Difference in track???
I'm sure some of you have noticed that the front track of e30's seems to be noticeably wider than the rear track. Does anyone know why this is? And more importantly, are there any adverse effects to putting slightly (like 5mm) wider spacers out back to push the rear wheels out to reach the track of the fronts? Personally I don't like the way the rears are tucked into the fenders more than the fronts.
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This is your M20 on steroids:
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The effect is more stability in the rear, less oversteer. The only adverse effect is more wear on the wheel bearings and studs or possible wobble from using spacers. -
Track width and G's.
Narrowing the rear track on an E30 increases the likelihood of oversteer. There are several positive reasons for doing it. Aerodynamics and stability are improved. The fronts do most of the turning so the rear can give up a little bit. A slight taper is more aerodynamic in plan view. The stability comes from the thrust forces being inside the steering wheels. On any serious race car one of the first things you do is utilize maximum legal track width even if it means giving up aerodynamic advantages from a smaller frontal area. Fender flares are horrible aerodynamically but are the lesser evil on cars like the E series M3.
The later model 240 Volvos had a noticably wider front track. I don't really think the difference on an E30 is that noticable. Lower wheel opening arches on the quarter panel are a consideration but you could "roll" them for wider track. There are a lot of posts about doing this in the forums. Narrowing the front will give you more understeer. If it's a boulevard cruiser aesthetics are paramount.
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