Retiring the M5 from Tracking... Looking for a Track Rat.
I have done four two day sessions in nine months and have had a blast. The M5 is set up real well but definitely needs camber plates if I were to continue tracking it as I have excessive wear on the outside fronts.
Anyway, I have come to realize that while it is a torque monster on the track, something lighter and more agile is what I really need.
The search now begins.
My first choice is a 95 E36 that is either track ready or almost there. The reason for the 95 is that I understand that the S50 OBD I engine lends itself better to modifications over the S52 OBD II. Am I correct?
I have located a few that I am investigating right now. If any of you know of any others, please let me know.
That was true maybe 10 years ago. Today the OBDII has come a long way and both are just as easy to modify. If anything the 3.2 is more mod friendly and produces a little more hp and tq for the same mods. Bottom line get whatever E36 M3 fits you better, whatever you find for a better deal. Don't worry about OBDI or II so much.
Have you considered a regular 3 series or even a e30 m3? Of course if you don't want to stay in the BMW family the options are endless.
I've been looking for a track car as well.. the possibles I've narrowed it down to are:
(1) E36 M3
(2) E46 M3
(3) 996 Porsche 911
Here are the conclusions I've come to about these three cars:
I like the E36 since you can pick the up relatively cheap and the mods aren't too badly priced. The OBDI vs. OBD2 is a moot point now since all the tuning companies have figured out OBD2 now. I really like the vader seats in the M3 coupes as well. However, they are getting up there in age and I feel most of them are overpriced given their condition after I look at them.
The E46s have more power and a little more weight but handle well and as a bonus they basically look like an E39 inside .
The 911 is a 911, so it'll handle and brake well right out of the box. 996s are lighter than the e36 m3 and have more horsepower.
I'm still on the fence about which one to get. I'm supposed to go look at a 911 tomorrow so after that perhaps I'll have a better idea as to what I want.
I'd suggest just going out and driving a lot of different cars just to see how they feel. You might find out you dislike not having that torque and would be better off with a C5 or C4 vette...
The obd2 s52 is better in every respect. It has more torque and with an s50 intake manifold swap and proper ecu upgrade, produces a significant amount more hp than the s50 throughout the rpm range.
In fact, my buddy's s52 m3 with s50 manifold and CAI (no ecu tuning) was faster than my s50 with the dinan full package (minus the s/c of course).
Buying an e30 m3 solely for tracking is probably not the best use of your money. Buy a 325is or 318is e30 and modify it - your dollar goes a long way.
Nevertheless, with todays e36 m3 prices, you really cant go wrong with one.
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'00 M5 - too stock
'04 Ducati 999 S - too loud
'95 Range Rover LWB - too slow
Have a handshake on a 95 M3 (S50 OBD I) with CAI, Turner Chip, Borla Cat Back Exhaust, 4 point Roll Bar, TC Kline Single Adjustable Suspension, 5 point Simpson harnesses, Corse seat and BBS wheels. The original seat is included. The car also has the 3 point seat belts (drivers side modified due to the seat replacement) so it will be comfortable driving to and from the track. Oh, it's Alpine White too.
May be selling my 99 M3 Convertible (maybe, maybe) with almost 42K soon. Hopefully if I sell, it will be local to somebody I know as this car is in mint condition and I want a fellow enthusiast to enjoy it. I have talked about selling it before but always back down. Separation anxiety.
If the PPI is good, then the M5 is officially retired unless I go to a high speed track such as Road America.
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