May need to sell the rx8. Thinking about getting an e30, specifically a 325i as daily driver and some track work. I know the car has a pretty bullet proof reputation and lots of part available.

Preferably would want one with something along the lines of sways, h&r with bilstein or koni yellows and upgraded brakes. Nothing too serious as I am hoping to race formula vee in the future so the E30 will not be turned into a pure track car.

Anyone here owned one? How would they compare on the track?

I am looking at various forums, seems that a decent car can be obtained for about 4.5k or so.

 

I used to own one. Great car. Good aftermarket, you can even put boost on them pretty easily.
Drive light, good brakes--not excellant. Good visability, nice back seat and trunk. Engines purr--BMW is the master of the 6 cylinder engine. DO NOT PUT an M3 engine in it--not worth it.
SHifts well--clutch, front hubs, track cooling are track weak points. Track prepped it is slower than our car. But it is not far off if it set up properly. Good value.
It will not drive as smoothly as the 8. You will have to use the wheel much more.
Enjoyable little car.
OD

 

I have an 325i right now.

its an pure car and it has its magic but you will be pretty dissapointed going from an rx-8 to an E30.

Its mutch better to get an 325i coupe instead of an M3, some mods and it will outperform the M3 easy. the only thing that will be better in the M3 is the balance.

 

I do not have the funds to get an E30 M3 so it is between a 318i/is and 325i/is. I currently have an R3 that has some light mods and r comps. I understand that as far as daily comfort the rx8 is nicer and it is 20 year younger.

I am trying to find a car with no rust issues but that is tough as buyers usually want a premium. How strong is the 325i engine (don't remember the code)? Anything specific that needs to be upgraded for the track.

Currently looking at this:

http://www.autotrader.com/fyc/vdp.js...e&rdpage=thumb

This car has the h&r sport springs and shocks (don't know the rates). Seems to have little rust (Georgia car) but the stock engine and transmission have 220k on them so don't know how much usage I can get out of that. Apparently the original owner had it for most of its life and 180k.

The deal will likely depend on how much I can get for the R3 if there is not value in my car I will simply keep it.

 

M20B25 2,5 Litre straight six.

as an track tool, the rx-8 is superior and thats not strange its 20 years younger and a pure sportscar.

The engine is quite nice, it is though as an DD and trackday engine.

I have been helping an friend in his raceteam and they race an 325i coupe in endurance. the engine dosent live very long in endurance racing sadly. but as long as its maintained it will survive as trackday and DD engine.

its common to FI them but I like the stroker ones better... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJO3C...E29308&index=7

Go for the 325i, 318 is slooooooow, really slow.

Suspension wise you could get a Bilstein Nürburg ring competition kit, quite good. you will also need to modify your wheel hub, take a 5 bolt from E36 and modify. you should also make an roll centre fix.

If you are really interested I can send some photos of all the little goodies from my friends super fast race E30.

These sites can be in interest http://www.snowdragon.se and my site http://www.fastlaneracing.se/

 

I would save a bit and get the m3 e30. We're talking about a motorsport chassis and a stunning car to drive
It will easily outperform a stock rx8 with some brake and suspension mods and be much funnier to drive. Forget being on rails and start developing your driving skills for real! =)

 

bse50, no it won't.

hehe I really like to disagree with you as usally ;-)

I have raced with so many E30s I can fairly say E30 M3 Vs RX-8 its up to the driver not the car. The RX-8 with minor mods have a little advantage.

But you are right on the involving part and yeah its more alive.

buuut an 325i with our magic fixes is a better and faster option then an M3 at tracks. ;-)

 

I don't think that the 325i was ever imported here, we had the 320is though for tax purposes.

I would either get that or an audi quattro by the way, maybe a sierra cosworth. Just stay away from the Delta, they fail at staying together lol

 

hehe but an delta is cool. =)

ok the 325i is a good one, I take one modified over an M3 anyday.

But im probably getting rid of my E30 325i this spring, i'm bored its fun in the snow but as soon as the tarmac is back its kind a dull... =(

 

Deltas are good cars that tend to fall apart.
If you want to use them, especially now that they're 20years old, you have to weld some reinforcement sheets where the suspension joins the chassis etc.
Since they were pretty hard to drive it's difficult to find a well kept one that wasn't in a crash\rewelded together etc
ANY e30 will be a fun track toy and a good mule. Those engines can cover 200.000kms without any major work done to them and still put out decent numbers!

 

yepp agree an E30 is nice, not a bad choise as track day toy.

Its an special car yes, very involving but im not that hooked. good modified rex is so mutch nicer.

well well... anyone up for some E30 racing?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Oxp-D35xDnA

http://vimeo.com/15928807

 

Thank you for the info but we are getting a bit of topic. This is not going to be a full fledge race car, I am on a budget (this is the reason why I am looking at an e30 to begin with). I have seen plenty of specE30s and E30 race cars. I just want something fun on the track in the constrains of a street car.

Any thoughts on the car I listed. Particular things I should ask about?

 

Check the engine's compression, drive it for a while 'till the transmission and differential gets hot enough to notice any problems or noises.
Then check the suspensions, put the car on a lift and possibly a dime to see if it's straight.
Check for rust both under the car and under the carpets, wheel wells etc. The usual and common rust spots. The firewall too
Electronics wise do a general check up, especially front and rear lights.
Consider to do a full engine\transmission\diff oil change, new brake pads and lines (possibly rebuild the calipers) when you get it.

That's pretty much it, change the spark plugs and wires and you're ready to go

 

more than liu track that car you will have to replace a few things--such as the fuel pump. brake calipers etc. Those are 2 usually done replaced things I have seen. a 220K engine is tired--dont know if it would last.
if I was on a budget and had to have a rear seat -- i would go with a Honda.
If a 2 seater was ok --get a Miata.
OD

 

Denny,

I would get a miata in a heartbeat if I could live with no space. Only looking at rwd so hondas are out.

Do you know the listed car? It is in Georgia and should have been to Rd Atlanta a few times.

 

there's nothing inexpensive about it unless you are content to be slow

 

an e30 may be slow around cones, it surely isn't around a track Mark.

 

I havent really looked Chris but if I get a chance i will.
Ok rwd and need room. The 325 sure seems like a good choice.
I saw an interesting 5 series at Road Atlanta. Those are a lot more solid of a car. I used to have a 1988 535I with an alpina suspension set up and that car handled very well. Wasnt slow at all. Wife made me sell it--if not I would still have it. Its heavier but drives much different than the 3 series. It is the closest thing I have driven to the RX8. They are cheap now a days.
BMW station wagons also. They always surprise people and they are really cool on track.
OD

 

I looked and this car is not familar to me. I didnt run in the last BMW event at Rd Atlanta.
You will tired of driving a roll bar no back seat car. I dont like a roll bar car on the street--its not safe. Ha that sounds funny doesnt it!
Its going to be noisey etc too
Sounds like a good deal thought--but notice no airbag etc.
You may have some difficulty getting insurance????
Is a good looking well thought out car.
Ask him if the rear brake calipers ever stick?
OD

 

I'm involved with some "Spec E30" racers and I can tell you the E30 is growing on me. No, not as fast or clean handling as the RX-8. However, you can run many seasons on one motors and once you get used to chucking the thing around it's pretty fun too!

 

With Spec Miata, the parts are cheaper. You can run both NASA & SCCA.

 

That's debatable. A year ago before I got involved in Spec E30 I would have agreed with you.

However, if you want to be competitive and actually try to win Spec Miata gets VERY expensive - motors need to be refreshed and rebuilt frequently because the extra few HP that spending $10K on your motor gets you is needed to be competitive.

The BMW 325is motor seems to just keep getting fast the more you break it in. They are like truck motors. I know one team on their fourth season on the motor and it keeps putting down more power each season.

This fact alone can make Spec E30 MUCH cheaper than Spec Miata. Plus... the parts for the E30 are pretty darn cheap in you know where to get them.

 

I am holding off on the E30 for now. Maybe will get a cleaner one in the future. After doing some research I became impressed with the car. It has a great feel to it and maybe be the best overall 3 series.

However if I had a choice. Spec Miata any day. Too bad we don't have spec Miata classes in Canada. That is some great racing. Spec E30 would be a close second. I personally want to go formula vee on arrive and drive basis.

With respect to rebuilding motors, some are more lucky (better build) than others.