e30 Chassis Stiffness

[e30 gangsta]

On a racetrack, I don't think so. Who do you think dominates A, B and C-Mod in BMW CCA racing....E36 M3's..

A Mod is dominated by an e28.
B mod is dominated by whoever shows up that particular day.
C mod is dominated by e36's and e30's. It depends on who is having a good day or not.

*This is all south east racng as a disclaimer.

are those ronals in ur sig?

[bmwdude]

The E36 shell is stiffer. I've seen somewhere the torsional stress comparisions.

I'm not sure the M3 front glass will work in the normal E30. The lower channel looks different.

If you buy the BMW Dimensions "The Original" The BMW 3 series: Concept, Technology, Design book by Hans-Hermann Braess, all the info on chassis stiffness, drag cosefficient [cd], front axle lift, interior noise levels (dB), between all the 3 series models, is there.

The E36 is slightly stiffer, eg, roof stiffness, etc. However, there is more to this, than the "what car is stiffer" story would suggest.

I'm sorry to say this, but the E36, even though better than its competition of the time, is probaly one of the worst built BMW's. Almost any dedicated BMW tech will tell you this.

Time is the real test of what the defintion and meaning of "body stiffness" is, amongst other things. What about "build quality"? With the first E36's over a decade old, time is proving to be going against the E36, compared to the E30 or E28 etc. One need not look further, than the E36's rear subframe mounts, literally ripping out of the floor mounting points, and leaving a once proud BMW owner, with his mouth open in understandable disbelief! Which car is stiffer? Yes the E36 is. Build quality? Let's wait an other 5 more years....and it will be a unanimous decision.

The only thing going against the E30 in my book, is the anti rust, which really was not designed for sub zero temperatures (crack it will..), and mega humidity that some of our North American areas have.

And for the guy who wrote that the toyota MR2 is stiffer, again I doubt that you were referring to build quality. Toyotas and Hondas are reliable cars, but I don't see them on our roads 15-20 years later......WITH a half decent resale value.

[Digitalwave]

And for the guy who wrote that the toyota MR2 is stiffer, again I doubt that you were referring to build quality. Toyotas and Hondas are reliable cars, but I don't see them on our roads 15-20 years later......WITH a half decent resale value.

You consider $2-3,000 for your average E30 to be a good resale value?

[bmwdude]

And for the guy who wrote that the toyota MR2 is stiffer, again I doubt that you were referring to build quality. Toyotas and Hondas are reliable cars, but I don't see them on our roads 15-20 years later......WITH a half decent resale value.

You consider $2-3,000 for your average E30 to be a good resale value?

You missed the point. Even 10 more years from now, I'll place you a bet, that values will stabilize. Perhaps it has even happened now. Go compare the value of other cars 20+ years old, with 300 000KM+ and come back. If you can find any that is......

Rust buckets with cracked dashes falling apart seats don't count........

[AdamF 88iS]

Ditto the remarks about E36 build quality. They pay my pay check, thats for sure.

E36 engine failures at the track are getting to be more and more common, and are usually cooling system related or head/head gasket. Anybody who doesnt beleve that E30 motors are more robust than E36 motors, go compare E30 M3 and E36 M3 head bolts side by side some time and let me know which you think will keep it together better.

[rwh11385]

Ditto the remarks about E36 build quality. They pay my pay check, thats for sure.

E36 engine failures at the track are getting to be more and more common, and are usually cooling system related or head/head gasket. Anybody who doesnt beleve that E30 motors are more robust than E36 motors, go compare E30 M3 and E36 M3 head bolts side by side some time and let me know which you think will keep it together better.

wait./ so would m50 swapp fail?

[AdamF 88iS]

Ditto the remarks about E36 build quality. They pay my pay check, thats for sure.

E36 engine failures at the track are getting to be more and more common, and are usually cooling system related or head/head gasket. Anybody who doesnt beleve that E30 motors are more robust than E36 motors, go compare E30 M3 and E36 M3 head bolts side by side some time and let me know which you think will keep it together better.

wait./ so would m50 swapp fail?

Eventually, yea. Its not like they explode as soon as you hit 7krpms, but under sustained track time they don't last as long. I guess a swapped E30 isn't as bad if you use the E30 radiator. The E36 radiator will (not can, WILL) break at the upper hose fitting before too long, even on the street.

[rwh11385]

damn. oh well. m50 swap >> m20 stroker in my mind right now. although a 2.8i with a maf might be nice. just the costs $$$

[Digitalwave]

damn. oh well. m50 swap >> m20 stroker in my mind right now. although a 2.8i with a maf might be nice. just the costs $$$

Learn how to drive shitfuck.

[JeffRR]

Learn how to drive shitfuck.

Wow that's helpful

[Bryson]

Learn how to drive shitfuck.

Wow that's helpful

so was that ;)

[Matto]

damn. oh well. m50 swap >> m20 stroker in my mind right now. although a 2.8i with a maf might be nice. just the costs $$$

Learn how to drive shitfuck.

What in the world does his oppinion on motors have to do with his driving skills?

[Skafrog]

Eventually, yea. Its not like they explode as soon as you hit 7krpms, but under sustained track time they don't last as long. I guess a swapped E30 isn't as bad if you use the E30 radiator. The E36 radiator will (not can, WILL) break at the upper hose fitting before too long, even on the street.

What?!
Dude, your smoking crack. The m50 is a damn tank on the track. If you change the oil, and keep it cool, it will last forever.

[Stu]

Eventually, yea. Its not like they explode as soon as you hit 7krpms, but under sustained track time they don't last as long. I guess a swapped E30 isn't as bad if you use the E30 radiator. The E36 radiator will (not can, WILL) break at the upper hose fitting before too long, even on the street.

What?!
Dude, your smoking crack. The m50 is a damn tank on the track. If you change the oil, and keep it cool, it will last forever.

I think Adam is referring to the problems with the hydro lifters collapsing easily, etc. It does happen quite often, and is a concern with M3 or 325 valvetrain.

[demlotcrew]

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