MR2, MX-5 or 3series Track Toy

Darryn

Darryn

Darryn

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I want a 2nd car for track use only, so far ive narrowed my options down to one of the following.

Mazda MX5
Toyota MR2
BMW 325i or 328i

I plan on spending up to ~£2k on the car and have budgeted a further £3k on making it track-ready.

My least favourite option would be the BMW, but, Ive been looking at the GKD kit for the 3series BMW, i could run the car a few times this year and then rebuild it into the GKD chassis over next winter.

*** Update ***

Bought a car, 1996 E36 328i Coupe

100_0560t.jpg
 
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I suggest a few trackdays first to get a feel for it.

Otherwise its a bit like waking up and deciding you might want to try Golf and running out and buying £4k worth of Taylor Made kit.
 
I did a few trackdays in my CTR and loved it.

For the 3series id be looking at E36 simply because thats the one used as a donor for the GKD kit.
 
MX5 without a doubt. Very possibly the best handling car this side of an Elise. Cheap to buy, insure, modify. I'll admit that I've never actually driven one, but I've been a passenger in many and even from the passenger seat you can feel how neutral they are around the corners.

A total budget of £5k would buy you a well sorted MK2 but I really wouldn't bother. A well driven MK1 with a good suspension setup will see off plenty of more expensive machinery, even with the standard 1.6 engine. One thing to note you WILL get absolutely slaughtered on the straights, and even Turbocharged 'Fives aren't really that quick.

The MR2 (SW20) is arguably a much better car to live with day to day, but for a track car they weigh considerably more, the Mid engined characteristics will take a while to get used to and the aftermarket support lags behind the MX5 by a fair bit. If we are talking about MK1s (AW11) then it is a completely different story, but I suppose if you REALLY wanted a MK1 MR2 you would have already bought one :p.

E36s - It might be because I'm a self confessed e30 fan, but both the e36s I've driven seemed incredibly dull (this includes a 323i on a rather nice B - Road with an encouraging passenger). I'm sure it would do the job well, but far too "clinical" for my liking, at least for a track car.
 
I chose the e36 318iS.

Your budget is perfect for an e36 328 (£3k in mods will turn it into an absolute monster).

Might be more sensible buying a track ready car or at least a half started project from a financial sense. For me though, half the fun has been creating something from nothing - depends if you like getting your hands dirty though.
 
My choice would be the mk1 MR2, easily under the £2k bracket (£1000-1500 will get you a nice one with little/no rust, less will involve rusty rear arches, £350 ish a side to get someone else to fix/respray)

With the remaining £3.5-4k you can do some very nice upgrades to suspension brakes and engine, engine wise there are about 4/5 different options (from the ~240bhp turbo from the mk2, ~220 ish 3l v6 from the camry to a 20v 1.6l conversion)

Never actually driven one but I think the MX5 would be my second choice, but then I have a preference for light weight cars over heavier but more powerful ones...
 
Mx-5 has the best chassis out of the lot afaik (not driven the other two cars in your list). I can only really imagine the MR2 being close (similar weight iirc) but I'm not sure if they handle as well.

If it was my cash I'd go for the Mx-5, especially one with boost. :D:D
 
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Berger said:
Overpriced, old and slow.
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This.

I have never understood the cult following of the 318iS cars (both e30/e36). Whilst there is no doubt it is FAR better than the other 4 pot engines BMW had at the time but it still only brings 140BHP to the party, and the slight difference is weight is a moot point as in a dedicated track car, that stuff will be throw into the bin.
 
Joshy said:
This.

I have never understood the cult following of the 318iS cars (both e30/e36). Whilst there is no doubt it is FAR better than the other 4 pot engines BMW had at the time but it still only brings 140BHP to the party, and the slight difference is weight is a moot point as in a dedicated track car, that stuff will be throw into the bin.
Click to expand...

The 318iS is a hoot to drive imo, almost as much poke as a 320i without the weight of the 6 pot making it nose heavy.

Imo a vastly underrated BMW.

That said, I passed on a tidy e36 318iS and bought a scruffy 328i & don't regret it! :D
 
I can't really speak for the other two as I've never experienced them but the MX5 handling is so brilliantly poised, neutral and playful, they're hilarious fun :D I'll take mine on track at some point!
 
As someone who has seen an e36 318is take shape and assisted in the work I'm too biased to answer really.

Nicks 318 kept up with an m3 that, whilst I totally accept we had no idea of his skill level, is a feat regardless of the mods vs stock arguement.

A properly sorted 328 would be my choice. Mx5's are great but it's a lot of money once you have the handling to get more power, with an e36 you just 'drop in' an engine of your choosing.
 
Conanius said:
As someone who has seen an e36 318is take shape and assisted in the work I'm too biased to answer really.

Nicks 318 kept up with an m3 that, whilst I totally accept we had no idea of his skill level, is a feat regardless of the mods vs stock arguement.

A properly sorted 328 would be my choice. Mx5's are great but it's a lot of money once you have the handling to get more power, with an e36 you just 'drop in' an engine of your choosing.
Click to expand...

I dunno, you can get a shed load of extra power for less than £1500 with a MX5, a properly sorted MX5 will keep up with some decent metal on the track imo.Support is brilliant for both cars tho.
 
I'd be tempted to go with a 318iS as well, because you can thrash the living daylights out of it and really up your skill with regards to keeping that speed, and if you do blow it to peices it's a cheap and quick fix as the M42/44 engines are cheap and plentiful :)

Two less of everything to go wrong as well :p

Loads of bits and upgrades around for the E36s as well, not only from their bigger brothers but aftermarket manufacturers.
 
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