This car is a BMW E30 right? Why does it say 316i on the rear instead of E30?
I saw a car on the street that was a BMW, but I was surprised that the rear said 325, even though it had a box shape.
>>17136517
E30 is the chassis code, 316i was the name of the model
>>17136517
E30 is the chassis code.
The 3 in 318 means that its the 3 series.
The 18 means it has a 1.8 liter engine.
>>17136527
>>17136539
So the chassis is the body frame of a car which gives it the box shape?
>>17136548
No it's obviously the engine that does that
>>17136548
Yes
>>17136555
Thank you for helping me. I really want to get into old BMW cars, they are the only ones I really like.
>>17136527
This 323i car does not have E30 on chassis. Does this mean this is not real E30?
Thanks
E30 is the chassis and body
316i is the model and trim code used to tell model version and engine type
>>17136517
This car cost >40k new inflation adjusted, 10k more than a base 320i today. @__@
E30 suspension rundown:
replace the bushings. ALL of them. this is crucial -- the fun handling E30s are famed for is only present with non-worn bushings.
convert your car to M3 suspension geometry:
* install M3 control arm bushings instead of stockers
* most importantly, change the swaybar mount location to the struts and get the right links to match. (this'll mess up the front:rear balance, so get a 14.5mm rear bar )
that's it. despite all the flowery blog posts you see jawing about how special and unique the M3 is compared to the normal E30s, there sure isnt much separating them.
if you're going to lower the car, get offset rear-subframe bushings instead of stock height, to stop excessive rear camber giving you an understeer-prone car (and high tire wear.)
unless you have cash to burn on JRZs or Motons, use H&R springs and get some Bilstein shocks custom valved with plenty of low-speed compression damping.
stock 325i exhaust is already fantastically designed, you will gain no power from a new one unless you're going to get it custom-designed from the headers back.
M3 body parts will not fit, not even the spoiler. and no, a new dashboard is not needed -- this is stuff you replace when you get bored, after you've already gotten your mechanicals solid.
>>17136724
OP will buy a clapped out E30 and drive it for a year or two then sell it. You're kinda wasting your time
>>17136610
you don't see the chassis type anywhere written on the car.
>>17137048
So how do we really know?
>>17137146
owners manual
>>17137653
>Mick's Garage
Great source their pal, but seriously, is Mick really the guy?
>>17136755
What do you mean by clapped out?