Alternative to '6 for track days

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500Hp sounds about right for a 1 ton car.

I'm going to look at an E46 M3 coupé tomorrow. Any thoughts on these for track use? They seem to populate the burger ring...

Depends on the year but even then the later ones are comfortably under a ton (circa 870-900kg's). An early S1 would be under 800 kgs.

For me the sweet spot for the Elise chassis cars is around 350 hp - any more and putting the power down along with very short wheelbase and high centre gravity make the car more frustrating than fun on anything other than the softest slick tyre. If you lengthen the rear subframe (like they've done with the new exige s if it ever gets built) then it solves a lot (but not all) problems.

Don't get me wrong - 500hp can be tamed and made to go very very quick but the workload is much higher and unless you're racing or need that extra fix I've not found it "fun".

[mik15]

i would get the manual one and not the SMG, it's known to have too many issues...i was also thinking of an M3 but the E36, more of a hardcore track car

[bam_bam]

I'm going to look at an E46 M3 coupé tomorrow. Any thoughts on these for track use? They seem to populate the burger ring...

Why go with the M-car when the 2.8 with the LSD is a peach, less insurance and mo' money for brakes etc. And if you bin a 2.8 the car gods won't hate you nearly as much if it was an M3.
Or, go destroy something beautiful, Ikea boy...

[Shoppinit]

I find the M3 barely quick enough, so don't want to go with a non-M. I'm not really one to go for a lower model when a better one is available, but I hear what you are saying.

I wouldn't touch an SMG.

Bit worried about subframe, but suspect it might be an issue that's been blown out of proportion in terms of numbers of cars affected.

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I find the M3 barely quick enough, so don't want to go with a non-M. I'm not really one to go for a lower model when a better one is available, but I hear what you are saying.

I wouldn't touch an SMG.

Bit worried about subframe, but suspect it might be an issue that's been blown out of proportion in terms of numbers of cars affected.

I'd also avoid the SMG esp as the manual is a joy.
I know of I think 9 E46 M3's and ALL of them had cracked read subframes requiring thousands to remedy (luckily covered under the 10 year warranty).
Makes DRC seem a non issue

[Shoppinit]

Mmm. Don't like the sound of that. Maybe get it reinforced? There are a couple of specialist who do that for about £800.

Also the E46 M3 suffer from catastrophic engine failure, don't they?

Maybe an E36 is the way forward then. I used to have one. Will be like going back in time.

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Only heard of one who had a failure but that lost oil pressure at <ahem> speeds on the motorway. Driver didn't realise and the engine siezed... unfortunately it was SMG and he couldn't disengage the transmission so rear wheels locked at high speed. He said he lost count of how many times it hit the barrier...

E36 is a great car too. Nice and light but I think I find the E46 just that bit sharper.

No need to get it reinforced -just buy one with the revised work already carried out. Involves removing the rear subframe, adding some bits and then filling it with expanding structural foam. Not particulary hard but labour intensive to do properly (hence the big dealer bills). Once done though should be a perm fix.

[Ryan_Pestell]

1 tonne? 800kg max.

and as has mentioned about the rear, mine is having a custom 200mm longer rear subframe same as the lotus sport exige.

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1 tonne? 800kg max.

and as has mentioned about the rear, mine is having a custom 200mm longer rear subframe same as the lotus sport exige.

Good stuff.
I love and have a massive soft spot for Elises but they don't like big power out of the box unless you do it properly.
Adding wheel base length is a very big move in the right direction. If you ever need an example of where power can overwhelm the wheelbase just drive a supercharged atom 3.
It's hard to keep it pointed in a straight line let alon mid corner!

[Shoppinit]

Is that why dragsters are so long then?

I think I'm going to forget an E46. The subframe thing puts me off too much.

What about a Scooby or Boxster S? Cheap as chips and good fun. I would put aside my dislike of Porkers and wouldn't be upset if it got bent.

[chunky79]

Talk to 12" ref scoobs and evo's.

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Is that why dragsters are so long then?

Hah - no, completely different.
They are long as they generally have the engine as far forward as possible. All to do with load transfer and torque with sticky tyres.
Thinking of a more everyday example - superbikes are hard to launch as they have so much power and little weight with low rotatial inertia (as the cog is very near the rear axle) that if you jumped on and gave it full throttle you are very likely to wheelie the bike out from under you. Dragsters are the same but on a more extreme level. Lots of weight very far forward means they can use more throttle more of the time.

[Shoppinit]

I've put a deposit on an E46 M3.

[Mr Footlong]

Going to strip it out or do you think that you won't have the heart? P.S. Bastard, all I need is for Bam to by something for the hell of it now and I will be forced to keep the LCR so I don't feel left out. I have been toying with a LSD for it but Madam would try to castrate me I think.

[Shoppinit]

Nah, I'm going to leave it standard. That way I can use it to make dull trips more interesting instead of putting miles pointlessly on the '6.