OV9

GG. wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 1:36 pm

Beany wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 12:50 pm There's the older e36 platform parts underneath, aren't there?

I think it was the e36 compact that had e30 underpinnings for the rear suspension because of space considerations, which was why people were recommended to avoid them. I don't think the e46 had the same issue but sure someone will correct me if that's wrong.

E46 compact is a full size e46 underneath just with a truncated hatchback boot.

E36 compact is e36 front end and ( very lightly modified ) e30 rear end to save space, weight and cost ) and far from being a reason to avoid it is actually the reason a lot of people like them ( me included ) the e36 compact was obviously designed to be more of a budget option as the dash and interior trim are cheaper and more basic than full fat e36 where as the e46 was more of a premium small car as most of its interior is the same as the full size car too.

integrale_evo wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:02 pm far from being a reason to avoid it is actually the reason a lot of people like them ( me included )

What's the difference in dynamics between the e30 and e36 rear ends out of interest? More LOO from the e30?

Basically yeah.

E30 rear end is a subframe which is basically a single lateral beam, with a single trailing arm each side attached to the rear wheels.

E36 is a multi link setup, the subframe is basically a cradle around the rear diff hung from the floor in four places, there's still a trailing arm but it has a single bush as there are two lateral arms connecting the hub to subframe to control camber.

E30 is simple basic old school tech, and can be pretty lively. E36 was designed to be more refined and more controllable with less geometry change under compression. E36 proper rear end is almost identical to the e46 setup, they even share rear lower camber control arms.

integrale_evo wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 3:02 pm E36 compact is e36 front end and ( very lightly modified ) e30 rear end to save space, weight and cost ) and far from being a reason to avoid it is actually the reason a lot of people like them...

Precisely why I bought one, to try and be competitive against the MX5s in Autosolos. The E46 is bigger & heavier; not so good for that.

Europe got a 6-pot E36 Compact in the shape of the 323ti, it's a real shame they didn't sell them here too, that would be ace. The E36 Compact has its own race series, and a bit of a following in the rally world too. An M3 engine in a stripped Compact shell is very rapid indeed.

E30 /36ti / z3 rear setup




E36 full fat ( struggling to find a clear schematic )

E46 setup is virtually the same but a bit wider and has alloy upper arms and a tubular subframe to try and save a bit of weight.

Cool stuff, but I think an E36 would be a bit old for me.

Had a quick sniff, not many E46 325tis about at the moment (not manuals anyway) and E46 330Cis with M-sport and sensible milage seem to be a bit rare too. Plenty north of 150k, mind....

Memories! I rebuilt my 325i sport using the rear suspension from a scrap one after I bent it in the crash. I couldn’t get the rear axle carrier bolt off the scrapper on one side so they “helped me”.

He strapped the axle carrier to the flat bed of his lorry, put the nose of the car on a pile of tires, then lifted the rear of the car with the arm of the lorry, using the whole car as a massive lever to pull the fixing through the floor!

It was hilarious to watch, but it worked!

Beany wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 4:09 pm Cool stuff, but I think an E36 would be a bit old for me.

Had a quick sniff, not many E46 325tis about at the moment (not manuals anyway) and E46 330Cis with M-sport and sensible milage seem to be a bit rare too. Plenty north of 150k, mind....

What's the budget BTW?

Call it around three, perhaps three and a half grand - pretty sure I can cover that with the value of the Mondeo at trade in

Brabus Smart Cabriolet for £2.5k looks fun...

ETA (and save GG the trouble ): there are three 986 Boxsters available on AT.

I think you should get a Chrysler Crossfire.

Or a Plymouth Prowler

mik wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:59 pm Or a Plymouth Prowler

Think he’s already got that moniker..

mik wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:59 pm Or a Plymouth Prowler

Just the thing though for cruising around Scarbados. Suns out, guns out

Spare Driveshafts.

You know you want to

Cover the rusty arches with eBay lumps of plastic

IanF wrote: Mon Jul 16, 2018 7:21 pm Brabus Smart Cabriolet for £2.5k looks fun...

I'm looking for something fun, not something that fills with water every time it rains.

ETA (and save GG the trouble ): there are three 986 Boxsters available on AT.

I noticed that. But I still need something with no less than four seats and some luggage space - and while a cheap boxster might be an interesting choice, I'm pretty sure it wouldn't be the wisest in terms of ongoing costs.