Looking to Buy a DD/Track Car

[Renovatio]

Hi all,

This is my first post on this forum, and I hope it won't be my last. I am here to ask for some advice on these M3's before I actually purchase one. What I am looking for is a car that can pull double duty as a daily driver as well as an occasional track car (doing perhaps up to 1-2 events a month). I think I've narrowed my options down to a few choices:

Honda S2000 (New or Used)
BMW E36 M3 (Used)
BMW 135i (New, Financed)

I am familiar with Hondas, but since this will be my first experience with RWD, I am a little afraid of the S2000's reputation to be twitchy and unpredictable at the limit. I feel like the BMW's would be a much more solid platform for me to learn to drive an RWD car. So I have a few questions:

1) Which would you pick, and why?
2) What are the typical maintenance costs of the E36 M3? I specifically picked E36 instead of E46 because my friend pays out of his nose to maintain his E46 M3. Of course, the 135i would be covered.
3) I am trying to look for a clean, low-mileage, never-raced, never-modified E36. Where should I look? It looks like most of the cars on this forum have been raced and/or modified.
4) What kind of mods are recommended for track use for the E36 M3? I'm not looking to go all out yet, so I'm more interested in safety (brakes, cooling, oil, tires, wheels, etc). Anything that tends to wear out quickly with track use? Preventive maintenance?

Thanks!

[BMW4LIFE]

Most importantly, what kind of track experience do you have?

No matter what your experience I would recommend the e36 M3 as a track car/DD. It is a very forgiving and fun car in stock form. You can develope your skills and as your speeds start to increase make appropriate mods to the suspension/brakes/tires etc.

Maintenance/parts are relatively inexpensive especially when compared to the e46 m3.

Not sure about the s2000 parts/reliability wise but I am sure it is Honda bulletproof but where are you going to store tools/tires/etc for the track? You would need a trailer.

The maintenance is FREE for a 135i, correct? BMW covers it under the factory warranty. I tracked a lease 330ci and if anything happened, including prematurely worn out brakes, they covered it without issue. But every dealer varies and I am sure they are keen to the fact that many owners may track their 1 series. That also brings up another question, can you afford to wreck it? That may sound harsh but you need to be aware of the fact that it may happen.

[ChosenGSR]

You have to keep in mind that you might not be allowed to track the S2000 with many groups. Sort of apples to oranges here.

[Renovatio]

I have tracked mainly FWD Hondas. I have gone to numerous track events in Southern California (Buttonwillow, WSIR, Streets of Willow, California Speedway). I also used to autocross quite a bit. I'd say I've been to about 10 track days and 15 autocross days. I have experience with modifying FF cars (race coilover suspension, R-compound tires, etc), but I have learned the hard way that FF just isn't the ideal track setup. Plus, the E36 M3 has been my dream car ever since I was 16, and now I can finally afford one!

I'm not interested in wheel-to-wheel competition (yet). I'm really more interested in going out to open track days with my HotLap timer.

[ChosenGSR]

If you're able to work on your car yourself I think you'll make out better with the BMW. It'll be cheaper to purchase, M3 coupes are a dime a dozen. Also the fact that it's not a vert gives you more flexibility.

[BMW4LIFE]

I have tracked mainly FWD Hondas. I have gone to numerous track events in Southern California (Buttonwillow, WSIR, Streets of Willow, California Speedway). I also used to autocross quite a bit. I'd say I've been to about 10 track days and 15 autocross days. I have experience with modifying FF cars (race coilover suspension, R-compound tires, etc), but I have learned the hard way that FF just isn't the ideal track setup. Plus, the E36 M3 has been my dream car ever since I was 16, and now I can finally afford one!

I'm not interested in wheel-to-wheel competition (yet). I'm really more interested in going out to open track days with my HotLap timer.

Now I can definitely say e36 M3. It is a great all around RWD car with 50/50 weight distribution and it is relatively light.

I came from FWD too. Their is no turning back.

[Renovatio]

Thanks for your responses! I was actually leaning toward an E36 anyway (which is why I posted on this board). Could you guys comment on what kind of maintenance costs there will be, and what kind of safety/preventive modifications I should think of for track duty?

[BMW4LIFE]

Thanks for your responses! I was actually leaning toward an E36 anyway (which is why I posted on this board). Could you guys comment on what kind of maintenance costs there will be, and what kind of safety/preventive modifications I should think of for track duty?

4 point roll bar, Race seats, and 6 point harnesses.

Leave it stock until you feel comfortable with RWD cars.

[BMW4LIFE]

Thanks for your responses! I was actually leaning toward an E36 anyway (which is why I posted on this board). Could you guys comment on what kind of maintenance costs there will be, and what kind of safety/preventive modifications I should think of for track duty?

As far as maintenance before hitting the track, fresh fluids, brakes, and fresh "street" tires till you get the hang of RWD.

Chassis reinforcements may be neccesary too.

[fcocca]

Hello Renovatio,
No surprise I recommend the E-36 M3, since I answered that question for myself nine years ago.
FWIW, I would avoid the early models without the factory-installed reinforcement plates at the rear subframe mounting points; my June 1997 build sedan has them. Consider having $3-4,000 on hand to refresh aging soft parts like brake lines, hoses, motor & transmission mounts, especially various suspension bushings, guibo-clutch, tires with OEM (or other) when you decide to track the car. It isn't necessary unless one really wants to feel the OEM handling that is an important attribute of the E-36 M3.
Good luck!