hi gruppe...i currently drive a 97 M3, but i'm seriously considering the C32...i autocross and do open track events (lapping sessions) with the M3 now, and i know it's weaknesses that need to be addressed for autocross/track use...

i was just wondering if there were any areas of the C32 that need to be addressed for autocross/track use...does the supercharger/cooling system handle vigorous track use, how about the brakes? any signs of cracking around the cross drilled holes? anything else i should be looking out for?

thanx in advance!!!

 

Why a C32? It is a great car, but wouldn't you be happier in an M3 if the track is your interest?

 

The new Audi S4 is faster than the BMW M3 on the track.

 

Depends on the track. The S4 is much heavier than the e36 M3.

The C32 is a great car, but it is definitely going to take some suspension work if you are coming from the e36 M3.

 

Mach is correct. The C32 is an excellent all around car, but if you're considering it for track use, have the suspension done and you will have the ultimate track car.

In my opinion, the Audi shouldn't be a consideration.

 

Why not?

 

You're on an MB forum, the guy came asking about the C32. Are you at all shocked that the C32 might be preferred here?

If you want to play on a Mercedes board, at least recognize where you are.

This has been hashed to *death*. You're not going to change anyone's mind here, and we're all quite tired of your hair trigger Audi defense. It's especially ignorant since we're NOT ON AN AUDI BOARD.

 

If you're going to track your car, suspension upgrade is THE most important issue. The C32 has never meant to develop for track use. A few members here do track their car every now and then, perhaps you should hear what they have to say.

 

I second that!!
He is here asking about the C32, if he really wanted any pointers on the the audi, then he woulda went to the audi board!!
Whats with you (Kain) and Audi anyways?? Haven't you realized that this is an MB forum???

Iron Sheik

 

no doubt i'd take the c32 over the s4 (and put on some 18...17 just look so small on the car, even on the c36)...but if it were wet...the s4 would be faster than the c32 or m3...

 

oh, here's that infamous caliper color change ... too bad the pics aren't there anymore...but his caliper color was not silver anymore, it was kinda goldish...and the rotor (passenger side) had cracked at the holes...

 

thanx for all the replies guys...there's nothing really wrong with the E36 M3...it has served me well since i got it in 97, and i feel "in tune" with it on the track...it's just that i'm looking for something else, and i was really impressed with the 02 E430 my auntie got, so i was looking at MB cars...

as for the M3 suiting me better...maybe, maybe not...the E46 M3s are still going for over MSRP here, and i refuse to pay over MSRP for any vehicle...also, the new M3's feel much bigger, and the C32 is just nicer looking to me...

also, with all these high horsepower cars coming out, i'm having to work a little harder at keeping up on the track 349HP would be REALLLY nice on the straight at my local track...

and sorry kain, i'm not the least bit interested in an audi...no offense, but it just doesnt stir up any passion in me like the M3 or C32...

lastly, a few quick questions, does the C32 have a limited slip diff??? is the radiator made of aluminum or plastic??? thanx guys!!!

 

yes, it has lsd, even the c36 does. but i doubt is able to transfer 100% of the torque to one wheel, as the e46 m3 can...

 

LOL.

So it's okay to suggest the M3 and talk about the M3 HERE, but it's not okay to talk about the S4??

 

He's comparing the two cars..

 

Stop LOLing; it's getting in the way of your thinking.

He's asking for a comparison of the C32 to the E36M3, in part of a larger question about the C32. He is NOT here acting like this is a consumer advocacy site, where impartiality is the norm. If he wants S4 information, I'm sure he'll go to an Audi site.

And, to be honest, any topic you suggest is going to be automatically viewed with suspicion. Your history of posts here (I've seen your posts in the E class threads and was wondering when you'd be coming into the C class forums to spread your "magic") are automatically a strike against you.

Besides, how many times have you posted that the "S4 is better on the track than the M3" on this board. At least if we're comparing the C32 to the M3 here, ONE OF THE CARS IN DISCUSSION IS RELATED TO THE THEME OF THIS MESSAGE BOARD.

 

IMHO..... if you want to track your car, get a M3. C32 will not beat it if you put the same $ into both car's suspension setup. as C32 don't have as much options on what to do.

i had a E36 chassis 328i that car handles like a dream after I put H&R coilovers + RD swaybars + Tunermotorsport RSM + front and rear strut bars + BMW x-brace on it.

currently on my C32 i have H&R coilovers + EVOSPORT Swaybars... the handling has improved dramtically over stock. but still has some distance from my bimmer.

1 thing though... my c32 is significantly more comfortable than my bimmer.

Jerry

 

I have a 95 E36 M3... E36 are VERY HEAVY in maintenance, my next car will most probably be a C32 or a porshce. I just dont understand why benz is moving away from SC b/c thats what made AMG so popular. Benz is the fastest car on the road b/c of Forced induction, why are they going back to NA?


E36 on track rules, Ask roozy we had an encounter in my almost stock auto E36 M3 and i came out victorious . E36 are track monsters, you just can't beat them on track.

C32 are much better road cars and much better built, i'd take C32 over E36 M3 anyday . but E36 M3 has its place in history, after all it was best handling car in north america 4 years in a row.

poser, get the C32, you'll love it

 

Correctr me if I'm wrong, but I don't think my (or anyone') c32 comes with LSD. I don't know about the c36 tho. Sorry to bring this back to life.

 

i think so too. i believe we have esp/asr rather than a true lsd.

 

Hi,

It is true that the C32 does not have an LSD just like every other MB or AMG cars. LSD is available as an AMG option but only in Germany and you have to take the car in after you take delivery.

ESP is supposed to do the work and it is woefully inadequate to handle the task.

Poser,

I have just done 4 track days in my c32 over the past month and I will post the impressions that I had and also a friend of mine who is a very succesful BMW Club Racer with a 400hp '88 Alpina M3 drove my car extensively and his impressions as well. I will start a new thread discussing that.

To sum it up though I am currently looking for a 95 - 98 e36 m3 to use as my track vehicle and I am going to leave the c32 where it belongs as a road-going monster. It does a lot of things exceptionally well and it is my hands down my favorite car to date. Also it is the most beautiful car in my eyes(ferraris and sl55's excluded) everytime I am on the track everybody comments about how beautiful it is as it goes down the straight . However for the track it will just take too much time and tons of money to make it competitive for any kind of racing (autox or track) whether it be SCCA or other open model clubs.

Just my thoughts so far.

Prasith

 

Prasith32 is exactly on point with the LSD. Its really unfortunate that AMG does not import that part and make it available for American C32's.

I've tracked my C32 for 3-days at Summit Point so far this year. My car has stock power, slightly enhanced brakes (higher temperature fluid, different pads, and stainless steel lines), and KW varient 2 coil overs.

I'll admit I suck as a track driver and most of my friends who also track have been doing it longer and are mostly driving E36 M3's and are much faster.

However, it is essentially a matter of driver skill. I haven't met him yet, but in the Washington DC area there is a person who is a porsche and C32 owner and belongs to, and instructs at, both PCA and MBCA events. He runs a *totally* stock C32 damn fast at Summit Point when he's not playing with his porsche. He admits that the brakes will go all the way to the floor when running the car hard, but at his skill level he can drive the car around the track much faster than nearly anyone thinks the C32 can do.

My most recent track event was at a PCA event, but he didn't attend that one. I"m really looking forward to meeting him and having him drive my c32 so I can see what it can really do. As with nearly anything else on track, driver skill accounts for far more than absolute limits on equipment.

 

wow...someone dug up the grave around here? well..at least someone is using the search button