BEST BMW DRIFT CAR
If you want to start drifting, BMW is the way to go. But with so many options, which BMW is the best for drifting? Let’s go through each BMW series and find out.
Many BMW models offer rear-wheel drive and a manual transmission. This makes BMW a great option for beginner drift cars. The only upgrade required for drifting will be an LSD or welded differential.
Pricing is probably your number one factor when choosing the best BMW. Pricing will highly vary based on mileage, condition, and demand. An older e30 can go for as little as $1200 or even up to $15,000. But if you look hard enough, you can find a decent BMW E46 or Z3 for $5-6k with less than 100k miles.
Each BMW series drift car has pros and cons. So which is the best BMW for drifting?
We originally started grassroots drifting in a 2004 BMW 325CI or better known as the E46. Then we transitioned to a 1984 325i E30 Drift car. There’s so many options to choose from so we created a comparison tool and go over the top 5 potential BMW drift cars to determine which BMW is the best from this list:
BMW E30
BMW E36
BMW E46
BMW Z3
BMW E92
The only mod you’ll need for any of these models is an LSD or welded diff to drift. We’ll also be leaving the M3 variants out because they are rare and extremely expensive compared to non M3 models.
1. BMW E30 Drift Car
The E30 is making a huge comeback. Old neglected E30’s make for a great bargain. The E30 was also built for 12 years which means you can still find them for sale.
An E30 drift car will need work or you can pay $$$ for something already restored.
There’s not too much to an e30. They are made with a unibody chassis and most of the body sheet metal is thin.
The biggest downside is age and lack of well-documented upgrades for the M10 4 cylinder variant. But due to its basic nature, you can find tons of docs on various e30 motor swaps. If you don’t plan on engine swapping the E30, try and find one with an M20 inline 6 engine.
Almost all E30s are RWD. Just stay away from the all wheel drive 325iX and make sure you grab an E30 with a manual transmission. 2 or 4 doors will drift.
2. BMW E36 Drift Car
E36 series released in 1990 and had models manufactured till 2000. The 316i/318i also came with a 4 cylinder option and the 320i/325i/328i series came with an inline 6 cylinder with a DOHC cylinder head. The 6 cylinder M50/M52 with additional horsepower will be much easier to drift and has plenty of aftermarket performance parts to choose from.
BMW E36 Hatchback drifting at Piedmont Drift
The e36 coupe/hatchback are great because they’re pretty light, but the heavier 4 door will still drift with some practice.
3. BMW E46 Drift Car
An E46 or 4th gen made between 97 and 06 has to be one of the most underrated drift cars of all time. The 320/325/328/330 models come with an inline 6 M52 or M54 generating 140-225 HP. Some of the lower end E46 vehicles come with a 4 cylinder option. Opt for the inline 6 and you’ll be golden.
Performing a clutch kick with over 200HP in an M52/M54 E46 is super fun.
There’s tons of these cars still around with less than 100k miles and parts are relatively easy to find.
BMW E46 325CI Drifting at Rockingham Speedway
The biggest downside is the e46 coupe chassis can start to tear or crack at the rear subframe mounting points. It’s so common, that you can find weldable subframe reinforcement plate kits from most aftermarket BMW performance parts manufactures.
If you’re not up to welding, then the sedan tends to hold up much better to the abuse of drifting.
4. BMW Z3 Drift Car
The BMW Z3 might be the new kid on the block for an affordable drift car. But does it have what it takes to be the best BMW drift car?
BMW Z4 Drifting Photo by John Beary Images
Made between 95-02, non BMW drift fans don’t want old. Which makes it somewhat easy to find a Z3 that’s not overly expensive. Some flavors come with the 4 cylinder found in the e36. Others come with the inline 6 M52/M54. The Z3 is very light. With the 4 cylinder or the M52/M54 with close to 200 HP, burning rubber isn’t difficult.
The biggest con of the Z3 is most drift tracks require a proper roll cage installation for convertibles.
You can install a roll cage yourself with a MIG welder, or you can have someone else install a roll cage for you.
5. BMW E92 Drift Car
You might have seen this great looking BMW being used as a chassis of choice for D1 Drift drivers like Blake Olsen. The BMW e92 looks are stunning, but does it drift in stock form?
The N52/N53 inline 6 cylinder engine pushes over 200 HP and doesn’t need much of an upgrade which means it has plenty of horsepower to go sideways. Get yourself an LSD from Tunermotorsport.com and the e92 is just as fun as any other BMW drift car.
The only downside is the e92 tends to be much more expensive due to not being as old as the other BMWs on the list. It was manufactured up until 2013.
THE BMW DRIFT WINNER?
With all the pro’s and con’s the E36 might be the best BMW drift car.
Low price, great availability, and tons of performance parts pushes the BMW E36 it to the top. But not everyone likes the boxy style of the E36 and if you plan to drift, then drift in style.
WATCH DRIFTING A STOCK E46
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