A Distraction of Sorts: My 1991 BMW 318is

[CubbyChowder]

I see you made a nice update about making a roofrack....


and managed to not turn it into a video.







WHAT THE HELL MIKEY?!


(unless the video is going to be like, at the end. Then whatever)

Haha the video is coming at the end, but I'm still updating with pictures as I go. To be honest, I didn't film any of this. Filming makes everything take twice as long when I'm doing everything myself, which is to be expected, I was just in the zone when I was working on this so I didn't want the distractions. I just received a bunch of coilover stuff though and will be filming all my work when I build those and replace all suspension bushings.

[CubbyChowder]

I welded on a few hooks throughout the rack to secure tie downs and painted the whole frame and carriage bolt heads black. I also stained the wood, and it's a bit darker now.




Then it was time for final assembly!




And here's where the e30 sits currently:




Coilovers and suspension rebuild are next!

[CubbyChowder]

I have all my Coilover bits gathered. My setup is as follows:

- GC kit, 440f/650r
- IX Bilstein HD's for the front, I will be cutting the internal bumpstops in half
- 82-02 Camaro KYB Gas-A-Just for the rear
- Housings will be shortened 1.5"

[ak-]

Very good.

I would cut 2" for better adjustability.
You're also going to end up removing your rear adjusters.

[CubbyChowder]

Very good.

I would cut 2" for better adjustability.
You're also going to end up removing your rear adjusters.

I've been told 2" is overkill, are yours cut 2"? I'm not opposed to the idea, I've just heard that it's borderline too much to cut.

I'm not even going to install the adjusters in the rear.

[Rob&co]

nice and fucking nice!

[MattyHacks71]

The stain color looks really good, ties in very nicely

[CubbyChowder]

This isn't really an update, just wanted to show that the video build is in the works! I think it's going to turn out pretty cool:

[smithyyy]

And here's where the e30 sits currently:

first i was like "oh great another person putting on a ugly roof rack..."

then i was a bit like

dat roof rack...

subbed

[CubbyChowder]

^^ haha thanks dude.

[99sil-teg]

OMG.. I need that rack for my e21. You did a killer job on that. I've been wanting to do something very similar.

[CubbyChowder]

So I've been putting in a ton of work on the suspension over the last 4-5 days, and it's almost complete. I don't even want to hear the phrase "rear subframe" ever again in my life...haha.

Here a few video snapshots that will be in the video build, I'm only posting a few pics of the strut shortening process, there's WAY more that I'm not showing until the video is done.

Enjoy!

[Bystrov]

very nice build!

[w201e34]

I don't even want to hear the phrase "rear subframe" ever again in my life...haha.

rear subframe....rear subframe

REAR SUBFRAME!


loljk, looking good, cant wait til those fancy coilys are on!

[CubbyChowder]

Suspension overhaul is finally complete. It was a HUGE job, but it was a lot of fun, a great learning experience and I couldn't be happier with the results. Rides better than I was expecting. Letting everything settle for the next few days and then I will dial it in exactly how I want.

So here's what all went down:
- GC kit, 440f/650r rates
- Shortened strut housings by 2"
- IX Bilstein HD shocks for the front with 1.25" spacer
- KYB Gas-A-Just Camaro shocks for the rear
- Replaced front control arms
- Replaced lollipop bushings
- Replaced front and rear sway bar linkages
- Dropped the rear subframe
- Replaced trailing arm bushings
- Replaced rear subframe mount bushings

Cost me about $1000 total.

It has already settled in a bit more since this picture was taken. The ride quality is amazing. For a low but functional daily driver, it is perfect to my taste. I plan on dropping it a bit lower after a few days.