Track car - Megane R26, BMW 130, S2000

Track car - Megane R26, BMW 130, S2000

Author
Discussion

vanman1936

Original Poster:

798 posts

225 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
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Thinking of a new car to half use on track. Want something that is pretty comfortable on the road, modern(ish) and relatively reliable. Elise/VX220 too minimalist, older 3 series/renaults too old.

Probably max £6k.

Thoughts on the above?

Cheers

P

MrC986

3,553 posts

197 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
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A friend recently sold his 5 dr 130i which had a LSD, uprated BMW Motorsport brakes and various other goodies. The car was a good occasional track car (used on BMW car club events) and surprised many a more expensive car. The car was a real "sleeper" and my friend is a real BMW nut who knows his cars do it was a carefully considered purchase originally. 130s are a good buy although in the budget range you're looking at, you'll have to keep your wits about you, just like the other options mentioned. A decent set of tyres with a geo check & uprated brake pads/fluid are the first things to consider once you've bought something assuming it's been serviced recently.

vanman1936

Original Poster:

798 posts

225 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
quotequote all
How can you tell if a 130 has a LSD or is that aftermarket?

mpit

374 posts

176 months

Sunday 29th January 2017
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99% of 130s won't have a diff, I'd imagine it'll be advertised as such if it does have one.


Cavey

522 posts

237 months

Tuesday 31st January 2017
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R26 is really good out of the box and huge fun on track. Also perfectly civilised to drive everyday, and practical. Hard to beat as an all-rounder for £6k I think.

Craikeybaby

10,635 posts

231 months

Tuesday 31st January 2017
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Are 130is down to £6k? They were much more when I was looking last year.

What about a mk3 MR2 or mk3 MX-5?

MrC986

3,553 posts

197 months

Tuesday 31st January 2017
quotequote all
Craikeybaby said:
Are 130is down to £6k? They were much more when I was looking last year.

What about a mk3 MR2 or mk3 MX-5?
The 130i sold by my friend was around £6k I believe with full BMW dealer history & LSD - I think it went to a BMW techie!

Frimley111R

15,868 posts

240 months

Thursday 2nd February 2017
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Cavey said:
R26 is really good out of the box and huge fun on track. Also perfectly civilised to drive everyday, and practical. Hard to beat as an all-rounder for £6k I think.
Agreed. And a great tuning scene for them too.

mauricegb

67 posts

123 months

Sunday 5th February 2017
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I did a couple trackdays in my old 130i.

It was fun but I wouldn't recommend it for half track, it's near enough a 1.5 tonne car and you do feel the weight. As standard they aren't very pointy either, you're looking at loads of understeer on dry days unless you make suspension changes.

vanman1936

Original Poster:

798 posts

225 months

Monday 6th February 2017
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Cheers, bought an R26 for £4.5k.

On my short drive home you can tell straight away they are epic handling cars.

Oilchange

8,735 posts

266 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
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Did my ards in a Renault, amazing balance and brakes and a well developed track car. That would be my choice

Edited by Oilchange on Tuesday 7th February 21:20

SirSquidalot

4,044 posts

171 months

Tuesday 7th February 2017
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vanman1936 said:
Cheers, bought an R26 for £4.5k.

On my short drive home you can tell straight away they are epic handling cars.
Reader's car thread please! I am very interested in an R26 to replace the MX5.