Mike's Alpine White 1991 318is

[mike.bmw]

Keep it coming!

Thanks, Simon!

Why a small case, out of interest? Be warned that friends have had them blow up behind a M10 on a track

Wondering the same, I would only assume for weight savings?

The 318is came with a small case 4.10 open diff from the factory. A small case 4.10 LSD was optional. As my car has the open diff, I've been wanting to replace it with the correct small case S4.10.

Yes, the E30 medium case diffs will bolt right up and are more plentiful (not to mention more gear ratios to choose from). Call me crazy, but I just wanted to find a diff the car would've been optioned with. Plus the weight savings is always nice as the M42 can use all the help it can get. ;)

[Jokester]

Why a small case, out of interest? Be warned that friends have had them blow up behind a M10 on a track

Wondering the same, I would only assume for weight savings?

[econti]

Why a small case, out of interest? Be warned that friends have had them blow up behind a M10 on a track

[2mAn]

My buddy who came along last time couldn't make it, but my daughter jumped at the idea of coming along. As with all my parts road trips, wings were for lunch. Same Buffalo Wild Wings chain as last time, which was only a few miles from the pickup location. Much eye-spy and 20 questions was played, much Raffi and Rocknoceros was sung. It was some great one-on-one time with my daughter.
....
In closing, this was a very long winded post. If you've made it this far, good for you. I mostly keep this thread going for myself as I like to look back on it from time to time and recall the fun experiences with friends and family. The next major updates will likely be a diff installation and an exhaust installation. Or perhaps I'll post-whore some photos. ;D

Trimmed down the "long winded post" but left the pieces I wanted to comment about. The first is that I love how involved your daughter is, its something I picture for my someday child. Being a gearhead is likely in her future, if not then just knowing how to DIY basic car stuff... but the time together is heartwarming

As far as sharing the long winded posts with us, I dont think any adult minds it one bit, as we are all here enjoying and loving our cars. I appreciate the details you share with us. I use my build threads for basically the same reason. Its fun to go back and see previous pics, journeys, headaches, etc

Keep it coming!

[mike.bmw]

A couple of things...

Maintenance

Knocked out some maintenance a couple weeks ago:
- oil and filter change (Mobil 1 15W-50, Mahle filter)
- air filter change (Mahle)
- spark plug change (NGK BKR6EK)
- checked and adjusted the tension and condition of the drive belts
- cleaned and lubed the Girling slider pins in the calipers
- swapped out a melted brake wear sensor from the last track day
- re-lubed the backs of the pads to eliminate some brake pad squeal

The goods:



5th Wheel

I decided to order a 5th Ronal LS to keep "just in case". I left a nice review for Performance Alloys and they asked if I had any pictures of the wheels on my car. I sent some along (because I'm a photo whore) and they used them on their Ronal LS page:



5th wheel:



Road Trip for Small Case S4.10

Today I took another ~240 mile road trip, similar in distance as the trip for the BBS RS001s. After a long off/on search (nearly 2 years), a fellow R3V member, Vfrinterceptor, reached out and said he had a small case S4.10. He sent along some photos, we agreed on a price, and setup a time for pickup today.

My buddy who came along last time couldn't make it, but my daughter jumped at the idea of coming along. As with all my parts road trips, wings were for lunch. Same Buffalo Wild Wings chain as last time, which was only a few miles from the pickup location. Much eye-spy and 20 questions was played, much Raffi and Rocknoceros was sung. It was some great one-on-one time with my daughter.

I took my 2015 328 M Sport Wagon for the trip. It was 10 degrees out, extremely windy, and we hit up IKEA on the way home so I needed some space. The car was pelted with rocks, sand and salt from the previous snow storm as well as some road debris so I'm glad I wasn't in the E30.

Vfrinterceptor is a great guy. I had forgotten/didn't think to bring rope to secure the diff. He gave me some rope he had as well as used his tie-down skills to secure the diff. A good thing too because there was a near pile-up on 95 that required some hard braking (no, I wasn't following too close).

The route:



The small case S4.10 is in great shape. I barely need to clean it (but I will anyway). I plan to change out the fluid (any recommendations?) and order the Garagistic stud kit for installation. I'll get around to installing this in the next month or 2. Hopefully the stud kit makes it an easier one-man job.

The small case S4.10:



In closing, this was a very long winded post. If you've made it this far, good for you. I mostly keep this thread going for myself as I like to look back on it from time to time and recall the fun experiences with friends and family. The next major updates will likely be a diff installation and an exhaust installation. Or perhaps I'll post-whore some photos. ;D

[Zeemz]

Ronals look awesome and great shots of the car. The Stromung will be an awesome addition as well!

[mike.bmw]

The Ronals look fantastic on your car! Very nice. My wife & I plan to move back out to DC in the next year or two. I look forward to seeing your car in person one day!

Cheers

Thanks! The photos in your thread and comments on tire choice made this an easy decision. :) I'd definitely like to check your car out too.

In other news I've started a Group Buy for the Strömung Catback.

[TFJR]

The Ronals look fantastic on your car! Very nice. My wife & I plan to move back out to DC in the next year or two. I look forward to seeing your car in person one day!

Cheers

[mike.bmw]

I'm a sucker for some clean stock basketweaves but I must say those Ronals really suit your car very well! Good choice

Thanks! I just cleaned up the stock basketweaves yesterday. I may refinish the 4 that were on the car. The spare wheel doesn't appear to have ever been out of the trunk. It's the original spare tire with no wear, which I swapped for one with a good tire.

[D.Martijn]

I'm a sucker for some clean stock basketweaves but I must say those Ronals really suit your car very well! Good choice

[Powling]

No problem. I really would've liked to run something like the Star Spec (available in 205/50), but the 205/55 is the closest-to-stock size and works well on a stock-ish ride height like mine. I'm impressed with the Yokohama S Drives so far.

Agreed with this - I sized down by '5' when I ordered new tires (Falken 615K's) and its visibly noticeable to me how much smaller the tire sidewall looks. And I'm lower than you as well, its still noticeable. I'll be sizing back up when I get new wheels and tires next season.

[mike.bmw]

I am so glad I jumped on a set of these wheels as well. Thanks for posting! Car looks stunning...now I just need spring to roll around

Nice! They're going to look great on your car.

Looks awesome. And thank you for posting the details on your choice between 55 Vs 50 sidewall tires. I had the same dilemma but now this has helped me make a final choice. Thanks!

No problem. I really would've liked to run something like the Star Spec (available in 205/50), but the 205/55 is the closest-to-stock size and works well on a stock-ish ride height like mine. I'm impressed with the Yokohama S Drives so far.

Those Ronal's on a perfectly clean Alpine white car look amazing. The reasonably deep lip on the wheels looks very correct on E30's.


MJ

Thanks!

Car is looking very clean! What's next? Side skirts?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

Thanks! No quite sure what is coming next. I've been looking for a small case 4.10 LSD. I may need to move my exhaust plans up as I think I have a small leak (need to confirm). I'd also like to repair my driver's side seat bolster as the vinyl has started to crack in a couple spots.

[jeenyus]

Car is looking very clean! What's next? Side skirts?

Sent from my Pixel 2 using Tapatalk

[mjweimer]

Those Ronal's on a perfectly clean Alpine white car look amazing. The reasonably deep lip on the wheels looks very correct on E30's.


MJ

[Powling]

Looks awesome. And thank you for posting the details on your choice between 55 Vs 50 sidewall tires. I had the same dilemma but now this has helped me make a final choice. Thanks!