I will say this my friend picked up an e30 and has been replacing all bushings and suspension items because they are all fawked up and suck!!!! be aware just like the vids cspence posted....

 

That's a normal thing on those cars. If you get a high mileage one (they all are now for the most part) replace ALL bushings.

 

Missing the 4-5 shift is pretty common too...and can be expen$$$ive! Replacing an S50/S52 motor will cost considerably more than replacing the engine in a Miata. That was part of the reason I ditched my E36 as a track car and bought a dedicated track Miata instead.

The E36 is a great car, but if I was going to buy another one it would be for the street, not the track. If you are concerned about money at all, the Miata is a much better value as a track car.

 

E30s too. dirt cheap

 

Idk...the miata pretty much has the best dolla to fun ratio....

 

I'm going to take a look at the E30 and probably go drive a couple. I doubt it will do it for me, but you never know. I've owned a couple E36 cars in the past and wish I still had them. This will be a very low budget car, guaranteed to be ugly and definitely start it's life pretty slow.

This is just a fun way to for me to get out on the track in a dedicated track car and keep my Miata as a daily driver.

 

2 hot rods! Business must be good.

Are you planning to continue your development of the Miata?

 

Yes and no. The money it will take me to further develop the Miata is more than what the E36 track car will cost me to get setup. As for the Miata, I'm going to finish up the intake manifold, buy a hardtop, different exhaust and then tune it without the meth. If I can still get 400+ out of it on this shitty west coast gas I will consider it finished and it will be perfect for daily driver duty.

If I don't start on a new project soon, I fear my wifes daily driver will become the next project. It's already telling me it needs bigger turbos.

 

Miata is a better track car. Lighter car with A-arms in front wins.

Any car with McStrut fronts will need lots of roll stiffness and/or front negative camber to be decent with sticky rubber. Then it means you have to fiddle with camber when going to and returning from the track (else you eat the front insides driving on the street), and/or you need a very stiff suspension.

Not to mention that consumables are more expensive on a heavier car, and BMW in general.
E36's also tend to break **** that doesn't break on Japanese cars, such as bushings, shock tower mounts (you'll need to reinforce everything), cam angle sensor wire insulation, and so on.

If you're hell bent on a BMW, I would urge you to go with an E30 as others suggested.