This is a read-only archive of the old Madabout Kitcars forum. New posts and replies are no longer possible, but every thread is still here to browse and read.
I've managed to get a slightly damaged 1994 e36 M3 at a very good price
Now i'm trying to decide what kit to put everything in.... has anyone built a sportster to a more sporting style? Has anyone built one using a pre-evo 3.0 m3 engine?
Any pro's and cons of a marlin build? Rough build costs etc? Has anyone taken their own car on track?
Cost estimates for building a Sportster very wildly depending on who you speak to. Mine has been a budget build and I reckon on about 10K by the time I have painted it. I have been very careful on what I have bought and done virtually everything myself fabricating bits rather than buying them when I am able.
If you are less DIY enabled I reckon on a further 2 to 3K.
what is factory support/parts/price like? any quality issues?
Franky
Marlin kits are pretty good relatively speaking, but make sure you get everything sorted with them BEFORE you buy. Response / service is surprisingly good pre-order, and equally poor AFTER!
Marlin appear to be losing interest in their road going kits and concentrating on their racing 5EXi models.........I guess that is where the money is?
There are a number of builders who have built Sportsters ( I am building a Cabrio) and have met a lot of the problems/challenges you will incur, so I'd say a Marlin is still a good choice.
Read as much of the blogs on here as you can.
It is possible to twist Marlin's arm and get them to build you a hybrid - a guy in the Wessex kit car club had a Cabrio back end with a Sportster front with cycle wings. This allowed him to have a proper windscreen, but still achieve a very sporty looking car.
Also try the Marlin Owners Club site : http://www.marlinownersclub.com/events.php
I've had a pm or 2 about the service.... My cash might be going the GKD way as i've heard nothing but praise for service from them before and after!
Also it seems to have a better chassis package however I do like the look of the sportster but I'm aware of the support needed and i've not been told anything positive about after-sale support once the initial cash is handed over.
am I the only one who thinks the 5exi's look like 'melted' ford KA's?
Well I'd say that despite other's reports of Marlin's poor after sales service I was pleased with them. After 7 years of building I came to fit the hood to my Cabrio and discovered I had either lost or never received one of the hinged side rails. Marlin told me they did not have the pattern anymore, but if I sent them the other side they would make the missing rail up. Six weeks later both rails turned up, nicely made.
I had mixed experience with Marlin's after sales. But putting this to one side I would never have considered building a GKD because I simply didn't want (yet another) 7 style lookalike.
The GKD does look well made though, although I have never seen the 6cyl version. It strikes me that the 6 would be quite a squeeze in a 7 style car....
