Verts vs handling.

[Erick]

With the given suspension modifications... can a drop top e30 actually handle anywhere near decent?

My mind teases me with the idea of a drop top track monster. I still masturbate to Syko's 318i when it had the roll bar.

- Erick

[Jordan325iC]

I've autox'd my 325ic about half a dozen times. I generally beat other similarly modded e30s that showed up. They were mostly inexperienced and I consider myself a shitty driver as well, but the point is that against a hardtop e30 around a racetrack, it's a drivers race. The hardtops aren't going to be running circles around you.

I recently bought a 325is as well. I haven't had a chance to really rag on it too much, still kind of getting used to it, but with identical suspension (H&Rsport/bilstien) I can't tell a difference.

People who go on and on about how the convertible hangles like a heavy, soggy rag compared to the coupe and blah blah blah are either grossly overexaggerating or talking out of their ass.

I think most people who have actually driven a convertible are possibly attributing their lack of confidence with an unfamiliar car as faults with the car. It's just like I can take local twisties faster in my 325ic than my 325is, because I'm more used to the convertible. Not because the 325is is an inferior machine.

I really love my convertible. It's a fantastic car, and very fun to drive.

That said, I will be selling it. I want to run on real race tracks, and the cost of the required rollcage + the inferior (though moderately so, it's true) chassis of the convertible forced the decision. Plus, my convertible is in too nice a shape to park on campus, take rallyxing, take camping and all the other stuff I'd like to do. I want something shitty that I won't have to worry about cosmetically.

However, if I was going to build an all-out sexy street machine, I'd definately go with a convertible. I think has much more visual appeal than the coupe. I'll own another.

Oh yea, and convertibles are 124 lbs heavier than a non-convertible from the factory. Not 400lbs or whatever misinformation might come your way.

[aldy54]

I want to start by saying I have never driven an e30 vert but all verts usually have less structural rigidity due to the lack of the roof. However not having a roof removes weight to lower the center of gravity which is always a good thing in terms of handling. Just my

[O 16581 72452 5]

I want to start by saying I have never driven an e30 vert but all verts usually have less structural rigidity due to the lack of the roof. However not having a roof removes weight to lower the center of gravity which is always a good thing in terms of handling. Just my

Not true, it doesn't lower weight, it actually increases it because they add reinforcement to the chassis to somewhat make up for no roof.

I don't feel like looking up strain results on a chassis, but numbers said the vert was considerably more flexible than a coupe and a four door quite a bit more ridgid than a coupe while weighing the same.

[Erick]

Not true, it doesn't lower weight, it actually increases it because they add reinforcement to the chassis to somewhat make up for no roof.

He meant the weight removed from a higher area, thus lowering the center of gravity.

[Dave]

With my vert, the addition of a front strut brace tightened things up noticably.

Comparing the cabrio on the H&R Race springs with Bilsteins and its larger stock sways to my 4 door when it was on stock suspension - hands down, the vert handled much better.

Comparing it to my 4 door with new suspension compnents, THR CABs, coilovers, then the scale tips the other way.

Never tracked the vert, obviously. I think that with the addition of a cage, it'd be fun. Not at all practical or useable on a daily basis, but still fun.

[Jordan325iC]

No doubt that under chassis strain tests a convertible will do worse. But will you be able to feel that on the street? In my experience owning both cars, no.

[Erick]

I would use it for track as well.... I have intentions of a cage if I were to get one.

[bwanac]

Ive driven two verts both with stiff sways and front braces. Both handled great IMO. Ive driven similar set-ups on my car, and I will say that the difference is there, but not enough to not consider a rag top.

[Keith M]

FWIW - The CCA chapter in Seattle just banned all 'verts for their track events. I can see other chapters and other car clubs adapting this policy in the future.

Keith

[Rufusbird]

Vert w/H&R Race springs

"Comparing the cabrio on the H&R Race springs with Bilsteins and its larger stock sways to my 4 door when it was on stock suspension - hands down, the vert handled much better."

Anyone rolling other race springs, IE's stage 3, coilovers, with a vert? Do you like'm or are the ShAkeS making you consider rehab? Do you ride the streets with'em?

Rb

[Jordan325iC]

I've got a friend with a cabby on bilstien/IEstage3. It doesn't rattle any more than usual from what I can tell. A front strut brace does tighten things up I've found.

[e304me]

dont all tracks make you put up the top? would kind of ruin the experiance i think

[Keith M]

No. They do strongly suggest full face helmets with the visors down.

Keith

[Rufusbird]

I've got a friend with a cabby on bilstien/IEstage3. It doesn't rattle any more than usual from what I can tell. A front strut brace does tighten things up I've found.

Thanks for the input, i'm going with IE 3's then.

Anyone with a 4 point roll bar (maybe w/ diagonal brace), in a vert, notice it help with rigidity for the rear area at all? (strut towers?) I was just wondering- i'm looking to install a bar for safety on the SoCal freeways if it helps back there so much the better.

i'm not looking to track this car, BUT if I WAS... I had an idea for a 6 point vert cage. By using the lower dash tubes ONLY and without the top part of the windshield hoop and the forward horizontal bars. WAIT; damn-it, i'm not finished... w/side impact bars < note: two each side and with x braces. (to help you visualize scroll to the second "weld-on" cage > http://www.autopowerindustries.com/rollcages.asp)

This could really add rigidity and safety in a vert street/tracked? without the upper forward bars making your vert looking like construction equipment? (I believe the upper body lines on the vert are way cleaner than the boxy hard top.)

Why go through all this bother with a vert? Cause I don't ride motorcycles anymore but I want the open wind while driving. Hey, that's me.

Ahh, just buy an e30 IS, they're everywhere.

rB