Imola Red pics and a few thoughts on the car - Page 2

equ · 10-23-2006, 11:20 AM

Great pics. Another vote on newish michPS being not so noisy and PS2 being stickier.

I know full well what you mean. I personally wouldn't modify it for more noise, or bolt-on power. It is what it is: a refined daily driver not a full on sports car. You may miss the m52 m3 but this car will have a better ride, a very solid frame (with much better safety) etc. etc.

BTW, is the steering wheel worn? You may score one if still under warranty. It took me two dealers but I finally got a new one and it was sooo nice.

armaq · 10-23-2006, 12:16 PM

Thanks for the compliments guys.

- Tires. I've never owned a PS shod car and I've been spoiled by PS2s recently. I measured my rears with a tread gauge, it's down to 3/32! Must be the pavement on I-35 (was 4/32 1000 miles ago).

- Intake. I don't want to modify this car either, but the lack of noise is driving me crazy. I don't want an aggressive exhaust note, I just want to hear the engine. My dealer have some Dinan stuff on sale, I will check them out (but I'm not a Dinan fan).

- Wheels. The only aftermarket wheel I like is the long discontinued BBS RC-J. If memory serves, a 18" RC-J weighs in at 18lbs, and a PS2 is about 2lbs lighter than a similarly sized PS - that's 12lbs of unsprung weight saved! As a bonus, with the bulky BBS center caps removed, the RCJs will have the CSL look without having to deal with the OEM 19 inchers or the inferior 18" replicas. I will try some m68s while searching for a set of used RC-Js.

armaq · 10-23-2006, 12:32 PM

nate: Man you know Houston well! I remember last time you spotted the Vanderbilt Square from a bad camera phone pic. Yes that was the Herman Park golf course. Beautiful day yesterday, I wanted to go to Rice (5min from me) but thought I might look weird shooting a car there.

equ: Yea the wheel is very worn. It feels more cloth than alcantara now. I just made an appointment to have it replaced with a leather one. I like alcantara, but I'm afraid it won't last long in my hands.

Terri Kennedy · 10-23-2006, 02:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armaq

Also, I'm thinking about ditching the 18 inchers. I hear with tire, each corner weighs over 50lbs.

Would it look weird with M68s (my fav E46 wheels)? I think the 17s can lose 10lbs of unsprung weight per corner, that gotta make a nice difference in performance/mpg. Plus, 17" rubbers are a lot cheaper. Any thoughts?

Here's the BMW fitment guide for a 2004 330i, along with pictures of the compatible BMW wheels:

Click Me

Theo · 10-23-2006, 03:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by armaq

Those are so nice. Is there anything available close? I want new wheels for the E36!!

Back on topic, Beautiful car!!

*Plaz* · 10-23-2006, 03:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM3C

Those are so nice. Is there anything available close?

REs and CHs, I guess.

Terri Kennedy · 10-23-2006, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM3C

Those are so nice. Is there anything available close? I want new wheels for the E36!!

BMW type 42's fit the E36 and are similar, having 10 Y-spokes instead of 8. They come in 1-piece and 2-piece. Also somewhat similar are the type 78's, though they alternate wide/narrow between the Y-spokes. You should be able to see these on the PDF I linked above.

nate · 10-24-2006, 01:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Plaz

REs and CHs, I guess.

Those are BBS RCs.

I have them on my car. Here is a crappy old pic with crappy Yoko ES100 tires...

I have not used the center caps in a long, long time...

Theo · 10-24-2006, 09:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terry Kennedy

BMW type 42's fit the E36 and are similar, having 10 Y-spokes instead of 8. They come in 1-piece and 2-piece. Also somewhat similar are the type 78's, though they alternate wide/narrow between the Y-spokes. You should be able to see these on the PDF I linked above.

Thanks for the link. If I were to stay OEM I would go with the type 71 18's. I have seen a few E36's with those and threy look pretty good.

equ · 10-24-2006, 11:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TBM3C

Thanks for the link. If I were to stay OEM I would go with the type 71 18's. I have seen a few E36's with those and threy look pretty good.

Those are cute but are as heavy as the m135 zhp wheels. I think the only rational change would be 235/40-17 all around on bbs rk or ch or similar. And keep the zhp wheels for completeness (come sale time).

10-23-2006, 11:20 AM	#11
equ Alphanumeric Join Date: Aug 2005 Carmudgeonly Ride: 981S, 340i Posts: 9,584	Great pics. Another vote on newish michPS being not so noisy and PS2 being stickier. I know full well what you mean. I personally wouldn't modify it for more noise, or bolt-on power. It is what it is: a refined daily driver not a full on sports car. You may miss the m52 m3 but this car will have a better ride, a very solid frame (with much better safety) etc. etc. BTW, is the steering wheel worn? You may score one if still under warranty. It took me two dealers but I finally got a new one and it was sooo nice.

10-23-2006, 12:16 PM	#12
armaq Jaded Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 1984 Schwinn Madison Location: NYC Posts: 532	Thanks for the compliments guys. - Tires. I've never owned a PS shod car and I've been spoiled by PS2s recently. I measured my rears with a tread gauge, it's down to 3/32! Must be the pavement on I-35 (was 4/32 1000 miles ago). - Intake. I don't want to modify this car either, but the lack of noise is driving me crazy. I don't want an aggressive exhaust note, I just want to hear the engine. My dealer have some Dinan stuff on sale, I will check them out (but I'm not a Dinan fan). - Wheels. The only aftermarket wheel I like is the long discontinued BBS RC-J. If memory serves, a 18" RC-J weighs in at 18lbs, and a PS2 is about 2lbs lighter than a similarly sized PS - that's 12lbs of unsprung weight saved! As a bonus, with the bulky BBS center caps removed, the RCJs will have the CSL look without having to deal with the OEM 19 inchers or the inferior 18" replicas. I will try some m68s while searching for a set of used RC-Js.

10-23-2006, 12:32 PM	#13
armaq Jaded Join Date: Mar 2006 Carmudgeonly Ride: 1984 Schwinn Madison Location: NYC Posts: 532	nate: Man you know Houston well! I remember last time you spotted the Vanderbilt Square from a bad camera phone pic. Yes that was the Herman Park golf course. Beautiful day yesterday, I wanted to go to Rice (5min from me) but thought I might look weird shooting a car there. equ: Yea the wheel is very worn. It feels more cloth than alcantara now. I just made an appointment to have it replaced with a leather one. I like alcantara, but I'm afraid it won't last long in my hands.