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Thread: E46 330i or E90 335i for daily/autocross/ someday track?

  1. #1
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    E46 330i or E90 335i for daily/autocross/ someday track?

    It’s 2019 and all the forums I have come across about this topic are 5+ years old. My daily driver is a Ford F-350 but I want an around town car to haul kids and such, and I have always wanted to get into auto cross ever since I did an event with my 1.8t Jetta. I have seen a few e46 330i zhp’s for around $5000-$8000 but most of them have 175000 miles on them. I have read where the e90 is heavy and not great for autocross, I am just worried about getting an older car that has tons of problems. I also don’t want to regret wishing I did something different if I get into a track build. So I guess what I am asking is what would you do in 2019 if you want a car to haul the kids around in, do some autocross events and maybe some day turn it into a track car.


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  2. #2
    MauiM3Mania's Avatar
    MauiM3Mania is offline Observer/Master Skeptic Moderator
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  3. #3
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    Sorry, thought I could put it in track car builds because at some point I wanted to turn it into a track car.

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    What's your budget? Not a big fan of the turbo motors for track days.

  5. #5
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    My wife says $5000 buuuuuut, so yea $5000 with future add ons per year.

  6. #6
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    Quote Originally Posted by olemiss540 View Post
    What's your budget? Not a big fan of the turbo motors for track days.
    Ditto. That said, my friend beats the crap out of his 135i. No issues. Like, 1:24's on Summit Main beats the crap out of it.

    The E46 is a really solid platform for the track. But....if 2-3 track days a year, and DD is what you're looking for. Yea. Newer platform/lower miles might be better.

  7. #7
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    Ha. Haul kids and track ? Doesn’t exist


    But I hear ya soooooo


    E46 3.0. So many to choose. Don’t let miles scare you Over time you’ll replace most things

  8. #8
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    I've tracked my e46 330i for 2.5 years now, it's a drift car. I also, at the same time daily drove a high mileage 335i, rwd, stick, modded and tuned to stage 2. I feel very qualified to answer this!

    As a daily, the 335i is a beast. Great commuter if you don't mind the semi stiff ride (I had a sport package, rwd car. As stiff and low from the factory as they came).

    As a track car, e46 every time right now. WAY less complicated to keep running in good health, and stock 335i's are known to have oil overheating issues on real track for track days. The 335i just blows the tires into smoke through 1st and second gear, making it hard to drive at it's limits in an autocross setting.

    Also, the aftermarket is WAY less expensive on the e46. Suspension/ track parts are WAY more accessible. The motors are good, and my 330i sits on redline all day during track days, and has driven to and from them 15 times over the last 2 years. Fit 11 wheels and tires, a canopy, mini grill, tools, jack, and 2 camp chairs in it. It takes the abuse.

    Plus, for $5000, you'll never find a 335i that doesn't actually need a few grand of love. For 5k, you should be able to find a really nice 330i.
    Keep it simple: half gutted '01 330i, welded diff, BC coils, SLR Super kit

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