New to the BMW scene, just got a e30 318is

[quikveedb2]

look for stu's writeup on modding 318s

[dude8383]

I sense an air of ignorance :roll:
m42's are great engines

sites for parts bavauto.com

also, here in the US the 318is came with a 4.10 LSD. Alot of e30s came with lsd's. So I'm pretty sure you already have an LSD setup. :pimp:

werd.

don't be hatin on m42's. they're great little motors!!

[325ix]

Too soft? I have never used them but they were always a popular option for the Honda guys that didn't have the funds for coil-overs. Also the drop stated in the specs of the springs sounded perfect for my application, 30-40mm drop at the front and 30mm drop at the rear.

Well anyway, i will suss out the H&R springs and see if they will suit.




Yeah, I did some research and There is a chance I already have an LSD. from what I have read, the AUS delivered 318is didn't come with an LSD but then i have also read that there were a few that did have them as an option. I really have no clue (yet) when it comes to RWD setups so is there an easy way to check if i have an LSD setup? I drove it in the rain today and the tail is extremely happy sometimes, if a little twitchy :crazy:

Also just so you all know, I believe in =

haha awesome little pic, who ever made that one lol

The H&R sports are 185f/380r and the Eibach's are 102f/277r. A lot of people say they are too soft for autox and such and wish they were stiffer. I guess it depends on what you want to use the car for.

If you look on the diff there will be a little metal tab that lists the ratio and lsd if it is one.

[bmwandhonda]

Yep, fair enough. Well this is going to be my daily drive, just want it to drive smooth and look good to be honest. I have the Honda which is setup properly for track/autox etc already. Trying my best to keep the e30 reasonably comfortable yet have some style.

Dude8383 - the e30 in your sig looks like it sits pretty much where i would like my e30 to sit. what suspension are you using if you don't mind me asking?

[Cal]

It's pretty obvious whether or not it has an LSD. Mine picks up an inside wheel real easy and does single spinners. It is more than annoying. I bought a 4.1 LSD on Saturday.

If you look at ebay BC Racing coilovers are very cheap delivered to Australia.

As are XXR rims.

[Reap3r]

Car looks great, good to see another Aussie on the forum! If you want to know about how to tell if you have a LSD, climb under the back and there will be a little tag on the the diff, if it has a S stamped on it then its a LSD.

Also agree, m42's are awesome little engines. After having it for a while you wont want to get rid of it :D

[leothedrummer]

Yeah, I did some research and There is a chance I already have an LSD. from what I have read, the AUS delivered 318is didn't come with an LSD but then i have also read that there were a few that did have them as an option. I really have no clue (yet) when it comes to RWD setups so is there an easy way to check if i have an LSD setup? I drove it in the rain today and the tail is extremely happy sometimes, if a little twitchy :crazy:

Unfortunately, LSD's were only an option on the Australian spec 318is. If you're still not sure as to if you've got one or not, I can check in the BMW Australia system with the last 7 digits of your VIN, which will give a detailed description of your car covering info such as the selling dealer, what options yours has, etc.

And yeah, you don't really want a 325e. The 'e' stands for 'economy', which BMW got by rev-limiting the car to 4500rpm. Not fun.

[payney8]

Easy way to do it. Lift one rear wheel, release the hand brake (make sure the car cant move), See if you can spin it, if it spins freely you have an open diff. If its tight or you cant spin it at all you have lsd action. I had a 318i aus delivered with a lsd so you might.

[bmwandhonda]

Hey guys thanks for the info :) payney8, if you were lucky maybe i am also lucky.

Does anyone know where i could find one of the Z3m shifters from. I have already ordered a set of new bushings from AKG motorsport so that should make a difference but the throw of the shifter is a fair bit more than i would like at the moment. I have been looking to get a nice set of recaro's (OEM if possible) if anyone knows a place to look, if not i might just have to get some honda DC2R recaros in black and then some rails to suit. JDM and EURO together :loco: probably lol

Also, does anyone know of an intake kit for these motors that is direct bolt on? would be nice to get some nice induction noise coming out of the engine bay :)

It's pretty obvious whether or not it has an LSD. Mine picks up an inside wheel real easy and does single spinners. It is more than annoying. I bought a 4.1 LSD on Saturday.

If you look at ebay BC Racing coilovers are very cheap delivered to Australia.

As are XXR rims.

Thanks for the info mate :) but i'm not keen at all on giving up and buying cheap copy wheels TBH I am on the hunt for some nice low offset EURO wheels (BBS, Borbet etc) I know it will be tough but i'm patient. Also wanna stay away from cheap generic suspension brands too. I did look into the BC's though, i believe there is a bit of messing around with welding etc so I would rather stick to using quality brands that I know work well. I have owned Koni shocks befor and they were awesome.

Where did you get your diff from if you don't mind me asking. I will suss out the tags on mine in the next couple of days and check it out.

Car looks great, good to see another Aussie on the forum! If you want to know about how to tell if you have a LSD, climb under the back and there will be a little tag on the the diff, if it has a S stamped on it then its a LSD.

Also agree, m42's are awesome little engines. After having it for a while you wont want to get rid of it :D

I already love it man. I can't see myself selling it anytime soon, the plan was to drive this while i track the honda, then eventually sell both and buy something else. We will see though. I have fallin in love with the shape of the e30 haha

Unfortunately, LSD's were only an option on the Australian spec 318is. If you're still not sure as to if you've got one or not, I can check in the BMW Australia system with the last 7 digits of your VIN, which will give a detailed description of your car covering info such as the selling dealer, what options yours has, etc.

And yeah, you don't really want a 325e. The 'e' stands for 'economy', which BMW got by rev-limiting the car to 4500rpm. Not fun.

Awesome man, thanks heaps, i'll PM you the vin in the next few days and suss it out. I'll also jump under the car and check it out myself, but would be good to find out a bit of history about my e30

[Schnitzer318is]

Welcome to the e30, and the m42. Both are wonderful.

If you want that m42 to be really fun... turbo it. ;) Running 11psi here = FUN.

[Cal]

Thanks for the info mate :) but i'm not keen at all on giving up and buying cheap copy wheels TBH I am on the hunt for some nice low offset EURO wheels (BBS, Borbet etc) I know it will be tough but i'm patient. Also wanna stay away from cheap generic suspension brands too. I did look into the BC's though, i believe there is a bit of messing around with welding etc so I would rather stick to using quality brands that I know work well. I have owned Koni shocks befor and they were awesome.

Where did you get your diff from if you don't mind me asking. I will suss out the tags on mine in the next couple of days and check it out.

Ok mate, each to their own. After 20 years of modifying and racing cars I've come to the realisation that there is an awful lot of wank when it comes to brand names. The BC Racing coils are a lot fancier than the AVO's I have on my current race car and it has seen plenty of success.

I was well impressed with the standard of the rims for under $1000 delivered. They aren't very heavy either. My choice came down to 15" Ronal LS's and I went for the 521's in 16x8 instead. I'm not disappointed.

I bought the diff 2nd hand off a guy on this forum. I however know him through Performance Forums. You should sign up there too.

[dude8383]

Hey man!

Looks like you're already off to a good start.

I'm running Koni Adjustable Sports all around with H&R O.E. Sports springs. Its a great setup and feels pretty good on the street and handles rather well on the track. I haven't done in auto-x's yet so I can't comment on handling dynamics there.

With the M42 it'll be like a go-kart for sure!

[payney8]

Ok mate, each to their own. After 20 years of modifying and racing cars I've come to the realisation that there is an awful lot of wank when it comes to brand names. The BC Racing coils are a lot fancier than the AVO's I have on my current race car and it has seen plenty of success.

I was well impressed with the standard of the rims for under $1000 delivered. They aren't very heavy either. My choice came down to 15" Ronal LS's and I went for the 521's in 16x8 instead. I'm not disappointed.

I bought the diff 2nd hand off a guy on this forum. I however know him through Performance Forums. You should sign up there too.

And bc coilovers have a great review from many people who use them

[iamsam]

first of all, M42s don't suck.

And for suspension, I highly recommend H&R Race springs. Stiff enough for the track but soft enough for the street. Eibachs may work well on Hondas, but for the E30 all i ever hear is how soft they are.

Don't worry about finding a tag to see if you have an LSD. Just lift a rear tire, put the car in neutral w/ e-brake off, and try to spin the wheel with your hands. If you can't, its an LSD.

Oh and since this is your first RWD car, good luck, my friend, FWD will never be satisfying again.

[bmwandhonda]

Welcome to the e30, and the m42. Both are wonderful.

If you want that m42 to be really fun... turbo it. ;) Running 11psi here = FUN.

Mate, I would love to turbo it, would be awesome no doubt, but just not practical for a daily. I will look into a turbo car when I sell my race car next year sometime, most likely.

Ok mate, each to their own. After 20 years of modifying and racing cars I've come to the realisation that there is an awful lot of wank when it comes to brand names. The BC Racing coils are a lot fancier than the AVO's I have on my current race car and it has seen plenty of success.

I was well impressed with the standard of the rims for under $1000 delivered. They aren't very heavy either. My choice came down to 15" Ronal LS's and I went for the 521's in 16x8 instead. I'm not disappointed.

I bought the diff 2nd hand off a guy on this forum. I however know him through Performance Forums. You should sign up there too.

Thanks for the info man. I will suss out the other forum, i have joined a fair few e30 forums since i bough the car haha hard to keep up with them all as well as ozhonda still ;) haha

I'm still on the hunt for wheels, something will pop up eventually. But will get suspension sorted first. I will most likely get the Koni's still, but yet to decide on springs, I have read a lot of good things about the H&R. seems to be a popular choice within the e30 community.

Hey man!

Looks like you're already off to a good start.

I'm running Koni Adjustable Sports all around with H&R O.E. Sports springs. Its a great setup and feels pretty good on the street and handles rather well on the track. I haven't done in auto-x's yet so I can't comment on handling dynamics there.

With the M42 it'll be like a go-kart for sure!

Yeah mate, I have been looking into the H&R and as i said above, they seem to very popular choice with the e30's. But yeah, this e30 will def not be seeing any track time thats for sure. I know what i'm like, if i take the e30 to the track, i'll just want to spend more money and make it faster and i'll end up with another track car haha :nice:

And bc coilovers have a great review from many people who use them

I have never used them, a few people i know have them in their honda's and they do like them. Most likely they are perfectly fine. But just not too keen on them. They just seem to be like every other cheap generic coil-over out there (D2, Ksport, etc etc)

In my experience and a lot of other people that I know, when it comes to suspension, in the end you get what you pay for.

first of all, M42s don't suck.

And for suspension, I highly recommend H&R Race springs. Stiff enough for the track but soft enough for the street. Eibachs may work well on Hondas, but for the E30 all i ever hear is how soft they are.

Don't worry about finding a tag to see if you have an LSD. Just lift a rear tire, put the car in neutral w/ e-brake off, and try to spin the wheel with your hands. If you can't, its an LSD.

Oh and since this is your first RWD car, good luck, my friend, FWD will never be satisfying again.

Yeah, a few different people have said the same thing so I have been looking into the H&R :)

Not sure about that last sentance though haha A properly setup FWD with a decent amount of power can be very satisfying even better when you are overtaking AWD + RWD turbo cars at the track ;) but yeah, can't argue the RWD is a lot of fun to drive as well, although at the moment the car is very twitchy in the wet. back end always wants to come out.