A Distraction of Sorts: My 1991 BMW 318is

[Spirit]

very nice

[ryan1]

very nice.
im picking up a 91 318is and would like to stance it, but i thought i remember reading that the oil pan on the m42 sits pretty low even at stock height,anyone else hear of this?
i have never owned a bmw so i have no clue.

[MartinsElerts]

very nice.
im picking up a 91 318is and would like to stance it, but i thought i remember reading that the oil pan on the m42 sits pretty low even at stock height,anyone else hear of this?
i have never owned a bmw so i have no clue.

The Germans have placed the oil pan so that You would hit everything in Your way
But that's a small price to pay if you wanna enjoy the MINI M3 E30

[CubbyChowder]

very nice.
im picking up a 91 318is and would like to stance it, but i thought i remember reading that the oil pan on the m42 sits pretty low even at stock height,anyone else hear of this?
i have never owned a bmw so i have no clue.

Although the m42 oil pan is notorious for sitting rather low, I have had no issues so far. When I first set the car down on the ground after building my coilovers, I checked below and was a bit nervous after seeing the oil pan sitting a few inches off the ground. Took it for a test drive with no problems and have been daily driving it ever since. Hitting big dips on the freeway at 75+mph has had me cringe in fear of busting the pan more than once, but I have yet to even scrape it (knock on wood).

[ryan1]

Although the m42 oil pan is notorious for sitting rather low, I have had no issues so far. When I first set the car down on the ground after building my coilovers, I checked below and was a bit nervous after seeing the oil pan sitting a few inches off the ground. Took it for a test drive with no problems and have been daily driving it ever since. Hitting big dips on the freeway at 75+mph has had me cringe in fear of busting the pan more than once, but I have yet to even scrape it (knock on wood).

thanks for the info, I might build a skid plate for mine when I get it.

[ryan1]

Do u guys have any recommend BMW websites for tech info, im sure there are a lot of them but which ones are good.

[CubbyChowder]

Been compiling some parts lately. First off is a Nardi Classic 360mm with black spokes in pretty awesome condition. I got it for a good price on eBay, so I'm really excited about it. Also ordered a Nardi hub adapter:



Next is a set of US Ellipsoids which I acquired in a trade with a forum member for some parts I had for sale. The lenses have light pitting, but I've been reading up on how to polish the glass so I will be doing that. I'll also be taking them apart and smoking them.



This was a local craigslist find. I've been wanting a stereo, as I'm locked out of mine and haven't gotten around to finding out the code yet. I just haven't really wanted to spend the money on one yet. Found this posted for $80, apparently in perfect working condition, so hopefully that's the case. Can't wait to finally have music in the e30:

[ryan1]

Do u guys have any recommend BMW websites for tech info, im sure there are a lot of them but which ones are good.

anyone have a recommendation for e30 websites

[CubbyChowder]

anyone have a recommendation for e30 websites

r3vlimited.com
e30tech.com
m42club.com (if you own a 318is)

[CubbyChowder]

Got an awesome christmas gift from my lady :

New OEM iS front lip with RyanG Splitter. Can't wait to see this painted and installed:



Also, I made a video tutorial for shortening the front strut housings and assembling the Ground Control kit. This is all footage that I was saving for my video build, but I realized a lot of people could benefit from it if I make a separate tutorial video. I'll still use most of this footage in the final video build for my e30, so I guess this kind of also serves as a sneak peek. Watch in 1080p if you're interested:

[MartinsElerts]

Your Lady is the best
And awesome tutorial, thank You

[lauriest]

Realy liked your tutorial but i have couple questions is it neccesary to cut strut housin 2 inces and and what did you do abut rear suspension? Im also planing to do home made coilovers for my E30

[CubbyChowder]

This isn't an update, I just got a PM and he requested that I answer it in my build thread so others can see it too.

Hey,

I honestly love your work, patience taken to a whole new level.

I have a few questions I was hoping that you may be able to help me with about your e30 if you have time its alright if you dont but ya.

1. What brand rack mounts did you use on the rack you make?
2. Do the wheels rub at all, I have the same one but I am debating what size tires to run.
3. Can you please break down the components that you used for the suspension and how you went about putting it all together I am looking for a budget suspension that is the height of ours which is low but also reasonable for a daily. If you can can you send me links if it isnt too much trouble? Even the swing arms and bushings.


Thank you in advance, hope you have time to help me out.

By the way if you do have time to answer these questions make sure to post your response on the thread because I have a few e30 friends also looking for the same information that also love your build.

Thanks,
Matt

First off, thank you for the kind words, I'm stoked that you guys like my build. Here are the answers to your questions, let me know if you have any more.

1. What brand rack mounts did you use on the rack you make?
The mounts came off a universal roof rack which I bought on eBay. They are not the nicest mounts out there, but super affordable and I like that they sit pretty low compared to others I have seen. I have not had any problems so far. The rack can be bought here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Car-Top-Roof...item4161498de9

2. Do the wheels rub at all, I have the same one but I am debating what size tires to run.
Yes, the wheels rub slightly on bumps and sharp turns. I'm pretty sure the front only rubs on the plastic inner fender liner, not on the actual fender, so I need to cut out the small section that it rubs on. As for the rear, the previous owner of my car did a terrible job of rolling the rear fender and pinched a bunch of dirt and undercoating between the lip so it won't roll flat. It's almost a half inch thick, I think I'm just going to cut it out. I would recommend 205/45/16's.

3. Can you please break down the components that you used for the suspension and how you went about putting it all together I am looking for a budget suspension that is the height of ours which is low but also reasonable for a daily. If you can can you send me links if it isnt too much trouble? Even the swing arms and bushings.

So here's what all went down:
- Ground Control Coilover Conversion Kit, 440f/650r spring rates (http://www.ground-control-store.com/...p/II=121/CA=98)
- 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.

I called Mark at Ground Control and he set me up with the right spring rates for my car and it's usage. Awesome guy and really knows E30's well. As for all the bushings and everything, I bought from www.BavAuto.com and www.PelicanParts.com, each website has better prices on certain items. Just look up your model E30 and under the suspension category should be everything you need. Keep in mind this is a pretty big project, it took me nearly 6 full days to complete with some help from my dad here and there.

If you are looking to spend less, JOM makes a coilover set which runs for about $400 I believe and gets decent reviews. My Ground Control setup plus shocks for the front and rear ran me about $750 and all the other suspension components ran me about $250.

[CubbyChowder]

Realy liked your tutorial but i have couple questions is it neccesary to cut strut housin 2 inces and and what did you do abut rear suspension? Im also planing to do home made coilovers for my E30

I'm pretty sure its completely necessary if you want to go considerably low. The stock housings are too tall, and the shocks will easily bottom out if you want to go low. Shortening the housings and running a shorter shock allows you to go low and retain shock travel.

Unfortunately I didn't really film too much of the rear install as it's pretty straight forward. Just a matter of swapping out the shocks and springs.

If you're looking into using a Camaro rear shock, all that needs to be done is to buy a 3/8" metal sleeve (like this: http://www.homedepot.com/Plumbing/h_...1#.UN_UDonjk44) and cut it to the same width as the bottom bushing on the Camaro shock. It will pop right in with some grease and the original bottom strut bolt will fit very snugly. The top is a direct swap, no modification is needed.

[CubbyChowder]

Installed my Nardi Classic today, now I just need to figure out a horn situation (don't mind my lame shift knob haha I'm having a custom wood one made as I write this):




Also started to take my US Ellipsoids apart in preparation to be smoked. I managed to shatter one of the lenses because it got too hot and I barely tapped it with a metal chisel and it exploded in my face haha so that was stupid. Glad all the glass is off though, it was kind of a pain in the ass to get them separated: