Better track/street car than 135i w/ FBO??

[wildcat767676]

I hate to admit it but I've been thinking of what my next car could be...

I'm looking for your track experiences with your 1'er vs other cars.

I've been able to take first in my class of timed laps last year and want to find something as fast or faster that is also a great occasional street car. I've been passed by Z06's, GTR's, turbo Porsches, vipers and some supercharged M3's or full race versions.

So would an e90 M3 be much of an upgrade? M Roadster? M235i? Or Porsche?

Just curious what you guys with FBO and M3 suspension have not been able to outrun? Thoughts appreciated!

[RimasRS]

Really interested to hear also...
Is our short wheel base really so bad on the track, where is the problem?

[blutattoo]

Originally Posted by wildcat767676

I hate to admit it but I've been thinking of what my next car could be...

I'm looking for your track experiences with your 1'er vs other cars.

I've been able to take first in my class of timed laps last year and want to find something as fast or faster that is also a great occasional street car. I've been passed by Z06's, GTR's, turbo Porsches, vipers and some supercharged M3's or full race versions.

So would an e90 M3 be much of an upgrade? M Roadster? M235i? Or Porsche?

Just curious what you guys with FBO and M3 suspension have not been able to outrun? Thoughts appreciated!

As cliche as it sounds the driver mod is the most important on a track. All those cars you mentioned if they have good drivers should run circles around me at a track, but I have passed plenty of McLarens, 911 Turbos, 458's, etc.. I have also been passed by stock Cayman S's, Boss 302's, and Turbo Miatas like I was standing still. From a cost versus return basis it'd be hard to argue against a Z06. Those things are absolutely wicked fast, but man are they sketchy to drive at the limit.

The E92 is a great car, but it may not be as big an upgrade as you think. Stock for stock it is a big difference, but tuned versus stock much much closer. Love the new Cayman S if you've got the coin. The GTR is also crazy fast, but the guys I see at the track with them can't drive worth a shit and they still pass me. Makes me wonder is it them or the car doing all the work. Not a fan of the Turbo 911, I'd much rather have a GT3 RS for less money.

Good luck on your search and post up some pics when you settle on one.

[wildcat767676]

Thanks for the info! I know exactly what you mean. I've got 13 years of track experience but people still come over afterwards and ask what have I done to the car. They never think it might be them(or me).

I had a Z06 and Viper before and I'm just not an American car fan(sadly).

[P90Puma]

FBO 135i is a TERRIBLE track car, but great STREET car.

[wildcat767676]

I wouldn't say "Terrible" track car... I did win a lot of little time trial trophies. Had lots of people coming over to ask what the car was(it's debadged). Really not that much that could pass her honestly.(yes could be bad drivers I know).

Now terrible full race group car? Maybe!

[Kgolf31]

The E90 M will certainly be able to stretch its legs more.

TBH, you can have fun in a Spec E30, just depends on what you want to accomplish.

Higher the HP, typically the higher the cost for parts to keep it running.

I ran my Z4M for 2 years, and now switching to the 128 for track duty. Got tired of replacing control arms, expensive rotors/pads, and 18" tires.

[wildcat767676]

How did the Z4M perform vs the M3's?? Love those cars too! Although I prefer having a drop top.

I guess what I want to accomplish is having a dual purpose car that can run faster lap times than my current car with a manual transmission.

[Nugget]

What's your budget?
If you are just after times it would be hard to do better than a GTR or Evo.

[wildcat767676]

Probably under $50,000 max but preferably under $35,000.

No GTR in that range unfortunately nor GT3! Lol. Probably looking M Roadster, M3, Cayman S, 911 S, Boxster S, etc. had an evo before and not knocking it at all but I felt a little too kid racer in it off the track...

[Kgolf31]

Originally Posted by wildcat767676

How did the Z4M perform vs the M3's?? Love those cars too! Although I prefer having a drop top.

I guess what I want to accomplish is having a dual purpose car that can run faster lap times than my current car with a manual transmission.

Never was able to go up against a M3, the only E90 that was on the track found its way into the wall on a wet day . You did mention the Evo, and I actually kept up with some tuned Evo Xs...although I wont give myself much credit, as they were running stupid rich and shooting flames out the exhaust.



Are you running NASA TT or anything of that sort? You're going to have to compromise somewhere to lay down fast times and maintain DD status (aka race seats, trailer R-Comps, loud exhaust...etc)

Anyways, I loved the Z4M...just didn't want to ever run it into a wall given the low production, I would never forgive myself.

If you're ever going to run a drop top, you're going to need a roll cage, take that into effect. As well, the coupe is twice as stiff when it comes to roll rigidity.

Here is a vid of one of my sessions. I'll be honest I haven't seen much track, I autocross alot more and really just getting into it.

[ilikebmxbikes]

Driver counts more than the car. I have passed guys in corvettes and m3's and been passed by guys in miatas.

[wildcat767676]

Thanks for posting the video! I wish we had beautiful tracks like that here in AZ! I have been on Laguna Seca and Willow Springs though. Awesome tracks!

I typically run in HPDE advanced group or a TT type timed event. I run R comps(change wheels for track), 4 point harness, racing pads and fluid, -3.1 degrees camber, coil overs, M3 arms and bushings, etc. if that helps in the "what's next" computation.

[Focusedintntions]

Really I'd say the only limitation with the 135 on track is the amount of rubber you can squeeze under the fenders. Power/weight wise its really hard to beat in a straight line, but lateral grip is another thing. They will out handle an e90 m3, but b/c the m3 can stuff 275 sq hoosiers, it has a massive massive grip advantage over the 135.

Best bang for the buck track car is a c6 z06 with race slicks with a good driver. If you love your 1 and want to keep it, do a 1M body conversion and throw a sq 275 setup with a bit of aero on there. You'll beat e90M3's all day

[wildcat767676]

Originally Posted by Focusedintntions

Really I'd say the only limitation with the 135 on track is the amount of rubber you can squeeze under the fenders. Power/weight wise its really hard to beat in a straight line, but lateral grip is another thing. They will out handle an e90 m3, but b/c the m3 can stuff 275 sq hoosiers, it has a massive massive grip advantage over the 135.

Best bang for the buck track car is a c6 z06 with race slicks with a good driver. If you love your 1 and want to keep it, do a 1M body conversion and throw a sq 275 setup with a bit of aero on there. You'll beat e90M3's all day

I would agree on the lack of rubber. I have to run a 245 square setup on mine and sure wish I could fit more. I know the rear could fit a little more but I like to be able to rotate for more use of the tires. If I keep it, was thinking of some sort of fender work, LSD, and alumuminum radiator to finally cure the limp issues. Oil cooler helped a ton, but from what I read on the limp mode party thread, water temps is the other half of the issue.

Currently I don't have any issue with M3's until I hit high oil temps or brake fade(and that's with Motul fluid and EBC track pads/rotors). Probably need a full race pad next time instead of the yellows....

[02rsxpilot]

The fastest cars in my club are all 911s of various assortments and degrees of modification. Since Vette's are out (understandably), that's the direction I'd go given your budget and desire to get faster than the beast that the 135 already is. Skip the 996s though and either pony up for the 997 or go retro.

[wildcat767676]

Thanks for the input! I'd love even a 996 GT3!

What about M235i?

[02rsxpilot]

235i is hardly a step up from the 1er, based on what I've read. Compared to your modded 1er, I wouldn't think it was even close.

[timbo_3101]

Here in Victoria (Australia), the quickest vehicles on circuit also tend to be dedicated race cars including Porsche and modified Japanese (Skyline/Evo/WRX). Our E82s don't seem to be as competitive as experienced E9x M3 racers.

[Ginger_Extract]

If you have the means, ER widebody front fenders. Fit 18x9.5 w/ 275s at all four corners.

[wildcat767676]

Just front or rear too? Wow! Might have to look at that...

[blutattoo]

Originally Posted by wildcat767676

Just front or rear too? Wow! Might have to look at that...

You can run 275's in the back with the right offset wheels. I run 255/275 R-S3's and I don't rub at all.