The more time I spend at the track, the more I have been thinking I should have a more dedicated track car. One that is set up for the track without the compromises of a DD. Also, taking my very expensive DD (whether it was the C63 or the E92 M3) made me more and more nervous the better I got on the track. I didn't like beating up the cars (even though they can handle it) and worried about a mishap (and, in Canada, insurance coverage is less than certain and there is no after market options like in the US).

So, enter my new E36 M3!! It is very light and very heavily modded for the track :dance:. It isn't even street legal at the moment and will need a bit of work to get it there. Deposit has been placed and the car should be here in a few weeks. The C63 (which has been great the two times it has been to the track) is now a non-track car.

I have been very impressed by the C63 on the track (the two times it has been there). Balanced, tons of power, easy to control. As good as my E92 M3. But, it is also heavy and expense to keep track ready... tires and brakes are eaten. Also, with the heat issues and other things being reported lately, it seemed to make sense to either go big or stay home when it comes to the track. The E36 is much cheaper to maintain... brakes and tires... and if I go off track and do damage, I would much, MUCH rather be in an inexpensive E36 M3 than a very expensive C63.

So, I get to enjoy the C63 every day and the E36 M3 on track days.

 

Oh wow! Looks like some serious business! Look forward to your impressions on the track! I'm sure it'll be FUN!!!

 

Very nice!! Congrats man.

 

Wow, that is beautiful!!! All the little details taken into consideration during the build, clearly.

 

Beautiful! Congrats. My feelings exactly when I got my new toy. If im coming back then lets go all the way.

Good luck! Looks amazing!

 

wow - thats impressive! congrats!

 

Nice beamer.

I too am getting paranoid. Last time out a vette spill oil onto turn 1, which is right after the big straight away. The whole car went side ways like it was on ice and I was about 3-4 feet away from hitting the gravel.

My heart was pounding I can tell you that much..

A Viper ACR came in behind me and did the same thing... Def not cool.

 

grats on the new track car! this one means business!

when you said it should be here in a few weeks, i'm guessing its a US car?

 

Correct. I have a local dealer (who specializes in high end/track cars) bringing it into Canada. They are taking care of everything.

 

very nice!

what's the specs on this one? From the pics, the mod list should be extensive lol

 

List of upgrades to the standard E36 M3...

Here is a complete list of the all the upgrades/extras:

Custom Quick Drain Catch Can (Fall Line install)
Front Control Arm bushings (UUC)
E36 Quaife Differential, Rogue Diff Cover and Diff Mounts(Fall Line install)
Differential Cooler (Fall Line install)
Kromer Kraft headers and custom exhaust
TC Kline Sway Bar Kit
New OEM steering rack
Turner Motorsports Performance Chip
OBD-1, 3.0-liter intake manifold
Oil Pressure Warning Light
Safecraft Fire System
Quick Battery Disconnect
Custom Cage and Stripped/Painted interior (Fall Line install)
Window Net
VAC Billet Floor Mount Adaptors
Schroth Profi III 6 Point harnesses (out of date, good for HPDE)
Momo Steering Wheel
Custom Seat Back Panels (Fall Line install)
Custom Passenger Door Panel (Fall line install)
Custom Lexan Driver Window for transport and storage (Fall Line)
Carbon Fiber Dash Insert
Turner Motorsports Fuel Starvation Kit
8 Fikse Mach V Rims, 8.5 x 17, +37mm offset
4 SSR Comp Rims, 8.5 x 17, +44mm offset (spacers included)
UUC Wilwood Big Brake Kit (front) Superlite, 325mm Rotor
Reinforced Lower rear control arm connections
Zionsville Hi Po aluminum radiator
Turner Motorsports Front Hub Extender
BMW lightweight flywheel with M5 clutch (UUC)
BMW high performance water pump
Stainless Steel Clutch and Brake lines
2 Recaro Pole Position seats
Turner Motorsports adjustable Rear Control Arms
BMW/Bilstein Group N suspension (coil overs, shots, and perches)
M3 Cross Brace
Adjustable Camber Plates
M3 Lightweight rear wing
Baffled Oil Pan (Turner Motorports inserts)
Oil Pump Nut staked
Front Brake Ducts
Undercar Tow Hooks (4)

 

Excellent choice for a track car. Super clean too!

Going to participate in any TT's?

 

Congrats on your new track car... and wise decision to keep the C63 as a DD. If the BMW doesnt pass inspection, you can always trailer it to the track... lol

 

that's a great car, it's sad that us didn't get the 3.2 euro 326 hp engine, it keeps up stock with a c32k amg.

 

It is too bad the Euro engine wasn't available.

I'm not too worried though. The car isn't ever going to race any other car in a straight line. A similar E36 M3 held the road course record at the track I take the car to until last year. There are very few non track prepped cars that can keep up with a well set up E36 M3 on a road course... especially one that doesn't have long straights! Given how light the car will be, the power/weight will be very good. My C63 would destroy this M3 in a straight line but there is no way I could keep up with one on the track.

 

Congrats ! Great car

 

Remember to watch out for the 3-4 money shift! These cars are notorious for it.

 

4 years ago, I thought just like yourself. After 3 years of doing everything in my C55 (daily driver, weekend family car, occasional summer track car), I felt bad about abusing the C55 at the track and decided to get a 135i in 2008. The 135i has become the "abuse" car (daily winter driver, tracked in the summer), as I only drive the C55 now when there is no snow on the ground. However, I could not resist.....as I have still taken the C55 out to Mosport once per year, just to give her some "exercise". In my opinion, you will never be able to take advantage of the performance and visceral feeling of your AMG unless you take it to a track. If you're anything like me, I suspect you may still take your C63 to the track in the future once in a while.....just not as regularly as before.


It all depends on the track, and your level of track experience. There is a significant difference in power between your C63 and E36 M3. To make up for a big difference in acceleration on the straights, there has to be a big difference in your corner entry/exit speeds. For the average "lapping day" drivers with similar skill/courage, the higher HP car usually wins in terms of laptimes. Of course, if you're a seasoned track star or pro, that's a different story.

Where are you located in Canada, and what track(s) do you usually go to?

 

That's a really nice looking e36. I tracked mined before I got my GT3. It's a GREAT platform and you already have an aluminum radiator (since its not if, but when the plastic one fails). Even the stock brakes are up to the task as long as you have added cooling and race fluid/pads.

 

Nice! At my local Porsche Club chapter, the story goes like this. Guy buys a fancy new Porsche. Joins local club. Tries DE at track. Loves it. Does mods. Sees or is involved in crash or an off. Rethinks tracking a $100K car. Gets into spec Miata series.

 

LOL...gotta live the die hard Miata lovers...they are a huge clan and heavy trackers....

 

Congrats on the car. Looks like there will be a bunch of these cars on our track this year.

 

It's a blessing in disguise. The M50 engine, from which the S50 is derived, has hydraulic lifters, is more reliable, requires less maintenance, and has lower NVH. Sure, it's slower than the ROW car, but it suits the chassis just fine.

 

It would be awesome if they started makings them for guys too

 

LOLOLOL...they gather here at empty parking lots and go auto xing...