E36 vs E46

[Tom Donnelly]

Wow,

Thanks everyone for your feedback. I did feel like I'm moving to the dark side Keith, but not so much anymore. The E36's seem abundant right now. It seems there a alot of convertible M3's down here, more than hardtops. I do like the E46 bodystyle a little better.
And, even though its not the best way to think, you can't turn the M3 into an IT car later.
You never know when 240z's will get way too rare to race in IT and it needs to get turned over to a collector! Maybe Jay Leno will pay $100,000 for my car and I'll run a E46.

Do the E46's have the same rear sub frame issues? And the E46's are drive by wire throttles, aren't they? Is it the same transmission? Do the plastic door handles break as easily as the old pot-metal ones?

And I like the Porsche 1973 RSR IROC. I want one of those.

Tom

[Tom Donnelly]

Jeff,

Non-bangle, that's great. The latest BMW's look like Acura's or Toyotas or something.

Tom

[lateapex911]

And I like the Porsche 1973 RSR IROC. I want one of those.

Tom

Huzza, who doesn't?? You know how many E36 M3 cabs you can buy for ONE of those?

(Hint, 73 RSR IROC pricing is expressed in "points", like "1 point 1 million", or "point nine", LOL

One thing to consider on the cab issue is body flex. My 2003 M# with 26K miles has what I consider minor, but noticeable flex. I imagine that as miles go up, or the car is driven over less than smooth roads, or tires or suspension components are changed, that flex will increase. I'd be sure to test drive a few, before committing dollars. (which makes it hard to buy over ebay)

[JLawton]

Wow,

And, even though its not the best way to think, you can't turn the M3 into an IT car later.

Tom

LOL, that's the first thing I asked my buddy after we got finished test driving mine, "These aren't IT legal, are they??" Cause I KNOW what I would be doing with it after a year on the street!!

[lateapex911]

Wow,

T
And, even though its not the best way to think, you can't turn the M3 into an IT car later.



Tom

Remember, there are no guarantees in life....

[Tom Donnelly]

I've been looking at Turner motorsports' and Korman's sites. Lots of interesting informantion. Did y'all check the rear subframe before buying your street cars? And is the fix that Turner offers IT legal? It looks like a "repair" but maybe more so. Welding up the control arms is probably not legal either.

Not much out there as far as hopping up an E-46 except for WC. Korman's IT suspension kit looks pretty complete. Are there IT cars running motons? Just curious, I can't help it! I look at stuff in terms of "how much is this in tire money?" and "would this make a decent race car?". I haven't even been looking at 2-doors or convertables 'cause a four door is stiffer. All that in deciding on a 3 mile commute.

I like the older 5 series too, they had some really classy lines.

[dj10]

I've been looking at Turner motorsports' and Korman's sites. Lots of interesting informantion. Did y'all check the rear subframe before buying your street cars? And is the fix that Turner offers IT legal? It looks like a "repair" but maybe more so. Welding up the control arms is probably not legal either.

Not much out there as far as hopping up an E-46 except for WC. Korman's IT suspension kit looks pretty complete. Are there IT cars running motons? Just curious, I can't help it! I look at stuff in terms of "how much is this in tire money?" and "would this make a decent race car?". I haven't even been looking at 2-doors or convertables 'cause a four door is stiffer. All that in deciding on a 3 mile commute.

I like the older 5 series too, they had some really classy lines.

The sub frames failed when people flogged the hell out of their cars (e36) with soft suspension settings for a long time. If the car has been tracked at all have someone knowledgeable check the subframe out. If you rapair the control arms & subframe then it's legal. ;~)

The best way to hop up a E46 is to get a set of lightweight wheels! My M3 wheels must weight 30#'s each, I can get 18" wheels reasonable for around 300 and I'll bet I will notice a big difference if I'm able to save 10#'s per wheel. Not only that but removing the stagger, now I'm able to rotate the tires. Trust me, you won't notice any difference between the 2 door and 4 door. Don't let that hinder your decision.

[robits325is]

I've been looking at Turner motorsports' and Korman's sites. Lots of interesting informantion. Did y'all check the rear subframe before buying your street cars? And is the fix that Turner offers IT legal? It looks like a "repair" but maybe more so. Welding up the control arms is probably not legal either.

Not much out there as far as hopping up an E-46 except for WC. Korman's IT suspension kit looks pretty complete. Are there IT cars running motons? Just curious, I can't help it! I look at stuff in terms of "how much is this in tire money?" and "would this make a decent race car?". I haven't even been looking at 2-doors or convertables 'cause a four door is stiffer. All that in deciding on a 3 mile commute.

I like the older 5 series too, they had some really classy lines.

I have JRZs in my ITS car - the chassis is unbelievable and the car is very competitive. I wish it was a little lighter but otherwise the E-46 makes an excellent race car.

[dj10]

I have JRZs in my ITS car - the chassis is unbelievable and the car is very competitive. I wish it was a little lighter but otherwise the E-46 makes an excellent race car.

Hmmmmm JRZ's, they make good candy over there. I just got word that my suspension will be in from AG shortly. They do make good beer too.

[Tom Donnelly]

Good donor car in Pittsburgh...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267693

Rob,
Are you running an E46? What did you do with the throttle body? Still by wire? Using motec to turn it into an on/off switch?

Keith,
Thanks, e46fanatics is a great site. Haven't been to bimmerforums yet.


Tom

[dj10]

Good donor car in Pittsburgh...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267693

Rob,
Are you running an E46? What did you do with the throttle body? Still by wire? Using motec to turn it into an on/off switch?

Keith,
Thanks, e46fanatics is a great site. Haven't been to bimmerforums yet.


Tom

Is this going to be your street car or a race car?

[robits325is]

Good donor car in Pittsburgh...

http://www.bimmerfest.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=267693

Rob,
Are you running an E46? What did you do with the throttle body? Still by wire? Using motec to turn it into an on/off switch?

Keith,
Thanks, e46fanatics is a great site. Haven't been to bimmerforums yet.


Tom

I have a 99 323i E-46. I built the cars (2) in 2005. The throttle is cable operated just like the E-36. The ASC portion of the throttle is electronic and unused by the Motec.