Autosolo Car Advice.
Discussion
After buying an old 205 gti (1.6) and doing a couple of events this year, I’m thinking of either spending a bit on the gti to make it more competitive (suspension) or getting something else.
I’m thinking of a Z3 2.8. The rational is that they’re cheap, compact dimensions and being RWD looks more fun.
Any other thoughts / suggestions?
I’m thinking of a Z3 2.8. The rational is that they’re cheap, compact dimensions and being RWD looks more fun.
Any other thoughts / suggestions?
Just wondering ... how did you find the 205 for this kind of event? Im looking at getting one, or maybe an MI16. Plans are to joine Farnborough District Motor Club and get involved. Only thing is I was a bit weary of the 205 due to its age, and most have 100k+ miles, which is quite a bit for an 8v IMHO.
If it was me, Id stick with what you've got, but it depends if you just use it for Auto solos or a daily commute as well?
If it was me, Id stick with what you've got, but it depends if you just use it for Auto solos or a daily commute as well?
It was purchased to start doing some form of motorsport.
I did a Grass Autotest event and did pretty well, but then did an Autosolo with Farnborough Motor Club. That tarmac event showed that the standard 20 year old French suspension, was seriously lacking. Especially compared with a chap in a mk1 Golf GTI with Koni adjustables all round.
They're great events. They keep a level playing field between hot hatches and larger more powerfull stuff by keeping the course tight to start with, and then opening it out a bit throughout the day, until they find a balance between agility and power (if that makes sense).
As I think it'll cost simular amounts to develop the 205 or a Z3, I think I'd prefer the RWD option. As the 205 is the first FWD car I've driven for years, and it doesn't quite feel right anymore.
If I were you, before you buy anthing I'd go and have a chat with the Farnborough chaps. Also a M16 205 would end up in a 'modified class' in most events. The 205's generally though seem to stand up well over the years.
May see you there next year!
I did a Grass Autotest event and did pretty well, but then did an Autosolo with Farnborough Motor Club. That tarmac event showed that the standard 20 year old French suspension, was seriously lacking. Especially compared with a chap in a mk1 Golf GTI with Koni adjustables all round.
They're great events. They keep a level playing field between hot hatches and larger more powerfull stuff by keeping the course tight to start with, and then opening it out a bit throughout the day, until they find a balance between agility and power (if that makes sense).
As I think it'll cost simular amounts to develop the 205 or a Z3, I think I'd prefer the RWD option. As the 205 is the first FWD car I've driven for years, and it doesn't quite feel right anymore.
If I were you, before you buy anthing I'd go and have a chat with the Farnborough chaps. Also a M16 205 would end up in a 'modified class' in most events. The 205's generally though seem to stand up well over the years.
May see you there next year!
z3 2.8 will be awful, way too heavy, rubbish ratios and the front will just wash out on the tight corners.
fwd hatchback is the way forwards on a budget, 106 xsi or something similar, old school nova or saxo. yes you might need to invest in some stiffer springs but it will be much faster than a z3. you could even pick up a straight clio 172 for <£2k which would be competitive
results from the last bristol mc event give an ideaor popula/competitive cars
http://www.bristolmc.org.uk/EventResults/BMC_AutoS...
fwd hatchback is the way forwards on a budget, 106 xsi or something similar, old school nova or saxo. yes you might need to invest in some stiffer springs but it will be much faster than a z3. you could even pick up a straight clio 172 for <£2k which would be competitive
results from the last bristol mc event give an ideaor popula/competitive cars
http://www.bristolmc.org.uk/EventResults/BMC_AutoS...
I'd try a set of Gaz adjustables on the back, as you'll probably find you want the rear of the car actually considerably overdamped for the tighter courses, at least you can wind them up and down until you find the balance you require. One of the aftermarket 24mm rear arb's that are floating about probably wouldn't hurt either.
Don't know how much work you can do with regard to lightening the car but as much weight up front as possible compared to the rear will help you out of the tight corners.
That'd probably help a lot without spending a fortune and then if you still don't like it you'd probably get most of what you spend back by selling them on anyway.
Don't know how much work you can do with regard to lightening the car but as much weight up front as possible compared to the rear will help you out of the tight corners.
That'd probably help a lot without spending a fortune and then if you still don't like it you'd probably get most of what you spend back by selling them on anyway.
Edited by PhillipM on Sunday 20th November 14:53
I've been competing in autosolos for the past couple of years in my Peugeot 106 Rallye (you may have seen photos of me and the car on the farnborough autosolo event reports, its the blue one).
Car has 110k miles on the clock on its original 8v engine, the engines been strong its the gearbox and rear suspension that let it down!
As for modifications all its really got worth noting is Bilstien B8 front suspension,lowered 35mm, polybushed suspension, stainless steel exhaust/manifold, and bucket seats/harnesses. Pretty much everything else is standard and goes well on the events even keeping up with the quicker cars.
Ben
Car has 110k miles on the clock on its original 8v engine, the engines been strong its the gearbox and rear suspension that let it down!
As for modifications all its really got worth noting is Bilstien B8 front suspension,lowered 35mm, polybushed suspension, stainless steel exhaust/manifold, and bucket seats/harnesses. Pretty much everything else is standard and goes well on the events even keeping up with the quicker cars.
Ben
The 205 is a million times better for this kind of user an the Z3. Doing this kind of thing you really can't look at it as simply as RWD>FWD. Things like weight, weight distribution, gear ratios, and suspension design are far more important if you want to be competitive. The 205 is a very good FWD car, they trouble my Civic considerably at my local IOWCC events, I think purely on the weight advantage on the tighter courses. If you want RWD, a mk1 MX5 is the ONLY thing that compares.
The DC2 is a superb choice. It ticks all the right boxes, light, FWD, LSD, superb suspension, brilliant chassis and fairly powerful. The only downsides really are that it is not quite as light as the French hatches, and is quite expensive. You can run one in the stock class and stand a good chance of winning quite a few events!
RWD is more fun 
'Might' not get you a bit of sparkly tat, but you'll be having a good time and you'll be learning rwd car control.
despite the posts above, ftd at the last 2 7oaks solos at north weald - Austin healey sprite (zetec) and at MMKMC sittingbourne - a triumph spitfire.................. RWD can be quickest
Steve
'Might' not get you a bit of sparkly tat, but you'll be having a good time and you'll be learning rwd car control.
despite the posts above, ftd at the last 2 7oaks solos at north weald - Austin healey sprite (zetec) and at MMKMC sittingbourne - a triumph spitfire.................. RWD can be quickest
Steve
WhiteBaron said:
RWD is more fun
'Might' not get you a bit of sparkly tat, but you'll be having a good time and you'll be learning rwd car control.
despite the posts above, ftd at the last 2 7oaks solos at north weald - Austin healey sprite (zetec) and at MMKMC sittingbourne - a triumph spitfire.................. RWD can be quickest
Steve
I must admit the RWD chaps did look like they were having more fun, and after years in RWD, FWD doesn't feel very natural now. I'm sure some of the modern FWD stuff with clever diff's are really good, but I just don't think it's me.'Might' not get you a bit of sparkly tat, but you'll be having a good time and you'll be learning rwd car control.
despite the posts above, ftd at the last 2 7oaks solos at north weald - Austin healey sprite (zetec) and at MMKMC sittingbourne - a triumph spitfire.................. RWD can be quickest
Steve
Also the car will be a general toy rather than just an autosolo car. Therefore ability to run down to LM / Sunday Service / blast round the lanes with mates, will also be on the agenda.
My worry with the older RWD options mentioned above (and even MX5's from what I gather) would be rust and general age. That's why I thought Z3.
An other option I thought of was an 8 Valve Delta Integrale? But I thought that would be too heavy and big. However people use Evo's and the like, and still seem to get round and enjoy them selves.
Anyhow thank's for the opinions. Keep them comming.
McSwerve II said:
My worry with the older RWD options mentioned above (and even MX5's from what I gather) would be rust and general age. That's why I thought Z3.
An other option I thought of was an 8 Valve Delta Integrale? But I thought that would be too heavy and big. However people use Evo's and the like, and still seem to get round and enjoy them selves.
This makes no sense at all. Why would old RWD cars be more susceptible to rust, and why worry about those when you currently have a 205? Is a Z3 immune to rust?An other option I thought of was an 8 Valve Delta Integrale? But I thought that would be too heavy and big. However people use Evo's and the like, and still seem to get round and enjoy them selves.
To then in the next sentence mention the Integrale baffled me completely!
I must admit age/rust is an odd criteria for selecting an auto crosser...
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