Bottom Gear Rally Report

[Jobbo]

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]

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.

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.

[JonMad]

The 2023 Kemble Targa 2 copy.jpeg (269.29 KiB) Viewed 264 times

The 2023 Kemble Targa 7 copy.jpeg (187.6 KiB) Viewed 264 times

The 2023 Kemble Targa 15 copy.jpeg (275.43 KiB) Viewed 264 times

[JonMad]

The 2023 Kemble Targa 18 copy.jpeg (281.85 KiB) Viewed 262 times

The 2023 Kemble Targa 30 copy.jpeg (163.73 KiB) Viewed 262 times

[JonMad]

No real sideways shots, sadly. I refer you back to the start of page 2 of this thread.

[Gavster]

That massive pothole/dip you're coming out of in the last shot really hammered everyone's suspension!

[Jobbo]

Really highlights the difference in roll stiffness.

[Sundayjumper]

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

[JonMad]

By contrast, Jon's car has Gaz coilovers all round that were specified from new for this kind of abuse.

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.

I should probably get the car on a weigh bridge before I send them back. I've been meaning to do that anyway.

[JonMad]

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

[Jobbo]

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

I'm not going to be able to attend so any potential co-drivers for Jon make yourselves known.

[JonMad]

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.