Project Lessmeister: 91 318iS Restomod w/ MTech2 and modern drivetrain

[getouth]

Jordan, BMW could not have built a better car......... turn a deaf ear to critics!

[Jordan]

I'm not upset, much less "that upset" and I did not dismiss your criticism/advice, dismissal would have been telling you to shut up, ignoring you, or the like. I didn't do that. I kindly explained what components are on the car in an attempt to convey to you why it sits where it does, and that it would naturally lower itself as the new parts wear in.

I get that you would like to see the car lower. You obviously like your car low. You're tucking tire up front and poking wheel past the fenders. I've had cars this low, and its not practical for a normal person to drive a car at that ride height.

I'd invite you to purchase the vehicle and to adjust the suspension and ride height to your specific taste.

In the meanwhile the car will be setup in a manner most would consider a tasteful lowering, which is aesthetically pleasing while maintaining a reasonable ease of operation. While I'll likely have the car awhile this car is ultimately being built for resale at the end of the day and I need to keep the "everyman" in mind in that pursuit.

I don't feel like it is a stretch to assume most buyers looking at spending this kind of money on a restored E30 aren't going to want it so low its difficult to drive.

[csermonet47]

Are you really that upset over a little advice?

I never said it wasn't raked forward. I have been following the thread since day one. I was simply agreeing with George by saying the fitment isn't quite there, and offering a solution. Sure you may not be able to space the rears, but the front would look a lot better a bit lower.

But then again you have always been quick to dismiss any sort of constructive criticism or advice.

[Jordan]

Someone else's photos that clearly illustrate this:





Even with the E90 drop hat the new upper strut mount will raise the car over the factory spring hat and an old compressed worn out upper strut mount.

[flyboyx]

i have been over to jordan's to drool on this car a couple times now. for me, i would say the stance is perfect. there is no ghey fender rolling. measuring at the rocker panel, i would say it sits about 1/2" or less higher at the rear. for me, this car has the perfect drop. it does indeed have a lot of tire under it, but its gonna need it to hook up. i wouldn't change anything. i say its perfect the way it is. you might need to see it in person to understand.


i really don't know how anyone could make a judgement like this from a facing quarter view photo anyway. maybe we should just chalk it up to the keystone effect of the photograph.

[Jordan]

I agree with George.

I don't think it is just the arches. You could get away with a small spacer in the rear and dropping the front a bit more and it would look much better.

I'm glad to see you agree with George, fortunately I have the benefit of the car here in my garage and I can see quite plainly that it is raked forward, not rearward. I haven't bothered to take a measuring tape to the rockers but I certainly could....

A spacer in the rear would result in tire/fender contact. It is already very close, and this is a functional wheel/tire combo, not a hellaflush stance queen.

The front will likely drop itself another quarter inch or so as everything wears in. Anyone that has installed new OE upper strut bearings and has bothered to compare the compressed 25 year old originals next to the new ones knows there is easily 1/2-3/4" of "lift" given to the ride height there alone. I installed E90 drop hats at the same time to largely nullify this affect.

I don't mind people pointing things out that could be done better, but when you haven't bothered to read through the thread and you're offering an uninformed opinion (that's what it is) Its kind of annoying.

[Skarpa]

I think it's because a lot of E30's(and smaller tuner cars) run tires with a smaller aspect ratio tire than is needed. Maybe?

I have to agree on this. Most of the hobby E30's run undersized tires if you compare to factory specs. For example the popular tire size 215/45/16 is half an inch smaller than the stock size 205/50/15. 205/45/16 is almost an inch smaller.

I don't think it is just the arches. You could get away with a small spacer in the rear and dropping the front a bit more and it would look much better.

A spacer in the rear would most likely require rolling the fenders. I'm not sure about the facelift but in pre-facelift I know it would.

[csermonet47]

I agree with George.

I don't think it is just the arches. You could get away with a small spacer in the rear and dropping the front a bit more and it would look much better.

[Jordan]

Don't get me wrong, love this epic build, but is it just me(?) or is the car not sitting quite right? Tires look over sized, and a bit too much rear end squat. It could totally be just me, but it seems to be missing something. I can't put my finger on it!

The car is raked moderately towards the front, the lower late model rear arches create an illusion....

The tires aren't oversized, they just aren't hellaflush stretched. Most people seem to go with 205's on 16's because they are cheap and plentiful. The tires on here are literally the exact same diameter as the stock tires. There isn't a more perfectly +2 wheel/tire combo to be had in that respect.

Tire Size Comparison

Specification Sidewall Radius Diameter Circumference Revs/Mile Difference
195/65-14 5.0in 12.0in 24.0in 75.3in 841 0.0%
225/45-16 4.0in 12.0in 24.0in 75.3in 841 -0.0%

[bradnic]

Agree there's a very slight rake rear-wise. Could be the garage floor though. My cars lean towards the center and rear of the garage when parked..

[Mouse]

I think it's because a lot of E30's(and smaller tuner cars) run tires with a smaller aspect ratio tire than is needed. Maybe? Of course everyone will have their own opinion of what a properly lowered e30 should look like. Little rake, lots of rake, no rake. 18's, 17's, 16, 15's. Camber. Tire size options affects that too.

The rear would "look" lower if there was zero rake on late models due to the lower arches.

Would like to see the MT2 that George was referencing to for comparison tho.

[george graves]

Don't get me wrong, love this epic build, but is it just me(?) or is the car not sitting quite right? Tires look over sized, and a bit too much rear end squat. It could totally be just me, but it seems to be missing something. I can't put my finger on it!

There is a red Mt2 with K1's that seems to have a much more aggressive stance to it, with the same height - I can't find the pics, but I'll look for it for reference.

[Mouse]

I have the smaller of those two boxes. I'm a tech at an independent BMW shop and use it all day, every day. I've had it for about a year and a half and it's been trouble free. Great box for the money! I figured it would be wiser to spend the money on real tools to put in the box, instead of the other way around like some guys I've seen.

How true that is.

Just about have my Z06 sold....waiting to see if/when this will be for sale.

Sorry I have't stopped by Jordan, your a little farther away from me than before. lol

[Gertech]

I have the smaller of those two boxes. I'm a tech at an independent BMW shop and use it all day, every day. I've had it for about a year and a half and it's been trouble free. Great box for the money! I figured it would be wiser to spend the money on real tools to put in the box, instead of the other way around like some guys I've seen.

Back on topic, this car is so killer! Your attention to detail is superb. Great job!

[bradnic]

damn man. that's about as perfect as the E30 I'd say - just needs stickers all over it lol. and the price makes it accessible to just about all of us.