Would this car do well in stock class if driven well?
Would this car do well in stock class if driven well?
My only concern would be the weight - over 3400 lbs. However, at a local level, any car can do well if driven well.
In reply to jstein77:
What class is it in? I'm out of the loop on stock classes.
M3 - F-Stock
Regular 3 Series - D-Stock
It's a bit outclassed for national level competition in D Stock, but it's a fun car to autox locally. I've taken top PAX time in my 330i ZHP on street tires before, at a local event.
It depends on the model. I started autocrossing in my 2003 325i. It is a stick and has the sport package. In fact, I just ran it on Saturday because the Manic Miata is hors de combat at the moment.
The car is currently in D Stock and will probably move to G Stock next year.
It's not particularly competitive in-class. The problem is the 325i is lumped in with the 330i, including the above-mentioned ZHP. 330s have something like 30 more hp and 40 more ft-lbs of torque in a car that weighs just slightly more.
Even without the BMW-on-BMW violence, the car is not the hot ticket. It would be better in GS (which is in fact where I thought the 325i should have been all along) However, it is competent and fun to drive. At Saturday's autocross, somebody complimented me on how smooth the car looked on-course.
Mine is bone stock and has 90k on the original suspension, so it's getting tired. One thing I did do was knock out the locating pins at the top of the front strut towers to allow a little negative camber. That helped with the understeer. I also run with traction control off, because that will suck the fun (and the speed) out of any autocross run.
If you already have the car and like it, and aren't trying to get to the Nats any time soon, I'd say it's a good car to learn and have fun in.
It's a 330ci vert with the sport package and a 5 speed, and it's bone stock. My kids have been running the CRX, and I just go, help them and watch. I've done a lot of autocrossing, but it was many years ago and almost exclusively in 85-91 Civic's or CRX's. I'm just thinking why sit there and watch if I can run? My 330 is about all I have to use for that, but its my DD and I don't want to start modifying it. So I guess the question is, can a guy that's used to running light cars have fun in a 330CI?
If I can have fun piloting a Caprice wagon around a track I think you're safe.
In reply to Hoop:
You may have fun piloting a Caprice wagon around a track, bbbbbbbut...
Try it and see? ;)
I've only autocrossed one E46 - a 323i automatic. I was used to my E30 325is and the E46's added heft, soft springs, open diff and slushbox really soured the experience for me.
Any of you guys know if there is an easy lsd swap for these cars?
bravenrace wrote: So I guess the question is, can a guy that's used to running light cars have fun in a 330CI?
If you're just going to have fun, the answer is definitely . Don't worry about an LSD - Although I only have a 325i, I've never broken the car loose enough to light up the inside tire.
No easy LSD. Expensive LSD is possible.
E36 328 factory LSD is at least available. While E36 325 factory LSDs are fairly common.
My 325i Sport/LSD/V710s just got beat this weekend by 1.7 seconds by a 2004 VW R32 on Nittos. I've beaten the G Stock national champ on raw time. I don't know, I've been a bit out of it this year.
There is actually a lot of lighter parts in the E46 compared to the E36 (lighter engine, lighter suspension). I am sure it would be fun, just don't take it too seriously. As far as I know, none of the E46 cars have been proposed to move to GS. The 330 ZHP was at the top of DS for a while.
Clearly the answer is your Mustang.
In reply to nocones:
You need to add an emoticon or two to that statement. I don't know if you're kidding or serious.
All the E46 cars are proposed to move to F Street.
Matthew Huizing wrote: All the E46 cars are proposed to move to F Street.
Yeah, my mistake on the G Stock thing. Sorry.
Duke wrote:Matthew Huizing wrote: All the E46 cars are proposed to move to F Street.Yeah, my mistake on the G Stock thing. Sorry.
Holy crap, they hate muscle car drivers don't they?
yamaha wrote:Duke wrote:Holy crap, they hate most every car and/or truck driver don't they?Matthew Huizing wrote: All the E46 cars are proposed to move to F Street.Yeah, my mistake on the G Stock thing. Sorry.
FTFY..... Except for a golden few.
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