A track replacement for my M4

[RacrX]

I'm starting to like the idea of a high-mileage E46M...going to look at one tomorrow. Are there problems with the SMG on those or do you guys just prefer to row the gears?

[nicknaz]

Originally Posted by RacrX

I'm starting to like the idea of a high-mileage E46M...going to look at one tomorrow. Are there problems with the SMG on those or do you guys just prefer to row the gears?

Seems like smg break and are $$$

[MaynardZed]

Agree, stay away from SMG. Gotta spend a little more to acquire a 6 speed though. 100-120K miles on an S54 would be fine to my mind. Could probably find something that already has a few track modifications and in decent shape for $15Kish I'm guessing. Lots of great resources on interwebs for buying E46M and tracking it. Good luck.

[RacrX]

I can get an 08 E92 coupe for $27k...tempting.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by RacrX

I can get an 08 E92 coupe for $27k...tempting.

How many miles? Don't forget about rod bearing failures on S65. First thing you should to do is replace them.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

Agree, stay away from SMG. Gotta spend a little more to acquire a 6 speed though. 100-120K miles on an S54 would be fine to my mind. Could probably find something that already has a few track modifications and in decent shape for $15Kish I'm guessing. Lots of great resources on interwebs for buying E46M and tracking it. Good luck.

Manual conversions are common. Could find lower mileage SMG for less and factor in manual conversion cost.

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

Manual conversions are common. Could find lower mileage SMG for less and factor in manual conversion cost.

True, and could just run the SMG until it fails and then do the conversion. SMG is actually pretty great on the track while it works. I ran an E60 M5 SMG for a year until it quit.

E92 for $27K would be tempting if miles aren't too high.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by Blipit_

How many miles? Don't forget about rod bearing failures on S65. First thing you should to do is replace them.

Jeez that sounds expensive.

84,xxx miles. This one is being sold by a BMW dealer, thinking their inspection would catch that? Seems like a safer bet than buying private.

I heard you can hear if the bearings are going near the driver side front wheel, is it a knocking sound?

[SYT_Shadow]

For 30k you can buy a 50k mile E92...

Whether or not you need to change rod bearings, there is no comparison to a zillion mile E46M.

Interestingly, a 50k mile E46M is similar $$ as an E92.

[DieGrüneHölle]

Originally Posted by RacrX

Jeez that sounds expensive.

84,xxx miles. This one is being sold by a BMW dealer, thinking their inspection would catch that? Seems like a safer bet than buying private.

I heard you can hear if the bearings are going near the driver side front wheel, is it a knocking sound?

With that mileage if it were me, I would just go ahead and replace them. Only real test you can do is a Blackstone oil analysis. Even then people have shown no signs of wear and hand their engines let go down the road. EAS in Anaheim does inspection/replacement for $2400 (including parts/labor). Not that expensive, good insurance especially if its going to be a track car. Engine failures will cost you 3-4x the amount in the E92 vs E46.

[RacrX]

So it sounds like a Cayman S around the same year and mileage might be a safer bet as far as problems/expense goes?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by RacrX

So it sounds like a Cayman S around the same year and mileage might be a safer bet as far as problems/expense goes?

A P car will be a different order of magnitude of maintenance cost than any BMW.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by SYT_Shadow

A P car will be a different order of magnitude of maintenance cost than any BMW.

Meaning a Cayman will be more expensive to maintain or problematic than an E92 M3?

[SYT_Shadow]

Originally Posted by RacrX

Meaning a Cayman will be more expensive to maintain or problematic than an E92 M3?

Yes. The E92 is a very reliable M car. A small percentage suffer rod bearing issues so you probably want to have that checked out and for example install the BE bearings which should solve the problem

[Reach]

The Cayman S M97 motor is not bulletproof. It has issues with oil starves on long sweeping turns that can grenade the motor. There is still a small chance of IMS bearing issues as well, although not nearly as prevalent as the earlier M96 motors. It also should have the air oil separator upgraded to the GT3 motorsport version if you're going to track it. It's a great car, but not 100% foolproof. And yes, everything with Porsche costs more.

The 9A1 motor found in the 09+ Caymans was more reliable, but you'll have to pay significantly more to find one of those.

[Reach]

This thread is a good reminder that it's "pay to play" all around, regardless of what you buy.

If you want to go track/race cheap, get a Miata. End of story.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by Reach

This thread is a good reminder that it's "pay to play" all around, regardless of what you buy.

If you want to go track/race cheap, get a Miata. End of story.

For sure.

Getting a lot of mixed feedback though, today two independent German auto mechanics each said the Cayman would likely be far less headache than the M3, fewer problems and cheaper to fix.

Ugh.

[Reach]

Originally Posted by RacrX

For sure.

Getting a lot of mixed feedback though, today two independent German auto mechanics each said the Cayman would likely be far less headache than the M3, fewer problems and cheaper to fix.

Ugh.

As someone who has owned both: that all depends on which Cayman you pick, and which M3 you pick. With multiple generations of each available, and different equipment inside of generations (especially in the Cayman) no hard and fast rule is available. Good luck!

[Kevin G]

OP, you seem to be selling yourself a Cayman. Get what makes you happy! This discussion is obviously part academic and part personal. I'm not a Porsche fan; but that's pure self-inflicted choice. Of course I have respect for the brand...

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by Kevin G

OP, you seem to be selling yourself a Cayman. Get what makes you happy! This discussion is obviously part academic and part personal. I'm not a Porsche fan; but that's pure self-inflicted choice. Of course I have respect for the brand...

Actually no...the e92M is a much more fun toy to me, just being cautious.

[MaynardZed]

Originally Posted by RacrX

For sure.

Getting a lot of mixed feedback though, today two independent German auto mechanics each said the Cayman would likely be far less headache than the M3, fewer problems and cheaper to fix.

Ugh.

These are race shops or just indys for street cars? I would suggest going to a race shop where they mostly work on cars that are tracked if you can find one.

[RacrX]

Originally Posted by MaynardZed

These are race shops or just indys for street cars? I would suggest going to a race shop where they mostly work on cars that are tracked if you can find one.

One is more indy/street, the other does that and preps for HPDEs. Good idea though.