looking for a new DD and autox car

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:35 am

So based on some comments from the CIO from Duke (that will soon become the CIO for the new company), I've decided to press forward w/ buying a new (to me) car. Since I now have the e30 325 convertible as an occasional driver, I'm looking for a new DD. Once I find a new toy, the white e36 will be for sale, so stay tuned for that.

I'm looking for suggestions from this crowd, but right now I'm focused on 2 cars. I'm considering either a 03-04 e46 330 w/ a ZHP package and no sunroof or a 04-06 cooper S w/ no sunroof. In regard to the mini, which of these models came w/ the limited slip?

I know the weak points on the 330. What do I need look out for in regard to the mini?

JohnByers · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:45 am

I have no specific advice to offer based on the Mini (I think they are obvious good choice autox cars) but from the first line of your post I must say it sounds good. Glad to hear Rodney.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 8:57 am

JohnByers wrote:

I have no specific advice to offer based on the Mini (I think they are obvious good choice autox cars) but from the first line of your post I must say it sounds good. Glad to hear Rodney.

Yeah, nothing cast in stone, but it was optimistic. I figure at worst I'll loose my job in '13 sometime, so the car will be half paid for by then.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:00 am

They are both tires eaters in stock trim....but the MCS will be the lesser of two evils. Are you thinking D stock? Or are you going to run STX in them?

The R53 didn't have an option for LSD the first years it was out. It might have only been 05-06 where you could get a torsen in the R53.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:10 am

JamesShort wrote:

They are both tires eaters in stock trim....but the MCS will be the lesser of two evils. Are you thinking D stock? Or are you going to run STX in them?

The R53 didn't have an option for the first years it was out. It might have only been 05-06 where you could get a torsen in the R53.

I know both are camber challenged and yes, plan to either run DS or TIRe for the first year or so. I really need to resist the temptation of any other class (aka spending cash) until the job plans firm up. Right now the e36 isn't the best DD for me, and also having just rolled 200k on it I'm looking for something w/ less miles.

I'm interested in other options for a DD as well, but remember, I need something tall cabin wise or I can't fit w/ a helmet. I know I fit in both of those cars w/ no sunroof.

DickRasmussen · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:49 am

Daily Driver: Anything you like/can afford with hitches available to tow a lightweight . . .

Autocross car: F125, FMod, CMod that can be towed on a lightweight open trailer by your chosen daily driver.

NO compromises needed to have your choice of great daily driver and really fast autox car.

If you cannot stand 2 strokes the FM class probably will be allowed to run 600 cc motorcycle engines real soon. Kind of a cross between an F125 and a CM car.

My first tow vehicle for the FF was an 88 5.0 Mustang. If needed I could tow now with the new Mustang 5.0. I don't know if any BMW cars could tow a CM size car unless the trailer is really lightweight (i.e. Aluminum $$$). A FF weighs about 950 lbs empty.

steve remchak · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:51 am

E90 Rodney. awesome platform, puts the E36 / E46 to shame.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 9:51 am

I know someone who tows a F125 with a Honda Fit :mrgreen:

Between those two, the MCS will be a more fun autox car and get better DD fuel economy and more reliable. The E46 would be a nice DD car but will probably not be as fun to autox as the MCS.

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

Out of curiosity, why are you interested in an R53 and not an R56? Personally, I like the R53's better (just styling, feel and supercharger whine), but I can't legitimately justify it. R56's get MUCH better gas mileage (potentially better daily driver), and are pretty much in every way a better autocross car (they can fit more tire, have more power/torque, and can get more camber).

As far as LSD goes, I believe it was included with the sport package. '05-'06 has better gearing too if I'm not mistaken as well as some minor styling tweaks.

With either, check the strut towers for the dreaded "mushrooming". Search north american motoring and you can find plenty of info on it. Other than that, there aren't a whole lot of worries, they had most of the bugs worked out by '04.

JamesShort · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:40 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Out of curiosity, why are you interested in an R53 and not an R56? Personally, I like the R53's better (just styling, feel and supercharger whine), but I can't legitimately justify it. R56's get MUCH better gas mileage (potentially better daily driver), and are pretty much in every way a better autocross car (they can fit more tire, have more power/torque, and can get more camber).

As far as LSD goes, I believe it was included with the sport package. '05-'06 has better gearing too if I'm not mistaken as well as some minor styling tweaks.

With either, check the strut towers for the dreaded "mushrooming". Search north american motoring and you can find plenty of info on it. Other than that, there aren't a whole lot of worries, they had most of the bugs worked out by '04.

I was going to ask the same thing. I assume it's cost? A 07 MCS sports package will probably run $3-4k more than a 06 MCS? Trying to find a MCS with the sports package and NOT the premium package is VERY hard though (Premium package comes with the double sun roof).

clinehall · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:42 am

I think it was 2005 when the lsd became an option. You can check everything out on http://northamericanmotoring.com/ .
I estimate my family has atleast 190k on Mini's and have found them to be pretty much trouble free as a German car can be. Yes my 2002 had a wiring harness problem but that was an odd thing. Great daily drivers fun to drive, drop the seats and you can load bags of manure if you want. As far as ax I suck but I don't think it is the cars fault.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:55 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

Out of curiosity, why are you interested in an R53 and not an R56? Personally, I like the R53's better (just styling, feel and supercharger whine), but I can't legitimately justify it. R56's get MUCH better gas mileage (potentially better daily driver), and are pretty much in every way a better autocross car (they can fit more tire, have more power/torque, and can get more camber).

As far as LSD goes, I believe it was included with the sport package. '05-'06 has better gearing too if I'm not mistaken as well as some minor styling tweaks.

With either, check the strut towers for the dreaded "mushrooming". Search north american motoring and you can find plenty of info on it. Other than that, there aren't a whole lot of worries, they had most of the bugs worked out by '04.

From what little I've read, the r56 has issues w/ the timing chain tensioner. This was also the start of the turbo car, rather have the supercharger. Price is also an issue. Really trying to keep the price of the car to around 13k, 16k tops. To your point, yes, sounds like most of the bugs were chased out by 04 and I dig the supercharger whine....

BriceJohnson · **Joined:** Thu Apr 13, 2006 7:33 am **Posts:** 2230

to me, its easily worth dealing with the slight weight penalty (even though I know its in the worst location) to have the awesome sunroof. Then again, we don't competitively AX the Mini anymore.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 10:58 am

BriceJohnson wrote:

to me, its easily worth dealing with the slight weight penalty (even though I know its in the worst location) to have the awesome sunroof. Then again, we don't competitively AX the Mini anymore.

You fit in that car w/ a helmet comfortably? You're taller than I am. How's that work? Maybe I didn't have Jordan's seat adjusted all the way down. Need to look again.

RodneyWright · **Posted:** Mon Oct 17, 2011 11:45 am

steve remchak wrote:

E90 Rodney. awesome platform, puts the E36 / E46 to shame.

Not a big fan of the e90 styling and the dumbed down interior and lack of a dip stick. I'd consider a 328, but not the 335. Too many headaches from what I've read. Friend of mine has a 335 and on his 3rd fuel pump.

I do like the new f30 3 series from what I've seen, but WAY out of my price range right now.

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