Are non-M e30's a good Rally platform?

#1

Hi There! I am an E30 newb, but have admired the cars for a long time. I plan in the near future on building an amatuer rally car to play with, and have been heavily considering the non-m e30. I know that the m3’s did well in rally, but has anyone here had any experience rallying their non-m?

SpecE30 is also looking VERY tempting(especially since I live about 15 minutes from Roebling.) My wife and a few of our friends run bikes there, Road atlanta, and barber, but I have wanted to play in the dirt and gravel for quite awhile.

This site so far looks very informative, and you guys seem to be a very helpful and tight-knit community.

Thanks in advance for any advice you may have to offer!

Joey

#2

As a long time rally enthusiast, I would not suggest starting from scratch with an E30 and turning it into a gravel rally car. The sump is really low, for one thing. RWD is not really the best way to go rallying, either. I would choose a FWD car instead, like a Golf. I would buy an existing car rather than build one (much cheaper). And, I would probably do rallycross if it’s in your area instead of rallying. The sport of rallying is VERY, VERY, VERY expensive. The number of events is limited, you will need a dependable crew to support your effort, and a complete towing outfit. With entry fees at most events over $1000, it is not a sport that is kind to beginners. And then there’s that whole ‘trees are much harder than tire walls’ thing. I hate to rain on anyone’s parade, but after seriously crunching the numbers on a rally car effort (and this was back when the sport was still halfway affordable) it just didn’t make sense.

You’ll spend less and have more fun racing in SE 30. :slight_smile: