Drift car starter, opinions needed.

[Tiarnan]

So as i stated before I'm hoping to start my first build in January '15 when i get back from studying in Cork.

All well and good, but i need a bit of advice from the people on this who would have a genuinely honest and if ye's are arsed, specific details on the best car to start off with and to start getting some track time with.

I'm torn between either an E36 2.0, 2.5 etc, or an Altezza/IS200.

Leaning towards an e36 as ive owned one before but would be nice to get some insight into some different setups..

I will be starting this build with literally no help from anyone, and with very little connections.. So it will be a very slow process for me, But i've been following some builds on this and its great to see a very helpful community on here so hopefully when she kicks off in January whoever wants to come down and give a hand or just share their ideas and opinions on this thread, it would make doing this all on my own that little bit easier,

Thanks lads n lassies :cool:

[LarZ]

my opinion, the beamer wins hands down... the chassis is proven in all levels of competition and practise days here in ireland. i always hear people bitching about altezzas and is200s with standard engines... but i see 320s ripping it up at practice days...

[Tiarnan]

Cheers man, to be honest i just wanted to state another cheap rwd haha, im not the biggest fan of altezzas, and judging by the builds on this, the e36's are looking like the better of the two!

[decobyrne106]

This thread will probably be moved because its the wrong section for it. Thats minor but i'd rather give you a heads up :P

In my opinion i wouldn't go towards an altezza or IS200 as a starter car. Your other option for a E36 is common but its for a reason. There just alot more user friendly as regards finding one or finding parts and alot easier to find your bargains ;)
Look around for a 328i, i dunno if you seen the thread in the build section by sideways-theonlyway but that car was competing over the weekend and it went very well! just food for thought im not saying to go spend a load of money but start with something that can be made to work really well by doing some d.i.y essentials!

[Tiarnan]

Yeah im new to the forum craic as u can probably tell ha.

Ive seen that build, was one of the ones that made me believe that its possible to build a competitive E36, but for me its always just been said E36's, and no other cars to learn about.

Money is always going to be an issue for me with this build so the bargains are essential to me haha,

Thanks for the feedback man.

[dermot-r32]

E36 ftw!! Have a 325 and theres loads of fun, like yourself, iam only starting drifting, built the car up to what I need on a tight budget and it does more than I need atm, e36 with the right diff and bits of extra lock and away you go :D

[Tiarnan]

Thanks man, it will be a major budget build as im only an apprentice so will be interesting to share the different bargain mods i plan on doing along the way :)

[dermot-r32]

I'd be more than happy to give you any help I can from my experience man, :)

[Tiarnan]

Cheers man, well ill keep you's up to date as soon as it all kicks off, just need to source the beast and im good to go!

If anyone has any alternatives into different cars/engine swaps/general mods throw em down here as id like to have a bit more knowledge before i get crackin, to help me really make my final decision, but its looking good so far for an E36.

[blusrule]

E36 chassis definitely, get a road car if you can and work on it! Most of the track versions are kept till they blow so be very cautious of buying one!

325i best of everything, 320i if you have no fear! Needs a lot of commitment! Get cut hubs off the McCarthys, spacers on the rack, welded 4.4 diff and away you go! Every engine in the e36 family will bolt up to your running gear so you can go all the way to M3 very easily.

[Tiarnan]

Yeah was thinking to try find a clean 325i road car and then start the build fresh with her, thanks man, didn't know every engine would fit the running gear.