Debating a new rallycross car

I have been running a 1986 5 series in rallycross for the last few years. It has been a huge amount of fun and a good learning tool. The east coast challenge is now a one day drive away and the national championships is near family. I am trying to decide if I run the 5 series for another year or get something else this spring.

The 5 series needs a minor air conditioning repair that requires a bunch of labor and it needs a suspension upgrade. I have tried a few off the shelf kits for suspension and I am going to need something custom for the front. I have bottomed out the suspension into a rock strike on the skid plate enough that I have trashed the skid plate mounts. I estimate those two major repairs, rally tires, and some other minor stuff to cost roughly $4000-$5000.

I started thinking about what else could compete in the stock RWD class for about $5000 all in. That means car, set of wheels with snow tires, skid plate, trailer hitch, and a bushing/cooling system/etc refresh. AC that works better than the 5 series is a big plus for the July trip. I am expecting most of the drive to be around 100 degrees. An airbag would be nice as well. I am 6'6" tall and I need to fit in the car with stock seats and a helmet. This removes all mazda products and 80s bmws (including the 5 series) among other things.

I think the obvious answer is an e36 bmw. I have a soft spot for the 318ti because it is very close to a Z3 Coupe I owned. I drove one on a fun run at the last rallycross event and was pretty happy with it. The 325i has better suspension and more power so I could be convinced there. Either way the cars would have to have no sunroof and be a 1995 for the 318ti or a 1992-1995 for the 325i for access to an LSD.

What other options are out there? I probably don't fit in a 1st or 2nd gen mr2. Trying to avoid the usual suspects of early rx7, porsche 944, and volvo 240 because I don't really want to drive cross country with early 80s AC and safety features. I think I am looking for a BRZ with more headroom (I don't even fit without a helmet) and in budget. Does that exist?

E36 was my first thought as well, especially since you're already budgeting in the necessary cooling/bushing overhaul it will undoubtedly need. I'm 6'3 and was very tight on headroom in mine, though it was a sunroof car and otherwise fit me well. Could also find an E46 in budget.

2nd gen MR2 is actually surprisingly roomy. Give one a try before writing it off.

Ti woudl be the way to go over a full-size e36, sicne it has the e30 rear suspension setup. e36 in stock class means no reinforcement of all the weak chassis areas. Ask Nick how that has worked out for him.

Surprised you don't fit an e30. I'm 6'0 and even with a bulky helmet AND a full cage (with roof bars directly over my head) I still fit.

Merkur