Autocrossers: 328i or early VW?

Hi, all. I haven't been around the boards or the cones for a while. I don't even know if the classifications and categories have changed since 2005 or so. I'm looking for a little helpful discussion from the autocross folks.

I have a 97 328i, bone stock with about 155k on it. I also have a fetish for early watercooled VWs and have owned more than I can count. I also have a pretty well built 2.0 16v engine just waiting to tear things up, but it's had a little work done, like balancing and a little smoothing of the ports. So:

1. In its ideal class, which car is more competetive? A VW (Either A1 or A2, 8v or 16v, whatever level of preparation) or the BMW? I have foggy memories of Rabbits doing well in SP back in the day. Not sure about the e36.

2. Which would be more expensive to make competetive on the local level?

I love the VWs, but I'm also really fond of my e36 and have always wondered what it would be like with a little tweaking.

Thanks guys.

Miata?

I can't add anything to your thread, but the term NEW READER as it applies to you makes me laugh. Especially since I remember you from three GRM boards. Welcome BACK.

Buy good tires and shocks for the 328 and run in a stock class. As for which will be more competitive locally, it depends on what classes are popular around you. I used to dominate CSP in my miata but I was usually the only one running lol shallow victory.

4g63t wrote: I can't add anything to your thread, but the term NEW READER as it applies to you makes me laugh. Especially since I remember you from three GRM boards. Welcome BACK.

Yeah, I'm a sleeper. You don't know what I've got under the hood until it's too late. ;) Lost my post count twice. I was grand champion of the ezBoard. Only Per came close.

Miata is off the table. I like them, had one, but it's not what I'm going for.

skruffy wrote: Buy good tires and shocks for the 328 and run in a stock class.

Really? I don't recall seeing these cars running in stock. I'll keep that in mind, but, honestly, I'm looking to do more wrenching than that. Gotta keep my hands busy between events.

Swift? I know a guy with a completed one, hook you up. lol

Sticking the 2.0 16v into anything but a late a2 golf/jetta or b3 passat puts you into SM (I believe?) since those were the only cars which had that engine from the factory.

ansonivan wrote: Sticking the 2.0 16v into anything but a late a2 golf/jetta or b3 passat puts you into SM (I believe?)

Correct. And I am looking to avoid SM, at least in a VW. Been there, done that, insert funny third thing here.

That said, is an A2 with a 16v competetive at all? Does it have to be a GTI/GLI, or is there a class where I can run it in, say, an 85 Jetta? I'm aware that some update/backdate rules exist, but I can't say I understand them.

The BMW is going to fall in D Stock and will be locally competitive but they don't seem to make many waves nationally. Unfortunately all the 3-series non-M BMWs (at least E36 and E46) are lumped in this class which means if somebody shows up with a 330i he better suck.

That being said I have fun running my bone stock DD E46 325i on street tires. I usually win in DS or place in CS if there are not enough entrants and they combine the classes. The car could benefit from some monster swaybars and some sticky rubber (and a better driver).

The VW you put around that motor is going to have the (dis)advantage of being in a more prepared class which means you can likely strip it for minimal weight and build it pretty thoroughly. The (dis) part is you're going to have to build it pretty thoroughly.

So as always the question is what are your goals?

If you want to relax on a Sunday and just keep your hand in, flog the stock BMW around the cones in just the same configuration as you drive it normally, and have fun.

If you want to be competitive, rescue an old Rabbit before the Vee Dub Krew gets their sweaty little mitts on it, and do some wrenching to bring it up to par.

Bobzilla wrote: Swift? I know a guy with a completed one, hook you up. lol

iz its be me?

http://grassrootsmotorsports.com/forum/200x-classifieds/1984-scirocco-caged-roller-500/17370/page1/

Coincidence? I think not.

328 in STX?

Me? I'd look around for a decent body to throw the VW into. BTW, welcome back!

In reply to Duke:

I've run daily drivers before. That's how I end up in SM. :) I want to try it a little different this time and keep the street and course separate. I like to stare at the bottom of my cars from the garage floor. I have time, experience and enough money to keep it interesting.

It's getting to the point where I'm thinking of retiring the BMW from daily duties. I've had it for about 4 years and 50,000 miles, which is a huge accomplishment for me. That's why I'm considering playing with it. I'm curious what it would be like with some of the interior gone and maybe a little work under the hood. But I wouldn't want to drive it daily in that state. I learned my lesson.

I'm not a great driver. I worked hard to improve, but I'm not super talented. When I'm saddled with a totally outclassed car, it makes it a little less enjoyable. I do get the "just go have fun" thing, but it might be just a bit more fun to finish a little higher in the standings.

Anyone know where to find the results from the last nats? I've checked the site and it's as useless as ever.

Oh, and I'm not married to the 16v. It just seems like a shame to let go of a motor I spent so much time and money on, or waste it on a street car.

Another vote for the e36 and STX. Two of the biggest hurdles for the 328 in D-Stock are lack of camber and soft springs, both of which are easily overcome in the Street Touring classes, while still allowing the car to remain relatively civilized.

Autolex wrote: 328 in STX?

This.

Get 265 Yoks, call Terry at Vorshlag, enjoy nationally competitive 328 in STX.

angusmf wrote: Oh, and I'm not married to the 16v. It just seems like a shame to let go of a motor I spent so much time and money on, or waste it on a street car.

Drop it into that Scirocco roller I posted a little farther up. $500 on the $2009 Classifieds board at this very forum.

And, your 328 does not have LSD. You could add one along with all the other fun bits in STX, right? Sounds like a good route to me!

DukeOfUndersteer wrote:

Bobzilla wrote: Swift? I know a guy with a completed one, hook you up. lol

iz its be me?

I was thinking mine..... but yours would work too lol I want too much for mine.

Ok, I'm going to research STX. In the meantime, if someone wants to summarize, please, type away. :)

BTW, the scirocco is interesting, but the last thing I need is another SM VW. I would just keep this one:

z31maniac wrote:

Autolex wrote: 328 in STX?

This. Get 265 Yoks, call Terry at Vorshlag, enjoy nationally competitive 328 in STX.

I already summarized for you.

You could throw in a trick diff as well.

Get 265 Yoks

Those Advan Neova 18" psycho tires on Tirerack? I forgot tires cost money. Going from running Azenis and cast-off race tires to $336 rubber bands never occured to me.