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Thread: convertible E36 for Track car?

  1. #1
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    convertible E36 for Track car?

    hey guys,

    i'm going to the track for the first time with my friend next weekend.
    For the future, I've been thinking about buying an E36 323iS coupe


    I love the idea of a convertible and driving around with the roof down, but also would like to bring the car to the track...

    Is there some sort of COMPROMISE between the two? Or is it just one or the other?

    Is it worth it to put a roll cage in the E36 vert?
    Can I put a HARDTOP in the E36 vert? Is that acceptable on the track?


    I'm deciding between this convertible
    http://newyork.craigslist.org/brk/cto/2588706925.html


    and another coupe that's listed for $4100


    convertible owners out there who also do autocross, do you guys open the top a lot in the warmer seasons? Is having a convertible top just a novelty that will wear off after a few times, I might think I'm buying it just for the novelty factor and never even open the top and give up buying a coupe which could be used on the track.

    I plan to go to the track 2-3 times a year, and also join in a lot of autocrosses

    Thanks!!

    -Brandon

  2. #2
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    Convertible for the track is a safety issue. A lot of organizations will not let you run (thought here are plenty that will).

    I track and autocross (but only track once or twice a Year). I understand the risk and will live with it. But given the choice, get a car with a roof.

    For autocross top down is the only way to go

  3. #3
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    For safety reasons BMW CCA allows convertibles at high speed driving events only if they are equipped with an aftermarket roll bar meeting certain criteria (based on SCCA) and racing harnesses. In general this renders the car unsuitable for any other purpose than track use. Many Chapters disallow convertibles altogether. Some other organizations do allow convertibles without safety equipment.

    Regarding an E36 convertible I'd have to say that roof-ectomy tends to make that chassis rather flexy.

    Neil
    96 M3 - with roof

  4. #4
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    If you want a convertible, get a convertible. If you want to take it on track, don't get a convertible.
    "Fear disturbs your concentration" -Sabine Schmit

    1995 BMW M3/2/5-- S54 + Mk60 DSC, California Smog Legal (Build Thread)
    1998 BMW M3/4/5 Alpine/Modena, Z3 Rack, otherwise stock-- DD without burbles
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  5. #5
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    hmm, sex with the wife or a broomstick up the butt....

    If you have to ask that question, you may oughta take the 'vert!
    whatchu got

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by jcrist View Post
    hmm, sex with the wife or a broomstick up the butt....

    If you have to ask that question, you may oughta take the 'vert!
    Regards, Nate.
    www.DriveFasterNow.com

  7. #7
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    Does getting a HARDTOP like this one

    http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ctd/2600195720.html


    make it suitable for the track? in lieu of the roll cage?

  8. #8
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    No.

    But thats a beautiful car for a DD.

  9. #9
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    1) Buy the blue one with the Hardtop beautiful car.
    2) Buy a 325 or 328 IS, one that runs good and looks rough.
    3) Take the 325 to the Track, and drive the vert on the street.

    All that was said was true and good advice, this convertible really wont do both well.
    That said I have gradually converted my Z3 to mostly Track us and the group I started with would allow non Roll bar cars, and they all are(Z3s) in Fl but not Va tracks. So I barred up, but you wouldn't want to do that to a clean Vert and they really are lacking the structure you need to upgrade the suspension and are a lot heavier too. Although a friend from Pa has a newer M3 Vert with bolt in Bar and runs all over with it.

  10. #10
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    E36 M3 Techno, baby,
    Even if you go with a group that will allow verts at a DE, as an instructor I won't get in your car if you don't have wrist restraints for me and harnesses.



    1998 E36 M3-4 track car Techoviolet
    1995 E36 M3-2 Boston green
    2006 E90 330xi

  11. #11
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    Quote Originally Posted by takd2000
    Does getting a HARDTOP like this one

    http://newyork.craigslist.org/mnh/ctd/2600195720.html

    make it suitable for the track? in lieu of the roll cage?
    no.


    ...steven BMWCCA 146825
    http://318ti.org | http://bmwcca.org/forum
    1995 318ti Club Sport - 1996 328ti Sport - 1991 325iC - 2003 Mini Cooper S

  12. #12
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    Quote Originally Posted by jcrist View Post
    hmm, sex with the wife or a broomstick up the butt....

    If you have to ask that question, you may oughta take the 'vert!
    haha...wait - you don't do both?


  13. #13
    NeilM is offline Member BMW E36 M3 Expert
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    Quote Originally Posted by jcrist View Post
    hmm, sex with the wife or a broomstick up the butt...
    So that's how the Appendix B "broomstick test" works! Who knew?

    Neil

  14. #14
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    Convertible....

    Okay, beautiful car. However, I had one of those convertibles, it's wicked SLOW!!!

    It handles the twisties just fine, but you aren't going to have fun with an automatic 325 at the track, anyway. Forget the safety issues, it just won't perform well on track.

    If you must do a convertible / track car, I'd look at a boxster or maybe a Z3. I think they have some more pep and the Z3 can be fitted with a roll bar that doesn't look absolutely ridiculous on the street....
    Charles M.
    Naperville, IL
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    -2009 Carrera S Cabriolet

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    - 2007 Cayman S, Under Construction


  15. #15
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    Convertibles are not designed for the track.

    First of all, no self-respecting club members will show up on the track with a convertible. Regardless of whether its a supercar, convertibles have quite a few disadvantages on the track.

    1. Compared with a coupe, it is substantially heavier to get the chassis rigid enough for high performance.

    2. Regardless of how strengthened the chassis is, a convertible with no top just flexes too much and no upgrades or mods can stiffen the chassis.

    3. Its a car for Hollywood celebrities. If you want a track car, get a coupe, or the exotics ones with open cockpit unitized monocoque tub.

    Convertibles to me should have their own category, not grouping it as a sports car. It is just too laid-back designed for easy cruising instead of track usage.

  16. #16
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    Quote Originally Posted by henryting88 View Post
    First of all, no self-respecting club members will show up on the track with a convertible. Regardless of whether its a supercar, convertibles have quite a few disadvantages on the track.

    1. Compared with a coupe, it is substantially heavier to get the chassis rigid enough for high performance.

    2. Regardless of how strengthened the chassis is, a convertible with no top just flexes too much and no upgrades or mods can stiffen the chassis.

    3. Its a car for Hollywood celebrities. If you want a track car, get a coupe, or the exotics ones with open cockpit unitized monocoque tub.

    Convertibles to me should have their own category, not grouping it as a sports car. It is just too laid-back designed for easy cruising instead of track usage.
    Note to all Miata's, AC Cobra's, various Fiat's and Triumph's ... please ignore your stellar track and race histories.
    PS, thread is 7 years old!

  17. #17
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    To answer your original question.
    Do not track a convertible.
    The unibody will twist like crazy and should you flip it... your done.
    Some instructors (me) will not get in a convertible with you at the track.

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