bmw 318i vs 2nd gen camaro

[mytzlflick]

ok a lot of people I know are trying to convince me to run the 318 instead of the camaro, what do you all think?

[alexb]

I ran a borrowed BMW 325 ix last year at shannonville(my car was stolen the night before the event).And all i can say is that particular car was slow (automatic) compared to my 1.8 Honda.I realise there is a big weight difference maybe 300-400#.However i do beleive the 318 should be a good track car
either stock or modified.

[mytzlflick]

having driven both in the past i know the strengths and weaknesses, the bmw would make a good trck car but I have some concerns, the cost of modifying and repairing is one of them, I can buy a weld in cage for the f-body, the bmw seems to be a lot harder to get. do the little brakes on the bmw's hold up to the braking intensive tracks?
I was fairly set on the second gen car but enough people have told me I am nuts to make me wounder if they are right.

[ADAM]

if you are out for fun then go the cheap route...the bmw has more performance potential...but if it breaks it is gonna cost you....big

[mytzlflick]

yes fun for cheap is the name of the game, I also am concerned about leaving myslef room for improvement if I can drive well enough to move up in classes.

[Christian Sorensen]

As an unbiased ccc guy and a bmw club member, I recommend you run the ....

camaro!

(which you've apparently already decided to do).

Your 2nd gen Camaro with a 305 is definitely not favoured in A3 given that all 3rd gens are there, but the BMW will be no better off in its class.

The 318 is under-powered and over-weight for B3, where its main competition would be 2.5RS Subarus, Golf VR6s, Probe and MX-6 6cyls, and even the BMW E30 6cyl.

The way to make that car competitive is to take advantage of the engine swap rule and put in a 320hp Euro 3.2l six! That'll cost you considerably more than an engine swap for your camaro.

That said, in terms of preparation the best thing you could do is to work on the nut holding onto the wheel (you).

Solo1 is holding a school for new soloists at Shannonville April 28-29 which promises to offer plenty of track time on courses which run Solo events (Fabi and Nelson) plus individualized instruction. Experienced chief instructor Malcolm Elston is running the event and will be posting registration info to the Soloontario site soon.

Also, I've found the BMW driver's schools to be invaluable in developing my skills (such as they are). A weekend at the Mosport big track with full instruction costs only $350 plus $50 club membership, and you can bring out either the BMW or the Camaro. Contact www.bmwclub.ca for info, and email registrar Rolf Lange at rolf.lange@sympatico.ca to get faxed an Application form for the April 21-22 school.

[mytzlflick]

actually after much thought and research i have decided to go with a second generation firebird instead, they have better suspension setup and engines up to 335hp worth of 455, hooked to a muncie rockcrusher.
not to mention they have a stock limited slip in the back.