What do you think about an early E36 M as a track car?

[milleman]

Title sums it up really, thinking of buying one for a bit of fun on the track and to use when the roads are covered with salt.

Would have to be an early one probably with quite a few miles on.

Can they handle it, what do you have to watch for?

any help appreciated, do not know an awfull lot about these to be honest.

[PipSqueak111]

Very suited to the job.
You'll see several E36s in the various saloon race formulas around the country, and there are of course dedicated BMW series like the Kumho BMWs that are full of E36s.
Doesn't tend to be the M3 so much (I think due to engine size and formula/class entries), but I've seen lots of 320s, plus several 325s and 328s.
Just for trackday use though, the M3 would be fine.

Phill

[RobbieM-Evo]

Im told the saloons handle better than the coupe's believe it or not.

I would go for the 323 (2.5) one of the best engines BMW made.

If not have you thought about the E30 - track god!

[dick dastardly]

Didn't Evo recently buy an E36 M3 as their track weapon of choice? IIRC they're trying to win some record around Nurburgring with it.

[milleman]

EVO did do that, it was extensively modified though. Hoping to just use a standard one to play with.

[brendonj]

Milleman,

I did just this about 6 mths ago and can definitely reccomend it.

I have done about 8 trackdays in it in the last 6 months and its a cracker. Theres not much that can touch it round a track save for GT3s etc. Great performance for the price.

PS make sure you get the 3.0 litre and not the 3.2 double vanos (expensive to fix)

[hongkongfooi]

I am lucky enough to have bought a low mileage 3.0 M3 from munich legends recently and intend to do about 3-4 trackdays a year in it but will be my daily driver as well.
I am going to upgrade the suspension, anti roll bars and brakes and thats all.....it goes well enough without buggering about with the engine.

Good luck with yours.