Newbie Looking at BDR Cobra (help)

Snakebite4U · #1 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 05:32 PM

My dream car has always be a Cobra, now here I am looking to aquire one. I have pretty much narrowed my choice between a BDR Cobra and a Superformance. The BDR is less expensive but has less features than the Superformance (top,tonneau,heater,oil cooler,posi rear, standard on the Superformance) I really think you need a posi rear.
Do you feel the BDR cars are a good value and how does their quality stack up to Superformance. Your advise appericated.

Thanks
Snakbite4U

JayBar · #2 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 06:02 PM

Ok, first of all you don't need a limited slip rear in a Backdraft (assume 17 inch tires) I turned my fastest ET with the open rear.
The BDR cars are great. Maybe Superformance has the edge in the options department but if you need all those things they are available and will mostlikely be less than the Superformance. You should go the the BDR web site and price out the car with your options.
Good luck with your choice.

milo22 · #3 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 06:11 PM

I agree with jaybar. I thought the bdr for the money was the better choice. I also had a hard time with the $ difference,but now After owning a bdr I now understand where the $ difference is. The fit and finish and the attention to detail was a little better in the spf. I am still very happy with mine and I bought the car to tinker with anyway.

mike

DC COBRA · #4 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 07:12 PM

Snakebite4U

I own BDR 89, has got quite a few upgrades on her and no junk on this one. Been thinking about doing an aluminum bodied car would sell her complete or maybe without the motor and tranny, if interested PM me or E-mail me at don16cin4@yahoo.com. Also the BDR for the money invested is a still a better choice in my opinion.

DON

Nor Cal Al · #5 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 07:21 PM

Snakebit,
You don't mention where you are. You need to go see and sit in a BDR. Take a ride. Wet your undies. Go to Knotts in April in California. Check out the BDR site here on CC. Your bound to hook with someone in you area. Us average Joes cannot afford a SPF. BDR is less expensive and has some good features like the BMW suspension that can be repaired by any BMW shop. But remember, nothings perfect at these prices.........Praying for sunshine in NorCal....
AL

Blittleton · #6 (**permalink**) 03-20-2006, 08:19 PM

Snakebite4u,
I have several BDR's to sit in right here in the great state of KY. The shop is here in Florence. I have the ghost for you to take for a ride and see for yourself why alot of people are buying Backdraft.

Bill

Want1Bad · #7 (**permalink**) 03-27-2006, 05:15 PM

Snakebit

I looked at (and rode in) both BDR and SPF. I decided on the BDR for two reasons: 1) price; and 2) my objective. The objective was to make a daily driver out of the car. With the BMW suspension and the variety of options offered by BDR, the BDR seemed to fit my needs. I agree with milo22 about fit and finish, but, really, no one would notice but me. I'm not "showing" the car -- I'm just driving it EVERYDAY!

Gregg

BUCKEYE COBRA · #8 (**permalink**) 03-29-2006, 07:20 PM

Want1Bad,
Congrats! BDRs make great drivers and "show" well also!!
Enjoy.

jeffko · #9 (**permalink**) 03-29-2006, 10:59 PM

Congrats Want1Bad! What's going on with the drivetrain?

Weston Guy · #10 (**permalink**) 03-30-2006, 11:00 AM

Snakebite, I am actually picking up my BDR TODAY! here in FL. I shopped both. I was extrodinarily impressed with the customer service at Backdraft. Reg, Frank, and Craig. answered every question I had, explained all the available options, and really helped me pick a car that would fit my needs as well as my wallet. To me the price difference when comparing "apples to apples" was not worth the increased price of the SPF (Very nice car mind you) I put a 408 FI Stoker, M3 suspension, TKO 600 tranny. limited slip 3:10 gears, upgraded the wheels (spinner + Polished), oil cooler, Tonneau cover.

Bill V · #11 (**permalink**) 03-30-2006, 01:50 PM

I'll be going with Backdraft primarily for the local support. In the event a problem arises, they're just an hour south of me. To me, that's worth a lot.

Weston Guy, which one was your car? I was there last week touring the shop and talking options with Frank.

Want1Bad · #12 (**permalink**) 04-03-2006, 01:32 PM

Jeffco
Armond, at California Cobras, had an arrangement with Smeding Performance out of Sacramento. We put the 351W/383 cu in with the T-5 transmission in it. I (supposedly) delivers 400hp at the crank, but I haven't had it dyno'd. I made the guys a the shop wince when I asked them to bolt an air conditioner to it -- but they did and it works great. Like I said, daily driver.
Gregg

jeffko · #13 (**permalink**) 04-03-2006, 07:22 PM

I Look forward to seeing some pictures in your photo gallery.

Weston Guy · #14 (**permalink**) 04-10-2006, 03:41 PM

Bill V
Mine was the indigo blue with white stripes, currently getting the 3.91 gears put in. and my 500 mile service. Can't wait to get it back

doctodd · #15 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 02:48 PM

500 mile service? Im also looking to buy a Cobra. Backdraft is my preference since im in South Florida. What other maintenance costs are there? Also, how much is insurance down here in FLorida. If it is a track car or hobby car, does it need to be registered like a regular car?

Thanks in advance.

T

JayBar · #16 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 04:38 PM

Insurance will be less that $400.00 per year, not as a daily driver. Maybe a 3,000 mile limit per year. As to Regestration check with Frank at Custom Cars he is the expert on FL regestration as far as Backdraft is concerned.

Excaliber · #17 (**permalink**) 05-01-2006, 05:26 PM

I know I've been a little hard on BDR but this open differential thing still bothers me...

We have a short twisty road race track here in Honolulu (1.3 miles and LOTS of corners). Coming out of a corner when the weight shifts to one side; if you don't have some kind of posi track the inside tire spins and just goes up in smoke. On my Excalibur when I finally 'broke' the posi unit it was a joke trying to get around the corners, I had NO traction! Lap times were dramatically reduced as a result. Straight line performance (drag strip) was unaffected.

I suspect the open diff on a BDR (and likely many other replicas) works well in a straight line because: There is not a lot of 'body roll' or 'lift' to favor one rear wheel over another. Thus, both tires get about the same traction.

An open diff would also be SAFER around corners as the 'inside wheel' will break loose rather than BOTH wheels. While this is the 'slow' way around the corner, it is not near as likely to 'throw out the rear end' in a tail slide, as is the case with a posi unit. The rear end coming out is most often reffered to 'throttle induced over steer', difficult if not impossible to do with an open diff.

If your not road racing\track running it, an open diff will save a few bucks and will likely make it a safer car on the street.

Weston Guy · #18 (**permalink**) 05-04-2006, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doctodd

500 mile service? Im also looking to buy a Cobra. Backdraft is my preference since im in South Florida. What other maintenance costs are there? Also, how much is insurance down here in FLorida. If it is a track car or hobby car, does it need to be registered like a regular car?

Thanks in advance.

T

DOCTODD,the 500 mile service is to check the car out, as it is hand built. The go over the car completely. and fix a ny bugs that shake out when first driven. No cost