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BMW fog lights have a tendency to pop out of the bumper cover and flail around during autocross runs.  I've seen tape used to hold them in place, and I've also seen people run with the lights removed (the latter is not strictly legal in SCCA Stock competition).

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John S.
S2000 #42as

CosmosMpower:

John V:

A fragged motor mount and one blown Bilstein HD shock were the only major failures we've had over the past year.  But... it is a Porsche. 

So that bill ran just south of 3 grand right ;)

$144 for the motor mount and the Bilstein was free (warranty). 

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John Vitamvas
stranoparts.com / TeamWTF.org '04 Z06

In 3 years with the e46m3 I broke a fog light and some under tray/fender liner plastic bits.  I also went through 2 sets of front control arm bushings (one OE rubber, one poly) and one set of rear OE trailing arm bushings - that's all I can think of.

Now the vette - well, that's another story...
 

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www.teamWTF.org
WDCR
AS C4 z51
ASP e46m3 "slower than an Evo" ;)

1995 BMW 318 (E36).  Retired from autocrossing last year, but still sees regular track duty.  I don't count, but it's done many hundreds of autocross runs.  And, it's been my daily driver for 13 years and 160,000 miles.  It has never left me stranded, and the only failures due to autocrossing were engine mounts.  (Sidestepping the clutch at 4,000 RPM on sticky tires at places like Grissom and Forbes will do that. :)   It gets generous amounts of routine maintenance, but nothing I wouldn't do for any car.

 The E46 didn't impress me as quite as sturdy, but I didn't own it for very long.  A current E90 seems OK but it doesn't get autocrossed or tracked...and is still fairly new.

Engine mounts, clutch, and an axle....all bad before the car ever started autocrossing, needed to be replaced anyway.

 60K miles later (since late 2006), over 500 autocross laps and 150+ ProSolo launches, seems to be okay, but time for a new clutch shortly from the Pro's and awkward codrivers (you know who you are!)

Total 200K miles on original engine and trans and diffs. 
 

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*Banned Again* Permanently

In three years of running an Elise I didn't have to replace or repair anything as a result except to clean up the fiberglass damage when I was sure I was done running her (just completed).  The car remains my daily driver and has no after-effects of countless Solo and Pro Solo events. 

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Jer
#196 ES
#187 SS retired

Anyone have any comments on a 2006 Acura RSX Type-S?  I'm going to driving school this month and attending the SCCA event the next day to watch the festivities.  I am debating whether to autocross my "Lola."

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---Traci---
www.myspace.com/ga_electronchick

Electronchick,

Winters North of Chicago are far harder on a car than summers autocrossing. Other than some cone marks, expect no harm to befall Lola. Go to the school, learn and have fun. Don't worry about the car.

 Also, don't you dare go to an autocross and only watch. This is one of the most boring specatator sports known to man or woman. But it sure is fun to do. Sign up for that SCCA event now! You'll regret it if you don't :-)

Regards,

Alan

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Alan Pozner
Slow and proud

I'll second Alan's response -- get out and drive! We're a very friendly bunch (well, most of us, anyway ) and are always happy to find another "car person" to hang out with and enjoy our version of "a Sunday drive."

I'll say that autocrossing will find any "weaknesses" in your particular car, but most of the time proper maintenance can reduce or eliminate most of the problems. In fact, I'd say that competitive autocross cars get BETTER maintenance (and necessary repairs) than your average car!

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Glenn L. Austin, Computer Wizard and Race Car Driver
2005 Ultra Yellow Nissan 350Z Track Model
2007 Packwood ProSolo "first loser" (0.081)
2007 SCCA Solo National Championships - 10th place

cmamich:

With the weak dollar, and BMW in general -- I would imagine the parts are quite a bit more expensive than our beloved GM products. 

I would disagree, I've found parts for my car not to be any more expensive than anything else.

Just because you need to buy parts for a german car, doesn't mean you need to import them from germany. =] 

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DS #313 | the rolling couch of doom | La-Z-Boy Racing

I promise you, this will be the ONLY autocross event I attend as a spectator....since you have no clue who I am or anything about me, I'll give you a quick history:  I'm from south Georgia where my favorite past-time was mud boggin' in 4 wheel drives, non-4 wheel drives, 4 wheelers, and 3 wheelers, usually after 10pm at night.  The idea was to get each other stuck in the mud and have to get help to get out of their predicament.

I'm a pretty aggressive driver already, I just need to learn to control and harness.  I want to legally have a ball driving my car and see what she can do.  Thanks for the info.

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---Traci---
www.myspace.com/ga_electronchick

Hello and Welcome Chick,

Allow me to introduce myself.  David H. Lehman, the voice of reason and sanity on these forums.

The only reason you were told to participate rather than spectate is because there are two types of automotive enthusiasts.

1)  The waxers that can't and never will be able to drive their way out of a paperbag.

2)  Autocrossers who run to have fun, get an adreneline rush, meet friends, and goof on fellow participants.

The poster above wanted you to fall into # 2, and avoid becoming #1.

 

PS----I have to go to the restroom right now !  I know it's #1 and maybe if I am lucky # 2

PPS----welcome

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Trying to get faster

Well if you hit as many cones as I and my other drivers do you can expect several hundred dollars a year in replacement undertray plastic pieces and fasteners.

I haven't fared any better with the RX-8 that I did with the BMW's.  The Z06 was probably the most resilient and least breakable car I ever competed in WRT to this.

I won't even mention the number of RX-8 transmissions I've bought and own ...

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"Understeer is when you hit the wall with the front of the car and oversteer is when you hit the wall with the rear of the car.
Horsepower is how fast you hit the wall, torque is how far you take the wall with you." --Anonymous

TeamRX8:

...

I won't even mention the number of RX-8 transmissions I've bought and own ...

No doubt due to the massive torque produced by that motor....??

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Charlie Thompson
'04 JCW Cooper [STX]
NER Cannon Fodder

I've heard a couple of times now about the fasteners...what are they, where do I get them?  I guess we can put them on ourselves?  Would someone be around that could show that to me?  I expect that there might be a cone or two in jeopardy...I have been known for curbage in the past...been more careful with my current ride, though.

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---Traci---
www.myspace.com/ga_electronchick

If you make it to the drivers school, I can point out really quickly where the fasteners are that you need to look for on the RSX.  I've only lost one so far, and I'm not even sure that was autocrossing. ;)  Fair chance I'll be your instructor, since they usually pair instructors up with cars we're most familiar with.  If not, I'm sure I'll still catch you there.

The cars I'm familiar with and their maintenance/weak spots:

E46: hubs (if there are miles on them), rear subframe damage (google it)
C4: control arm bushings, hubs every season
C5: seen hubs go on these too
SN95: control arm bushings ea season, limited slip 1/4 to full season (stick axle vs IRS), eventual wheel bearings

Really on any car I'd be inspecting/expecting any bushing or mount to see more than design stress if fully using today's R-comp DOT tires.  They are amazing.  Figure belt tensioners and engine accessories will be complaining at some point as well. 

HTH,

- Jeff

 

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Just another old Mustang guy....

Buy a Honda....they never seem to break, if they do, parts are ALWAYS available, and they are relatively cheap to own and maintain.  Plus the resale is great!  I could go on and on for hourse about my 01 Civic and the abuse I put it through, but let me just say that the reason I have an 04 is because I wanted a color change and wanted to upgrade.  Really wish I would've kept my 01.

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D. Scott Bourne
192HS
DATS Racing LLC
Kumho Motorsports
Ken Towery's Motorsports
Tokico USA

DATS Racing, All DATS, All the time!