So who is drifting an e36 m3 with a stock drivetrain?

[sportcarm3]

I used to be heavily into drifting when I had my s14 5 years ago, but when I got my m3 I only went to one event. The car started overheating and the clutch started to feel sloppy late in the day.

If I go out in my m3 I will be using the stock transmission, stock diff, and stock engine for the time being. I have adjustable coilovers, but for now I will be on a stock drivetrain.

How reliable is the car to constant clutch kicks, high revs, and banging the gears. I want to take the car and beat on it, but if its going to break quick I might as well get back into a 240 so I can save cash on repairs.

Any info is appreciated.

Thanks!

[driftin07]

I'm curious of this too! I have a 328i with stock trans with 3.23 diff and M3 clutch. How good can it hold?

[JOEY FTW]

When I had my e36 325is (thread (http://forums.bimmerforums.com/forum/showthread.php?t=1330884) - plenty of videos of the how I drifted the car), I purchased it unmolested with minor work needed to the suspension. I never touched my trans/engine (besides air filter). I honestly drifted it daily for 4 months no problem. Here in florida it rains generally in the afternoons, 80% of the time I drift the car while it rained. I drift in the rain simply because it doesn't have enough power with 17" rims on past 2nd gear. Also easier to learn in the rain. The car did have the 5th gear stick issue, but no other problems with the transmission. I ran with the stock trans/clutch(160k+ on the odometer), however I was running the welded differential.

I did change the oil every 1500-2000 miles. I also changed out my water pump because it went bad. Quite honestly I am extremely impressed with how reliable it made it. Even after that I sold it, In January the buyer flew down from st.louis, MI. I sold the car in GA. However it made it 19 hours straight from Florida-St.louis. From what I investigated, the car still runs great today.

[rpm620]

M3's do like to get hot when going sideways... they dont get the air flow

[Piner]

yeah definitely do cooling system stuff, hi-po water pump, low temp thermostat, water wetter after I did those things car runs very cool even after beating on it run after run with no cool down laps.

only drivetrain upgrade I have is a 6 puck sprung hub clutch and a 16lb flywheel. I have been sliding the car for coming up on 3 years like that without much problem. Drivetrain wise the cars are pretty strong but cooling system wise they can bite you if you don't keep them maintained.

[driftin07]

i have the 3.23 diff and m3 flywheel and clutch all i need i a empty parking lot to practice in.......

[ienjoydrifting]

Stock just a hg, studs, and clutch. O and 500 wheel turbo setup. So your stocker should never die

[bennyfizzle]

keep slack out of the drivetrain with fresh/hard diff and subframe bushings, and keep the rear control arm balljoints fresh and everything should hold up alright.

MAKE SURE IF YOU'RE USING A STOCK DIFF YOU TAKE CARE OF THE DIFF BOLT LOCTITE PROBLEM.

It sucks when the head of one of those bolts catches in the ring gear.

[328iJunkie]

+1 to what benny said
Revamp/upgrade cooling system and do a bushing overhaul and youll be good to go

Ive got 40K on my abused as hell stock clutch and it still will lock up a mid speed 3rd gear kick.

[Stuntman]

I would look into the reinforced differential bolt. Not too expensive and a good investment:

http://activeautowerke.com/viewproduct.aspx?id=Product42

They are GREAT drift-mobiles:

http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/Driftcut.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/246-Edit.jpg
http://i19.photobucket.com/albums/b173/stuntman71/Drifting/M3Parumph.jpg