CSL to GTR to E92 via PBMW Championship

[GregorJP]

Thought I'd share with you my little journey since selling the Cesil early last year. At that time, had an E36 M3 track car too.

Using some of the appreciation from the CSL (:blalalala:), I bought my second GTR. This one is a 2009 stage 4.25 from Litchfield, with pretty much everything you would want for it to be a full-blown monster. I've taken it to the Ring once and it was pretty devastating, save for the MPSS tyres. On proper rubber it would be a fair bit quicker. But...

...and I don't care what anyone else says, the GTR does do a bit too much of the driving for you. So it is now up for sale.

Also, this year has been my first year in the PBMW Championship. My mate and I traded our E36 M3 for two PBMW cars. We've had a right laugh and the racing has been fun, fair and almost outrageously cheap in relative terms. I highly recommend it and plan to do it again next season. After that, it may be the time to try the 330 Challenge.

To keep my kicks on the road, the GTR is being replaced by an E92 M3. My plan is to buy a circa 40k mile car, manual, with a good spec. I'll run it as a road car for a little while and gradually start to mod it, with a view to producing a poor man's GTS with a decent cage, but liveable on the road. If anyone has any experience of buying and running an E92, and (better yet) modding one, let me know.

In among all this, I obviously miss my CSL and wish I never sold it. :bigcry:

[nw99]

Agree the GTR is almost too good , I sold my 09 car to buy my last CSL .
Don't miss the GTR but miss the CSL although the 997 manual Turbo is awesome

[still no worries]

Hi
What does the PBMW championship cost (ball park) ? Not counting the car
Thanks

[shimmy]

good choice, i think andye30 runs a 318 in PBMW, he used to own a CSL

[Mike R]

Thought I'd share with you my little journey since selling the Cesil early last year. At that time, had an E36 M3 track car too.

Using some of the appreciation from the CSL (:blalalala:), I bought my second GTR. This one is a 2009 stage 4.25 from Litchfield, with pretty much everything you would want for it to be a full-blown monster. I've taken it to the Ring once and it was pretty devastating, save for the MPSS tyres. On proper rubber it would be a fair bit quicker. But...

...and I don't care what anyone else says, the GTR does do a bit too much of the driving for you. So it is now up for sale.

Also, this year has been my first year in the PBMW Championship. My mate and I traded our E36 M3 for two PBMW cars. We've had a right laugh and the racing has been fun, fair and almost outrageously cheap in relative terms. I highly recommend it and plan to do it again next season. After that, it may be the time to try the 330 Challenge.

To keep my kicks on the road, the GTR is being replaced by an E92 M3. My plan is to buy a circa 40k mile car, manual, with a good spec. I'll run it as a road car for a little while and gradually start to mod it, with a view to producing a poor man's GTS with a decent cage, but liveable on the road. If anyone has any experience of buying and running an E92, and (better yet) modding one, let me know.

In among all this, I obviously miss my CSL and wish I never sold it. :bigcry:


If you buy BMW Car magazine, my mate is doing monthly updates on his E92 M3 being transformed from standard car to a GTS beater :).

[shimmy]

If you buy BMW Car magazine, my mate is doing monthly updates on his E92 M3 being transformed from standard car to a GTS beater :).

surely that's not very hard!

Halfords will sort of 80% of the changes and then just 40bhp needed

[Mike R]

surely that's not very hard!

Halfords will sort of 80% of the changes and then just 40bhp needed

There's a bit more to it than that as you very well know :p ;).

[billyboysm3]

There's a bit more to it than that as you very well know :p ;).

So we have all got the latest suspension, brakes and tyres, at what point do you stop modding and get a decent instructor for the day who actually gets you a second or two quicker a lap, then saving another couple of grand on headers/camshafts.

How much quicker is he than you in the CSL when you are both in it?

[shimmy]

There's a bit more to it than that as you very well know :p ;).

Like what?

KW, Halfords wing, seats and a strip out.....barring the lovely motor there is nothing there that is not too hard to replicate. BMW did it in 4 weeks.

[GregorJP]

Yes, GTR is an amazing car but it is a quite unique experience when going quickly and really does take away a fair amount of the skill needed to operate a powerful car. So I'm looking forward to getting into the E92 and learning more about balance, etc. I agree that tuition is worth more than any mods.

Costs for PBMW have been incredibly reasonable, especially given that my racing has been consistent and the car has been reliable. I reckon on around £3k for entry fees, £1k for durables (discs, pads, tyres) and £1k for repairs. So £5k all in for a season. Realistically, I don't see that it can be done for much cheaper. The racing is relatively well-mannered, the guys are all decent and there is a good team spirit in the paddock.

Sourced a very reasonably priced alcon BBK for the E92 already. Be interested in anyone's view on this versus AP. I ran APs on my CSL and they were sublime.

[Mike R]

So we have all got the latest suspension, brakes and tyres, at what point do you stop modding and get a decent instructor for the day who actually gets you a second or two quicker a lap, then saving another couple of grand on headers/camshafts.

How much quicker is he than you in the CSL when you are both in it?

He's had that as well :).

We haven't gone up against each other since he has added his aero pack on (as I have been waiting for cams since July), but by the time we do, he will be down to sub 1400kg and have 450bhp, so I won't see which way he went :(.

Here is a vid of me up against him before the aero (1 lap only, as he ran out of fuel). Scroll through to the end, as it is the last few minutes. I wait for him, let him overtake and I follow. He is two-up, but car is stripped out and 1480kg (without people), APs, 285s all round, KW Clubsport 3-ways:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2V6qpP-r6AU

[Mike R]

Like what?

KW, Halfords wing, seats and a strip out.....barring the lovely motor there is nothing there that is not too hard to replicate. BMW did it in 4 weeks.

He's putting on all the adjustable suspension arms, solid mounting the suspension and having a custom diff fitted. So lots of detail bits to make it significantly better.

[pinkpanther008]

BMW magazine?

[Mike R]

BMW magazine?

"BMW Car"

[billyboysm3]

He's putting on all the adjustable suspension arms, solid mounting the suspension and having a custom diff fitted. So lots of detail bits to make it significantly better.

I reckon lapping 2.10 easy every lap

[shimmy]

I reckon lapping 2.10 easy every lap

Have you any idea what that feels like?:hahaha:

[billyboysm3]

Have you any idea what that feels like?:hahaha:

I think I could go quicker

[shimmy]

I think I could go quicker

you probably could......but will you? ...how many more goes do you need?

[cslsuperfan]

you probably could......but will you? ...how many more goes do you need?


Let me know shim when your testing the blu meanie.

[shimmy]

you probably could......but will you? ...how many more goes do you need?

Awfully quiet in Cambourne :)

[billyboysm3]

you probably could......but will you? ...how many more goes do you need?

I reckon Im very close and consistent, car was insane the other Sunday on 1st and only session.

Will get Vbox data logger and upload some videos.

I cannot believe you've not bettered it after 5 years.

[shimmy]

I reckon Im very close and consistent, car was insane the other Sunday on 1st and only session.

Will get Vbox data logger and upload some videos.

I cannot believe you've not bettered it after 5 years.

Fuckin daren't go back :smokin:

Scared myself I was so fast

[billyboysm3]

Fuckin daren't go back :smokin:

Scared myself I was so fast

I'm laughing, fair point.

[s1csl]

you probably could......but will you? ...how many more goes do you need?

He will and so will I , also I don't think we will get slower like some:hahaha:

[s1csl]

I'm laughing, fair point.

Your laughing, you should be pissing yourself

[s1csl]

Have you any idea what that feels like?:hahaha:
What the car or you;)

[shimmy]

He will and so will I , also I don't think we will get slower like some:hahaha:

we all get slower at some point....:banghead:

[s1csl]

we all get slower at some point....:banghead:

not like a fine wine then, better with age

[shimmy]

not like a fine wine then, better with age

trouble with setting down fine wine is it never leaves the cellar.......I prefer to drink mine and see how it tastes, but then it runs out!

[bryce]

PM'd you Gregor.

[GregorJP]

Want to update you all on this little project, which has quickly turned into financial folly. So:

- Sold the GTR via Litchfield. Given that I bought it for £43k and sold it for £47k (less Litchfield commission), it's not a bad bit of business. Don't miss it one bit, save for its practicality as a ridiculous piece of kit.

- E92 now has:

Alcon Superkit
Evolve 100 cell cat exhaust with Tubi Rumore backbox
Latest Nitron suspension which will be set up properly
Apex 7 wheels with Cup 2s
CAE shifter
Recaro Pole Positions on sliders
Front splitter on order

Litchfield will map the car to take account of the new exhaust system, plus are replacing whatever bushes or other components need sorting out.

The headline is that having started as what was supposed to be cost-efficient project to build a solid road-going M3 that will be competent at the Ring, I've now spent well over the value of the car in aftermarket goodies.

No pictures as yet as I'm still waiting to pick the car up, but to say that I'm excited is an understatement.

(Still really regret selling the CSL)

[billyboysm3]

Want to update you all on this little project, which has quickly turned into financial folly. So:

- Sold the GTR via Litchfield. Given that I bought it for £43k and sold it for £47k (less Litchfield commission), it's not a bad bit of business. Don't miss it one bit, save for its practicality as a ridiculous piece of kit.

- E92 now has:

Alcon Superkit
Evolve 100 cell cat exhaust with Tubi Rumore backbox
Latest Nitron suspension which will be set up properly
Apex 7 wheels with Cup 2s
CAE shifter
Recaro Pole Positions on sliders
Front splitter on order

Litchfield will map the car to take account of the new exhaust system, plus are replacing whatever bushes or other components need sorting out.

The headline is that having started as what was supposed to be cost-efficient project to build a solid road-going M3 that will be competent at the Ring, I've now spent well over the value of the car in aftermarket goodies.

No pictures as yet as I'm still waiting to pick the car up, but to say that I'm excited is an understatement.

(Still really regret selling the CSL)

Sounds awesome, I love the apex 7's, CAE is a piece of art.

[GregorJP]

I know that the mantra is "no pics or it didn't happen". So I thought you may be interested to see a pic of my E92 now it's (almost) complete. Ideally, I would fit a half-cage and further uprate the engine, but this project has already sucked out a ton of money and those additions will have to wait til next year.

Planning to take her to the next DN event, if anyone from here is going.

[CraigMillwardCroft]

Nice but needs a good polish to get a shine :whistle:

[Bounce]

Nice but needs a good polish to get a shine :whistle::hahaha::hahaha:

[cslsuperfan]

I know that the mantra is "no pics or it didn't happen". So I thought you may be interested to see a pic of my E92 now it's (almost) complete. Ideally, I would fit a half-cage and further uprate the engine, but this project has already sucked out a ton of money and those additions will have to wait til next year.

Planning to take her to the next DN event, if anyone from here is going.


Gregor

awesome E92....frozen finish is the biz

I'm booked on DN16 and am assuming you're going to DN15.

[GregorJP]

Nice but needs a good polish to get a shine :whistle:

Fuckers ! :birdman:

[GregorJP]

Gregor

awesome E92....frozen finish is the biz

I'm booked on DN16 and am assuming you're going to DN15.


Thanks. It's only a wrap and will no doubt have deteriorated heavily after a couple of track days.

Yes, doing DN15 and 16. Cannot wait.

[Mike R]

If you're going to DN15 on 22 July, look out for my mate's red one - it's a bit of a Monster - is 1323kg wet with full GT4 aero :thumbs:.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg.html)

[GregorJP]

If you're going to DN15 on 22 July, look out for my mate's red one - it's a bit of a Monster - is 1323kg wet with full GT4 aero :thumbs:.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg.html)

Wow, that looks good, and serious too (GT4 splitter, full cage, etc). Contemplated red when I had mine wrapped. Your mate's car looks great and will look out for it (although I will ask him why, after spending all that money modding the car, he's having to have his passenger hold up the GoPro instead of buying a mount for it...).

[Mike R]

Wow, that looks good, and serious too (GT4 splitter, full cage, etc). Contemplated red when I had mine wrapped. Your mate's car looks great and will look out for it (although I will ask him why, after spending all that money modding the car, he's having to have his passenger hold up the GoPro instead of buying a mount for it...).

He has loads of mounts, but that was giving a passenger ride to "Boosted Boris", who decided to do his own little video :).

[billyboysm3]

If you're going to DN15 on 22 July, look out for my mate's red one - it's a bit of a Monster - is 1323kg wet with full GT4 aero :thumbs:.


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/0703/MikeR/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg (http://smg.photobucket.com/user/MikeR/media/374A87FF-4DEA-401D-A483-00E8CB05CC37_zpsykny0eb8.jpg.html)

WOW, can your mate take me round Snetterton in that thing, it must fly!!!

[Mike R]

WOW, can your mate take me round Snetterton in that thing, it must fly!!!

Car sadly now lives in Germany and doesn't come back to the UK very often. When it next does, I'll give you heads up :).

On the last test day at Snetterton it was glued to a slick shod Ariel Atom (which also had the aero package). We were on just Cups as well :blalalala:. Sadly the GT4 aero slows it down on the straights and we couldn't overtake.

[billyboysm3]

Car sadly now lives in Germany and doesn't come back to the UK very often. When it next does, I'll give you heads up :).

On the last test day at Snetterton it was glued to a slick shod Ariel Atom (which also had the aero package). We were on just Cups as well :blalalala:. Sadly the GT4 aero slows it down on the straights and we couldn't overtake.

Insane!!! Was it there on a evening session a few weeks ago?

[Mike R]

Insane!!! Was it there on a evening session a few weeks ago?

Yes - I did tell you we were going to be there :blalalala:. It was undergoing it's final testing (after spending the last 9 months being built to this level) before being shipped out to Germany :beer:.

[billyboysm3]

Yes - I did tell you we were going to be there :blalalala:. It was undergoing it's final testing (after spending the last 9 months being built to this level) before being shipped out to Germany :beer:.

John said he was pushing him along in his full fat Black M3

[Mike R]

John said he was pushing him along in his full fat Black M3

Quite possibly when he first went out, as it took several coming in going back out to dial the suspension back in to get it set up right after it's mental diet (I didn't see anyone "pushing" him though - was this an E46 or an E92 - I do remember seeing an E46 on slicks that was going quite well, but didn't see it out at the same time as Ben's car - not that I was watching all the time, so it may have happened).

This was it's absolute first outing with the new set-up, so he was going easy at the beginning until everything was dialled in. Even then, it wasn't quite right (it was too low, causing the rear end to step out more than normal (especially considering the aero). He couldn't raise it up until the following day, as it required the geometry being reset each time.

He didn't start to push until then, as the rear end was too loose with the dampers set how they were when it had 120kg more weight. I didn't even get in the car until he had set the suspension up as best he could (and that was when we caught the Ariel and had a nice little battle - I was passenger for that).

PS. Answer your phone text ;).

[s1csl]

Car sadly now lives in Germany and doesn't come back to the UK very often. When it next does, I'll give you heads up :).

On the last test day at Snetterton it was glued to a slick shod Ariel Atom (which also had the aero package). We were on just Cups as well :blalalala:. Sadly the GT4 aero slows it down on the straights and we couldn't overtake.

And it didn't come pass me

[Mike R]

And it didn't come pass me


Which car was yours :)?

[s1csl]

Which car was yours :)?

The black e46 m3 on slicks, you where 200kg less, 100bhp more I think your Csl would keep with that

[s1csl]

Was you passenger Mike, as at the end when we came of track the driver gave a thumbs up and there was a passenger with him

[Mike R]

Was you passenger Mike, as at the end when we came of track the driver gave a thumbs up and there was a passenger with him

Not that time, that would have been Dave. I had gone by then, as I had to meet up with someone. I'll ask him next time.