Mark J. Andy wrote:
> Only because (IMHO obviously) they cost double what a pony car costs (both
> to buy and I suspect to build). There aren't that many folks that have
> that kinda money laying around to pump it into a car for one year.
OK, forget whether it should be in ESP or not, I know that the SEB will
make a good decision. Let's just talk about your HO (humble opinion,
not... well, you get the idea) on M3 costs. ;-)
You can't buy a new E36 M3 any more. Used '95 models (like Bob's) _can_
be had in decent shape for under $24,000. How do I know, 'cause that's
more than I paid for mine with 52,000 miles on the clock. If you want
one with perfect paint, interior, and low miles, you'll pay a lot more.
For an autocross car, get one with full maintenance records and a few
dents/scratches. Mine looks like sh*t, runs like stink.
For power upgrades, there's one tuner and one tuner only - Conforti. His
chip and intake system is about $1100 and will max out the car at 270
hp. There ain't no more, no need to spend more on headers or anything
else, you'll just lose torque. The stock clutch and powertrain need no
modification for this level of power. Bringing multiple rear end gears
to nats will cost you... not much more than bringing three 8" rears for
a Mustang.
For suspension, coil overs and adjustable shocks are no more expensive
than for almost any SP car. Ground control, Eibach, Koni, JRZ... they
don't have special M3 prices. An SP suspension is an SP suspension. You
want to run with the big dogs, gonna cost ya. Otherwise get a $400 coil
over kit and single adjustable Konis like everyone else. The brakes need
no mods other than the usual autocross pads.
Weight savings? Sparcos and Recaros cost the same for M3s as any other
car. I paid $350 for a used set of Sparcos to save 80 lb on the car. A
good set of lightweight wheels for the M3 isn't more expensive than a
similar set for a pony car. Neither are the Hoosiers that go on them.
Now didn't I hear a certain Mustang driver say he had $55,000 in his SP
car? That's DOUBLE what I have in my M3. Now here's the funny part, an
'88 Firebird beat the cr*p out of everyone in ESP except Tunnell.
> Why is it so hard to understand that folks liked ESP _the way it was last
> year without the M3_? Suddenly a whole lotta cars are obsoleted overnight
> (and by a car that costs double what theres does) and you wonder why
> there's bitching about it?
OK, take the M3 out - I don't have a problem with that. Hell, take the
DSMs out. ESP is _still_ in massive disarray within the Pony Car ranks.
2.6 seconds from Madarash to the next Pony Car! What went on there? If
cost is the issue, I'm gonna guess that an '88 Firebird is a bit cheaper
than an new top of the line Mustang or Camarobird. Who obsoleted who?
--
Ron Katona
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