Track day?

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4wd cars on track can be fast but suffer with problems:
- considerably more wear n tear (esp of tyres)
- can be a bit twitchy when they let go
- over flatter poor driving technique.

It's fun, and in winter months it does mean you can still have an awful large amounts of fun.

But for me personally I would take a more basic, light RWD car even if it was ultimately slower. Something like a caterham, elise, Mk2 MR2 (turbo is fast but laggy) - hell, even a MX5 is fun (a lot of race driving schools use these for a very good reason).
E36 are great to use as they are (relatively) light and basic with nothing expensive really to go wrong and quite tunable.
The issue with Vanos is that it's like the tumble flaps of the B7 - they are there to increase low torque and improve flexibility... not really something you worry about on track.
First thing is to decide what you want to get out of it and go from there.

[Shinobi675]

That's a fair point, the mx5 is a fantastic cheap tracktoy. You could buy standard 1.8l for about £750 now, then add suspension, air filter, exhaust and roll cage for another £750! It's cheap to run, petrol, tyres, brakes, etc. there's loads of parts for them!

I might buy an mx5

[Kiteral]

Just rotrex charged my mx5

210bhp and a power curve as straight as a UKIP MP.

I can get to the salon a bit faster now.

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How much fun does this look
http://youtu.be/a6iO3TQjXp

Also watch to the end for the most annoying thing you can do on track:)

[chris_m]

Thanks for all the input men.

At first, I was going to spend 2-3k on something a little rough around the edges, fast, handles well and wouldnt feel guilty about ripping the interior out. The more I have thought about it, I may be close to a deal on a e36 m3 3.0. I will end up paying 5k or more for it but it seems a good, cared for example. I don't really need to save 100kg ripping out, or try to keep up with a 911 turbo do I? More, have fun and not worry about the thing dropping pieces every lap. Maintainance like said shouldn't cost the earth, should be reasonably reliable, plenty fun and have the potential to compete with plenty ouu there (skill allowing). I may only use it a few times a year as well.

[chris_m]

Well I did it. Left at 5pm this evening to view a e36 m3 3.0 in green. 3 and a half hours there mind so was hoping I wasn't turning up to a shed. After a 3 and a half hour drive, I love it already. Now starts the fun again.

[marc1]

Good work Chris. Get some pictures up buddy.

[chris_m]

I will do mate thanks.

[chris_m]

Can not suss out uploads from my tablet. Quit before it goes out of the window I think. Will have to upload them from my lap top.

[chris_m]

Looks to have the original sticker on the windscreen.

[marc1]

Looks great mate. Saloon too, for a bit of BTCC-esk shenanigans! Fun times ahead!

[chris_m]

Thanks mate.

Yeah I much prefer the saloon look. Wouldn't have a convertable full stop either. There seems to be plenty of them and not so much the saloon. Sure the fella I bought it off said there was only 415 uk models in saloon? Not sure about that though. The rear spoiler is not standard from what I have read and either are the clear lenses. I got the standard lenses with the car though.
I am a track novice and am considering having a half day tuition. May even get a full day tuition. Surely it has to improve your track ability...

[marc1]

Yeah you really don't want to be getting a cab. I have that spoiler on mine but it's a coupe. Maybe it's from a coupe, loads of coupes have them, not sure if it was available on saloons too.

Tuition will be a great investment.

[chris_m]

From what I have read, it was an optional extra only on saloon and coupe models. Not available on the cab.

Think i will book in the tuition in that case. Can't wait to get out in it. I have only had the car a few days but already I love it. I can't think of a better car for the money. My brother is after one since I've had mine.

[marc1]

Told you. it will get better and better once the modding begins.