BMW's galore!

[e21meister]

I think the side stripes are about right as both cars have similar flanks (both Paul Bracq designs) so it would lead into the ducktail at the rear. The stripes on the E12's front spoiler follow into the indicators, so on an E21 I think the stripe should follow the panel on the front spoiler that has the vents on.
The other alternative would be to do the stripes in monotone colours, as I fear that the red part of the stripe will clash with the paint.

[Mark]

Maybe something along these lines?

[e21meister]

A bit like the BTCC E36?



Remember, the red will have a hard time getting noticed on an orange car> Also not sure if such a 'flowing' design will work on the more angular E21.

[Mark]

Might just go back to the tri colour pin stripe? Less is more kinda thing.

Tried an early style Motorsport badge on the rear spoiler but not really feeling it. I know they came with the usual M badge on the right side but just doesn't feel right on an e21. A bit too chavtastic maybe?



Anyway, just cleaned the plugs, checked the fluids etc and off to Gurston Down tomorrow morning for some hillclimb action.

www.gurstondown.org/calendar.htm

Next week should finally see the 4 pot brakes and adjustable rear subframe get sorted @ RPM in Essex.

Debating if £460 is just too much for these? Maybe I should search for a UK manufacturer to knock some up?

store.nexternal.com/vacmotors/suspension-techniques---e21-sway-bar-kit-p262.aspx

[Mark]

Finally, I have some bass in my car. I have never wanted to start chopping bloody great holes in my car just to fit speakers but the standard BMW 6x4's were never gonna be any use so I found some JBL's to replace them. The sounded OK, sort of. There was just no bass. None. Nothing. The solution came my way for a tenner in the shape of a ''sold as spares'' Mutant amp and a 10 inch Pioneer sub. I'm not too good at electronics but I figured it was worth a gamble. Even if I had to buy a new amp the sub would be OK. First job - change the fuse. Sorted. It works. Quite why the kid who sold it never thought to check the fuse I'll never know?

So, as I want to lift the sub out at track days etc, I mounted the amp on top of the box. I knew that 5 meter phono lead I've had kicking around for years would come in handy. Half hour later and the sounds are totally transformed. I now how 70's funk with proper bass although my exhaust is still a far better sound when you floor it through a tunnel in the early hours.





The hillclimb event at Gurston Down was excellent and there were some choice cars in the carpark.

[Mark]

Decided to put the cosmetics / stripes on the back burner and concentrate on getting the brakes upgraded and the suspension finished.

After doing some more research it seems that Alpina etc, used to weld a bar across the front of the bodyshell above the mounts for the ARB. It sort of braces the whole front end and helps tighten the whole car up. It certainly looks simple enough to replicate so its another mod to add to the ever growing list of things to do.



Hopefully some real progress will be made in the next few days but I hate taking my car off the road when the suns out. I'd much rather just be out driving it.

[Mark]

[Mark]

Had a bit of luck today. 4 195/55x15 Toyo Proxes for £75.

[Mark]

Went on a Drive it Day event with the 02 guys on Sunday. Excellent roads & good company FTW.





































Yesterday, I went and picked up my bargain boots!



[/quote]

I think my cars on www.ppcmag.co.uk this month.

[Mark]

Been and got the Toyos fitted and balanced today so am a happy man. I also decided to invest in a decent air pressure gauge before spending ages twatting about getting every tyre exactly the same! Running 30psi cold although I might experiment with pressures further down the line.

I'm still waiting for confirmation re the Whiteline ARB kit. The problem I have is excessive rear body roll. It's OK on a constant radius corner but in a chicane, the rear tends to lurch with the direction changes and so the outside rear tyre loses traction.

I've put the 6 branch manifold on hold till after the summer. The guys who did the exhaust system - www.christullettexhausts.com - have said they'll be free to build the manifold once the race season is over. I'm happy enough to wait as they did such a great job with the exhaust system. I did get another quote by e-mail tho - £1 800 plus VAT !! That's nearly 2 grand!!

The feature in Practical Performance Car magazine was pretty good and the guys at Northampton Motorsport made some good suggestions.

The next job really has to be the brake upgrade, poly bushing and fitting of the quick ratio steering rack that I've been fortunate enough to get hold of. I had hoped it would all have been done by now but delays with the courier and race dates for the lads at RPM, have put things back a few weeks. Hopefully things will get done in the week after the BMW event at the Ace Cafe on the 8th May.

A slight weep from the top of the rad meant finding a replacement so thanks to Nas, I'm picking up an alloy one next week. Samco have also come through for me with a set of sylicon hoses. I've asked for the orange ones naturally!

[e21meister]

Read the PPC feature; it really summed up a lot of what I've surmised and collated about E21 suspension/handling over the years. it's gonna be interesting when I fit my 16"s.

[Mark]

I think there's going to be an improvement once I have the rear subframe mods carried out and I can lose some of the negative camber. Combined with softer compound tyres. What profile tyre will you be running on 16's? Are you aiming t maintain the same rolling radius etc?

[e21meister]

Looking to retain the same rolling radius, so will probably have something like 245/45/16, or 225/45/16 if I need (need, not want) a bit of stretch at the front. It's all a moot point at the mo, as the fronts are clouting the track rod ends, so will be figuring out the best tyre/spacer/arch stretch combo.

[Mark]

I did wonder how you planned to squeeze those bad boys under?

I replaced the Pirellis with Toyos today and am amazed at the difference in feel. As soon as I pulled away I could tell that something was different and the steering feel is much improved and just feels way nicer. I've dropped from 205's to 195's on the rear in the hope that combined with the the rear subframe mods, I can stop the rear shocks touching the inner tyre wall. Its only the very slightest of contact, and certainly not a real concern, but I'd like to lose it all the same. I'm going to fit a set of 888r's but not until the camber issues are sorted properly. I also need to sort some storage for a set of Winter wheels. I'd like 15 inch steels but only 4x100's I can find are new Mazda MX5 ones which look great but the offset is miles off.

[dikki]

That is the mutts ..... wonderful job MIB ;D ..... I'm a Battersea boy but now in Devon ... can't do London with nice cars ..... good luck with it

Dikki

[Mark]

Cheers mate - appreciate the positive comments.

Luckily am in the suburbs / Surrey border so not too bad. I must admit I love having it as my daily driver. Every journey is an event!

Anyway, early night and if its dry tomorrow am off to Duxford Aerodrome. Pics to follow...hopefully.

[Mark]

6 mins 44 secs to 7 mins.

www.youtube.com/user/Garathorn31

[Mark]

e21's x3

[Mark]

Swapped to a new steering wheel today.

Decided to go for a different steering wheel.

[94turbo]

I've only just joined, but had a look through and i've got to say, I Love you car! It really makes me want one! its very tasteful, keep up the good work!