUOTE]
Sean am selling mine.
i picked up my Maita for $2500. with less than 100k on it. oh yeah, it has a salvage title, but for my race car, that is okay.;)
my E30 is jsut sitting around doing nothing. i have access to another motor but i dont really want 2 project cars.
[QUOTE=Bob_Sagget69;16530275]From the shopping that I've done looking for a nA miata I've found that most hold their value real well. I haven't really seen a hint to a cheap 1-3k one to buy. All the dealers around my area either ask too much or won't go down any lower for what I am looking for. I recently found a 92' with 140k miles and they were asking 6,000 for it!:mad:
Maybe I am not shopping in the right places...:furious:[/QUOTE]
Sean am selling mine.
i picked up my Maita for $2500. with less than 100k on it. oh yeah, it has a salvage title, but for my race car, that is okay.;)
my E30 is jsut sitting around doing nothing. i have access to another motor but i dont really want 2 project cars.
| Calamity Jesus | 01-04-2007 09:25 AM |
[QUOTE=LordBass;16530075]Would a later E30 318 be sufficient for fun at a local autcross event, or would one wish they had bought a 325?[/QUOTE]The M42 is a nice little engine, but I think parts are even more expensive for it than the M20 (6 cylinder). The 318 is very well balanced and would be lots of fun at an autocross. I had a buddy a few years ago that had no problem keeping up with some much more powerful cars at HPDEs in his e30 318, which he'd decided to use as a track car to keep from beating on his E36 M3. So, yeah... still a lot of fun, despite the ~25hp deficit. The earlier M10 powered 318s are cheaper to work on, but have a finicky fuel injection system (L-Jet) and a lot less oomph.
| silver arrow | 01-04-2007 11:38 AM |
[QUOTE=dubwrx;16533514]Sean am selling mine.
i picked up my Maita for $2500. with less than 100k on it. oh yeah, it has a salvage title, but for my race car, that is okay.;)
my E30 is jsut sitting around doing nothing. i have access to another motor but i dont really want 2 project cars.[/QUOTE]
I've got 2 years before I can start looking at a race car. Waiting until I retire and decide where to live to see what tracks and classes are most available and popular.
i picked up my Maita for $2500. with less than 100k on it. oh yeah, it has a salvage title, but for my race car, that is okay.;)
my E30 is jsut sitting around doing nothing. i have access to another motor but i dont really want 2 project cars.[/QUOTE]
I've got 2 years before I can start looking at a race car. Waiting until I retire and decide where to live to see what tracks and classes are most available and popular.
| Jack | 01-04-2007 12:50 PM |
[img]http://www.comscc.com/gallery/nhis97/single7.jpg[/img]
me...10 years ago.....
Look into the BMW CCA club race pages. They've got great guides as to what to do to prep your car for the track. Not just the normal stuff for all cars but the stuff applicable to each model that they see a lot.
E30's have the issues of being old at this point, so wear stuff is what you'll be chasing. E36 and E46 rip out the rear sub frame from the chassis and the front sub frame cracks for example.
Any M3 motor repair is really expensive! The E30 M3 was built as a race engine from the get-go.
jack
me...10 years ago.....
Look into the BMW CCA club race pages. They've got great guides as to what to do to prep your car for the track. Not just the normal stuff for all cars but the stuff applicable to each model that they see a lot.
E30's have the issues of being old at this point, so wear stuff is what you'll be chasing. E36 and E46 rip out the rear sub frame from the chassis and the front sub frame cracks for example.
Any M3 motor repair is really expensive! The E30 M3 was built as a race engine from the get-go.
jack
| Crash477 | 01-04-2007 08:19 PM |
I too have interest in the SpecE30 series. That article in GRM was good!
| wagonmasta | 01-04-2007 08:39 PM |
get the M10 motored 318is !!! then stroke it down to 1.5 L and rev it to 12K
the same block held 1500hp in f1 form.... just imagine 500hp per litre!!
driver's said power delivery was like a "light swtich"...that would be sweet in an E30... but insane :devil:
the same block held 1500hp in f1 form.... just imagine 500hp per litre!!
driver's said power delivery was like a "light swtich"...that would be sweet in an E30... but insane :devil:
| Tilt | 01-05-2007 02:35 PM |
Would anyone know which would be a better overall in price, reliability, and performance - a Spec M30 or Spec Miata?
| speedblind | 01-05-2007 03:58 PM |
Take a look at the respective boards to get a feel for total pricing. One thing I'll mention is that, at this point, SM is much bigger on a nationwide scale. That means more people to race with, but it also means that big wallets have entered the series, and the minimum investment to be competitive has risen as a result. SE30 has been organized specifically to prevent this kind of rule creep, and the "spirit" of the competitors is to focus on racing vs. spending a lot of time and money to find the next competitive edge. Whether or not that remains the case as the series expands remains to be seen.
| NotAnRS | 01-05-2007 11:44 PM |
For autocross, I'd got with a six cylinder. The 325i has great low end grunt, which to me is far more useful than peaky horsepower (which it still has). The 4 bangers may be more nimble, but they are more of a struggle.
You can build a Spec E30 for around $8000 if you shop judiciously for the car and parts. A Spec Miata will cost you $10,000 because the cars are more expensive and 9 times out of 10 you'll have to foot the bill for the really expensive hardtop. Pro-built motors are rampant, and the class looks like a demolition derby half the time.
The E30, once you clean up the deferred maintenance issues, will be a rock solid car the equal of any Miata for reliability. Most of the crap that breaks on the E30 winds up in the dumpster when you build a race car. :lol:
You can build a Spec E30 for around $8000 if you shop judiciously for the car and parts. A Spec Miata will cost you $10,000 because the cars are more expensive and 9 times out of 10 you'll have to foot the bill for the really expensive hardtop. Pro-built motors are rampant, and the class looks like a demolition derby half the time.
The E30, once you clean up the deferred maintenance issues, will be a rock solid car the equal of any Miata for reliability. Most of the crap that breaks on the E30 winds up in the dumpster when you build a race car. :lol:
| express_wagon | 01-05-2007 11:59 PM |
[QUOTE=NotAnRS;16558397]For autocross, I'd got with a six cylinder. The 325i has great low end grunt, which to me is far more useful than peaky horsepower (which it still has). The 4 bangers may be more nimble, but they are more of a struggle.
[/QUOTE]
I have yet to autoX my E30 but the M20B25 engine is not all that torquey. To everybody that has never driven one, it is actually a pretty high strung motor. People do put the 4.10 rear end in it and say it becomes much better low-end than you lose some of the DD attributes. I am sure that doesn't matter for most people including me. This car sits in the driveway even though it's fully registered and inspected for the street.
I've had this car for 6 months, let me tell you this. Anything and everything will break. Ready to be nickle and dimed.
Back in June. Before caging and everything worked (sunroof).
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/4a625846eb63595779a99844eca4a5a1-.jpg[/IMG]
Current condition. Basically electrical system is b0rked, one word says it all, disaster.
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/be25e387dfdd1105db29011f79310b0b-.jpg[/IMG]
Winter setup. Actually can't wait to give this car a shot in the snow. If that ever happens in MA.
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/ad5220017b060b6befd284e4ccce17d4-.jpg[/IMG]
[/QUOTE]
I have yet to autoX my E30 but the M20B25 engine is not all that torquey. To everybody that has never driven one, it is actually a pretty high strung motor. People do put the 4.10 rear end in it and say it becomes much better low-end than you lose some of the DD attributes. I am sure that doesn't matter for most people including me. This car sits in the driveway even though it's fully registered and inspected for the street.
I've had this car for 6 months, let me tell you this. Anything and everything will break. Ready to be nickle and dimed.
Back in June. Before caging and everything worked (sunroof).
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/4a625846eb63595779a99844eca4a5a1-.jpg[/IMG]
Current condition. Basically electrical system is b0rked, one word says it all, disaster.
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/be25e387dfdd1105db29011f79310b0b-.jpg[/IMG]
Winter setup. Actually can't wait to give this car a shot in the snow. If that ever happens in MA.
[IMG]http://chipsahui2.zoto.com/img/50/ad5220017b060b6befd284e4ccce17d4-.jpg[/IMG]
| Kostamojen | 01-06-2007 02:41 AM |
Stupid european cars and their crappy electrical systems :mad: It would be a perfect car if not for those kinds of issues... Thats why the Miata in general is still superior for such things.
| jameslippert | 01-06-2007 08:48 AM |
/\ Agreed... keep in mind some are also getting close to 20 years old. Most of the seals are dried up or worn out. These cars leak oil and fluid from everywhere. If you buy one be prepaired to invest quite a bit in deffered maintanence.
However, they are a blast to drive
However, they are a blast to drive
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