The Panzer

[Sea Squirrel]

So after my failed attempt at Jap ownership (an s14 whos engine shat itself on the first day) and a Volvo that I couldn't afford to do anything to at the time, I've finally got my hands on a real, honest to god, decent RWD car.

It's German.


And it's got one of these:


I'll get some pics sorted when I can but for the time being it's relatively standard. Got a few niggles that need sorting (see here:http://www.driftworks.com/forum/othe...-stick-so.html) so if anyone's got any solutions to the above problems then let me know.

Plans include... very little actually. Going to sort the diff and clutch, maybe look at some used coilovers that are a bit stiffer than standard, but apart from that I'm going to use the car to get to work and back and then get along to some track days.

Saw somewhere that the standard suspension can be adjusted or tweaked somehow? Anyone know anything about that?

Thanks

Ben

[Mark]

That a US spec M3 then? as thats the US s50 engine!

Is that is actual engine bay? or an pic youve found..

It might be the reason it doesnt feel like 286 bhp!!

[ren_juanjo]

Problems!

[WANDERS]

How is the North American 3.2-liter M3 engine (S52) different from the 3.0-liter (S50 B30 USA)?
Unlke the Euro-spec S50 B32, the S52 powerplant is an evolution of the standard production M52 engine. However, it incorporates the following changes over its S50 B30 USA predecessor:
-Increased bore to 86.4mm (from 86.0mm) and increased stroke to 89.6mm (from 85.8mm) for a total displacement of 3,152cc (from 2,990cc)
-More finely balanced camshafts
-Valve lifters, springs and spring seats with reduced mass
-Revised intake and exhaust systems
-OBD II (On-Board Diagnostics, version II) compliance
-Horsepower unchanged at 240 hp (SAE) at 6,000 rpm
-Torque increased to 236 lb/ft at 3,800 rpm (up from 225 lb/ft at 4,250 rpm)


it's only 240bhp. that's why it feels slow..
just put a 3.0 cilinder head from a euro model on it and i think you have one powerfull engine...

[Sea Squirrel]

Yes, fine, my searching for images on google has revealed that my knowledge of BMW engines is beyond shite. I thought it didn't look quite like that but I was looking for M-Engine bays whilest very tired. Sorry guys.

I'll get some actual photos of the car later today and redeem myself.

[Mad Cas]

American spec engines: maximum displacement, minimum power.

[LiGhTnInG]

AHAHAHAA. Dude. you just got geeked by driftworks. Exposing your fail!

[WANDERS]

btw, it explains why your taking about traction controle.. the euro-engine's don't have it... but on the pict of the us version i see te T.C. thing...

if you want to get rid of it.. pm me..

[Sea Squirrel]

The car itself:



And what the engine bay actually looks like at the moment.


No overdisplacing underpowerproducing American heap here.

Thank god.

[WANDERS]

this should easy drift 3th gear....

[Sea Squirrel]

Now that scares me. I know for a fact 3rd's good for 93mph.

[Stavros]

Originally Posted by Sea Squirrel

Now that scares me. I know for a fact 3rd's good for 93mph.

Not when the wheels are turning twice as fast as they should its not

[driftnething]

yum yum nice car

[Sea Squirrel]

Originally Posted by Stavros

Not when the wheels are turning twice as fast as they should its not

Yeah, alright. Fair point you've got on you there Stav.

Still, it should make for some interesting times.

[Sea Squirrel]

Right... after the epic fail that began this thread I'm trying to sort a few things out. I'm still in the process of getting some of the niggles sorted BUT I want to try and crack on with making this thing work a bit better.

With that in mind I'm looking at cheap but effective modifications and top of that list is always weight loss. I've currently got a full unripped black Vader interior in the car. I'm thinking of selling this to fund a pair of buckets and a wheel. Anyone know how much a decent condition interior like this is worth? Also, apart from the usual sound deadening crap, is there anything that's notably heavy on these cars? I was looking at Paul Vlasblom's car details earlier on and that thing's quoted at weighing 1000kg. That's bugger all considering it's an estate. Doubt I'll make it down that far but it's just given me food for thought on the weightloss issue.

Also, I'm never going to be able to afford drift rubber on 19's and I have nowhere to keep spare wheels. If I keep them in the car I lose the ability to carry around my windsurf kit which, as it's my job, doesn't work. In light of this: anyone got any e36 M3 alloys they want to swap for the e46 Msport offerings that are on there at the moment? Looking for the (sunflower?) 17" jobbies. Failing that REALLY cheap BMW fitment wheels that I don't mind using a couple of times and then storing somewhere suspect.

Someone mentioned chipping the car to me for 'easy' power but I've seen some reports on some very shakey chips. Not something I want to do as I also understand that every car is a little bit different and needs specific tuning. Anyone got any input on this?

Cheers

Ben

Edit: Handbrake... it's crap. What can be done?

[little_ant]

nice car, i had a dakar yellow m3 evo, there awesome and so easy to hold sideways once you get the hang of it, i would recomend searching ebay for the dave F induction kits, i had one on mine and it made a massive difference plus they make a great noise, get rid of the shite wheels though and replace them with some of the staggered size sun flower wheels.

also watch out for the rear diff subframes cracking under hard use, i managed to split mine in two

[ren_juanjo]

okay well. i've seen black leather vaders in good nick fetch 1k a few times.

theres a good couple hundred kilos to go in interior, sound deadening, wiring, door panels, sunroof mechanism, heater matrix, air con, exhaust backbox.

i've got some 17s for drifty drift if you need. got a set of staggered replica M3 contours in 17" which i can rubber up for you, some 16" mtech wheels too.

handbrakes total crap, put a hydro in.

for extra power - are you sure you need any? don't bother chipping it. Exhuast, decat, de-aircon, viscous fan removal, and DaveF induction kit should sort out plenty more ponies for you.

[initial_j]

Originally Posted by Sea Squirrel

weighing 1000kg. That's bugger all considering it's an estate.

am i looking at the right pics? thats not an estate?!


sounds like you got the right ideas though.

sell the interior for as much as possible, then buy a cheap bucket seat and a wheel.

sell the pimp ass rims to some bmw bummer and just buy some cheap ass rims and loads of rubber.

as for extra power, dont think youll need anymore, spend it on welding the diff and some coilovers and that should be enough to have one awesome skid car!

[Sea Squirrel]

Originally Posted by initial_j

am i looking at the right pics? thats not an estate?!

You're right, but the driftking.nl car is. That was the car I'm quoting at 1000kg. Sorry if it's confusing.



I was just interested in the power chip thing as I got offered a few free/dirt cheap beyond reason. After someone (can't remember who) said just drive down a road with it floored and see if it's fast I did. It is. No need to worry there.



Already looked into a DaveF. Going to get one from him direct on • Index page.

The car appears to have a Scorpion manifold back system on it at the moment, although I haven't jacked it up in the air to check. It's certainly cat back, but it's also twin 3inch pipes in front of the cat. Is that standard?

Ren: I do like the contours. I've got a single M-Double Spoke acting as my spare in the boot at the moment. Was going to flog that off as it's in really good condition with good rubber left. Do you have any pics of the Contours you've got/fancy a trade on the 19's? Can sell to a 'BMW Bummer' as it's been put instead.

Diff's actually fine at the moment. Doesn't appear to have taken too much hard use. Think I'll leave that until I'm better and then get Will to do a big old rebuild to a higher spec.

Coilover wise: anyone used the FK Konigsport's/Silverline X's? Seems like quite a resonable price for a fully adjustable set and they appear to get good reviews from the fatherland.

Edit: Ren... it's got no aircon. Fully analogue heater controls etc with no frosty button. It's still a daily drive and after the lack of heater experience in my Volvo I'd rather keep that in. everything else can go though.

[ren_juanjo]

howdy, yeah i'll get some for you shortly chap. in the mean time if you're after some m3/drifty/newb to the bimmer chats catch me on my msns, ren_juanjo@....