nowata

I'm in the mkt for an hpde car and trying to decide how deep to commit. Kicking around a NASA prepped e36 m3 or a G class 993. Yeah very different cars but both appealing to me. I have a street 993 so I have familiarity with the chassis and potential expenses. And the sound! Will I be giving up some specialness if I go with the e36? People who have them seem to like them. Also 1/2 cost of the 993.

Also I was wondering what a decent time at the glen is. As a unit of measure. Not that I'm racing. But to gauge capability

ProCoach

Lap time is a product of many variables. Pick what you like.

Slakker

What's your budget? A $50k SP996 is capable of laying down quicker times than a brand new $200k Gt3. And rear engine rear wheel drive is a magical experience. As one guy put it, with the 911, Porsche took a bad design and perfected it.

RickBetterley

My 993 was magical. Beautiful, fun to drive, and dead reliable.
But you already knew that 😀
My Cayman is more capable than the 993, but man that 993 was a blast to drive.
I can't speak to the financial issues - that's between you and your banker, but money aside (right...) the 993 did it for me.
Having said that - the BMW gives you a lot of bang for the buck.

RickBetterley

I was down to 2:14 or so at the Glen. Keep in mind my car had shorter gears 3-6, which makes the car very special but limits the top speed (139 mph before bus stop, for example).
Lots of fun getting there!

hollmatt

Im just about to put my 2001 996 track car up for sale. It's a nice setup, fully built as a PCA Spec 996 car by Powertech, NJ - so full cage, Mantis deep sump, IMS done, 3rd rad, great JRZ RS Pro suspension and handles nice and neutral. Given its a 996 the consumables are cheap. I just added a GT3 throttle body and plenum as well as new engine mounts/plugs/coils and have the Blackstone oil analysis to show engine is healthy. The motor was rebuilt a year before I got it. I'm looking for $32k - let me know if interested - I'm in PA

Slakker

What's the car's dry weight? It sounds like a heck of a good deal.

Kein_Ersatz

I vote 993, because ... they can't all become garage queens!

A BMW in the paddock will be one of many, a 993 will be special.

RickBetterley

Exactly
With respect to BMWs and their owners.

nowata

You hit the nail on the head of my dilemma

Also around here the BMW guys laugh at the money that the Porsche guys dump into their cars to keep them running. Wrench or race? they say

NYC993

Curious, how many DEs have you done so far?

I vote just use your street 993 and see where you want to go from there. 993 is very capable and fun to drive platform, but I'm biased.

Lap time is a function of many things. On my compromised street C4S I managed under 2:18. I don't think there are more than a couple of seconds left in this set-up. Paddy did 2:08 or 2:06? in a fully prepped 993 (on slicks I believe). I run nt01s, pagids, RS sway bars and street coil overs. The rest of the car is pretty stock with full interior but with Gt3 seats and das bar. Glen is where 993 has most disadvantage due to lack of power and poor gearing.

PM me if you have any questions.

nowata

Apologies if I made it sound like I'm purely interested in wg lap times. I may never drive that track. I'm purely trying to get perspective on a specific car for sale that claims a 2:07 lap time on that track. M3, imo, is a mostly worry free low leveraged way to take part in hpde. While the 993 trades mechanical security and low investment for a more unique driving and paddock experience. Ginger and Mary Ann. But I always like Mary Ann.

forklift

If that is Paddy's 993, he has done those times but isn't a G class car as it sits. Might be another 993 your are looking at but a G 993 hasn't done that time at a PCA race weekend yet (so no official 07s) - although certainly possible esp. after the repave.

nowata

it's an e36 m3

NYC993

Very low 2s is what pro drivers used to run in 964/993 cup cars. 2:07 is an impressive time even in a 991 Gt3 and requires a capable driver.