New daily driver that will do the odd track day/Sunday blast...

sigma said:
Are there many such failures?

I'm guessing you mean clutch, cooling system, various sensors? I'd imagine the 'box to be pretty solid?
Click to expand...

i suppose clutch then really. even the cooling system is straight forward to replace. maybe its because ive put nearly no miles on mine i dont know how bullet proof they really are
 
sovietspybob said:
Try and stretch to an STi if you can, even if its a bit older. A standard STi will always be better than a PPP'd WRX especially if you intend to track it as the WRX brakes are truly woeful.
Click to expand...

An STI is 1K more expensive insurance wise, I live in a **** postcode, I can get insurance on an evo for the same as a WRX though :rolleyes: But I don't think I want an evo as a daily driver :o
 
I just don't class 4wd turbo rockets as fun in my head, is this wrong? Surely they are lacking balance? Going fast isnt the fun bit for me, I certainly don't want too much grip. That's my thoughts behind 4wd maybe I'm wrong and need to test drive a few...

The m3 with a suspension refresh and a geo (both of which I can do myself) should have that balance and poise (I hope). Not to the same levels as my mx5 did, it couldn't but about as good as 4+ seats and a boot can get?

I don't need a massive Car, but it does need back seats! Lol
 
The non evo is still a very good car, but in all honesty they're even older than the evo and are still just as capable of chucking a huge bill.
 
No, it's well accepted that the 5sp is stronger. Stronger than what I don't know though, lets face it M3 engines don't produce a monster gearbox shredding torque.
 
That's what I was thinking.id just spend the whole time wishing I got the Evo if I don't get one I'm sure...

What huge bills are we talking? Labour is a non issue, the engines are basically reliable under road stresses by the looks of things... Gearboxes must be ok, I've seen plenty at moon mileages! Replacing cooling parts and the various electronics that wear out isn't going to be too ridiculous.... I spend a fortune on tyres already so that's no different...

Cheap option is a 328 with posh suspension I suppose, but there not special and won't hold money, so I'd be no better off for keeping it maintained...
 
i considered a 328 but i am the type to tweak and fiddle with things and accepted that after all the fiddling id have been better off starting with an M3

given that suspension refresh costs would be broadly the same and that the engines are pretty bomb proof, the M3 does make sense in an odd way.

one bonus of having a 3.0 over a 3.2 is the 3.0 only has single vanos, so one less thing to go wrong.

with mine i have put the 3.2 lower ratio diff on the back of my 3.0 too which should help

the 3.2 has a dollop more torque, which is only a good thing and revised front suspension
 
I've only driven a stock one with apex springs fitted on it. Was nowhere near as good to drive as the standard 328 sport which incidentally also had apex springs fitted.
Personally I'm not overly convinced that the performance benefit of the M3 over the 328 is worth it, they command an awful lot more money and upkeep is a lot more expensive too.
328 with M50 inlet+BBTB, M3 diff and a weight loss program sees you at damn near M3 performance level anyway. This leaves you plenty of money left over to fit a proper suspension on it and do a whole bunch of track days.
 
Oakesy2001uk said:
That's what I was thinking.id just spend the whole time wishing I got the Evo if I don't get one I'm sure...

What huge bills are we talking? Labour is a non issue, the engines are basically reliable under road stresses by the looks of things... Gearboxes must be ok, I've seen plenty at moon mileages! Replacing cooling parts and the various electronics that wear out isn't going to be too ridiculous.... I spend a fortune on tyres already so that's no different...

Cheap option is a 328 with posh suspension I suppose, but there not special and won't hold money, so I'd be no better off for keeping it maintained...
Click to expand...

Labour is pretty much a non issue for me too, but when I had my 328i I kept track of all the bits and pieces I replaced over the piece (lost now unfortunately), just suspension components and odds n sodds like diff seals really the M tax would have meant paying at least 3 x as much to do these in parts alone.

Might be worth trying a well sorted sport with the 325 manifold and maybe a 3.15(or whatever) diff if you can find one, still a very decent car.
 
M3 revs to 7k and they sound broadly similar.

autocar apparently times the 328 @ 15.4 for the quarter mile

i have done a quick google and the info i found about m3 vs 328 was all american so a completely useless kettle of fish.
 
Oakesy2001uk said:
Is a sorted 200sx along the right lines handling wise, never driven one....
Click to expand...

I've sent you an e-mail :)

From what I gather you need to spend a fair bit for it to be as good as a nice M3 but then I'm not sure how many nice (suspension wise) M3s are out there.
 
Last edited:
I'm now leaning 200sx.... I'd get a very nice one in budget...

I've always been one for fiddling, and there a bit more scope for that 200 ax wise.

Never looked into them much... How much boost/torque is reliable without a forged build on these? Any issues with heat at track days?

General opinions please guys :)
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom