Looking at a 1997 M3. Any suggestions?

[tang-o]

...

[tang-o]

I assume he means the rear trailing arm pockets where the 3 bolts of the trailing arm attach. That is absolutely a failure prone area that should be reinforced before tracking the car. I have reinforced a few cars and they all had some cracking in those areas. There are aftermarket weld in reinformcement pieces that track guys weld in. You should also secure the oil pump nut as they do spin themselves off from time to time (Ask Pete and Nick). I would also recommend shock tower reinforcement plates front and rear which are cheap, easy bolt in pieces that you can do. Other than that it should be pretty much good to go.

Thanks Nick. Any local (Boston) area shops you know of that can do this type of job right?

Also, you mentioned a ton of other things to do to get the car ready for track. Do you have a laundry list?

[Brendan]

Mario at Vintage Sports and Racing in Bow, NH. I know I mentioned him before, but an hour from Boston, specializes in BMWs and BMW track cars, and he has many happy customers here in the club. Worth it if you can swing the drive (it is a little bit more of a pain if you need to drive up and leave the car without someone to help)

Vsr1.com

I do most of my own work, but if/when I need something done, I haul my m3 there, so that's the only place I can offer personal knowledge of...

[savage217]

Ya there is quite a list of reinforcements/preventative things you should do. I do work out of my father's garage if you want me to do some things for you. I charge a fair rate. nickd217@gmail.com is my email.

[cuda6666]

If BMWs are such great cars, why do their suspensions rip out if you don't reinforce them?

[StephanAlfa]

If BMWs are such great cars, why do their suspensions rip out if you don't reinforce them?

Because it's made of aluminium (yes, spelled correclty according to my English ... ) ... there are indeed some quirks I found out about BMW, this is one of them.

[dradernh]

If BMWs are such great cars, why do their suspensions rip out if you don't reinforce them?

It's my understanding that the engineers in Munich weren't aware of Loudon when they were designing the E36. Their frames of reference were the smooth tracks of Europe. Fortunately, for those of us who own them, they got it 95% right.

[cuda6666]

If BMWs are such great cars, why do their suspensions rip out if you don't reinforce them?

It's my understanding that the engineers in Munich weren't aware of Loudon when they were designing the E36. Their frames of reference were the smooth tracks of Europe. Fortunately, for those of us who own them, they got it 95% right.

You must be referring to the transitions at 3 and 10 at Loudon. However, if you look up "transition" in the dictionary, you will find a picture of the "carousel" at the Nurburgring.

[savage217]

Not sure if you were joking Stephan but BMW's are not made of Aluminum for the record. Every car has some issue. There is no such thing as the perfect car that needs nothing when it comes to tracking the track. Unless you spend 100k+ or build a kit car, etc.

[Stynger]

Not sure if you were joking Stephan but BMW's are not made of Aluminum for the record. Every car has some issue. There is no such thing as the perfect car that needs nothing when it comes to tracking the track. Unless you spend 100k+ or build a kit car, etc.

Or drive a Miata. Stephan wouldn't know about that.

[StephanAlfa]

Not sure if you were joking Stephan but BMW's are not made of Aluminum for the record. Every car has some issue. There is no such thing as the perfect car that needs nothing when it comes to tracking the track. Unless you spend 100k+ or build a kit car, etc.

Or drive a Miata. Stephan wouldn't know about that.

Some suspension parts are aluminium .. that's what I meant.... still learning ...

Les: What's a Mmmmmia__ ... sorry, I can't say it! ah yes! Niponic toy kit, resembles the Alfa Giulietta concept car by Bertone and copy of Lotus Elan .... ( and NOT made of aluminium ) that some drivers use on track, pesky little things ... yeah, yeah, don't bother convicing me I should try one, I have ... and no thanks!
I am still tyring to get used to this "Germanic product" while Alfa keeps on talking about returning to America ...

[Massscene]

I am not sure if you have said a price range or not, but I have a friend with the most meticulously maintained E36 m3 ever. Its 100 percent street car, full interior, a/c etc, but has full threaded body coilovers, a mild set of shrick cams, upgraded valve springs and retainers, an upgraded clutch and an exhaust system. Its probably been driven 1000 miles over the last 3 years. My friends and I have been trying our best to get him to throw a set of kosei's on it and track it but, he will not, its just a cruiser to him. It made 280-290 whp on the dyno if I rememeber correctly.

He wants 11 or 12k for it though. It is truly in show room condition.

[StephanAlfa]

I am not sure if you have said a price range or not, but I have a friend with the most meticulously maintained E36 m3 ever. Its 100 percent street car, full interior, a/c etc, but has full threaded body coilovers, a mild set of shrick cams, upgraded valve springs and retainers, an upgraded clutch and an exhaust system. Its probably been driven 1000 miles over the last 3 years. My friends and I have been trying our best to get him to throw a set of kosei's on it and track it but, he will not, its just a cruiser to him. It made 280-290 whp on the dyno if I rememeber correctly.

He wants 11 or 12k for it though. It is truly in show room condition.

What year?

[StephanAlfa]

I am not sure if you have said a price range or not, but I have a friend with the most meticulously maintained E36 m3 ever. Its 100 percent street car, full interior, a/c etc, but has full threaded body coilovers, a mild set of shrick cams, upgraded valve springs and retainers, an upgraded clutch and an exhaust system. Its probably been driven 1000 miles over the last 3 years. My friends and I have been trying our best to get him to throw a set of kosei's on it and track it but, he will not, its just a cruiser to him. It made 280-290 whp on the dyno if I rememeber correctly.

He wants 11 or 12k for it though. It is truly in show room condition.

What year?

[savage217]

I am not sure if you have said a price range or not, but I have a friend with the most meticulously maintained E36 m3 ever. Its 100 percent street car, full interior, a/c etc, but has full threaded body coilovers, a mild set of shrick cams, upgraded valve springs and retainers, an upgraded clutch and an exhaust system. Its probably been driven 1000 miles over the last 3 years. My friends and I have been trying our best to get him to throw a set of kosei's on it and track it but, he will not, its just a cruiser to him. It made 280-290 whp on the dyno if I rememeber correctly.

He wants 11 or 12k for it though. It is truly in show room condition.

Are you sure it made 280-290whp? The only way these cars make that kind if power naturally aspirated is with extremely aggressive race cams, full exhausts, tuning, etc. Basically race cars. Assuming this is an s52 engine.