Which M3 is best for a track focused car

[the bullet]

Hi All,

I am looking into getting an E36 M3 Evo 1996,1997 model. I am intending to make the car a road legal track monster, however I can't decide on which flavour to get? Coupe or Saloon??? I head is telling me Coupe, but I also keep thinking the saloon would handle better on track.

I am looking for some honest sound advice and or knowledge regarding this issue, no smart coments or time wasting please folks.

Cheers

The Bullet

[Vixpy1]

I'm not sure which is easier to cage, but its worth taking into consideration.

[the bullet]

Thanks, I hadn't looked at that perspective before. Albeit a cage would probably go in both? I'll invesigate further.

[oola]

the bullet said:

Hi All,

I am looking into getting an E36 M3 Evo 1996,1997 model. I am intending to make the car a road legal track monster, however I can't decide on which flavour to get? Coupe or Saloon??? I head is telling me Coupe, but I also keep thinking the saloon would handle better on track.

I am looking for some honest sound advice and or knowledge regarding this issue, no smart coments or time wasting please folks.

Cheers

The Bullet

Get yourself onto bmwtrackzone.com for more info.... lots of Kumho racers and people with serious track E36 M3's on there. I'll be going down the same route myself and have been advised to get a LHD Evo Saloon if poss! The saloon shells are easier to cage and are stiffer and have (mostly, but you'll need to check) have alu doors.

Having done this partially in the past with an E36 M3 GT which turned out to be too good to strip, any car with a sound engine and body will do, rather than paying over the odds for a concourse model that will be ripped apart.

Hope this helps.

[JezF]

I was told that the saloon had mostly steel doors, actually. Mine certainly does and it's an early Evo.

Saloons are rumoured to be the better option as a track tool, but I can't believe there is much to choose between saloon and coupe.

[the bullet]

You guys are coming up top dogs already, it been a while since my track days and they were not in M3's. I will defo have a look at the sites you mentioned, and take on board your comments re the saloon.

Cheers Dudes

[oola]

You're welcome.

I'd prioritise your mods before you start spending on the project.

I'd say that loosing weight and stripping out interior will be a priority then weld in cage and adding seats. Then add coilovers, arb's, bushes etc uprate brakes (pads, disks, hoses & fluid will do) and get a set of decent wheels/tyres and you're away.

[Penguinracer]

I wouldn't advise a cage if the car is going to spend a good deal of time on the road.
As general rule you should never drive a caged car without wearing a helmet - it's obvious, but people tend to never think about dashing their brains out against the cage if they have an accident.
You're safer in a non-caged car if you're helmetless!

[the bullet]

Hi, Thanks all good advice. My last car was tracked up to the hilt, chipped to 349bhp, 273 ftlb torque, Bilstein PSS9's, braided hoses and such the lit goes on for ages. But you advice on E36's is really welcomes as this car is a new venture in starting to build a race car for my for fun on track. Your thoughts on where to get a cage would be welcomed, as I only know Porsche specialists for cages, and it been a while since I had one.

Cheers again

[the bullet]

Hi, Fair point however the car will on be on the road on get to the intended track, or if its to far it will be on a trailer. The idea of cracker my napper of a metal bar hurts before it even happens.....

Cheers for the comments

[Cliffv8]

think you'd be okay with a cage if you got the right seat wouldn't you ? and there is one advantage I quest to getting a coupe you'd get about a grand for nice leather Vader interior witch with will help when getting them mods

Edited by Cliffv8 on Tuesday 6th November 18:47

[Mroad]

Fair point about cages but if you have decent harnesses (assuming you use them on the road) you shouldn't get too near the cage. Make sure the cage near your bonce is also adequately covered with padding (MSA recommend padding areas within 150mm of where your head can reach). Helps when getting in and out too

The cage in my M3 saloon was done by Caged, nice job done too.

Edited by Mroad on Tuesday 6th November 18:52

[taffyracer]

LHD Evo saloon is the right choice, coupe does look better but the 4door shell is actually lighter and a tad stiffer, the doors can be chopped so there is little weight left and it's easier to work on, easier to cage etc, the LHD engine produces more power as well due to the manifolds not having to compromise around the steering column and is generally better balanced. This was mine until a few weeks ago, 1110kgs, 360bhp(ish) when the engine wasn't in pieces or overheating! Custom cages do very good cages for the E36 and also do a good job of fitting them, that's what I'd do
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/topwelshman...
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v335/topwelshman...

Edited by taffyracer on Tuesday 6th November 22:10

Edited by taffyracer on Tuesday 6th November 22:11

[Sport Coupe]

I chose a LHD Coupe 3.0 model, IMO it has the weight better distributed around the chasis and the engine/gearbox is more reliable.

It's also worth noting that:

Prodrive used coupe shells, as did the Aachen factory Schnitzer team.

Rick Kerry won the Kumho BMW championship back to back in a coupe.