Universally Accepted E30 Modifications

[mr2peak]

There have been a few articles written recently questioning modifying classic cars. I recently took a 700 mile trip in my Dads MGA, and while it has a few shortcomings, a lot of that is what makes the MGA driving experience. This has gotten me thinking. Which modifications are considered an upgrade for every E30, regardless of intended use? (Other than 100% stock, Meuseum/Concourse cars).

For example, the rear strut mounts. The stock pieces are known to wear out, allowing the strut to rip them apart. I'd say that an upgrade in this area is a universally accepted modification.

An e36 steering rack on the other hand, while it's a wonderful upgrade (and one I'd choose for my own car) it might take something away from it being an e30. Not all future e30 owners will want a faster rack. An e30 came with a slow steering rack, it could be argued that thats part of the driving experience.

What else is a great mod? I'd also argue that all e30's should have come with an LSD, but I'm sure there's someone out there who feels differently.


Current List

Upgraded rear strut mounts
Lighting lumen upgrade that maintains stock appearance
LSD that maintains the as-delivered ratio
Any Euro part
Bilstein HD's/Koni shocks
Slightly faster steering racks
Period correct +1 or +2 wheels
Cupholders
Sport seats in place of comfort seats
Period correct Recaro's or equivalent
Maplight Mirror
Premium Sound System
Clutch Stop
UUC DSSR or equivalent
Heated Seats
Period Tuner parts (as long as they don't significantly alter the character or the car)
Strut Brace (preferably period correct)
Reinforcements for Chassis Longevity: Subframe, engine mount, sway bar, strut towers, underbody brace
Dual Trunk Light

[kronus]

something that's not shitty stock sealed beams, they're practically a safety issue

[econti]

They need a faster rack, no two ways about it. Zero downsides that I've found.

[Das Delfin]

A faster steering rack could also be considered a safety thing, ie when you need to go from one lock to the other real fast like when you drive across some ice on a downhill road that curves to the right...

An LSD is useful, especially in the snow, but you can always pull the handbrake half up and use that too.

H&R springs?


It comes down to how tastefully the modifications are done. For example in the muscle car world, the restomods and pro street cars are becoming more popular and more valuable as long as they look professional and not rattle-can

[noid]

All OEM modifications are accepted (ie. Euro anything, stock anything from all E30 varations), we well as M-tech parts.

Very very few aftermarket mods are universally accepted. The only one I can really think of is a DSSR because it unarguably tightens up the shifter.

[mr2peak]

something that's not shitty stock sealed beams, they're practically a safety issue

I agree with this, but I'd open it up to all e30 lighting. As long as they look stock, and put out stock-colored light, this is only a benifit.

I don't think lowering springs are a universal thing. An early model euro vert can look wonderful at stock height. Lowering a car can also have other consequences, like rear toe gain.

[GillesBigCowboy]

bilsteins

[101]

E36 window switches.

[mr2peak]

E36 window switches.

I like my E30 switches! They're 80's square haha

[rcsoundn1]

I'm no fan of e36 switches. Don't see the point, and feel they look out of place.

[Reichart12]

Wheel size +1? Sure 14's are ok if you have basketweaves over bottlecaps, but who wouldn't want at least a period correct 15 (euroweaves) or 16 inch wheel.

[pandaboo911]

All the cupholders.

[lambo]

is lip and a drop

[e30onBBSs]

What about replacing comforts with sport seats?

[ravenlord89]

E36 steering rack
Bilstein struts
H&R springs
rear shock mounts
Smileys
M-Tech anything
ZHP shift knob
Limited Slip Diff
BBS RS/RA/weaves
Period Recaro seats
IS Lips, spoilers etc

That is about all that I can think of that is more or less accepted among the E30 purists.