M42club.com - Home of the BMW E30/E36 318i/iS
FAQ / REFERENCE => Member Profiles => Topic started by: mikesjo on April 14, 2006, 10:04:29 PM
-
Hey guys, just joined up. This is my 2nd e30 318is, it's pretty much a stock brilliantrot. I'm located in Vancouver, B.C. just like kowalski and royalflush :).
Sunroof Delete
Mtech2 Wheel
15" euro weaves
M3 springs
prolumen 5000k HIDs
I'll be browsing around the next few weeks for suspension setups :). Trying to figure out what I want. Sort of want something a bit lower than the H&R Sports OE but not too low and not too soft either.
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/images/april06/IMG_9406_edit_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/images/feb06/IMG_9007_small.jpg)
-
Welcome to M42club :)
Stunning e30... it's now official, my next e30 will have to be brillantrot. Is that the original paint?
As for springs, I'd look into H&R sports, specifically P/N 29964. Febi Guibo installed these on his car recently. IMHO, these provide the cleanest drop for our 318iS's. Performance wise, it's a given. The pics he posted in his members profile aren't the best to display his new ride height. If you ask him kindly I'm sure he can snap some shots in a more illuminated environment.
-
Hey eurospec. The 29664 seems to be the good option from H&R for our cars. I'm looking into other ones as well just to see such as IE3s and Vogtland. Not too sure what shocks to go with, seems like bilsteins are the best bang for the buck. What's the big difference between those and Konis besides price?
-
Gorgeous paint, I wish my paint still looked that fresh and shiny.
-
Hey eurospec. The 29664 seems to be the good option from H&R for our cars. I'm looking into other ones as well just to see such as IE3s and Vogtland. Not too sure what shocks to go with, seems like bilsteins are the best bang for the buck. What's the big difference between those and Konis besides price?
Aside from being adjustable, konis are stiffer then bilstein sports. It really depends on the type of springs you end up getting and your budget. In most cases, bilstein sports will do just fine.
-
ey man! glad to see you over on our forum!
car looks sweet!!
-
nice 30, nice porsche. whos white bmw is parked beside yours? i can see it in the reflection:)
-
Wow kowalski, good eyes. haha. The white e30 318is is my dad's DD.
-
Wow kowalski, good eyes. haha. The white e30 318is is my dad's DD.
haha thanks, i thought it was an e30, but i wasn't 100% posative, got any pics of her?
-
It's too dirty to take pics of :). Haha. Bone stock 318is.
-
It's too dirty to take pics of :). Haha. Bone stock 318is.
No worries, we got a bone stock 325ic that my dad daily drives. Amazing how good cars run in the family:D
-
holy crap... kowalski, they need you over at CSI
-
i live in canada, we don't have crime:p
edit: o wait, people like to break into our cars once a month, other then that we have no crime...:(
-
Nice car Mike, and good eyes kowalski. Your new name is Eagle Eye. Change it now. :D
-
Hey guys, just joined up. This is my 2nd e30 318is, it's pretty much a stock brilliantrot. I'm located in Vancouver, B.C. just like kowalski and royalflush :).
I'll be browsing around the next few weeks for suspension setups :). Trying to figure out what I want. Sort of want something a bit lower than the H&R Sports OE but not too low and not too soft either.
Hey mikesjo... Great looking iS!!!
I love Brilliantrot, but couldn't find one when I was looking. I got the second best, Alpenweiss. But, if you ever sell your car, let me know first!!! ;) I and a few of my Northwest friends would definately be takers!
Let me know what you are looking at for suspensions. I REALLY want the H&R coil overs, but H&R has been back ordered on these for months and no idea when we'll see any in the US. What other options are you looking at? I may end up going with the H&R and Bilstien Sports as others have been happy with it, but was looking for a little stiffer combo.
Pls share info on other options you find! Welcome to the Club.
-
Hey I'm in the same boat as you m42boy. I want something a bit stiffer than OE and a bit lower of a drop but not too much. I don't like the raked look either. If I went H&R it'd be the p/n 29664. Other ones I was looking at was IE3 but not too sure how much they drop the car. The cheapest option I found and i think they're just as stiff as the H&R and drop the car lower are the Vogtland springs, they sell for I think $180?
I've been doing a lot of reading throughout different forums but I'm still trying to figure it out and learn at the same time. I don't want to put something in and then not be happy with it. Shocks will either be bilstein or koni, leaning towards the bilsteins because of price and I'm finding it hard to justify the konis. I have to learn more about shocks and wth they really do ><.
PS. I used to have an alpine white 318is :).
-
hey... fitz318is (who is here) turned me on to the 29664s... he has run both the 50404s and the 29664s and recommended the latter, and having installed them myself I can see why.
some nut on r3vlimited named 2002maniac (hasn't someone told him it's 2006? jeez :D ) was kind enough to post these rates:
springs front rear
-----------------------------------------------------
Stock M3 140 250 (others say 100,300?)
Dinan Sport 172 300
H&R Race 315 570
H&R Sport 185 380
H&R Sport 200 285 (29664)
Eibach Pro-kit 102 277
Eibach Race 160 445
Ireland Stage 3 315 570
now, keep in mind that these are unverified number (who knows) and also it's a measure of stiffness, but the springs themselves can be of different heights, coil counts etc.
I will also say this: a few weeks ago I had the pleasure of driving thumper's car (H&R race springs) and the handling was really superb, definitely an upgrade over H&R sports.
-
Febi, was it any bumpier than your ride? What shocks is he running?
-
Febi, was it any bumpier than your ride? What shocks is he running?
Hell yeah its a bumpier ride, atleast I think it is. Kidneys hurt when I hit bumps. Although my friend JDNo.5 had bilstein's with intrax springs on his first 318is and the ride was lower but not has brutal as my race springs. ooh, Im running bilsteisn w/ my H&R's.
-
Is it the shocks that make it bumpier or the springs?
-
Is it the shocks that make it bumpier or the springs?
Springs I think.
-
The IE3s look like a good option then since it's the same rate as your race ones and cheaper. The vogtland springs are the cheapest and are still stiff than the H&R sports. The numbers I was able to find for the vogltands are 225/360.
-
If you dont live in an area with alot of bumps, then go for the race or the IE's. My setup is pretty rough for alot of the streets in my area but...oh well.
-
NICE PAINT!! i wish my paint was that nice, sweet ride!
-
The IE3s look like a good option then since it's the same rate as your race ones and cheaper. The vogtland springs are the cheapest and are still stiff than the H&R sports. The numbers I was able to find for the vogltands are 225/360.
Looks like IE3 is an H&R Race spring. If you think about it, it's actually pretty hard to make springs, so I'm sure they are just H&R Race now. Might be painted differently or something.
The concern I have with going stiffer is that the damper won't be stiff enough. Hence, why I REALLY preffer a "matched" shock and spring setup.
The Vogtlands might be a good compromize, and I like the price! Who sells these? I might just try it.
mikesjo.. I'm not too concerned with trying something. It's not too hard to swap out shocks and springs if I really don't like it. And, can always sell your setup for at least 50% of cost on list or Ebay. I think I'm going to try a traditional shock/spring setup for now and if I want more down the road, I'll go with coil-overs. Mostly because I don't want to spend the $1500-2000 for a coil-over setup at the moment.
-
I think IE springs are made by eibach...
-
M42 boy, here are two sites I found that carry the vogtland springs and also their kit. http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/. One is a vogtland spring/shock kit, the other site is a koni shocks/vogtland springs setup. http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=662/tb=6/_cid=
flyingbrickperformance also carries the votland springs but are more expensive.
-
M42 boy, here are two sites I found that carry the vogtland springs and also their kit. http://www.autoaccessorystore.com/. One is a vogtland spring/shock kit, the other site is a koni shocks/vogtland springs setup. http://www.purems.com/products/product.php/II=662/tb=6/_cid=
flyingbrickperformance also carries the votland springs but are more expensive.
Hey, that kit with the Koni Sports might be just what the doctor ordered. Konis are slightly stiffer than the Bilstiens as well, which might be a good match for the "slightly stiffer" Vogtland springs.
I basically have to order shocks/springs this week, so I think I may go with it unless I hear something terribly negative about them. I'm assuming we should go with the kit for the 4 cyl cars. Probably adjusted for the lower weight in the front.
I wonder if anyone can tell me the piston shaft diameter. I'm planning to use Ground Control adjustable camber plates, so I need to know the piston diameter. Apparently Konis come in either 14mm or 16mm.
-
M42boy let us know which one you go with :).
-
M42boy let us know which one you go with :).
I'm pretty sure I'm going to go with the one for the 4-cyl E30. Should be fine for either M10 or M42 cars. I think it's just adjusting the spring a bit because of the less weight up front in the 4-cyl cars, like ours.
961017 E30 4-cyl (not M3) 1984 - 91
I'm going to try to call them to confirm. I was reading that they ARE indeed 4 adjustable (you too the amount of rebound!) Konis! Sounds like a deal to me.
-
Yea I just got an email back from them saying they are the adjustables as well.
-
M42boy, I think both sites carry the exact same kit whereas one lists the shocks as koni and the other does not. If you look closely though the pictures look the same and the autoaccessory store lists the shocks as "externally adjustable". I think they're just rebadged konis but they don't know it? They sell it for much cheaper as well.
-
M42boy, I think both sites carry the exact same kit whereas one lists the shocks as koni and the other does not. If you look closely though the pictures look the same and the autoaccessory store lists the shocks as "externally adjustable". I think they're just rebadged konis but they don't know it? They sell it for much cheaper as well.
Look closely!! I was fooled too as the price on the first page says $358 or something. But, when you click through to order you get the actual price. The actual price is $552 or something. Then, when you add to cart, they are charging $50 for shipping. So, it's not really any cheaper. Plus, that website is really annoying.
I called Mike at PURE Motorsports (the other link) and he said he'd give us a discounted price of $539.49 on the kit!! Plus, shipping is actual cost. I think it was $37 to ship to me on the east coast. Will probably be cheaper to ship to you in BC. Call Mike direct at PURE Motorsports at (951) 491-0852.
-
PM'ed you m42boy.
-
PM'ed you m42boy.
Yeah, got it. Thanks.
I just ordered this kit today. Was cheap enough to give it a try. I figure if I want something stiffer down the road, I can move up to the H&R Race springs and just crank up the Konis!
What are people's impressions of the H&R Race springs? This seems like it might be the perfect weight for a street/track car. I'm just gonna give the Vogtlands a shot and see what I think. I think it's going to be such an improvement over what I have now (rusted OE springs and blown out shocks!) it's not even gonna be funny.
-
Go IE if you want H&R race dan. They're cheaper and the rates are the same. Can't wait to see the kit on the car :).
-
Well I finally got the car lowered. A buddy helped me as well :). Couldn't have done it w/o his expertise! We also put in the z3 shifter.
Pics can be found here. (http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/)
Some shots.
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1075_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1102_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1141_small.jpg)
-
Hey, nice job... car looks great... I think I'm running the same setup and I really like it...
-
what kind of tires are those?
-
I like the look of the tires but they arn't the best ones, lol. Dunlop...crap the model escapes me at the moment. I can't believe I forgot..haha. They have a nice lip protector though, the rim sits in the tire. They don't give you much notice before they break loose and arn't grippy in the rain.
-
Hey Mike... car looks great. More pics please. :D
How do you like the ride??
-
I like the look of the tires but they arn't the best ones, lol. Dunlop...crap the model escapes me at the moment. I can't believe I forgot..haha. They have a nice lip protector though, the rim sits in the tire. They don't give you much notice before they break loose and arn't grippy in the rain.
ah they kinda look my contiextreme contact's...i have those on the rear and falken ziex's up front. i will eventually buy a full summer set of tires.
the conti's are a pretty good all around tire though..nice grip in rain, snow and the dry. i drove through the whole winter with the conti's in back and it wasn't bad at all.
you're gonna realize just how badly you need new tires now that you have a bitchin setup!!
-
The wheels are Dunlop FM901s, they're more a summer tire. I know what you mean by need better tires though, lol.
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1077_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1085_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1092_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1094_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1120_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1141_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1142_small.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_4128_edit_small_wes.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_4134_edit_small_wes.jpg)
-
Wow...absolutely stunning.
She's comin along very nicely!
-
Hey Mike... car looks great. More pics please. :D
How do you like the ride??
I love the ride! The car is very planted going around corners. The ride is not that bad either. Totally bearable imo. But although the car doesn't look low, it does scrape if you don't watch where you're going. I think it's the oil pan.
Today is the first time I've scratched that IS lip backing out of my drive way as well :(. Coming out at an angle, there is about a 1" gap between the lip and the pavement.
-
Welcome to lowered suspension with an iS lip life :) Car definitely looks awesome. Just a suggestion of personal preference, but I think your car would look hot with some tinted windows. I know some people prefer untinted, but red and black always go together, and at least in AZ it's a must in the summer...
-
Yeah I've been contemplating tinting the windows because it's been pretty hot up here on the west coast. I was thinking 50% all around. On my last alpine white e30, I had 35% all around then finally after 2 years the cops pulled me over for having front tint :(.
-
Yeah I've been contemplating tinting the windows because it's been pretty hot up here on the west coast. I was thinking 50% all around. On my last alpine white e30, I had 35% all around then finally after 2 years the cops pulled me over for having front tint :(.
No way dude... You do tint if your in S California or Arizona. But, you certaintly don't need it in the Northwest.
Plus, I've never seen a tint that didn't turn (and, I mean turn purple in color) at some point. And purple windows on a red car no lookie so hot. :cool:
I urge you not to do it as your car looks sick the way it is! Plus, in the Northwest you count your sunny days, so basically no one really needs tint. Save some money and get your iS lip touched up! I pretty much think your car is perfect!!! Put in a Zionsville Z3 rack upgrade or something.
Actually, my suggestion is don't go crazy and spend too much money on it.... just drive and enjoy it.
-
Oh the lip is fine, just scratched on the bottom, can't see it. It's been a hot three months up here in Vancouver. How do you guys keep the interior from fading? That's another thing the tint would help me w/ besides heat. I have no a/c as well and no sunroof. lol
-
Oh the lip is fine, just scratched on the bottom, can't see it. It's been a hot three months up here in Vancouver. How do you guys keep the interior from fading? That's another thing the tint would help me w/ besides heat. I have no a/c as well and no sunroof. lol
You have no sunroof? Thats awesome, but like I said tint it's completely personal opinion or depending on where you live it's necessary. But IMHO tint has helped prevent fading in my car, plus the fact that I garage park it. But if you don't have access to garage parking then it seems like tint is a definite plus. But only as long as you have it done right, I've had mine now for nearly 5 years(in AZ nonetheless) and it still looks awesome.
-
I think it looks fantastic w/o tint.
-
Oh the lip is fine, just scratched on the bottom, can't see it. It's been a hot three months up here in Vancouver. How do you guys keep the interior from fading? That's another thing the tint would help me w/ besides heat. I have no a/c as well and no sunroof. lol
Park indoors or in a shaded area.
Do you have an inside sunshield to put in your windshield? That's where most of the light comes in, and it will save your dash from cracking as well. I realize in the Northwest, a place to live with indoor parking is a commodity, but when I was looking for places to live, a garage was #2 on my list, just slightly behind location! What part of Vancouver do you live?
I really like the sunroof (esp in the summer) as I open it in vent mode and it lets out some of the heat. But, I'm lucky... I park my car indoors at home and at the office. :D
-
You guys and your garage. We have a garage but that's for the 'rents cars, not mine, lol. I use a front sun shade every day to block the sun. Don't like rolling down the windows much though after seeing how easy it is to unlock the doors from the outside (locked my keys inside once, BCAA helped get em out, Canadian version of the AAA).
-
Center caps on or off?
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_4150_edit_small_wes.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_4153_edit_small_wes.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1186_small.jpg)
-
Off if you ask me. Funny how such a small thing could totally change the appearance of a car.
What camera are you using?
-
Shots by wesley wong are w/ a Canon Rebel XT + 135 F2L lens. Shots by me were w/ a Canon 20D + 17-40 F4L.
:). Photography is my #1 hobby. The car comes later, lol.
-
You guys and your garage. We have a garage but that's for the 'rents cars, not mine, lol. I use a front sun shade every day to block the sun. Don't like rolling down the windows much though after seeing how easy it is to unlock the doors from the outside (locked my keys inside once, BCAA helped get em out, Canadian version of the AAA).
Tell them they need to build a deck that extends out from the garage and over the driveway. :cool:
I'd try to sneak in the garage as possible, but that's not always practical. I still don't think you need tint. Use Lexol Vinylex on the interior trim pieces and even the seats (which are vinyl as well).... works real well, has a UV protectant, contains no silicone and will make all that trim much more dark and newer looking.
I finally cleaned up my interior... Vinylexed the dash, center console, seats and door panels. Made a big difference.
BTW, I like the car w/o centers. Looks more like a race car. :D
-
+1 on the no centers, 15" euroweaves look so good without them, well any basketweave in that case. So I'm taking it the general consensus seems to be no tint? I'm just curious why everyone is against it? Because I understand being against limo tinting your windows, but just a light tint.
B/c tell me that doesn't look good :)
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v185/stevohill/59c24416.jpg)
-
I sorta like both, the clean look and the tint look, lol.
You're running different %s front and back right? What are they? What brand tint as well and how long have you had it on there for?
I'm probably gonna try and not tint it for as long as possible, lol.
-
im getting 20% or 30% (haven't yet decided) tint on my car tomorrow @ 9 a.m.!!!! quite excited because im tired of burning my ass on my black leather and burning my hands on the steering wheel.
I've got a BMW sunshade thats always up when the car is parked, and it doesn't do shit quite frankly.
Tint really helps keep the car cooler inside in the heat, not necessarily in the sun!
Also for the dash and other vinyl bits i use 303 Products.
http://www.303products.com/store/category.cfm?Category=7&CFID=2526326&CFTOKEN=28140685
-
I've got a BMW sunshade thats always up when the car is parked, and it doesn't do shit quite frankly.
Also for the dash and other vinyl bits i use 303 Products.
I don't agree. I've got a sunshade that fits inside the windshield and I felt like it did a great job keeping the interior cool... at least keeping the dash free of cracks and from burning your hands on the plastic steering wheel.
I REALLY, highly reccomend Lexol Vinylex above any other plastic reconditioning product. Been using it for years and it's the only one I'd use. :o
It's hard to find, but you can usually buy it from either the local BMW or Audi dealer. Mike.. I think they sell Lexol products at GI Joes Sporting Goods, if you have those up in B.C. Just DO NOT use anything like Armor All as it has silicone in it. Silicone = Very bad. Also too shiny IMHO. The Vinylex isn't too shiny if you aren't too liberal with the application. I usually soak a sponge with it, then apply it to the dash (for example), then quickly wipe up after it with a clean soft cloth or rag. Seems to work well.
-
I sorta like both, the clean look and the tint look, lol.
You're running different %s front and back right? What are they? What brand tint as well and how long have you had it on there for?
I'm probably gonna try and not tint it for as long as possible, lol.
I'm not really a help in either questions b/c the P.O. put it on right before I bought the car, so I can't tell you what brand it is. But it's been on there for over 3 years and it still looks great.
-
I like the center caps on because to me it looks more like a race car. It's a fake big one nut that's used on "real race cars." As to tint, one word - Texas! The rest of the country is in an atypical heat wave. Here we call it summer!
I actually park with a shade, unlocked, windows half down, and trunk unlocked. I never leave anything in the car and don't have a "sound system."
Nice photos and nice car. Plus on tint and caps on.
-
I don't agree. I've got a sunshade that fits inside the windshield and I felt like it did a great job keeping the interior cool... at least keeping the dash free of cracks and from burning your hands on the plastic steering wheel.
I REALLY, highly reccomend Lexol Vinylex above any other plastic reconditioning product. Been using it for years and it's the only one I'd use. :o
It's hard to find, but you can usually buy it from either the local BMW or Audi dealer. Mike.. I think they sell Lexol products at GI Joes Sporting Goods, if you have those up in B.C. Just DO NOT use anything like Armor All as it has silicone in it. Silicone = Very bad. Also too shiny IMHO. The Vinylex isn't too shiny if you aren't too liberal with the application. I usually soak a sponge with it, then apply it to the dash (for example), then quickly wipe up after it with a clean soft cloth or rag. Seems to work well.
i have the sunshade whenever im parked, and the 303 stuff i've been using for the past year now, and my dash remains to be crack free...ill stand behind this stuff. Armor All is the worst possible thing to put on the dash.
also my steering wheel isn't plastic...i've got an mtech2 wheel and the leather heats up a fair amount.
I got my tints today and that has made a difference...dropped temp a few degrees in the car and the helps keep the cool air from the a/c inside the car.
-
Pics of your car w/ tint? I'm sorta liking the clean look right now w/o tint.
-
Pics of your car w/ tint? I'm sorta liking the clean look right now w/o tint.
ill snap a few tomorrow. it looks hot!
-
I'm sorta liking the clean look right now w/o tint.
x2 :)
-
I like the center caps on because to me it looks more like a race car. It's a fake big one nut that's used on "real race cars." As to tint, one word - Texas! The rest of the country is in an atypical heat wave. Here we call it summer!
My advise is based on where Mike lives...
Having just spent 3.5 yrs in Seattle, Washington, I can tell you tint is not a "must have" for any Northwesterner! :cool:
If Mike lived in Texas, Arizona, S California, or maybe even here in Georgia, you'd not hear a peep from me, as it definately serves it's purpose as 100+ degrees isn't out of the ordinary. But, in a climate where it's typically 50-60 degrees, drizzling, overcast (with a chance of mild "sun breaks")... hahaha.. :D I love that one. Up there, tint is definately not something anyone really thinks much about. Summers there can be warm, but nothing like what you guys get in Texas. Heat waves in Seattle are 80 degrees and no clouds!
Definately miss the Northwest weather BIG TIME! Especially during the ski season (my favorite time of the year). I was SOOOO depressed this winter. Not being able to ski REALLY sucks!
-
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_4134_edit_small_wes.jpg)
(http://www.sfu.ca/~mslee/bmw/IMG_1142_small.jpg)
Hi-Res of these two please, as big as you got 'em
keepitdl @ comcast . net is my e-mail, thanks!
-
Yeah, I actually think that Welsey Wong could sell these as a limited production print to other E30 goons!
I'd buy one. :D
-
we should do a knock off of those awful (awful, in my frequently wrong opinion) 'MOTIVATION' posters... you know, like 'SUCCESS is a journey, not a destination' <- eg that crap...
those photos would be perfect for a M42-themed knockoff!!
do I hear a contest brewing?
[edit] these are great photos... don't let my oddball wanderings take anything away from them...
-
Mike,
That is an absolutely beautiful E30!