Thinking of buying a track car...

alik01 · 02-07-2012, 05:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

So a quick browse of carsales reveals a shitload of MX5s for sale and they all look identical...

I'd prob go in the 10-12k bracket (lots of money leftover for mods

) and get a clean NB... any suggestions on what to look out for?

Great choice!

Sorry I can't personally help you with this - I will looking soon too, so curious as to the findings. I would PM Guran and maybe talk to him. From his previous posts he is actively involved in the MX5 community and is even the president of a club (?).

I would also look at pre-sorted cars which will take out the hassle of getting roll bars, seats etc. installed.

Good luck mate! You're going to have an absolute ball!

vantagesc · 02-07-2012, 05:44 PM

For the money, S2000 hands down, though I don't know what they go for down in Australia. Right now it's the best value in the U.S. for a streetable track car.

TimMc · 02-07-2012, 05:46 PM

One of the elder guys at our club track days alternates between his GT3 Porsche and his 1.6lt MX5. He seems to enjoy both equally and runs times in the MX5 that are comparable to my modded 135. I doubt he's spent more than $10K on it all up!
He's got a rollover bar & harness installed in the MX5 - but I'd always feel a bit safer with a roof.

adrian@vishnu · 02-07-2012, 06:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vantagesc

For the money, S2000 hands down, though I don't know what they go for down in Australia. Right now it's the best value in the U.S. for a streetable track car.

Cars in Australia will be approx 2-3 times the price of the USA... and the S2000 is pretty rare over here and pretty expensive. I totally agree that if the price was the same for an S2000 or MX-5 I would take the S2000, but it is realistically more than twice the price.... and for that money you are into EVOs/STis etc which mod for mod are quicker.

Drawn05 · 02-07-2012, 06:12 PM

cant say I have seen a S2000 without a p-plate on it in Sydney.

Guran · 02-10-2012, 07:23 PM

Nope, I'm not President of the MX-5 Club of NSW ... but I am the Publicity Officer and have been attending all the committee meetings for the last year or so. You can see the results of my work here:
http://www.mx5.com.au/nsw/Magazine.htm

@bmroxm5 - Before you leap into anything, I highly recommend you come down to Wakefield Park on Sunday 19th Feb where the MX-5 Club of NSW is hosting our next club trackday. There will be about 80 drivers participating, and all but a handful will be in MX-5s. You will get to see and speak to the drivers of a huge variety of MX-5s, from standard NA6s like mine (my PB is 1:16.80 on regular street tyres), right through to slick-shod turbocharged and logbooked racecars doing 1:05, and everything in between. It is hands down the best way to find out what makes these little cars tick, and discover what type of car would suit you best. Especially as you'll be able to sit in some of them and make sure you fit!

Also have a read of the following webpage to get a better idea of the various MX-5 classes and what sorts of times are done (please excuse some of the content which is badly out of date - the site is due for a major overhaul this year). Note that the best times are only for the 2011/12 season. You'll find all-time lap records at the second link.
http://www.mx5.com.au/nsw/motorsport.htm
http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=36907

Guran · 02-10-2012, 07:25 PM

Oh and check out my YouTube Channel to see how much fun can be had with 1598cc of natural aspiration.
http://www.youtube.com/user/guran5

Taymaishu · 02-10-2012, 07:54 PM

Well Stu already knows my plans.

Back to the GC8!

Wizzzz · 02-14-2012, 01:20 AM

Just saw this on eBay and thought of this thread.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-135i-...#ht_2030wt_922

3hrs to go and it's sitting @ $7600 (Reserve not met).

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 02-14-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizzzz

Just saw this on eBay and thought of this thread.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-135i-...#ht_2030wt_922

3hrs to go and it's sitting @ $7600 (Reserve not met).

Wow... that seems awesome... I wonder if there are any other 'hidden treasures' in it though...

BMW86 · 02-14-2012, 02:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wizzzz

Just saw this on eBay and thought of this thread.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-135i-...#ht_2030wt_922

3hrs to go and it's sitting @ $7600 (Reserve not met).

That's sweet!!!

Kiwi Peter · 02-14-2012, 04:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Wow... that seems awesome... I wonder if there are any other 'hidden treasures' in it though...

You need this dont miss out

Smiley1175 · 02-14-2012, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bmroxm5

Wow... that seems awesome... I wonder if there are any other 'hidden treasures' in it though...

Why does the photo showing the compliance plate say:
"BMW 1 SERIES-E87"

It's an E82. Might be why it can't be registered.

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 02-14-2012, 07:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smiley1175

Why does the photo showing the compliance plate say:
"BMW 1 SERIES-E87"

It's an E82. Might be why it can't be registered.

Your 135i will say E87 as well, check your compliance plate

kaitan · 02-14-2012, 07:45 PM

But it cannot be registered in australia !! apart from parts there is not point in getting it?? unless u use for tracks? correct?

Stuart@BMRAutowerkes · 02-14-2012, 11:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kaitan

But it cannot be registered in australia !! apart from parts there is not point in getting it?? unless u use for tracks? correct?

Correct. Which is what this thread is about, i.e. a track car for myself

alik01 · 02-15-2012, 12:57 AM

By the time you convert it anything half decent it'll cost an absolute bomb. Much better cars to track than a 135i.

BMW86 · 02-15-2012, 06:05 AM

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...neSize:Min,Max

Honny · 02-15-2012, 06:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...neSize:Min,Max

I saw that afew days ago too! damn its attractive.

amk2912 · 02-15-2012, 06:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honny

I saw that afew days ago too! damn its attractive.

What a waste

alik01 · 02-15-2012, 06:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BMW86

http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...neSize:Min,Max

That engine would one hell of a project car!

koastal · 02-15-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrBlonde

I'd be looking at a racecar someone else is selling for $20K budget.

Best suggestion so far IMO

02-07-2012, 05:44 PM	#90
vantagesc First Lieutenant 45 Rep 365 Posts Drives: BMW Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: USA iTrader: (0)	For the money, S2000 hands down, though I don't know what they go for down in Australia. Right now it's the best value in the U.S. for a streetable track car.
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-07-2012, 05:46 PM	#91
TimMc Lieutenant Colonel 44 Rep 1,883 Posts Drives: E90 M3 Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Brisbane, Australia iTrader: (0)	One of the elder guys at our club track days alternates between his GT3 Porsche and his 1.6lt MX5. He seems to enjoy both equally and runs times in the MX5 that are comparable to my modded 135. I doubt he's spent more than $10K on it all up! He's got a rollover bar & harness installed in the MX5 - but I'd always feel a bit safer with a roof. __________________ Driving - Manual E90 M3 (Melbourne Red/Black). Riding - BMW R1200RS Sport.
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02-07-2012, 06:12 PM	#93
Drawn05 Captain 67 Rep 853 Posts Drives: Yes Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Left iTrader: (0)	cant say I have seen a S2000 without a p-plate on it in Sydney.
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02-10-2012, 07:23 PM	#94
Guran Captain 24 Rep 895 Posts Drives: 08 135i Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong, Australia iTrader: (0)	Nope, I'm not President of the MX-5 Club of NSW ... but I am the Publicity Officer and have been attending all the committee meetings for the last year or so. You can see the results of my work here: http://www.mx5.com.au/nsw/Magazine.htm @bmroxm5 - Before you leap into anything, I highly recommend you come down to Wakefield Park on Sunday 19th Feb where the MX-5 Club of NSW is hosting our next club trackday. There will be about 80 drivers participating, and all but a handful will be in MX-5s. You will get to see and speak to the drivers of a huge variety of MX-5s, from standard NA6s like mine (my PB is 1:16.80 on regular street tyres), right through to slick-shod turbocharged and logbooked racecars doing 1:05, and everything in between. It is hands down the best way to find out what makes these little cars tick, and discover what type of car would suit you best. Especially as you'll be able to sit in some of them and make sure you fit! Also have a read of the following webpage to get a better idea of the various MX-5 classes and what sorts of times are done (please excuse some of the content which is badly out of date - the site is due for a major overhaul this year). Note that the best times are only for the 2011/12 season. You'll find all-time lap records at the second link. http://www.mx5.com.au/nsw/motorsport.htm http://mx5cartalk.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=68&t=36907 __________________ 08 BMW 135i Sport Coupe \| Manual \| Sparkling Graphite \| Coral Red Boston Leather \| 10 Speaker Hi Fi
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02-10-2012, 07:25 PM	#95
Guran Captain 24 Rep 895 Posts Drives: 08 135i Coupe Join Date: May 2008 Location: Wollongong, Australia iTrader: (0)	Oh and check out my YouTube Channel to see how much fun can be had with 1598cc of natural aspiration. http://www.youtube.com/user/guran5 __________________ 08 BMW 135i Sport Coupe \| Manual \| Sparkling Graphite \| Coral Red Boston Leather \| 10 Speaker Hi Fi
	Appreciate 0 Quote

02-10-2012, 07:54 PM	#96
Taymaishu Banned 145 Rep 3,016 Posts Drives: I love massive black cocks Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: in my ass and around my mouth iTrader: (0) Garage List 2009 125i [5.50]	Well Stu already knows my plans. Back to the GC8!
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02-14-2012, 01:20 AM	#97
Wizzzz Second Lieutenant 11 Rep 232 Posts Drives: X3 M40i Join Date: May 2007 Location: Melbourne, Australia iTrader: (0)	Just saw this on eBay and thought of this thread. http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/BMW-135i-...#ht_2030wt_922 3hrs to go and it's sitting @ $7600 (Reserve not met).
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02-14-2012, 07:45 PM	#103
kaitan Lieutenant Colonel 73 Rep 1,546 Posts Drives: The Dark Side VAG TDI Biturbo Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: sydney, australia iTrader: (1)	But it cannot be registered in australia !! apart from parts there is not point in getting it?? unless u use for tracks? correct?
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02-15-2012, 12:57 AM	#105
alik01 Lieutenant Colonel 51 Rep 1,792 Posts Drives: Slowly & Responsibly Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Darwin, Australia iTrader: (0)	By the time you convert it anything half decent it'll cost an absolute bomb. Much better cars to track than a 135i. __________________
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02-15-2012, 06:05 AM	#106
BMW86 Major General 398 Rep 9,156 Posts Drives: RS3 Sedan / Macan S Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Australia iTrader: (0)	http://www.carsales.com.au/private/d...neSize:Min,Max
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