To those with M3's

[RawrImAMonster]

Well, 240 hp is even a little lower than I was originally looking for, but the handling makes up for it.

Any lower than that and the power to handling trade off isn't really worth it to me.

[TorinoCobra070]

Put an LS1 in a 325. Problem solved.

[RawrImAMonster]

Putting an LS1/T56 combo into any car pretty much fixes any problems it might have had.

[Jake]

Putting an LS1/T56 combo into any car pretty much fixes any problems it might have had.

Certainly less of a "momentum car" after the swap.

[RawrImAMonster]

I would drive pretty much anything that had a LS1 properly swapped into it.

[JustinG]

....as soon as I modded MY dsm it was 10 times more unreliable.

Fixed that for you.....

also you said 240hp was a little lower than you originally planned.....240hp is plenty of power for auto-x, you'll probably never even use 200 of the 240 hp in the first place.

[BLINGMW]

However I can probably get one with decent mileage for 4-5k so I can afford to have to fix a few things.

you know, just to offer a differing opinion, I think you have a potentially good plan there. You *could* spend twice as much for a nice pretty one with records and a meticulous owner, but unless he recently upgraded the suspension, bushings, and brakes then that's all going to need to be done anyway to be a fun/safe autocross car. Roll the dice on a $4500 one, budget another $2k for suspension/bushings/brakes, change all the fluids, and you're way ahead and know what's been done. Heck, you're ahead even if you have to replace half the drivetrain. This all assuming you don't mind some work and it's not a DD as you mentioned.

I remember the first "beater" MZ3 I saw at an autocross. Dents, obvious replaced body panels, home-made side exhaust. It was nasty, awesome, and fast. :thumbup: Just cause it's an M doesn't mean it has to be nice.

But really, if your goal is an autocross *beater* with power, then a BMW is not the way to go. Isn't there some american iron that would be a much better choice for much less $?

[RawrImAMonster]

Well I'm not really focusing on autocross specifically. Basically I just want something fun to drive (which is where the power comes into play). I was impressed with the M3's I rode in at the other day so I wanted to get some opinions, but they aren't specifically the only car I'm looking for.

I realize 240 hp is more than enough for autocross, but I don't want a car thats ONLY fun for autocross. Chances are I wont end up with anything thats even good for autocross. I just want to add more cars to my list of stuff I would be willing to get for a fun car since I seem to be having problems finding something.

edit: My ideal situation right now would be to find another 97-99 GSX at one of the auctions (because they are basically half price of private party) but they are incredibly hard to find at the auctions. Since I haven't seen one at either of the auctions close to here for about a year and a half now, I'm starting to give up on that. That's why I'm looking for other relatively cheap fun cars.

[JustinG]

I know where 2 are for sale......

[CaptainHenreh]

There's one at a stealership in manassas, too. 8k.

[D_Eclipse9916]

I am willing to drop mine to 7 if you want to take it as is. Just needs a hood and bumper painted and to finish buttoning up emissions equipment (that I would personally get rid off), A/C (already together just needs filled), and intercooler piping (go front mount). Extremely low mileage for the year (1998 with 8X,XXX miles on it. Brand new master cylinder, pads, rotors, driver side axle, alternator, lower control arms, tie rods, sway bar links, just did brand new timing belt, balance shaft delete, tons of spare parts. A 98 so it has the revised thrust bearing motor (no crankwalk), 17x8 Rota Torques. Eclipse CD3000 head unit with Type-R components up fornt Type S in the rear, tan leather interior, very clean. Was modded obviously (check out my GSX buildup thread, but ive returned it to stock. It really doesnt need much to get done, but life has been getting in the way effectively recently. Ill be jumping the price to 9 to 10k once it is done, so your really saving 2-3k in labor. Plus youll be getting an epic shit ton of extra parts (Good 7-bolt block, SBR3500 clutch, tons of stock extras, ill even throw in some 245 Hoosiers, Apexi Dunk Muffler, extra starter, alternator, fans, intercoler piping, etc. lots of shit)

Its close to getting done but the faster I get rid of it, the faster I can get a truck, and get rid of my lexus too. Also will clean out my garage and let me focus on getting the bmw done. If your even interested let me know, im not in a hurry, but as I said I would definitely get rid of it now for cheaper.

[RawrImAMonster]

Sounds like a pretty good deal, but I don't really have enough to buy it and make it nice right now.

Like I said I would absolutely love to find another one at the auction. My last one was a 98 with 133k miles, the paint was in good condition other than the front bumper and hood, timing belt was off a tooth, bad water pump, bad alternator, motor was strong with ~170ish psi across the board, and I got that for 2400. A few months after I sold that one, I saw another one at the auction. It was a 99 with 76k miles that sold for 4700.

[Steve85]

What size wheel tire combo are you M3ers running?

[D_Eclipse9916]

I have a couple sets, one 17x7.5F 17x8.5 R with 225/40/17F 245/40/17R, another 17x9 all around with 245/40/17s, another set of 17x8.5s all around with 255 RA1s, and I just picked up some brand new 285/30/18 Hankook R comps to play around with wheel fitment and try to get em on the m3.

[xvxax]

here is what you need for 285s

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[D_Eclipse9916]

Nope I am going to see what I can do with stock flares. I hate hearing how people are like "only this fits under this", I heard it a lot in the dsm community and it was complete BS and I fit wider than a lot of people thought possible when I first joined the DSM community I remember when people thoughht 235s were wide on a dsm and had "trouble fitting". I may be too optimistic on the 285s but I might as well try it, cause if I can do it, im going to pick up some 285/30/18 street tires and pwn some STis locally in STU. If not...no biggie, at least I tried and did it for myself.

[Steve85]

Probably not the best way to look at it but just in terms of weight my car is similar to the E36, within a 200#s. I have a set of 17x10 wheels on the way and was just curious what you guys were running.

I wanted to use a 285 or 295 but the selection is thin. I think I'll use a 275/40/17, I can get a much better tire for a good 75-100 / piece cheaper than running 11" all the way around. I want to be able to go out and enjoy without thinking about the cost of tires...

[SlimKlim]

Nope I am going to see what I can do with stock flares. I hate hearing how people are like "only this fits under this", I heard it a lot in the dsm community and it was complete BS and I fit wider than a lot of people thought possible when I first joined the DSM community I remember when people thoughht 235s were wide on a dsm and had "trouble fitting". I may be too optimistic on the 285s but I might as well try it, cause if I can do it, im going to pick up some 285/30/18 street tires and pwn some STis locally in STU. If not...no biggie, at least I tried and did it for myself.

I think you'll be able to do it, I think you'll have to pull the fenders, probably not add flares to it, but definately pull the stock ones some.

I really hope you can pull it off for some awd pwnage. 8)

[xvxax]

I think the difference with BMW guys vs. DSM guys is the race/autocross scene with BMWs is pretty big. Autocross guys especially have probably explored the limit of this cars fenders, especially during the period when the m3 used to be competitive in BSP.

I would put that tire in the fender, front or rear unmounted and take a look at how massive it is. I think you could probably bend the fender lip to clear the yitrd, but I doubt you could keep it from rubbing hard enough higher into the fender, which is where I was rubbing before. Dunno though, if you make it work it would be pretty epic, but it's a lot of work.

The worst part for STU for SCCA is you may not modify the outer fender shape in any way, so no flaring. Not that it matters locally, but it is what it is. I heard someone was on 265/35/18s last year in STU though at nats.

If you use those e46 m3 flares from certi-fit cut and welded on, 285s fit with ease.

[D_Eclipse9916]

with the bmw im following the "KISS" rule, keep it simple stupid. If they just no way fit, im just selling em, not doing fenders. I will be getting kicked out of stu anyway as im putting in a wheel with no airbag when I do my seats/harnesses/bars I realized so STU is out the window.

And your right about the difference between bmw and dsm guys but as I said, ill try it. If not, anybody looking for 285/30/18s brand new hankooks? haha