Tracking A BMW

[1997bmwm3]

I am looking to change up from tracking a 1997 328I manual (with M3 suspension and brakes) to an M3. Does anybody have any experience with track day driving automatic trans M3's.

[TostitoBandito]

I'd strongly encourage you to go find a manual transmission M3 if you want to invest the time and money to track it. Tracking one of these in a safe and reliable manner requires a level of maintenance above and beyond what you'd do for a street car, so I'd hate to see you throw a bunch of money and labor at your auto M3 to harden it up only to decide that a manual would be way more fun.

The other option would be to source a 5 speed and swap it into your car, but depending on how nice your auto M3 is it may be more cost effective to just sell it and buy a decent M3 with a manual.

[1997bmwm3]

Thanks . My first inclination was to stay away from automatics but you don't know if you don't ask. M3's are hard to find at any reasonable price in canada but I will keep looking. You likely just saved me a ton of money.

[darbyfam]

Tracking a 90s automatic will only frustrate you.

[TXBDan]

There's not much difference between an E36 328 and M3. What you have would be a great track car. If i were you, i'd keep it.

[M3kiwi]

There's not much difference between an E36 328 and M3. What you have would be a great track car. If i were you, i'd keep it.

Only in the US

Canada, I believe also received the Euro M3

[Team Neverlift]

I have a student that tracked his automatic m3 for 2 years, no issues at all with the tranny. He was just collecting the necessary parts to do a manual swap, when it was totalled in an accident a month ago.

He had a lot of fun, and always enjoyed taking the car to the track, even with the auto. Removing the distraction to shift will help you focus on other areas of your own car control in which to improve on. Tracking an auto > not tracking at all.