Well now that I've sold my TSX, got that bright red M3, finally I'm able to bring the new toy to autocross today. And boy oh boy, what a difference btw this and TSX. Not that I am criticizing TSX for being a bad car, at all, but TSX really isn't a car for autocross! This M3 just simply have more grip, more power, more stability, more brakes and simply more fun! And it's surprisingly more confident inspiring. It totally follows all my inputs and execute them precisely, not like TSX where I felt like I am always fighting the car. I felt more in control in a sense, rather than frustrated in the TSX (only when autocross though).

Comparing my time vs my previous events. When I ran TSX in GS using street tires, the closest I ever get to the class leader is about 3 secs behind. Today, I am about 3 secs FASTER than the GS class leader, and second (not official yet) in BS class. I think my driving style is just more suitable for an RWD car than an FWD car, as good as TSX is.

Any other drivers here drive/own TSX yet autocross(ed) with some other cars? I really like to know your experiences.

 

damn how much u spend on that... buddy its a M3.. two different classes...

 

If you drive an S4 to compete with the M3...that will be a different story.

 

Hehheh, it's a 99 M3, so it's really a whole lot less than TSX even. And yes, it is in a different class.

 

I did drove an 04 S4 (the one with the V8) to autocross before, and no, it didn't put that big of a smile on my face. That thing is wwwaaaayyyyy too heavy for tight courses. Different thing on a road course though I'll say.

 

Actually, the point I am trying to make here is that it surprises me that I don't really need to spend big bucks for a lot of fun. I was planning to spend some substantial money on a vehicle purchase after I decided to let go of TSX, but found out that for my purposes, I don't really need to (although I'm still eyeing that lotus Elise...). I had more fun driving this used M3 than any of my previous purchase, which all of them had cost more. Anyways, just sharing my thoughts.

 

^ got people here in so cal with new elise as their autoxer. its been to two events (one was on concrete) its already corded a set of R compunds. and in the front too, which is weirding the owners out.

hot little racer though.

 

and no, you dont have to spend a lot of money get a car that is ideal for autox. but you will spend $$$ on teh upkeep for tires etc.

 

I wanna take a bicycle to autox. I heard it handles, corners, brakes like miracle

 

sorry man, this is the most useless post ever. I saw a lotus elise autox yesterday, it'd mop your car. So would a Z06, so what? I would guess a 80's Civic Si is a better autocrossing car than your M3. These cars are simply different classes, there's no point comparing them. The E36 are cheap now, and are excellent (driving, not quality) cars. I want my GF to get one so I can learn to drive RWD, but I'd never think of replacing my TSX.

FWD is definately hard to manage, but fast is fast. I've seen a stock '97 saturn whip everyone in STS because the driver is incredible. If your driving style suits RWD, maybe you aren't good enough to drive a FWD racer... no offense, but its certainly more challenging. You don't see Realtime whining that the TSX is too hard to drive.

 

^xizor

The E36 M3s happen to be quite excellent at autocross, specially the 95MY (lighter)
where I autocross its usually down the wire between one particular E36 and a couple Z06s....why, the driver of course.

But I wouldnt count out the E36, its the E46 that is not so good at autoX becaue of its weight.

 

Ermm, not good enough for FWD cars? Yeah, whatever.

You didn't get the point AT ALL. First of all, I'm not comparing cars. This is not E36 M3 vs TSX. This is simply laying out the difference between my driving experiences in both cars.

FWD more challenging? How so? Both FWD and RWD cars have to cope with BOTH under and over steer. Maybe more understeer in FWD, more oversteer in RWD, so what? It's just part of driving.

I'm not saying TSX is not a good car, it's just not for tight technical course (autocross). So what? Neither is E46 M3! On wide open track it's all different.

Relax, TSX IS a good car. Keep yours (I would if I still can afford it). But to win in your autocross class (STS? GS?), TSX won't cut it.

And yes, there are quite a bit of cars that would just whup my arse (and my car's) ez. That's beside the point though.

BTW, no offence, afterall, to my fellow autocrosser. God speed.

 

I haven't seen any here yet. It would really surprises me if it wears out the fronts first. That car is SUPPOSE to be twitchy. How's the elise doing in it's class and overall?

 

No kidding, competition's too fierce from lightweight 80's/early 90's cars.

and the Elise isn't Solo2 legal till next season since its a 2005 model only. but it looks awesome, and people I talked to said it might end up in SS w/ the Z06.

 

Congrats on your ride! I've started thinking about buying a "track toy" lately and the E36 M3 is among my top contenders. My other consideration is an E30 325is, - if I decide to save some bucks.

I've taken my TSX to several BMWCCA track days at Pacific Raceways, and found the E36 M3 to have just about the best combination of everyday civility, track readiness, and value of any BMW sedan.

I haven't autocrossed the TSX yet, but on the racetrack, the M3 is quicker on the straights and through the curves than the TSX, though I'm always surprised at how well I am able to keep up with them.

Generally, I have to drive at 10/10ths to hang with an M3 driven at 9/10ths, and I can keep on ones bumper for a whole lap. Well driven, my TSX is more than a match for the E46's out there (though I suspect their owners aren't pushing as hard due to the price of these cars).

Out of curiosity, how much did you pay? I know a clean '95 or '96 will fetch upwards of $20K. Also, I've heard that '95 is the best year for a track car because they don't have a staggered F/R wheel size. Any thoughts?

 

Actually, this Elise is driven by a national driver and will be at the nationals in Topeka running in A-Stock......he is there with that car to help SCCA figure out where it should be put. But it is legal and competeing.

 

The guy is getting used to the suspension, says its too soft (lotus is known for that for street driving) when using hoosiers. That is what is tearing up his front tires.....needs to get a stiffer suspension. Apparently, and this part is by word of mouth not the source...lotus wasnt too nice about his saying the suspension was too soft for competition set up

 

Interesting, why would staggered offset cause it to be worse?

 

Wider wheels in the back increase rear grip and reduce/eliminate oversteer.

 

right, I got that. so why would a staggered offset be worse like you said in your post (ie: not having a staggered F/R makes for a better track car)

 

According to the owners I've spoken with, the staggered setup makes the car more difficult to rotate with throttle.

 

I second that. But for an amateur racer like me, it's like a safety net. I paid around $22K for it, which include 2 sets of tires, the newer ones being Michelin PS2. The earlier E36 M3 is better for some is because of ease of maintainance. For what I heard, the OBDI is much cheaper to keep up with. For pure track car conversion, you'll be fine with a 95/96 M3. But if you want to use it for daily driving, buy the later model year. The earlier model have quite a bit of things to watch out for before purchase. If you want more info, PM me, I have some websites that I can point you to.

 

A new elise showed up at our practice event this weekend.

it was running on street tires. I teched the car, then got a chance to ride in it.

This is one of the BEST feeling cars I have ridden in on an autoX course. Quite simply amazing. And it looks so much better in person.

I also rode in a porsche GT3, for autoX id take the elise.

The only other car that felt that good was an Mcoupe that autoXs.

elise is a hot car. dudes first time ever sutoXing and even with no experience was hitting great times.