What next again?

[JST]

Originally Posted by clyde

Or does an E46 or later M3 start making sense, too? I don't want it to, but I think it might.

I can't speak to autocross classing, but my memory of the E46 M3 is that it wasn't really better than the E46 330 in 98 percent of driving, and that in many ways it was worse.

Still, there was a time that I actively cross-shopped a new 986S against an E46 M3, and I picked the latter. Make of that what you will.

The E90 was nice enough, with good V8 noises, but I'd want to drive a Mustang/Camaro before doing that, because I'm not sure it's nicer than either of those cars.

I would buy this before an M3, I think:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-bmw-330ci-zhp/

And I would buy this because it is awesome.

http://bringatrailer.com/2016/06/21/...orsche-928-s4/

[bren]

My truck and trailer are definitely in for an esp e90 m3 if that helps!

[clyde]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Or maybe a well maintained, cosmetically flawless E46 330i with a racing pedigree?

Originally Posted by JST

I can't speak to autocross classing, but my memory of the E46 M3 is that it wasn't really better than the E46 330 in 98 percent of driving, and that in many ways it was worse.

Still, there was a time that I actively cross-shopped a new 986S against an E46 M3, and I picked the latter. Make of that what you will.

The E90 was nice enough, with good V8 noises, but I'd want to drive a Mustang/Camaro before doing that, because I'm not sure it's nicer than either of those cars.

E46 M3 is currently kind of competitive. The E90/E92 M3 is currently competitive. Some of these may be competitive after the proposals are decided on. I'm not completely fluent in BMW modelese anymore, so I'm not entirely sure which is which, but starting with the E90s, the non-M 3/4 series cars stopped looking pleasant to autocross.

128i (2008-2013)
228i (F22) (2014-2016)
328 (F30/F31/F34, including diesel) (2012-2016)
3-Series (E46, non-M3) (1999-2006)
3-Series (E90/E92/E93) (Non-M3, Non-Turbo) (2006-2012)
428i (F32/F33/F36) (2014-2016)

Other cars that could potentially be classed with them:

Camaro V6 2010-2015
Mustang V6 2011-2016
Mustang EcoBoost 2015-2016
M3 E36
FRS w/o TRD suspension
BRZ
ATS 2.0T 2012-2016
WRX

The M3s are also further along their depreciation curves than the Mustang/Camaro, which makes owning one for just a few years more attractive and frees up more options when it's time for the next change.

I would buy this before an M3, I think:

http://bringatrailer.com/listing/2005-bmw-330ci-zhp/

And I would buy this because it is awesome.

http://bringatrailer.com/2016/06/21/...orsche-928-s4/

I like the 928. Except for the inside and outside colors.

[JST]

Originally Posted by clyde

E46 M3 is currently kind of competitive. The E90/E92 M3 is currently competitive. Some of these may be competitive after the proposals are decided on. I'm not completely fluent in BMW modelese anymore, so I'm not entirely sure which is which, but starting with the E90s, the non-M 3/4 series cars stopped looking pleasant to autocross.

128i (2008-2013)
228i (F22) (2014-2016)
328 (F30/F31/F34, including diesel) (2012-2016)
3-Series (E46, non-M3) (1999-2006)
3-Series (E90/E92/E93) (Non-M3, Non-Turbo) (2006-2012)
428i (F32/F33/F36) (2014-2016)

Other cars that could potentially be classed with them:

Camaro V6 2010-2015
Mustang V6 2011-2016
Mustang EcoBoost 2015-2016
M3 E36
FRS w/o TRD suspension
BRZ
ATS 2.0T 2012-2016
WRX

The M3s are also further along their depreciation curves than the Mustang/Camaro, which makes owning one for just a few years more attractive and frees up more options when it's time for the next change.




I like the 928. Except for the inside and outside colors.

Any of the BMWs without an LSD (i.e., any of the non-M ones) wouldn't seem to be much fun to autox. I remember when I was autocrossing the ZHP that getting power down was a PITA. The 335 was...worse.

If competition is part of the plan, forget what I said about the 330. Get an M3. But doesn't bren already have one of those?

[clyde]

Originally Posted by bren

My truck and trailer are definitely in for an esp e90 m3 if that helps!

As fun as that could be, I don't really want to pay for one (although maybe a partial Wonger special could make a little sense) and I don't think I'd want to drive one to work every day. And we all know I can't be fixing one every night after work.

Now here's another thought...building my Miata for CSP. The Danny/Sammy comparison video makes a case (CSP Miata running about the same speed as a C6 GS driven by a top driver having a great day). I'm guessing the build wouldn't be that expensive and I already have a chassis (that may need some minor straightening), so... And I could keep the FoST or replace it with a truck.

I think the Garfield car is still available for $9k including a hardtop.

Hmm...

[Plaz]

Originally Posted by rumatt

Or maybe a well maintained, cosmetically flawless E46 330i with a racing pedigree?

[clyde]

Originally Posted by JST

Any of the BMWs without an LSD (i.e., any of the non-M ones) wouldn't seem to be much fun to autox. I remember when I was autocrossing the ZHP that getting power down was a PITA. The 335 was...worse.

If competition is part of the plan, forget what I said about the 330. Get an M3. But doesn't bren already have one of those?

I don't think bren wants to go full SP M3 with it.

I'm not sure what that would have over JV's DSP E46 330Ci when they're both not broken.

[kognito]

Originally Posted by blee

This thread is slowly becoming relevant to my interests.

I will probably be in the market for a cheap used car in a little less than a year. Requirements are manual transmission, two doors, and fun/interesting/unique.

[Theo]

Originally Posted by JST

And I would buy this because it is awesome.

http://bringatrailer.com/2016/06/21/...orsche-928-s4/

That's to funny. I posted that in the BAT thread this morning with your name on it!!

[bren]

Originally Posted by clyde

I don't think bren wants to go full SP M3 with it.

Nope. I don't want to own an SP car. No thanks. We've all seen how long the c4 has been broken. I've had JV's rtab tool for like three months and haven't even gotten that done yet.

Does your miata have ABS?