Just took delivery of my new child.

[Jonnymaz]

Thanks, will take a look at those.

To be honest I ideally want something in between - have never tracked my own car before, certainly an option with a CSL but not something I would be doing regularly.

Don't really want one that has been thrashed on a regular basis, but I don't really want a mint one either - would pay a premium and couldn't guarantee to keep it that way!

Something between 40k and 60k, less than £25k. There's a couple of options out there at the moment, hopefully soon I'll be able to join you guys!

PS does anyone know whether regular track use actually does devalue a car (given that's what they are supposed to do), or does it just make things break a bit sooner than they would otherwise? I would go down the Mondial warranty route so hopefully getting things replaced would not be a major concern.

I suppose what I'm asking is whether visible condition is more important, or whether condition of things like clutch/differential/gearbox are just as important (assuming warranty cover)?

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Our track cars are very well looked after, regular oil changes and any issue's sorted out straight away. :thumbs:

[Yanto_csl]

Thanks, will take a look at those.

To be honest I ideally want something in between - have never tracked my own car before, certainly an option with a CSL but not something I would be doing regularly.

Don't really want one that has been thrashed on a regular basis, but I don't really want a mint one either - would pay a premium and couldn't guarantee to keep it that way!

Something between 40k and 60k, less than £25k. There's a couple of options out there at the moment, hopefully soon I'll be able to join you guys!

PS does anyone know whether regular track use actually does devalue a car (given that's what they are supposed to do), or does it just make things break a bit sooner than they would otherwise? I would go down the Mondial warranty route so hopefully getting things replaced would not be a major concern.

I suppose what I'm asking is whether visible condition is more important, or whether condition of things like clutch/differential/gearbox are just as important (assuming warranty cover)?

This is prob going to come out wrong....but I'll say it anyway...

I'd argue all the folks on here that track their cars can afford to maintain them well. That's to say, correct service intervals, more oil changes than recommended / needed. They're driven hard but cherished cars. Often warrantied.

You'll find other cars in the mkt that some guys have spent 95% of their available funds on the car itself, don't track it, but just run it as a road car "coz it's cool innit bruv". No warranty, skip service intervals and whilst may seem good value with low miles, might often not be as they are not cherished.

[Jon8710]

This is prob going to come out wrong....but I'll say it anyway...

I'd argue all the folks on here that track their cars can afford to maintain them well. That's to say, correct service intervals, more oil changes than recommended / needed. They're driven hard but cherished cars. Often warrantied.

You'll find other cars in the mkt that some guys have spent 95% of their available funds on the car itself, don't track it, but just run it as a road car "coz it's cool innit bruv". No warranty, skip service intervals and whilst may seem good value with low miles, might often not be as they are not cherished.

look i dont want to get any backs up here but all im saying is i found a car i know had been looked after well, full service, full history, full warrenty with the car. i know track cars are well looked after iv got a e36 328i i reguarly track and do a full service on every 3 track days it is at 140k and still going strong but im saying that things like bushes, ball joints and various other items get put through so much strain on the track items you cant service, not to mention under belly damage if you stuck it into a few gravel traps.
as for the "cool init bruv" aspect are you implying that anyone who looks after there car and dosent remove the seats and put a cage in it is some kind of cottage chickin hood rat in a mckenzie hoody?
if so i will have the n.o 6 meal please :drool:

[Yanto_csl]

look i dont want to get any backs up here but all im saying is i found a car i know had been looked after well, full service, full history, full warrenty with the car. i know track cars are well looked after iv got a e36 328i i reguarly track and do a full service on every 3 track days it is at 140k and still going strong but im saying that things like bushes, ball joints and various other items get put through so much strain on the track items you cant service, not to mention under belly damage if you stuck it into a few gravel traps.
as for the "cool init bruv" aspect are you implying that anyone who looks after there car and dosent remove the seats and put a cage in it is some kind of cottage chickin hood rat in a mckenzie hoody?
if so i will have the n.o 6 meal please :drool:

no drama...no back up bud...

Just saying I think there are more than the 2 catagories beside that of cherished garage queen and shagged out track slag....

Peace artyman:

[AlexGTT]

no drama...no back up bud...

Just saying I think there are more than the 2 catagories beside that of cherished garage queen and shagged out track slag....

Peace artyman:

I still love ya mate.:smt055. And I agree with you.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

I found a very well looked after car and cherished, first thing I did was replace suspension, Bushes and fit AP brakes and turned it into a track slag in good condition. :whistle:

[Jon8710]

no drama...no back up bud...

Just saying I think there are more than the 2 catagories beside that of cherished garage queen and shagged out track slag....

Peace artyman:

yea fair enough mate and if im to be honest give me 6 months to get my head round the car i will proberly bang some AP'S on it and meet you on a track day.

ill bring the chicken xx

[Jonnymaz]

This is prob going to come out wrong....but I'll say it anyway...

I'd argue all the folks on here that track their cars can afford to maintain them well. That's to say, correct service intervals, more oil changes than recommended / needed. They're driven hard but cherished cars. Often warrantied.

You'll find other cars in the mkt that some guys have spent 95% of their available funds on the car itself, don't track it, but just run it as a road car "coz it's cool innit bruv". No warranty, skip service intervals and whilst may seem good value with low miles, might often not be as they are not cherished.

Thanks, this kind of confirms what I was getting at (I am definitely not suggesting that just because a car is regularly tracked it must be shagged!!).

Please correct me if I misunderstand you, but I think you're saying that the worst thing to do to a CSL is skimp on servicing and repairs, and simple hard track driving is not a problem provided the servicing and repairs are taken care of?

As a prospective buyer, are there any obvious signs of neglect to look out for (other than what is obvious from the service history), or is it just an overall impression you get from its appearance etc?

PS although I am not looking to buy one for the purpose of track use, I would love to try that and with a CSL it would be rude not to!

Thanks

[Yanto_csl]

Thanks, this kind of confirms what I was getting at (I am definitely not suggesting that just because a car is regularly tracked it must be shagged!!).

Please correct me if I misunderstand you, but I think you're saying that the worst thing to do to a CSL is skimp on servicing and repairs, and simple hard track driving is not a problem provided the servicing and repairs are taken care of?

As a prospective buyer, are there any obvious signs of neglect to look out for (other than what is obvious from the service history), or is it just an overall impression you get from its appearance etc?

PS although I am not looking to buy one for the purpose of track use, I would love to try that and with a CSL it would be rude not to!

Thanks

Yep....you have put more eloquently than my post, but exactly that.

First, you cant really track a CSL "on the cheap" (although I guess this point is subjective, depending on the depths of ones pockets!).

Secondly, it is dangerous to track a car that isnt properly maintained. So money gets spent on them.

Third, many (but admittedly not all) folks who aren't in the business of maintaining their car mechanically themselves, run a warranty. In order to run a warranty you need to have full BMWSH, car serviced at correct intervals / OEM parts etc etc.

I see little point in putting 99% of your spare car capital in a £25-£30K car and not maintaining correctly. Sadly, not all folks are the same.

You do see some cars (including some v.low mileage) on the market that have been VERY late in the running in service schedule (bonkers !) or missing some of the Inspection 1 and 2 schedules, with lower miles than average. Often claiming "never been tracked" :whistle:

What does this tell you ?

Possibly a punter who is not mechanically savvy and now cant warranty a car because service interval got messed up, suddenly got a lumpy bill and now needs to cash out ?

Perhaps a wealthy guy who bought it new as a 3rd car, didnt give a shit, thrashed the nuts off it, missed the running in service (making it unwarrantable) and now flogging it as a 15K mile minter.....

You get my point right ?

Sadly, I dont think there is any guarantee when buying a 10 yr old track bias car now, but my checklist would be:

HPI for previous
Running in service on time
Insp 1/2 in accordance with schedule
Usual mechanical checks / get it on a ramp with a specialist
Existing transferable warranty
Carbonfibre interior/exterior bits in reasonable condition (expensive to replace) though the splitters will probably look a bit ropey
No bumper damage - these are pricey.
No cracks in laquer on CF roof - if water gets in, it gets fooked
Ensure its in the correct colour :finga:

Accept the front end will be stonechipped :-D

If I had my time over again, I would definately go for a car that had AP's. Its an expensive upgrade and will be reflected in the price, but let the previous owner take the bigger hit. This would mean there is a 90% chance the car has been tracked, but if all of the other checks above work out, it wouldnt bother me at all.

There are plenty more knowledgeable people than me on here who am sure will be along....

Hope that helps, good luck :beer:

[CraigMillwardCroft]

And the correct colour is :whistle:

[Yanto_csl]

And the correct colour is :whistle:

If you have to ask, you're probably in the wrong one....:smokin:

[CraigMillwardCroft]

If you have to ask, you're probably in the wrong one....:smokin:

:hahaha::hahaha::hahaha:

[sfh3l]

I was just about to weigh in with "'ere, that's my car you're talking about!" when I realised I can't say that any more :bigcry: I am so glad that you are liking it Jon.

On the track day vs concours thing I tend to agree with everything that has been said. Funnily enough I never tracked the E46 as it was my daily driver and it just seemed a bit too much to risk. However, I did do over 10 years of track days in my old E9 3.0csl and did all the prep and maintenance for that myself. BTW i won concours with it too :finga:It's true to say that it is a significantly slower car and thus the stresses and strains are much less than they would be in the newer car, but aside from heavier wear on the front pads and knackering the front tyres' outside shoulders, the car came alive on the track and never suffered from that exposure at all. Gave them up a couple of years ago and wouldn't go back with the old girl now as it all feels a bit too precious. That said, the value of the car has more than quadrupled in the time I've owned it and that too weighs in on the feeling.

I think wait till my son reaches 17 and then share a Caterham or similar - something cheap and raw that can have relatively low speed fun.

Keep on keeping on fellas.