E46 M3 for the track

[Gedge]

Won't be touching the engine mate. Full interior strip, seats and harnesses, track pads, tyres and see how I get on.

Nothing is more expensive to tune than an Rx7 lol!

[Gedge]

Also im assuming non SMG? Ive always used a proper manual box and im assuming there is less to go wrong?

[Stuart]

Phoenix Gareth, the correct term is Phoenix I love it too!

My dream combo would be carbon black with red interior.

[Tommy]

He was with a guy with another stock looking one and there was a race prepped one which was the fastest thing of the day

Hi Gedge

Yep that was me and my mate Chris. We've been tracking various BMWs since 2007 and they've all been ultra capable and ultra reliable - even the most highly modified one that we built.

We've now arrived at near standard E46 M3's as they're just so easy to drive to track (no trailers - yay), hoon all day and be amongst the fastest cars on circuit, then drive home in comfort and refinement.

Mine only has a K Sport brake kit, front and rear race pads and cheap ass Nankang NS2R tyres. Chris's car has the same brake kit, different pads, BC Racing coilovers and he was running Michelin Cups at Cadwell. He was over 2 seconds faster than me (and we pretty much log the same lap times when in the same car) and in my opinion it was 85% or more down to the tyres, the rest the coilovers.

They're fantastic cars for road and track but you just need to bide your time and ensure you buy a good one. The vast majority out there are donkeys. As mentioned already, look for one where the boot floor has already been replaced or buy one that's under 10 years old so you can still get it fixed for free by BMW. Get one with a very good document backed service history and silent vanos and you'll be laughing.

[Gedge]

Excellent info thanks Tommy. I will be looking from next week after I get back from LeMans. Will definately take my time and check the forums.

Are yours both manual transmissions?

[Tommy]

Yes both manual. Never liked SMG when I had it in my old E36 Evo and when I test drove an E46 SMG. Besides, I prefer the extra interaction

[Tommy]

I should probably mention that suspension bushes and arms seem to wear out much quicker than on other cars. They need to be regarded as much more consumable than for other cars. Certain parts are pricey too but probably not really a concern for someone who's run a modified turbo car which generally seem to break, often.

[john B]

Thanks Stuart, very useful info. It looks like its going to happen as I've already preliminary sold some major components off the rex. Will be a sad day to see her go but I've bled enough for that car over the years, both physically and mentally! Its just not right for the direction I want to take at the moment. Maybe ill get another one, one day. Once you've caught the rotary bug it never really dies.

Chris

Sad to hear your giving up on the Rex I'm sure if you just went single it would resolve many of the reliability issues you have encountered...

You say you have plemininary sold some components ? Are you going to break the car ? as thats sad but if you do Please let me know as there are parts I would be interested in text me and let me know mate !

[Gedge]

Hi John yeah it's a sad day and a single probably would resolve my issues but I dont want to plough another 3 grand into it tbh.

Will be breaking but have already promised dom and josh some stuff but will post what's left to you and Gareth next week. Cheers

[john B]

I would have the vmount set up no problem