Quote:
Originally Posted by venturaII
I still don't understand what's wrong with using the E30 as a track rat...there's few better vehicles to learn handling dynamics on, or with a larger aftermarket. And if anything it'd make him faster in and more appreciative of the 86 platform if/when he finally decides to move up...
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Here are my thoughts on that:
It has the ETA motor, which has a restrictive head, single valve retainers, 4500 rpm redline, built for fuel economy not power. I don’t want to motor swap it and this is not a racing motor.
The rear main seal leaks a little. 2-3 drops a day, but enough to fail HPDE tech.
The rear diff output seals leak, also an inspection issue.
It has a nice leather interior with front seats that are made for comfort and have minimal bolstering. It was work to stay in the seat at autocross.
Because it is not a 325i, it was not built for sport. The steering rack is dreadfully slow. A 60ft slalom required shuffling hands on the wheel for each direction change because it required well over 180 degrees of wheel movement....in a slalom! Done ask me about the pinch corners, LOL
The car is a rare example of an e30 touring sedan that has not been modified. The interior is perfect, no cracks on the dash, no tears in the leather, no flattening of the drivers seat bolsters. No accidents. It drives great as a touring car and I don’t want to change that.
The combination of all the little mechanical issues that would have to be fixed (but are otherwise minor), the degree of chassis modification needed to make it satisfying on the the track, the need to change at least the drivers seat, and that I like it the way it is when I go for a back road drive, make me hesitate to make it a track car.
And as mentioned above by others, it would turn into a wet noodle in a wreck and has no airbags.