OT..Looking for hot BMW track car...any ideas???

Apples · 25th August 2002, 03:24

I'm thinking of getting a car, just for the track. l'm not sure if it's really worth floging the M5 around the odd track day every now and then. My insurance company has said their not sure if they would cover me if l need to use a claim from a track day ding???
I'm thinking of keeping the beast for sometime in it's Nowacked state, and it gets enough of my right foot as is. I'm also thinking of getting one of the last M5's in my dealers allocation.....the reason is because of Bangle's new 5,6,7 series...
So what do you guys think.....
My idea's arn't solid, but l would really like a BMW first choice for the track. Something with a power to weight ratio of around 300HP to the ton. A tuned and striped Euro 3.2 M3 would be a great option, as it has around 300hp?? and light weight in track finish. Finding one second hand would be the best and cheapest option by far. What price would/could one of these run for US30-40K ??
BTW...how would l find one of those or any BMW race/track prept cars for sale??
I also have thought of a tweeked WRX STI with 400+HP
Good power, great traction and good handling, good bang for buck value
I looked at the Radical. But with 500HP per ton thats a bit too much to handle right now.....they say their as quick as a F3 if on slicks...holly s^#@ and for 30K Pounds thats very attractive.
Panoz have a track car option but l don't know much about them?
Maybe open wheels could be an option as well....the skip Barber 3 days cars seem to have potential for fun factor at lowish cost?

So l'm open to suggestions....let me have it type away
APPLES

Gustav · 25th August 2002, 03:26

This M33,2 maybe? 321 HP +

http://www.mobile.de/cgi-bin/search....he=1&x=61&y=11

http://bilder.mobile.de/images/autos...9829457_2.bild

Hutzal · 25th August 2002, 03:32

i personally think (no flames please) that a Supra MKIV would be one of the best dedicated track cars that you can buy. Simply because there are tons of mods for it, you can strip down all the weight to make it more track orientated. Does it have to be a BMW?

MAVERICK · 25th August 2002, 03:39

Didn't you already ask this question in a previous thread, Apples?

http://www.bmwm5.com/vbulletin/showt...threadid=21134

Just make sure whatever it is you buy, it has a full roll cage. Better to be safe than sorry.

mweel · 25th August 2002, 03:48

Apples,

I'm in the same boat. After sears pt. I need to get back on the track, it was to fun. However, I don't want to beat up the M5 and quite frankly it just feels to heavy out there.

I have been looking into the WRX as an alterative car for the track.

I figure adding about 10K into the car I could have 300HP+. With great breaks and suspension. It seems like a logical choice. The only bad think about it is the turbo lag. No power everywhere like the M5

.

//MWEELS

Yupkwondo · 25th August 2002, 03:56

My Thoughts,

1. Mini Cooper S...Not the fastest, but a excellent handler. Can be tuned to around 240 h.p. at about 2,200lbs or less if you are gonna strip it for a track car! (I bet you could get it down to 1700lbs stripped) You can get them cheap $19,500 and you will not feel bad if you happen to crack it up a little. Downfall, FWD, I don't know how it is on the track, but I know there aren't any FWD race cars.

2. RX7, easily one of the most tunable cars on the planet, a great handler out of the box, and even cheaper to buy than the mini. however, be ready to have a pit crew because they are really prone to problems if not built up the right way. However, with a new built up rotary, they are very good cars.

That's what I would get if looing for a dedicted track car. But I don't have a huge budget for something like that.

~ Jason
2001 Lemans/Lemans

Mel A · 25th August 2002, 04:04

It would be difficult to get the weight of an E36 M3 down to the 2000 lbs range unless you replace many parts with carbon fibre.
An option (if your budget is in the $20k range) is an E30 M3 with the Euro E36 M3 motor transplanted.
I once read an article (in an older Bimmer magazine) about an E30 M3 with the E34 M5 motor!
If you've never driven an E30 M3 on the track,you need to-these cars handle like go-karts and with a bit more power they are a blast!

2001's X5/Z8 · 25th August 2002, 04:21

Hows about a Vette.....They are capable of anything.....and they are very easily upgraded.........I think that's the way to go.....Also, if you happen to damage the body at the track, vette parts are cheap.......If you are interested I can point in the direction of the builders of several NHRA record cars....they built my mustang about 6 years ago....

2001's X5/Z8 · 25th August 2002, 04:22

Just to add to that thought.....

Stock vette's are just about the best handling and braking cars ever made.....

Apples · 25th August 2002, 04:28

GUSTAV...Thats one very nice car....and looks good for the track. My German is not very good so all l can see is that is got 370HP and weight of around 2,900lb...2,300kg thats around 255HP per metric ton....pretty good start.
If you have any sites that you think could be of help to me...chuckem my way...in english maybe the best as well as based in the USA.

2001....Yep your dead right...but just way too common, even if it's tuned and ready for the track. It's got performance and brakes and as good as you could ask on that front......but l can't swallow the idea of a track car being a Corvett....just don't likem
Thanks... APPLES..