Bottom Gear Rally Report
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
When I first passengered in Jon's car from his house to Rushmoor Arena on a dark November morning, I certainly wouldn't have wanted to go on a long trip in it. It's noisy but does at least have working heating and ventilation, albeit no air-con now.
- JonMad
- Posts: 2709
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:25 pm
- Currently Driving: 2015 Swift; 2012 Yeti; 2006 Fabia
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Once you get above the part of the rev range where it resonates like a bastard (2000-3000rpm) then it's bearable. 75mph is about 3500rpm. And I can open the windows for fresh air (electric - luxury!) without that annoying buffeting some cars give you. I also have remote central locking and the trip computer to keep me occupied. And a portable bluetooth speaker rolling around in the passenger seat that I can connect my phone to. The harnesses get a bit achy after a while, and when doing long distances on the motorway at high speed that's exactly when you want the harnesses done up tight.
Left over crest; tightens.
- JonMad
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- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:25 pm
- Currently Driving: 2015 Swift; 2012 Yeti; 2006 Fabia
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
No real sideways shots, sadly. I refer you back to the start of page 2 of this thread.
Left over crest; tightens.
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
That massive pothole/dip you're coming out of in the last shot really hammered everyone's suspension!
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Really highlights the difference in roll stiffness.
- Sundayjumper
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Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Yeah.
Mine currently has Bilstein B8 shocks - they came with my 318ti donor car and were almost brand new, Bilstein are good quality, but the B8 are shortened and road biased so not really ideal here. Eibach springs on the back, that also came with the car, and stock springs on the front to give some ground clearance.
By contrast, Jon's car has Gaz coilovers all round that were specified from new for this kind of abuse.
On my first ever Targa, when my car was still just a 316i, I had come ebay coilovers and they were *shite*. One fairly gentle event at Rushmoor blew out both of the rear shocks. They went int he bin and the fronts are in my "might be useful one day" pile.
Looks to be about £1500 for some Gaz coilovers & suitable top mounts. Built to spec, so the travel / damping / spring rate will be correct for the application.
https://gazcoilovers.com/bmw-e36-compac ... t-57-p.asp
Mine currently has Bilstein B8 shocks - they came with my 318ti donor car and were almost brand new, Bilstein are good quality, but the B8 are shortened and road biased so not really ideal here. Eibach springs on the back, that also came with the car, and stock springs on the front to give some ground clearance.
By contrast, Jon's car has Gaz coilovers all round that were specified from new for this kind of abuse.
On my first ever Targa, when my car was still just a 316i, I had come ebay coilovers and they were *shite*. One fairly gentle event at Rushmoor blew out both of the rear shocks. They went int he bin and the fronts are in my "might be useful one day" pile.
Looks to be about £1500 for some Gaz coilovers & suitable top mounts. Built to spec, so the travel / damping / spring rate will be correct for the application.
https://gazcoilovers.com/bmw-e36-compac ... t-57-p.asp
- JonMad
- Posts: 2709
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:25 pm
- Currently Driving: 2015 Swift; 2012 Yeti; 2006 Fabia
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Just on the front now. The rears failed the MOT (lower bushes) so are in a pile in my garage for possible sending off to Gaz to refresh. The rears currently are some std Bilsteins.Sundayjumper wrote: ↑Wed Jun 07, 2023 9:28 am By contrast, Jon's car has Gaz coilovers all round that were specified from new for this kind of abuse.
I should probably get the car on a weigh bridge before I send them back. I've been meaning to do that anyway.
Left over crest; tightens.
- JonMad
- Posts: 2709
- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:25 pm
- Currently Driving: 2015 Swift; 2012 Yeti; 2006 Fabia
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Just signed up for an autosolo in Abingdon on 8th June if anyone fancies also entering. Will be the first event in 12 months. I may be a bit rusty.
https://autotest.sapphire-solutions.co. ... =DolphinMC
https://autotest.sapphire-solutions.co. ... =DolphinMC
Left over crest; tightens.
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
I'm not going to be able to attend so any potential co-drivers for Jon make yourselves known.JonMad wrote: ↑Thu Apr 11, 2024 1:05 pm Just signed up for an autosolo in Abingdon on 8th June if anyone fancies also entering. Will be the first event in 12 months. I may be a bit rusty.
https://autotest.sapphire-solutions.co. ... =DolphinMC
- JonMad
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- Joined: Wed Apr 11, 2018 9:25 pm
- Currently Driving: 2015 Swift; 2012 Yeti; 2006 Fabia
Re: Bottom Gear Rally Report
Not looking for co-drivers in this case. For autosolos you're on your own. Just if anyone fancied doing it in their own car.
Left over crest; tightens.