I am considering getting into autocrossing, and I was wondering if the E36 M3 is a good car to learn on. I have no racing experience whatsoever, I'd probably want to go to some kind of driving school. Also, if I did choose an E36, is there any way short of FI to bring it up to par with E46 performance? $55,000 and up seems very pricey for a toy that will be beaten up on the tracks, especially if I will mod out half the insides to improve handling and such, but it seems like even some of the newer ricemobiles are giving the E46 a good run for its money on the tracks, so what chance does an E36 have?

Get something small and light. You don't need tons of horsepower. This'll force you to learn how to drive fast by being smooth, getting your timing down, and learning control. Take the money you'd spend on something more high end, and spend it on mods that matter: suspension, brakes, light wheels and good tires. Take some courses, and make your car safe.

as Fester said, the high HP helps u on the track but for autoX the skill level of driver is more important. Look up Evolution schools, it will be a good way to pick up some good skills. Start off with a stock car and then as u improve u can start modding the car, getting stiffer suspension, bigger&lighter wheels, harness, etc.

What they said - Lots of folks buy E30 coupe chassis's (chassi?) and mod them out. THeir wheelbase is so short, they tear up AutoX tracks..

And - When you're done W/ suspension and safety mods and you are ready for real speed, if you've bought an E30 W/ the M20 6cyl in it - you can turbo her and frighten people.

Have fun -

:buttrock

First and foremost, buy a rulebook. Then log on to your local chapter(s) site(s) and see how much competition there is in the different classes. You best bet is to pick a car that you can grow with, the e36 325 or M3 is a great choice for that, especially if you will be driving the car on the street also.

Run in Stock on street tires for the first season. Do regular maintenance stuff like RTABs and RSMs, Control arms, tie rod ends. Instead of spending money on mods, spend it getting the car as close to new as possible (suspension wise). You will learn a ton just driving the car on street tires at Autocrosses. Ride with some veterans, course walk with a vet who can give you some tips. Use the first season to scope out the field while you improve the basics and learn the car.
At the end of the first season decide if you want to make a move to SP or SM

I would suggest the same. I started in the stock class with my E30 325i and modded it through STS then to SM.

Prepare for some fun.:buttrock

Autocross whatever you have a few dozen times before you modify your car or blow your wallet on an autocross specific sled. Get some seat time, figure out what your goals are (fun, regional, national), then match your car to your budget.

Originally posted by Conepunter
Autocross whatever you have a few dozen times before you modify your car or blow your wallet on an autocross specific sled. Get some seat time, figure out what your goals are (fun, regional, national), then match your car to your budget.

I concur. Drive what you have. Doesn't matter what it is.

For me, I started with a mustang. Got to be pretty damn fast in it. Started co-driving 3rd gen camaros and C4 vettes. Got fast in them. Now I'm in an M3 and I'm pretty quick in that. Next season I've been asked to co-drive the CP car I ran at Nationals (after my M3 died)... so hopefully I'll become fast in that.

My point... the more seat time you can get in various cars at various levels of preperation can only make you a better driver.

My thoughts, I could be wrong... but I doubt it.

Originally posted by Conepunter
Autocross whatever you have a few dozen times before you modify your car or blow your wallet on an autocross specific sled. Get some seat time, figure out what your goals are (fun, regional, national), then match your car to your budget.

Exactly, just run what you have, there is a class for everything from a Ferrari 355 to a Saturn Station wagon (I have seen both at one event)

Just do it with a stock car, and the mods will be chosen from need not want.

RWD, feedback is good.

I dunno about e36 M3, I autoxed mine for the first time a few months ago......I cant say I learned a whole lot. Maybe I learned the basics driving too wrecklessly on the street, but autox is completely different from the street. I think the main thing i learned was to take turns wider than i had been, and let off the gas more smoothly. Anyway, these guys prolly know better than I.

The E36 M3 is a great auto-x car but you're classed in with some other "challenging" opponents. Of course, less powerful cars can be difficult to win in as well.

At the last event, my friend with an E36 M3 was up against a 280SX driven by an incompetent guy, in BSP. In CSP, the lap times were 4 seconds faster than BSP, and I was stuck battling 3 tuned MR2 Spyders, the drivers of which had all poured money into the suspension and attended EVO schools. I ran a good race, but wasn't able to place.

something slow! it is a lot easier to learn when you have a little more time to think. Also learn first, spend money on mods later. Same reason as above.

good luck
steve

No reason to get rid of the M3. Heck, I do reasonably well in my Land Barge.

Just remember, slow IN fast OUT. If you don't brake enough, your times will suck.