Fun car question...another what car thread...: Grassroots Motorsports forum: Grassroots Motorsports Magazine

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June 22, 2010 8:23 p.m. ea_sport Reader
Here's another what car thread for you guys. I have a 2001 330Ci with about 90Kmiles, stick shift with Kumho MX all around with more than 50% thread left and less than 1 year old suspension upgrade (H&R Race springs, Koni SA, Eibach f & r sway bars, and reinforced rear subframe with Turner kit). I've owned it for almost 4 years and it has a pretty complete service history. The only thing wrong with it right now is that the SES light is on which will probably require either new O2 sensors, new MAF or simply new intake boot (19 E3 E4 CB CA for those who have Peake reader code).

My dilemma is that this used to serve as 95% DD and 5% Autocrosser. Now that I have a new to me DD I don't have to drive this car daily anymore. My beloved wife lets me decide what to do with this car and my goal is to have a fun car for maybe around 8-10 autocross a year and start trying HPDE. I think my options are:
1. Keep the 330Ci and continue to build it as funds allow. I am thinking that it will need the following: the SES problem sorted, preventive cooling system maintenance done (new water pump, thermostat and hoses), new exhaust system (UUC TSE3 or AA exhaust), front camber plate to get more negative camber, LSD, and better brakes (better pads and brake lines). I figure this will cost another $3 - $4 K assuming that I do most of the work myself.
2. Sell the 330Ci (I figure I should be able to get around $8 - $8.5K) and do one of the following:
  2.a. Buy a 1999 Miata and build a budget STR car with the proceed.
2.b. Buy a 1995 325is and build a budget STX car with the proceed.

2.c. Buy a 1989 - 1991 325is and build it the way I like it because I love E30.

2.d. Buy a 1995 M3 and build it as funds allow. I figure a 1995 M3 in good condition and decent mileage will probably cost almost the same as my 330Ci.

I am leaning towards BMW options either option 2b, 2c, or 2d because the local chapter of BMWCCA has DIY events which allow me to use the lifts at local shops and provide help on working on my Bimmer. Unfortunately my mechanical skill is novice to intermediate at most. I can change all the fluids and do the basic maintenance but not much more so the BMWCCA support system is really nice for me.

Which option will you choose and why? Please stay with the available options if possible. Thanks guys.
June 22, 2010 9:24 p.m. Vigo HalfDork

If you are ok with having that amount of money into the car for what you will end up with, you might as well keep the 330.

My first thought was sell the bmw and use the big pile of money (in my eyes) to build something WAAAY more built.. but seeing as how you are looking for a car to race and not a car to learn how to build cars on, i think keeping the BMW is a better option in your case.

The miata is another viable option, since it is very raceable as delivered and isnt difficult to work on, either.. but at this point unless you have a specific yearning for a miata, i wouldnt go to all the effort of selling your car and finding and buying the right miata when you can just hop in your car and race it. However, the Miata appeals on other levels than just a racecar.. do you enjoy convertibles? What's your other new DD?
June 22, 2010 9:35 p.m. irish44j HalfDork

ea_sport wrote:

I am leaning towards BMW options either option 2b, 2c, or 2d because the local chapter of BMWCCA has DIY events which allow me to use the lifts at local shops

just FYI - if your local BMWCCA is anything like mine, you can still use the lifts even if it's not a bmw (I'm a member of BMWCCA, but don't have a BMW)...
June 22, 2010 9:45 p.m. lewbud Reader

I vote option 1. 1.You're going to have to remedy the problem causing the SES light to come on before you sell anyways (I wouldn't buy a car with the check engine light on, but that's just me). 2. You know the history of this car so you don't have to worry (as much) about what's going to break next. 3. You've already started down the path of turning it into a track/racecar with the suspension mods. Why spend the same money twice? You can grow the car as your skills improve. Now if you're really jonesing for something new, this is all moot point anyway isn't it?
June 22, 2010 10:30 p.m. ea_sport Reader

Vigo wrote:

My first thought was sell the bmw and use the big pile of money (in my eyes) to build something WAAAY more built.. but seeing as how you are looking for a car to race and not a car to learn how to build cars on, i think keeping the BMW is a better option in your case.

What's your other new DD?

My new DD is a 2008 GTI 4dr with DSG as the only option. I bought it from a close friend for $14.5K with 17Kmiles. I bought it because I thought this was a pretty good deal, I need a 4 dr, I am tired of driving stick on the capital beltway traffic and it came with complete service history. I figured since VW extended the DSG warranty to 10 yrs 100 Kmiles it's worth the risk. This is the closest thing to a new car that I ever bought.

Not sure what you mean with race but my racing experience has been and will probably be limited mostly to autocross 8-10 times a year because of my work related travel schedule. I do enjoy working on my car it's just that my mechanical skill is kinda limited so I don't think I have enough skills to build something WAAAY more built. Although, since this won't be my DD I can afford to let it sit in my garage during repair or upgrade.

Irish44j: I think we're in the same chapter (NCCBMWCCA) based on the picture of the smart car you posted. It's good to know that I can still work on non BMW car as long as I am a member of BMW CCA.
June 23, 2010 12:10 a.m. JeepinMatt HalfDork

From my experience with the E46 and my E30, the E30 is gonna break down a lot less and cost you less when it does. They're also cheap, so selling that E46 will get you a good one and some hop-up parts. Nimbler and lighter, too. You mentioned you love the E30. It's always great when a car you love is affordable. No such luck for me with the Ferrari F40
June 23, 2010 12:31 a.m. skruffy SuperDork

I'd keep your current car, fix whatever issues it has, and use any money you were going to spend on mods going to track days and buying brakes and tires. Trust be, the first time you attend a HPDE you'll completely forget about autocross. You'll learn very quickly that you need to concentrate most of your effort on making yourself a better driver before trying to improve the car.

I'm having much more fun in my relatively stock GTI (intake, downpipe, brake pads) at track days than I ever did in my full on CSP autoX miata, plus I get drive it to work everyday without wanting to kill myself.

Or, you could sell your bimmer and use the GTI as a track car/DD, I'm absolutely in love with the DSG transmission at the track.
June 23, 2010 7:53 a.m. DukeOfUndersteer SuperDork

Sell the E46 and buy this!!
June 23, 2010 3:54 p.m. ea_sport Reader

DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

Sell the E46 and buy this!!

I like that E30 and it's kinda the right price. My biggest problem of using the E46 for dedicated fun car is that it is too nice and too heavy to be a fun car with all the features like the sunroof, electric seat, seat heater, cd changer etc, and the inherent weight of the E46 itself. It's a perfect dual duty DD and fun car but for a dedicated fun car it is too heavy and too nice.
June 23, 2010 4:56 p.m. itsarebuild Reader

sell it and get an e30. if you fix the ses problem you will still net somewhere north of $7K. with that kind of money you can get a good e30 (assume $2K, do lots of upgrades. (springs, tires, brakes and hoses, LSD, shocks, sway bar upgrade) for maybe another $2K. with those upgrades you will have a blast and be in a class that lets you be competitive (CCA anyway). you still have $3K in your pocket to make your wife happy with your decision and let you spend more money on wearable items.