I have given this some thought and I think I simply can't afford to track the M3. And I think that lack of experience would make more sense to learn in a car with less hp. Also, the one car arrangement me and my fiancee have is not working well, as he won't drive the M3. So I am thinking of getting a cheap car she can drive around town and such which I could gradually turn into a dedicated track car. Ideally I'd want a older E30 M3 or a 325is, but those are still pretty pricey. I don't wanna spend too much now as we are buying a place at the end of this year and trying to save up for that.

A guy at work wants to sell a BMW he has not driven since it failed state inspection. I have not seen the car, but this is what he wrote about it:
Keep in mind it's most likely not a 92, since he says it looks like an E30, so I am guessing a 91.

92 BMW 318is
something like 90-120,000 miles. can't remember

wrong

1) Taillight bulb
2) Front turn signal lens (on bumber)
3) bad front passenger tire
4) sun roof handle broke (still can be used, just have to hold it on)
5) leaky powersteering pump

MD inspection said,
Rear rotors .002 under spec
small exhaust leak at rear muffler

all for only $1000

Things that worry me about this car:
- lack of history, he is at least the third owner
- one tire bad - accident/suspension damage?
- car has been sitting for the last 6 months...

What do you think?

Take it for a drive and have a mechanic check it out. For a price like that I think you can assume you are going to have to put some money into it to get it running. Suspension damaged? Time to upgrade it. :D

If it is a '91 318is (E30) and you don't take it let me know. :)

---Eric

A '91 318is wouldn't be a bad buy if it isn't rusted out.

What makes the M3 more expensive to use on a track than a 15 year old car?

if u dont want it let me know!!!!

if u dont want it let me know!!!!
I already called dibs above... :stickoutt

---Eric

I have given this some thought and I think I simply can't afford to track the M3. And I think that lack of experience would make more sense to learn in a car with less hp. Also, the one car arrangement me and my fiancee have is not working well, as he won't drive the M3.

I never knew Jason ... WAY TO GO FOR YOU!!!! Don't be ASHAMED and STAND OUT FOR ALL TO SEE!!!! :buttrock

I already called dibs above... :stickoutt

---Eric
ur dumb, u dont count.

it's okay jason ... I know you are scared and do not want to be in ASP with me :stickoutt ;)

I never knew Jason ... WAY TO GO FOR YOU!!!! Don't be ASHAMED and STAND OUT FOR ALL TO SEE!!!! :buttrock

Hahahahaha! I saw that too! Then I saw "she". She-male???

I probably would pass, simply because you're going to have to put money into it to keep it going. Might as well get a car that is in better shape.

Plus, I don't think a 318 would be a particularly fun track car due to the lack of power. A 325 isn't exactly overpowered to begin with. A 318 would be a dog (no offense to Eric).

I can understand not wanting to track your M3. It would really suck to wreck a $55k car on the track.

John

A 318 would be a dog (POOR!! no offense meant to Eric). John

:lol:

What makes the M3 more expensive to use on a track than a 15 year old car?

tires, brakes, and in case something happens....

I never knew Jason ... WAY TO GO FOR YOU!!!! Don't be ASHAMED and STAND OUT FOR ALL TO SEE!!!! :buttrock


Whoops! LOL

it's okay jason ... I know you are scared and do not want to be in ASP with me :stickoutt ;)

Oh, no, I'll still autocross the M3. And, I am still waiting for the official results that WILL show that I whooped your azz!

it's okay jason ... I know you are scared and do not want to be in ASP with me :stickoutt ;)

Besides, I wanna be uber-pimp like you with many BMWs ;)

tires, brakes, and in case something happens....
You have those expenses with any car...that is the point I was trying to make.

I don't know how often you intend to get to the track but I would bet that going a few times per year using the M3 will cost you nothing more than the expense of buying an older car plus the maintenance it will require. My guess is that you would use the 318 once and realize how much you miss the power of the M3 and you'll end up driving the M3 anyway. If your girl needs a car why not let her pick something she will enjoy driving also?

You have those expenses with any car...that is the point I was trying to make.

I don't know how often you intend to get to the track but I would bet that going a few times per year using the M3 will cost you nothing more than the expense of buying an older car plus the maintenance it will require. My guess is that you would use the 318 once and realize how much you miss the power of the M3 and you'll end up driving the M3 anyway. If your girl needs a car why not let her pick something she will enjoy driving also?
I think you are missing his point. If he destroys a $1000 car he isn't going to mind as much compared to if he wrecked the M3.

---Eric

I think you are missing his point. If he destroys a $1000 car he isn't going to mind as much compared to if he wrecked the M3.

---Eric
No, I understand....and that is a valid argument. I just don't think he will end up driving an old beater over the M3.

I probably would pass, simply because you're going to have to put money into it to keep it going. Might as well get a car that is in better shape.

Plus, I don't think a 318 would be a particularly fun track car due to the lack of power. A 325 isn't exactly overpowered to begin with. A 318 would be a dog (no offense to Eric).

I can understand not wanting to track your M3. It would really suck to wreck a $55k car on the track.

John
Since he did mention he would gradually turn it into a dedicated track car, he could always drop a larger motor in it later. :D

---Eric

he could always drop a larger motor in it later. :D

---Eric

Like a 2.0L. :stickoutt

No, I understand....and that is a valid argument. I just don't think he will end up driving an old beater over the M3.
He wouldn't be (just for track). His fiancee would be driving it daily.

His original post suggested to me that he just wants something to learn on that he isn't worried about losing on the track.

---Eric

I have given this some thought and I think I simply can't afford to track the M3. And I think that lack of experience would make more sense to learn in a car with less hp. Also, the one car arrangement me and my fiancee have is not working well, as he won't drive the M3. So I am thinking of getting a cheap car she can drive around town and such which I could gradually turn into a dedicated track car. Ideally I'd want a older E30 M3 or a 325is, but those are still pretty pricey. I don't wanna spend too much now as we are buying a place at the end of this year and trying to save up for that.

A guy at work wants to sell a BMW he has not driven since it failed state inspection. I have not seen the car, but this is what he wrote about it:
Keep in mind it's most likely not a 92, since he says it looks like an E30, so I am guessing a 91.

92 BMW 318is
something like 90-120,000 miles. can't remember

wrong

1) Taillight bulb
2) Front turn signal lens (on bumber)
3) bad front passenger tire
4) sun roof handle broke (still can be used, just have to hold it on)
5) leaky powersteering pump

MD inspection said,
Rear rotors .002 under spec
small exhaust leak at rear muffler

all for only $1000

Things that worry me about this car:
- lack of history, he is at least the third owner
- one tire bad - accident/suspension damage?
- car has been sitting for the last 6 months...

What do you think?

Buy it then convert to M power.. thats what i did with a 93 325is..

He wouldn't be (just for track). His fiancee would be driving it daily.

His original post suggested to me that he just wants something to learn on that he isn't worried about losing on the track.

---Eric

Right, initially, SHE will drive it. And later we may decide to sell it or keep it. Also, I am not limited to this particular E30. I will consider and look for others. It may even be an M3. I don't know. This car is very affordable RIGHT NOW.

There's lots of reasons why a not so experienced driver should not track an E46 M3. Looking back I wish I had chosen my path and selection of cars differently, but it's never too late to learn.

You have those expenses with any car...that is the point I was trying to make.



Have you looked at prices for an 18" tire vs 15"? Big difference! Same with pads, rotors, wheels, etc, etc.

If you bought the car saved up a lil cash and bought an M50 it would be plenty quick for the track. Thats what I would do. Also I should have 2 E30's that I'm picking up as parts cars pretty soon if you need any parts. Goodluck :)

Have you looked at prices for an 18" tire vs 15"? Big difference! Same with pads, rotors, wheels, etc, etc.
Depends on how often you are going to the track. How many sets of tires do you plan on going through if you only do a few track days per year? Pads and rotors are covered under warranty on the M3. Plus if you continue to autox the M3 you are going to need even more wheels and tires.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just another side to the equation.

Depends on how often you are going to the track. How many sets of tires do you plan on going through if you only do a few track days per year? Pads and rotors are covered under warranty on the M3. Plus if you continue to autox the M3 you are going to need even more wheels and tires.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just another side to the equation.

Thanks for being the devil's advocate

Depends on how often you are going to the track. How many sets of tires do you plan on going through if you only do a few track days per year? Pads and rotors are covered under warranty on the M3. Plus if you continue to autox the M3 you are going to need even more wheels and tires.

I'm not trying to give you a hard time, just another side to the equation.
they wont cover wear items such as pads and rotors

they wont cover wear items such as pads and rotors
Uh, yes they do. Free maintenance for 4yr/50

Thanks for being the devil's advocate
:D

Uh, yes they do. Free maintenance for 4yr/50
so they cover tires and stuff too?

so they cover tires and stuff too?
No, not tires. You can get free wiper blades though :)

If you bought the car saved up a lil cash and bought an M50 it would be plenty quick for the track. Thats what I would do. Also I should have 2 E30's that I'm picking up as parts cars pretty soon if you need any parts. Goodluck :)
Ummm... Let me know what you aren't using. :D

---Eric