Upgrading from my e46 touring to an M3 coupe?

I'm in a pickle. I searched for more than 4 months to find my California e46 manual touring and thought that I was all set....that was until I took my z4 to my first day of driving school yesterday.

I want to start doing x-cross and track regularly...and I would have to upgrade so much to make the touring track/x-cross worthy (steering rack, short shift kit, etc) that now I am strongly considering selling the touring and upgrading to an M3 manual coupe. I bought the touring because I am a cyclist and like the idea of throwing my bike in the back of the car...but I took a close look at an e46 coupe yesterday and I think my bike will fit easily (for some reason I thought the e46 M3 didn't have fold down rear seats). And, the rear seat access isn't as bad as my old Integra (I am single, so I am mostly a solo or solo+passenger situation).

Has anyone done this (or similar) and regretted their choice?

I think I would prefer to use a roof rack instead of throwing a bike on the nice seat leather. Is a roof rack not an option?

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What school will let you track the Z4 without a rollbar? Or was this autoX?

Can you get a bike through the trunk opening of an M3? That would seem difficult in my E46 sedan.

A lot of non-BMW events will let you run with factory roll protection.

Originally Posted by Pinecone

A lot of non-BMW events will let you run with factory roll protection.

Ok, I did several non-BMW events and don't remember seeing any, but wasn't really paying attention.

I did an EMRA event - they solo'd you after 1 lap, and you could pass on the right or left. Bunch of cowboys.

@BD...fold down rear seats are the best thing evah! No need to dig up the leather. I prefer to store my bike in the car....as I had a catastrophic roof rack failure in college...lost 2 bikes that way!

@Chris...I did autoX events at Devens and NHMS. Have 1st track event at Mid-Ohio next month....and don't want to ruin my z4 with a roll cage.

Thought I found a great e46 M3 and was ready for PPI today..until seller decided that he didn't want to sell after all

Originally Posted by TechieTechie

@BD...fold down rear seats are the best thing evah! No need to dig up the leather. I prefer to store my bike in the car....as I had a catastrophic roof rack failure in college...lost 2 bikes that way!

@Chris...I did autoX events at Devens and NHMS. Have 1st track event at Mid-Ohio next month....and don't want to ruin my z4 with a roll cage.

Thought I found a great e46 M3 and was ready for PPI today..until seller decided that he didn't want to sell after all

You have to try the Canadian tracks, Mosport (10 hours away) and Mont Tremblant (5-6 hours away). Especially Tremblant, incredible track. I'm sure Mid Ohio is great but that's gotta be a long drive.

I grew up in the town next to Mid Ohio...spent some of my HS summers manning the concession stands....so I figured it's only fitting that it's my first track course. Thanks for the reinforcement about Tremblant...heard that's an incredible track. Too bad I couldn't combine a track weekend with a ski weekend. Now THAT would be worth the drive to Tremblant!!!

PS...love the sig quote!