How to buy a used BMW Race Car?

deep throat · #1 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 02:00 PM

This is for those with experience in this.

How do you test a used race car BMW? What are the differences between looking at a modded road-going E36 and a race version? Also, most ads would say that the car has something like 50-300km on the clock since last rebuild. I know it's not a walk in the park when doing track days, but what's the mileage that would make the race car relatively "new"? What are the parts that you would immediately check on it, being notoriuous as weak points?

I know I've been asking alot about this recently, but you guys are the best in the field.

Cheers...

DomM3 · #2 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 04:03 PM

I can say what we do in germany.
Very important and the very expensive thing is the engine.
The engine from a racecar is very damageable.
There are 2 differentiation. Either how many kilometers, miles, or how many
attended time.
A lot of race car engines measures in attended time, not in miles or kilometer.
Beyond a certain time the engine needs a revision. That is very expensive.
Look to it that the revision is done.
The same thing with the gear box and clutch. Are the parts ok?
Then, how many casualties. Is the car ok? The auto body not contorted?
Is in the quote any equipment? Parts, Tyres etc.
All saftey features existent. Extinguishing system, cage and off switcher are the most important things. These are FIA rules.
FIA pass for this car.
In which classification is the car. Which group? A, N, GT and so on.

Ok, checks this parts:

engine, last revision, gear box, clutch, Suspension, Brakes, Extinguishing system, cage and off switcher, exhaust system, steering, FIA Pass.
Weight from the car, which material, GFK, CFK..., Macrolon side window,
seat and belts, any equipment.

Defacto · #3 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 09:53 PM

Yep...Dom hit on just about everything. Since a race motor's life is generally measured in hours, not in miles, that is something to consider. Having the car pass tech inspection for whatever class you're running in is critical; you don't want an unsafe car. Is there a particular car you're looking at?

Highboosted · #4 (**permalink**) 05-24-2007, 10:07 PM

No expirence in BMW's, but bought a used rally car a long time ago. Anyways it's pretty universal.

Dom's right, the very first thing you want to know is hours since last overhaul. Every recip part should have logged hours, and they should provide those logs with the car. If it doesn't have a log, then you should be asking why not, because most sanctioning body's require one, as well as a build log (lotsa pics of the build up for passing tech and getting your certification). Buying a race car is useless of it can't get certified. Next thing is to check the SFI dates on any safety equipment, as most things expire and require replacement every season or couple of years, ect. If it has a fuel cell, make sure it's an FIA approved cell and not one from Summit or some other NHRA standard cell. NHRA rules are very relaxed and most sanctioning bodies will not accept their standards because they are too low.

Remember wear items, tires, brakes, engine, clutch, tranny, rear diff, all should have records to how many races/hours on on each, and their overhaul interval. And no matter how good the car may seem, it's only as good as the records the team kept. Poor recordkeeping usually means poor maintenance.

But on the other hand, it's always a crapshoot. A car with 10 hours on the drivetrain can DNF the next race, while some 3rd hand "beater" 200 hour car could win a 6 hour enduro....really depends on what kind of racing it's seen and how much God likes you...

Oh yea.....get the spares with the car. If the team is liquidating they sometimes will offer you a deal to get the whole package so they don't have to deal with selling general stuff....for just a little more than what they were asking for the car I got a spare engine and tranny, 3 sets of tires, 2 sets of wheels, several sets of spares of things like steering racks and pumps and radiators. Basically another car or two without a body.

DomM3 · #5 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 05:17 AM

Here is a page you can buy used racecars.
Very nice.
All kinds of cars and classification.

Motorsport-Guide.com - Marktplatz / Market place

deep throat · #6 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 06:02 AM

Thanks alot guys. No I'm not looking into a specefic race car yet. I was going through some used race cars and saw the trend of ads. If I'm to get one, most probably from the States, chances are I'll come down there myself for inspection, records, and certificates. Wondering what are the parts that ought to have FIA certification. From the top of my head I can say the roll cage, harness, fire extinguishing system, fuel cell. What else?

How "safe" would it be to get one from a self-sponsored driver; not a team car? I know you can always trust the reputed guys who have built their rep with sweat and blood. But still, I think shooting for a team's car is better for the deal might very likely include all the spare parts as advised.

Say I hit the States for race car shopping, what should I do with the car in terms of inspection and certification?

Man, this is why I keep coming back and back to DTMpower....Thanks peeps.

Defacto · #7 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 06:15 AM

Actually, I think I might know someone with a very well done E36 race car that's looking to sell...I'll alert him to this thread.

deep throat · #8 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 06:46 AM

That would be amazing. Much appreciated.

czm3 · #9 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 01:03 PM

Sorry guys, but my e36 sold about a week ago. Good luck on your search deepthroat.

deep throat · #10 (**permalink**) 05-25-2007, 02:50 PM

Congrats on the sale...

From your experience, could you elaborate on the whole process statring with buying a used race car, maintenance and life span of misc parts? That would be much appreciated man.

I'm so interested in seeing pics/specs of the car you sold...

Thanks bro..

Warren · #11 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 10:38 AM

For Sale: race & performance cars, engines, engine parts, trailers

...mostly american stuff tho....

Warren · #12 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 10:43 AM

heres some...

Race Ads | For Sale: BMW E36 325I RACE CAR W/ FEATHERLITE TRAILER

Race Ads | For Sale: Ex Turner Speed World challange BMW

Race Ads | For Sale: 1994 BMW / DINAN I - PREPARED 325is / M3

Race Ads | For Sale: BMW World Challenge Touring Car For Sale

deep throat · #13 (**permalink**) 10-12-2007, 01:05 PM

Cheers man, much appreciated

philsans5 · #14 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 11:01 AM

Buy Mine! Most stuff in the states is SFI or sanctioning body certified. Not everything we run is FIA approved. Cages for sure usually aren't unless they've run in an international race. Cage construction is a huge thing to look at, INSPECT EVERY WELD!

Highboosted · #15 (**permalink**) 10-15-2007, 06:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philsans5

Buy Mine! Most stuff in the states is SFI or sanctioning body certified. Not everything we run is FIA approved. Cages for sure usually aren't unless they've run in an international race. Cage construction is a huge thing to look at, INSPECT EVERY WELD!

Since he lives in Dubai, I think it would be a safe bet that their regulations are close to those in most european events, which MAY require FIA gear (all I know is that most european endurance events require FIA fuel cell ect., though the strange thing is they are migrating towards NASCAR style ladder side bars and away from the standard FIA cross door bars).

But the only way to know for sure is to get the reg book for what you want to race in and look it up.