Track it till the engine dies! I am!
I'm on my 9th track day in the past 7 months!
I'm on my 9th track day in the past 7 months!
37.5KVIEWS
70REPLIES
75APPRECIATES
03-06-2025LAST POST
Richneerd wroteDo you then cash out for $10k-$15k blown motor car or replace engine for $20k?Track it till the engine dies! I am!
I'm on my 9th track day in the past 7 months!
I find the GR86 grabbing a lot of my attention these days.
My 11' E90 M3 Manual is the best car I've ever owned. She only has 53k miles.
Can't seem to make up my mind.
sirploppy wroteYup! the car is for me, not for the next person. When the motor goes, I'll find another engine, rinse and repeat. I don't think the engine will cost more than my beaten-to-death M3. It may be a POS but it's my POS.Do you then cash out for $10k-$15k blown motor car or replace engine for $20k?
I find the GR86 grabbing a lot of my attention these days.
My 11' E90 M3 Manual is the best car I've ever owned. She only has 53k miles.
Can't seem to make up my mind.
I agree, love the S65 sound! Amazing yours have 53k miles for a 2011 car.
True, GR86 a lot of people are buying it to track it. If you really want a GR86, I believe now is a good time because of the way the world is changing. You might come out ahead on a direct trade-in, you'll have money left over and you can mod up the GR86.
A GR86 (or ND2 Miata) is expected to replace my MR2 Spyder at some point as my cheap (-ish for the new cars) commuter/low cost consumables track/autox car. I love my E90 but I prefer enjoying it on the street/highway as more of a GT car.
Unless I go nuts and swap my 2ZZ for a boosted Honda K.
Unless I go nuts and swap my 2ZZ for a boosted Honda K.
quiksi wroteI also wouldn't mind an 86 as a track car. I like the idea of something with the spirit of a sports car, but requires some modding to get it where most people want their track car to be. My only concern would be the engine, which seems to be problematic with the reports of stock RTV getting stuck in the oil pickups and grenading the engine. I'd have to do a bit more research on this if I was serious about an 86 as a track car. I do admire people who are comfortable tracking their M3, as I wasn't. It just seemed too nice of a car to expose to the abuses of the track.A GR86 (or ND2 Miata) is expected to replace my MR2 Spyder at some point as my cheap (-ish for the new cars) commuter/low cost consumables track/autox car. I love my E90 but I prefer enjoying it on the street/highway as more of a GT car.
New2Roundel wroteYeah, I've just been reading about the one that blew up and had the warranty claim originally denied due to social media of the car at an event. Granted this was due to it being sold from a distributor rather than a true dealer.I also wouldn't mind an 86 as a track car. I like the idea of something with the spirit of a sports car, but requires some modding to get it where most people want their track car to be. My only concern would be the engine, which seems to be problematic with the reports of stock RTV getting stuck in the oil pickups and grenading the engine. I'd have to do a bit more research on this if I was serious about an 86 as a track car. I do admire people who are comfortable tracking their M3, as I wasn't. It just seemed too nice of a car to expose to the abuses of the track.
Definitely some bad press and seems like there's some oil pickup issues as you said, was hoping Subaru would've fixed that for this engine.
quiksi wroteThat's actually my biggest problem with the E90 - short gears means it spins so high on the highway I feel bad using it for thatI love my E90 but I prefer enjoying it on the street/highway as more of a GT car.
I have a first gen BRZ that is supercharged and set up for the track. I think having both is best 
Cmassey3 wroteIf you're planning on tracking it then I would keep the M3. I have met people who have tracked both cars or have a gr86 as their "cheap" track car and they end up reverting back to the M3.I've got an '08 E92 M3 that I've owned for about 2 years now and it's now just over 80k miles. Unfortunately I think this example was never maintained over it's life and it's taken about $15-$20k just to catch up on maintenance and parts since I've owned it. It's mostly in good shape now, barring a massive washer fluid leak. I've basically mechanically totaled it from my buy in at $19k.
Shotgunning items fixed: rod bearings, leaky DCT, alternator, throttle body actuators, new tires, repaired headliner, pads/rotors/fluids, most trim and under-body panels. It's been expensive and while I can afford it no problem, the frequency of these issues popping up has shaken my confidence in the car and I don't feel like driving it too often. The 80k-150k mile journey has me worried a bit. Overall, it's in really good shape now thankfully.
I could about make even on a new Toyota GR86 with current market rates and that would mean cheaper track days for sure. I think I'm through the worst of it getting this M3 back to health but still on the fence.
I know these questions are always personal to the individual, but I did want to see if anyone else has been thinking about trading in on a cheaper track day car like the GR86 or even going newer to the M4 with better reliability across the board.
Also the new gr86 seems to be having some engine issues so I would hold off until this get it sorted out in later years.
Svgcabg wroteThis information is 1,000x more valuable with even a little bit of ‘why’.If you're planning on tracking it then I would keep the M3. I have met people who have tracked both cars or have a gr86 as their "cheap" track car and they end up reverting back to the M3.
I'm still hoping one day Toyota will smarten up and not put in a Subaru motor in an 86.
Well driving lightweight low HP cars is very different from that of heavy high HP cars. I had a fun little Z3 that was super fast in corners but just would not keep up with higher HP cars on the straights, and we are talking technical courses here. The engine sure was reliable though.
I think a 1200kg 300~350ps M3 is a great balance of cheap consumables and reliable power, which is why you see a lot of E36s dominating a local series with either S50 euro or S54 swap.
I think a 1200kg 300~350ps M3 is a great balance of cheap consumables and reliable power, which is why you see a lot of E36s dominating a local series with either S50 euro or S54 swap.
Svgcabg wroteIf you're planning on tracking it then I would keep the M3. I have met people who have tracked both cars or have a gr86 as their "cheap" track car and they end up reverting back to the M3.
Also the new gr86 seems to be having some engine issues so I would hold off until this get it sorted out in later years.
This car is too underpowered. Just like the new Lotus the engine is lame. Both need another 1000rpms and 100hp
Seems like a legit class action should be rolling in on those cars anytime now…
Bartledoo wroteRTV in the oil pickup?Seems like a legit class action should be rolling in on those cars anytime now…
Strange voices are saying the GR Corolla 1.6 300HP mill might get a test run in an 86 as a study or an Australian 86 racing series.
My perfect car specs = RWD, LSD, $30k, 300hp, 3000lbs
My perfect car specs = RWD, LSD, $30k, 300hp, 3000lbs
Toyota already knows who to get an engine from. Put the B48 in it. B58 would be other wordly but the 4 cyl is enough and can comfortably push 100whp more than the Fa24. This car only needs 325whp anyway
dealers somehow still want over msrp for the gr86.
amrazM wroteAt least in my area you can get a BRZ for sticker with like a $500 refundable depositdealers somehow still want over msrp for the gr86.
I’m on my 3rd E9xM3, previously had a 2020 BRZ tS & then a 2023 GR86.
M3 cannot be compared to the twins!
If you’re feeling attracted to the twins due to light weight, low maintenence & cheap, fun track use, then add a 2017-2020 BRZ or GT86 for less money, get aftermarket header & tune to rid the torque dip & enjoy it!
GR86 steering is slightly numb compared to GT86/first gen BRZ, oil starvation & blown engine with track use is a recognized issue with the new gem GR86/BRZ. Also there was poor throttle response
& rev hang on my 2023 GR86! In my opinion gen 1 better than gen 2.
I have sold the M3 before & regretted, now I’m back! Will consider adding a ND2 Miata next year!
M3 cannot be compared to the twins!
If you’re feeling attracted to the twins due to light weight, low maintenence & cheap, fun track use, then add a 2017-2020 BRZ or GT86 for less money, get aftermarket header & tune to rid the torque dip & enjoy it!
GR86 steering is slightly numb compared to GT86/first gen BRZ, oil starvation & blown engine with track use is a recognized issue with the new gem GR86/BRZ. Also there was poor throttle response
& rev hang on my 2023 GR86! In my opinion gen 1 better than gen 2.
I have sold the M3 before & regretted, now I’m back! Will consider adding a ND2 Miata next year!
I can’t agree more. I currently own a 2022 6spd GR86 as my first sports car and the fun of it lasted maybe half a year.M3 cannot be compared to the twins!
As my daily and canyon cruiser, it absolutely doesn’t feel special to drive. You start seeing many on the road, it’s laughably slow, and it doesn’t sound all that great. The light weight part that everyone is raving about becomes unnoticeable if you’re driving it less than 8/10ths. Don’t forget about RTV, oil consumption, and oil pressure problems as well.
I’m currently looking for E92 M3s and after test driving one at a used car dealer, the sound and experience is in a different league compared to the twins. Stick to the E9X.
Thanks for those last two posts. Dark side keeps tempting me. Was particularly strong last week.
