Any way to drop weight from an e30 convertible?

[ali123]

Hey guys I'm looking for a nimble 4 seater convertible for the summer and was checking out e30's. It sucks that they have an 300 extra pounds added to them. I was wondering if there are mods you can do to the soft top mechanism to drop some extra weight? I'd like to keep it under 3000 pounds if possible.

Thanks

[LJ851]

It's already below 3000 lbs.

[BenDem]

Most of that weight comes from frame reinforcements to try to keep the chassis relatively stiff (ha!). I think you'd have to do something silly like lose all the sound deadening, interior bits, etc. It might be a bit lighter, but it won't be pleasant.

FWIW, When I got my vert I already accepted that it would never be as light, nimble or stiff as a hardtop. That's not really the point of a convertible.

[nando]

Is it really 300 lbs? I'd guess more like 150-200.

[ali123]

Mm I read 300 I guess the guy was exaggerating. Seems like it' more like 200lb's

http://www.docstoc.com/docs/29587917/BMW-E30-3-Series-Specifications

Edit: actually for the 318i the diff is 250+ lbs. I'm looking for the 325i though.

[e30rapidic]

It's already below 3000 lbs.

Not entirely true, depends on year....

3015 lbs - 1987
3055 lbs - 1988-1990
2988 lbs - 1991+

You can remove the balancer, a 70 pound weight in the right hand corner, behind the rear wheel. Some had tar on the inside of the trunk as well, my '87 cabrio did not.

[BenDem]

If it makes you feel any better, it's got about the same curb weight as a Boxster or a z4.

I think it's about as light as a 4 seater convertible that you'll find.

[LJ851]

There is a 60+ lb chunk of steel bolted to the right rear corner of the trunk. Remove it.


Edit. E30rapidic beat me to it.

[decay]

that trunk weight is 45lbs, not 60-70.

other easy stuff- lightweight battery, corbeau front seats.

[BenDem]

Isn't that chunk of steel there for a reason? Why would BMW put it there in the first place if it wasn't needed?

Not saying it's a bad idea, necessarily. I know it's there to balance out the weight of the battery being moved to the engine compartment... so it's a handling thing, right?

[wilholl]

Isn't that chunk of steel there for a reason? Why would BMW put it there in the first place if it wasn't needed?

Not saying it's a bad idea, necessarily. I know it's there to balance out the weight of the battery being moved to the engine compartment... so it's a handling thing, right?

thought it was to help with cowl shake. But I am not sure.

[e30vert]

Front to rear balancing.

[ali123]

Does the car feel light and nimble? I'm coming from a 90 Miata lol.

Thanks

[wilholl]

thought it was to help with cowl shake. But I am not sure.

Photo 01 Vibration damper 1 51711942238

This is what I remembered from real oem
Vibration Damper to help control cowl shake issues with verts

[LJ851]

Does the car feel light and nimble? I'm coming from a 90 Miata lol.

Thanks

Ask your boyfriend.