autocross e46 or e30?

i'm wondering which car i should autocross this year. i don't really know of a way to time trial my car by myself.
i have my e46 which i used last year. it did very well and i placed second (tied for first) overall. also got rookie of the year. woo

i sorta recently purchased an e30 vert. its on ground control coil overs and i'm pretty sure i've never driven a car that handles better. that includes a lot of car. it would run in the same class as my e46 did due to the modifications. the engine is stock but it handles so well. it's so neutral with a hint of oversteer which really aids in turn in if you can control it.

so what do you think i should do?

2000 328i with h&r race springs and koni yellows. newly installed UUC sway bars and angel eyes for more power Bridgestone 225 re760 street tires

1988 325ic with very stiff (not sure of spring rate) GC coil overs. z3 steering rack. style 5 wheels with 205 no name tires that actually grip very well. but are stretched.


if anyone can recommend how to time trial each car that would be cool. right now i can really only compare by off ramp speed. haha

Why not both on different weekends? If that's not an option, I'd do the E30 since you've already raced the E46.

Originally Posted by EverydayGetaway

Why not both on different weekends? If that's not an option, I'd do the E30 since you've already raced the E46.

i think in order to place i have to stick with the same car. there's 6 events and it's your best 4 at the end of the season. your placing is based on your car, not your name.
i could race both in different bmwcca clubs (both being local) but that would be very time consuming and expensive.
i do want to race the e30 but i also want to stay competitive. it was really cool coming in as a rookie and taking down the veterans.

E30 since it's much easier/cheaper to get an LSD for it.

Originally Posted by ImolaSix

E30 since it's much easier/cheaper to get an LSD for it.

i don't take drugs to improve my times

I second the limited slip vote, it really makes a huge difference... especially in autocross.

Track the car you are not trying to sell.

e30. more robust

Originally Posted by Megalocnus

Track the car you are not trying to sell.

if a car is heathy, autocross won't do anything but good for it. Which makes me nervous about autocrossing the e30. No matter what I do it's still a 25 year old car. Something could take a poop at any moment.
I fully trust my e46 though.

Either will be in the same class, so you can do both. I'd do the e46 though, because 'verts suck.

E30 HANDS DOWN. Get those super lightweight wheels everyone has and racing tires. That paired along with a very good suspension setup and you're set.

Rather than hash out things like the the extra body flex of the 'vert vs. lighter weight and familiarity with the e46, etc., in theory.... as you noted, the best answer comes from hard data.

Consider running in an SCCA event. You could enter both cars in different classes. Those suspension mods will bump you up into a classes where there will be some "very" competitive cars...ans well as drivers that are committed to more than 6 weekends a summer. At least you can run both to see which you prefer.

If being competitive is the primary criterion for the decision, then you may be happier picking the faster vehicle. If you do it to learn, then the slower car *may* have more upside, depending on the reason it is slower. For example, a change from junk tires to properly-sized and inflated quality rubber (never mind the real sticky stuff) can shave, literally, seconds on a highly technical course. If you autox to have fun, then the decisions may be based on different criteria.

Have fun and GL.

E30!

No reason.

Just because E30.

For the record, NEITHER chassis will be competitive in ANY eligible class with current SCCA rules. Either will be fun.

Originally Posted by lcoleman

NEITHER chassis will be competitive in ANY eligible class with current SCCA rules.

I was trying to be polite when I stated that "there will be some "very" competitive cars" at SCCA events And many of the drivers compete in multiple regions just to get the additional seat time.

Another vote for e30 but being vert, I'm not so sure.

E30, because race car


Sorry, I had to.

I don't know what suspension setup it had, but the biggest asshole at a recent cruise was a convertible E36.
The guy was understeering everywhere I was barely getting the tires to chirp. Ofcourse he would gun it on the straights every time I tried to pass him.

If the E30 is anything like that,

I think I have more experience than most who voted with both platforms (specifically- E30 convertibles and E46 sedans).

E30 verts are very fun. That said it would not hold up well to a stiff suspension. It's not a stiff chassis and I think it might ruin it. (I have a red E30 vert as well). Keep the E30 vert stock.

If it was a coupe or sedan it'd be different.

Agree that the E30 is the better choice assuming it has an LSD or you plan to put one in since it is easy and cheap. Also, despite the age they are very robust as well as hugely entertaining to drive on the limit. I have had my E30 for ages and have autocrossed it extensively and done the occasional track day. Autocrossing without an LSD would be pretty frustrating. A track day perhaps somewhat less so.