So I will be getting the E46 325i more involved in AX (SCCA) next year and would like a little guidance on classes. I have checked the Solo rule book for the E46, but they do not explicitly or clearly list the 325. I am assuming it is in DS?

I have only performed one modification - I have gotten the stock wheel/tire combination from a same year 325i sport package (though I do not have the sport package). My wheel/tire combo was 16x7 205/55/16 and now I have gone to 17x8 225/45/17; does that effect class status? Further more I intend to run 245/40/17 all around when the current tires give up, how does that effect class? I may need to run a spacer for the 245's to fit up front; effect?

I see in stock class you may run "Shock absorbers or struts (2 external adjustments maximum)"; does that mean you can get both a spring/strut setup or only one or the other? I plan on getting the H&R cup kit (spring strut setup).

Thanks for your help.

I see in stock class you may run "Shock absorbers or struts (2 external adjustments maximum)"; does that mean you can get both a spring/strut setup or only one or the other? I plan on getting the H&R cup kit (spring strut setup).

It's been a while since I read the SCCA rulebook but IIRC, the adjustments allowed may address stiffness (compression/rebound separately) not height, and springs must remain stock.

Jon

It's been a while since I read the SCCA rulebook but IIRC, the adjustments allowed may address stiffness (compression/rebound separately) not height, and springs must remain stock.

Jon Thank you; I may need to rethink my suspension choices now.

Thank you; I may need to rethink my suspension choices now.

Yeah. Shocks are free, but you can't increase spring rate, have to keep stock. You can increase compression/rebound and have adjustable valving tho, which is a big help.

Dude, I hate to say it but Read the rules again. They are written as a if it doesn't say you can then you CAN"T.

THis meens you can only run wheels that came with the OPTION PACKAGE for your car, Unless you convert your car and put every Item included in the Option package on your car. Not only must the wheels be of Stock size, but they must be within 1/4" of the same offset, so yes you can run a 1/4" spacer. You can run any tire that will fit on the STOCK wheels.

Suspension, the most legal thing is that you can only run different SHOCKS, but must run the stock springs. However, there is some funny wording that allows you to run a threaded body shock, however, you have to runt he Spring perch at the same height as stock, and run a spring that is the same dimensions as stock, Same Rate and Length. I think the diameter can vary, but if it's a progressive rate factory spring, which they all are, so must the replacement one. So the easiest way is to use the STOCK spring setup with a Koni Insert.

Frankly you'll be much better Class wise if you built the Talon/Eclipse to ESP specs, because the 325 is going to get KILLED in any class it runs, unless your competition just sucks.

Frankly you'll be much better Class wise if you built the Talon/Eclipse to ESP specs, because the 325 is going to get KILLED in any class it runs, unless your competition just sucks.
I think that's a little bit of an exaggeration. There are plenty of folks around the country who don't have the car for the class, and they still do well on a regional and even a divisional basis.

I think that's a little bit of an exaggeration. There are plenty of folks around the country who don't have the car for the class, and they still do well on a regional and even a divisional basis.

True. I've had good luck in two regions running my 318 in H-Stock. Even on street tires.

THis meens you can only run wheels that came with the OPTION PACKAGE for your car, Unless you convert your car and put every Item included in the Option package on your car. Not only must the wheels be of Stock size, but they must be within 1/4" of the same offset, so yes you can run a 1/4" spacer. You can run any tire that will fit on the STOCK wheels..

No one has confirmed what class this car bone stock is but I assume DS. So the sport pack version of my car would be in the same class, yet not allow me (non-sport pack) to run the exact same wheels?


Frankly you'll be much better Class wise if you built the Talon/Eclipse to ESP specs, because the 325 is going to get KILLED in any class it runs, unless your competition just sucks.

Unfortunately, that is not an option.

No one has confirmed what class this car bone stock is but I assume DS. So the sport pack version of my car would be in the same class, yet not allow me (non-sport pack) to run the exact same wheels?



Unfortunately, that is not an option.
Correct. They can't discriminate between option combinations that suck ass, and ones that help a lot. Stock class means that outside of certain specific modifications, you need to run the car in a way that you could have ordered it from the factory.

Correct. They can't discriminate between option combinations that suck ass, and ones that help a lot. Stock class means that outside of certain specific modifications, you need to run the car in a way that you could have ordered it from the factory.Wow... I forgot to mention my car has sport pack... :rolleyes

I think that's a little bit of an exaggeration. There are plenty of folks around the country who don't have the car for the class, and they still do well on a regional and even a divisional basis.Very true! I won a national solo trophy this year in a car that most say isn't nationally competive anymore. Regionally... lots of cars can win that aren't 'nationally competitive'

Don't forget, you can get a bigger front swaybar in stock, which is a good thing. If you want to run sport pack wheels, you need the entire sport package as it would have been from the factory. You can't pick and choose, it's all or nothing.

Good luck... stock class is a great place to start... Wish I would have years ago.

Well, I will be using the 17x8's so it appears as if it will be STX for me. I will now plan my future upgrades around that then. Thanks for all the help.

Wow... I forgot to mention my car has sport pack... :rolleyes
"I have only performed one modification - I have gotten the stock wheel/tire combination from a same year 325i sport package (though I do not have the sport package)."

Like I said...I "forgot" :) Though I do like the fact that STX can not run R-comps unlike Stock.

The 325i is at a great disadvantage in autox since the 330i ZHP is in the same stock class (DS), and the ZHP starts with a great advantage in STX class too.

I don't intend to be that competitive (not going to nationals or anything here), but STX rules state - wheels up to 8" wide and 245mm wide tire. ZHP has 8.5" rears correct? If they are stock you can run them in STX?

I don't intend to be that competitive (not going to nationals or anything here), but STX rules state - wheels up to 8" wide and 245mm wide tire. ZHP has 8.5" rears correct? If they are stock you can run them in STX?

That's correct, you can't run a purely stock ZHP in STX (and you wouldn't want to). In stock class, you HAVE to run the stock rim widths, so we run 245/35 A6s all around on SSR 8" and 8.5" rims.