Track Day Car? E30 M3 or Porsche 968 CS
Discussion
Hi guys,
I'm thinking of getting a second car to use purely for Track Days. I've shortened my list to two cars, the BMW E30 M3 and the Porsche 968 Club Sport. I have considered Caterham-type cars, but I think I'd like something with a roof.
Both of these cars have a reputation for being superb handling cars, but I'd like to hear your opinions - especially if you have happen to have driven both cars.
All replies greatly appreciated.
Barry
I'm thinking of getting a second car to use purely for Track Days. I've shortened my list to two cars, the BMW E30 M3 and the Porsche 968 Club Sport. I have considered Caterham-type cars, but I think I'd like something with a roof.
Both of these cars have a reputation for being superb handling cars, but I'd like to hear your opinions - especially if you have happen to have driven both cars.
All replies greatly appreciated.
Barry
Driven both but not on a track. I found the M3 to be a bit dissappointing (well, 'too slow' are the words I'm really after) and loved the 968CS (but then if it has a Porker badge on the front it'll always be gaining a slight advantage in my book.
The M3 will be cheaper (unless you find a very cheap LHD 968) and therefore more cash spare to tart it up to a better racing spec but IMHO I don't think it's as good a car as the CS. The 968 on the other hand already has fantastic brakes (especially if you get one with the MO30 sports pack) and has good seats etc. So there's some bits you won't need to spend more cash on.
Get a cheap LHD 968CS, strip it out even more if poss and enjoy!!
The M3 will be cheaper (unless you find a very cheap LHD 968) and therefore more cash spare to tart it up to a better racing spec but IMHO I don't think it's as good a car as the CS. The 968 on the other hand already has fantastic brakes (especially if you get one with the MO30 sports pack) and has good seats etc. So there's some bits you won't need to spend more cash on.
Get a cheap LHD 968CS, strip it out even more if poss and enjoy!!
When looking for LHD, try searching www.mobile.de
968 CS range from EUR 14k...24k
M3 E30 from EUR 5k...12k, but most of E30 seem to be boyraced or otherwise heavily modded! There's one '100% genuine' for 9k!
968 CS range from EUR 14k...24k
M3 E30 from EUR 5k...12k, but most of E30 seem to be boyraced or otherwise heavily modded! There's one '100% genuine' for 9k!
no contest...revise the roof question - get a Caterham with a plastic roof 
...will knock the socks off both on track (big time)
Steve (Caterham and M3 owner)
www.SadGit.net
>> Edited by getcarter on Saturday 11th May 15:33
...will knock the socks off both on track (big time)
Steve (Caterham and M3 owner)
www.SadGit.net
>> Edited by getcarter on Saturday 11th May 15:33
I wouldn't overlook the E30 M3. Standard ones have 170 bhp/ton, 968's have 183. When these M3's do trackdays, they are right up the arse of much more expensive kit, due the speed they can carry around bends. I have seen 2 or 3 lightly modified M3's (suspension basically) stay with a pair of 993 RS's around Donington, although I suspect that driver ability played a large part in this. (A 993 RS is what I'm aiming to get next......lovely, lovely, lovely).
Also, the E30 M3 has real pedigree. It is the most successful touring car racer of all time. The 968 doesn't have this sort of pedigree. The E30 M3 was to the track what the Integrale was to rallying in my view....both tasty homoligation specials with blistered wheel arches. Montoya had one and loved it. Most of the bodywork is unique to the model; the C pillars, boot and wheel arches illustrate this. They made 17,500 of them.
When I take mine to trackdays or to racing tracks to spectate, people always gather around the car, because they understand what it is and what it was designed to do. People want to talk about the car, even though it cost me 9 grand 2 years ago.
You could get a 2.5 Sport Evolution (ie EVO 3) for 12 grand. It would have 240 bhp as standard, and more if the cat was ditched. If you modified the suspension and brakes, fit a strut brace, put a half cage in with harnesses (this one had bucket seats with holes to fit them through) you would have a special car.
I like 968 CS's as well, I'm just trying to give a different point of view. My 1990 car gets me to work and around the track very nicely. It is bomb proof. (There's a picture of me driving my E30 M3 at Donington on my profile).
Also, the E30 M3 has real pedigree. It is the most successful touring car racer of all time. The 968 doesn't have this sort of pedigree. The E30 M3 was to the track what the Integrale was to rallying in my view....both tasty homoligation specials with blistered wheel arches. Montoya had one and loved it. Most of the bodywork is unique to the model; the C pillars, boot and wheel arches illustrate this. They made 17,500 of them.
When I take mine to trackdays or to racing tracks to spectate, people always gather around the car, because they understand what it is and what it was designed to do. People want to talk about the car, even though it cost me 9 grand 2 years ago.
You could get a 2.5 Sport Evolution (ie EVO 3) for 12 grand. It would have 240 bhp as standard, and more if the cat was ditched. If you modified the suspension and brakes, fit a strut brace, put a half cage in with harnesses (this one had bucket seats with holes to fit them through) you would have a special car.
I like 968 CS's as well, I'm just trying to give a different point of view. My 1990 car gets me to work and around the track very nicely. It is bomb proof. (There's a picture of me driving my E30 M3 at Donington on my profile).
Good points Johnny, but IMHO I reckon the 968CS is a better overall package, as they are a little less highly strung, have even better build quality and probably able to suffer less depreciation. It doesn't suprise me that either an E30 or a 968CS keep up with a 993RS on corners - they are all going to corner like on rails, with only getcarter's caterham showing them up.
I take delivery of a 964RS in a couple of weeks, so I am a real fan of homologation tarmac racers.
Rgds
Domster
I take delivery of a 964RS in a couple of weeks, so I am a real fan of homologation tarmac racers.
Rgds
Domster
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