Changing my car for something more ring appropriate?
Discussion
Hi Gents,
An impromptu Nürburgring trip has been arranged for the beginning of next month, which I am gladly going on, however I am also a bit gutted because at present, I have a BMW E92 335D. Now, the car is lovely and it's the perfect daily for me - however an automatic diesel isn't going to be the greatest of ways to enjoy the track in my eyes.
I'm thinking of trying to sell it quickly and buy something more appropriate. Am I being naive in thinking I can sell this, and get a more track orientated car within less than a month? Should I even bother? What does PH think?
I have driven the ring before in a mk7.5 Fiesta ST, and it was amazing - just not sure how an automatic diesel weighing 1650 kg will fair against that experience.
An impromptu Nürburgring trip has been arranged for the beginning of next month, which I am gladly going on, however I am also a bit gutted because at present, I have a BMW E92 335D. Now, the car is lovely and it's the perfect daily for me - however an automatic diesel isn't going to be the greatest of ways to enjoy the track in my eyes.
I'm thinking of trying to sell it quickly and buy something more appropriate. Am I being naive in thinking I can sell this, and get a more track orientated car within less than a month? Should I even bother? What does PH think?
I have driven the ring before in a mk7.5 Fiesta ST, and it was amazing - just not sure how an automatic diesel weighing 1650 kg will fair against that experience.
Surely if your existing car is the perfect daily it's not worth changing for one trip and better to buy something more appropriate, take it on the trip and sell it afterwards?
Or hire something while you're there. I'm sure there are plenty of ring rental places that would be cheaper than buying something else (and give you something more appropriate given you also need to drive there!)
While I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than own a diesel I'd be the first to admit that a 335d sounds the ideal kind of car for the trip *to* the 'ring.
Or hire something while you're there. I'm sure there are plenty of ring rental places that would be cheaper than buying something else (and give you something more appropriate given you also need to drive there!)
While I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than own a diesel I'd be the first to admit that a 335d sounds the ideal kind of car for the trip *to* the 'ring.
Truckosaurus said:
Drive the BMW over to the Ring and then rent a proper track prepared (and fully insured) car when you are there.
This. Or, spend any money on making sure tyres/brakes (and suspension bushes if you're serious) on the E92 have plenty of life, and just take that.The Nordschleife is such a lovely piece of road that I can't think of a car i've not enjoyed driving it in, and with a 335d you're not exactly going to be sitting on the straights having to stare in the rear view mirror for the 'quick stuff'.
Truckosaurus said:
Drive the BMW over to the Ring and then rent a proper track prepared (and fully insured) car when you are there.
True, but have you seen the cost!Fastdruid said:
Surely if your existing car is the perfect daily it's not worth changing for one trip and better to buy something more appropriate, take it on the trip and sell it afterwards?
Or hire something while you're there. I'm sure there are plenty of ring rental places that would be cheaper than buying something else (and give you something more appropriate given you also need to drive there!)
While I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than own a diesel I'd be the first to admit that a 335d sounds the ideal kind of car for the trip *to* the 'ring.
What you say is true, should it be worth changing for a long weekend! It is the perfect car to drive there and back, but just a bit of a lump to be chucking round a track.Or hire something while you're there. I'm sure there are plenty of ring rental places that would be cheaper than buying something else (and give you something more appropriate given you also need to drive there!)
While I'd rather gouge my eyes out with a rusty spoon than own a diesel I'd be the first to admit that a 335d sounds the ideal kind of car for the trip *to* the 'ring.
supacool1 said:
People take a lot worse out there. Just enjoy it in your current car as you'll be in tune with the handling and feel of it. And as a bonus will cost a lot less on fuel as it's a Diesel....
Also true, I know this car and what it is capable of, I wouldn't be able to say the same with something I got last minute!EmailAddress said:
Am I out of tune or isn't that really expensive for what it is?
rodericb said:
Get it chipped then it'll apparently be all the car you'll ever need. Maybe stick some PS5's on it for the 'ring.
Also contemplated getting a remap - but should I bother risking the turbo's blowing or the like for a few days of use!If its just for the sake of a few laps of the ring, this would be a much cheaper, less risky solution:
https://rsrbooking.com/cars
https://rsrbooking.com/cars
Shabaza said:
If its just for the sake of a few laps of the ring, this would be a much cheaper, less risky solution:
https://rsrbooking.com/cars
€1000+ for 6 laps with a €25,000 excess in an i30n?https://rsrbooking.com/cars
I'd much rather taken a car worth less than half the excess alone and risk the rest!
EmailAddress said:
Market correction coming soon 
sgtbash said:
€1000+ for 6 laps with a €25,000 excess in an i30n?
I'd much rather taken a car worth less than half the excess alone and risk the rest!
There is a risk of whatever you buy being problematic and having to chuck £1000 at it to service and rectify/ change tyres etc ready for a long road trip and punishment at the ring.I'd much rather taken a car worth less than half the excess alone and risk the rest!
Personally, I wouldn't want to drive a fun car I hardly know that has likely been thrashed (comes with the territory of performance cars) across Europe, untested, shortly after I've just bought it.
If your 335d is reliable, its a fantastic car, personally the above would make me reluctant to change to benefit only a few days
Shabaza said:
There is a risk of whatever you buy being problematic and having to chuck £1000 at it to service and rectify/ change tyres etc ready for a long road trip and punishment at the ring.
Personally, I wouldn't want to drive a fun car I hardly know that has likely been thrashed (comes with the territory of performance cars) across Europe, untested, shortly after I've just bought it.
If your 335d is reliable, its a fantastic car, personally the above would make me reluctant to change to benefit only a few days
That's the thing - it had a service last month - has 4 brand new tyres (Although they are ling longs!) and with only 73k on the clock, has been utterly reliable and I trust it can do the trip without any issues. Personally, I wouldn't want to drive a fun car I hardly know that has likely been thrashed (comes with the territory of performance cars) across Europe, untested, shortly after I've just bought it.
If your 335d is reliable, its a fantastic car, personally the above would make me reluctant to change to benefit only a few days
I will need to put new front discs and pads on really, but that's only £170 for Mtec discs and EBC pads.
unless you know the ring very well, you'll likely be treating it just like an 8 mile stretch of winding A or B road in the uk. and a 335d is perfectly fine for that.
personally, i'd just check you've got decent tread on your tyres in case it rains, and you have a reasonable amount of brake pad material (the ring isnt that hard on brakes anyways) and have at it. you'll have the benefit of already knowing how it behaves on the road, and as its your road car it might stop you from going full racecar, and then having a crash.
as other people have mentioned, a 335d is the perfect tool to drive to the ring and back. seems a bit drastic to change car just for the ring, unless you're using this as an excuse to change cars anyway...
personally, i'd just check you've got decent tread on your tyres in case it rains, and you have a reasonable amount of brake pad material (the ring isnt that hard on brakes anyways) and have at it. you'll have the benefit of already knowing how it behaves on the road, and as its your road car it might stop you from going full racecar, and then having a crash.
as other people have mentioned, a 335d is the perfect tool to drive to the ring and back. seems a bit drastic to change car just for the ring, unless you're using this as an excuse to change cars anyway...
I'd guess your car is probably pretty well suited to the use for the money. Also better to be exploring a track you don't know in a car you do, rather than grappling with double unfamiliarity.
sgtbash said:
has 4 brand new tyres (Although they are ling longs!)
Ditchfinders however are another matter, I'd not put cheap tyres on that car for road use let alone track. I bought a 350Z that came on cheap tyres and it was night and day better once I'd binned them off and put MPS4 on. Changing your tyres, not your car, is the one step I'd take if you can.Gassing Station | Car Buying | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff