Picking my next track car.

petegans wrote: For real only 2800 lbs?! Well that certainly changes my opinion that all Mercedes are overweight hunks of iron.

In the USA, the 190E 2.3-16 was loaded to the gills with luxury items and the weight was over 3100 lbs. But in the rest of the world, the car was 300 lbs lighter. They also got higher compression engines putting out close to 190 hp (ours were closer to 165 hp).

A Euro spec 2.3-16 or 2.5-16 (non-Evo) is still a bargain...not to mention amazing to drive. It's a genuine homologation special that feels every bit as exciting to drive as an E30 M3. Unlike the E30, the car feels quite modern. The cabin is large and feels a bit "cab forward." Much, much more rigid chassis. Better aerodynamics (almost no wind-noise at highway steppes, for example). The modern, multi-link rear suspension feels very stable in high-speed corners and it never loses composure over rough roads. The engine is tuned for more mid-range torque and, compared to an S14, is essentially bulletproof. Rebuilds are relatively cheap as well.

All in all, it's an under-appreciated classic.

sesto elemento wrote: Zzw30 chassis mr2 with a 2zz swap or a turbo kit is a great way to go. Mine is hilarious, super cheap to run and reliable and Very capable. https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=yRIliyQ3PGw

That MR2 was blazing fast on Saturday!! I was in the BMW M Roadster at the AxIS Shoot-Out.

How is it that nobody has said Datsun 240, 260 280Z with a V8 swap?

In reply to killeen_john:

That m car rips too, and well driven. Glad to see some peole that aren't just digital on here lol!

Given your initial statement that you're a BMW guy, want a rear wheel drive car, 17" rims, 200ish hp, coupe etc. it seems to me you want an E36 M3. Your target weight of 2500 is offset by more hp. My fully race prepped E36 M3 is just a hair over 2700 lbs with 1/2 tank of gas and no driver and no stupid light parts (all OE body panels), glass front and rear, 17x9 Enkei rims.

It is also soon to be for sale. Feel free to contact me if you're interested.

Cracks me up that whenever one of these threads come up, you guys come up with all these wild expensive ideas on what to build, when you can just go pick up a lightly modified TR8 that is already exactly what you are looking for. There was one in the challenge a few years ago, and when he was done with it, he sold it for somewhere around $7K. The Rover engine is an expensive way to try and make more than 250HP, but below that its pretty easy. Lots of guys have nicely built Ford and Chevy small blocks in TR7s with all the goodies for under $10K.

NickD wrote:

sesto elemento wrote: gut a 928

Yes, yes and yes. I have long been a proponent of the 928. V8, RWD sport coupe. It's a German hot rod

Aren't 928s insane to keep running? I agree that they're way underrated performance-wise, but there's a reason that they sell for less than 914s

Kreb wrote:

NickD wrote:

sesto elemento wrote: gut a 928

Yes, yes and yes. I have long been a proponent of the 928. V8, RWD sport coupe. It's a German hot rod

Aren't 928s insane to keep running? I agree that they're way underrated performance-wise, but there's a reason that they sell for less than 914s

From what I've seen theyre not bad at all and most issues are electrical gremlins caused by a little corrosion on a connector or something stupid like that. Theyre way undervalued and coming up fast. Theyre an iconic car and have tons of performance potential.

My understanding from one of the local Porsche specialists is that 928s as track cars are a good deal. It's all the electrical gadgetry that goes south, the mechanicals are pretty sturdy.

Tom

Plus the 928 has the Jeremy Clarkson seal of approval

jimbob_racing wrote: How is it that nobody has said Datsun 240, 260 280Z with a V8 swap?

Just personal experience, but probably because 90% of them are rusted to literal pieces, and those that aren't go for big dollars.