Interviews from the Subculture: Ryan Automatic

"Brian Tschiegg" (WritingInCars)
09/12/2013 at 19:21 • Filed to: Car Culture, Stanced, Drifting, Miata, Ruckus, Honda, Mazda, Odyssey, Vanlopnik, Two Wheels Good

Stanced and lowered cars are pretty common on the roads these days. But even just a few years ago, seeing an e30 dragging its ass would have been a rare sight. The proliferation of car parts and modifications to get cars lower than should be possible is only making it easier for enthusiasts to get low. Some people don’t quite understand the attraction, but for those who do, getting lower can become quite the obsession.

One of my college friends, known as Ryan Automatic, was the first person I ever saw who took the lowered look to the extreme. His GT-R purple 1993 Miata is insanely low, and he’s done quite a bit of work to get it there. The passion he shows for the clean lines and flowing look of a lowered car with wide, flared fenders really shows in his car and all the work he does helping others get lower. I asked him if he wouldn’t mind taking a second to explain his passion for stanced cars (and Ruckuses and vans).

TheSupremeLou: Alright, first things first: WHY SO LOW?!

Ryan Automatic: Why not? Everything looks better hammered to the ground!

TSL: Now that we've got that out of the way. What drew you to the "lowlife" and stanced culture?

RA: First it was the look. The wheels and tires flowing flawlessly with the lowered body lines to make it all one piece of elegant machinery. Then it was the pursuit of pushing the envelope and doing things that should "on paper" never work. Lastly, the community. I've met almost all of my friends via cars. Most people going out of their way to help others all sharing the same love. And the looks on people's faces when you drive by doesn't hurt either haha

TSL: How many front lips have you gone through in your life time?

RA: I honestly couldn't tell you, but the Miata itself has been through at least 6. I keep one nice one for shows and meets and a battle beaten one for other use haha

TSL: What do you have against people who use air bags instead of coil overs?

RA: This is a common misconception about me actually. I have nothing against air suspension. I would love a nice setup on a car one day, but not this car. The bone jarring, rough, feel everything in the road feel only makes you feel at one with the car and really appreciate it.

TSL: How often do you have to change out the skid plates on your car? Is it like every 3,000 miles with an oil change?

RA: Actually, it is only just now wearing down to an area of concern. 1/4 inch steel welded to the subframe doesn't exactly wear away quickly. The exhaust itself is more of an issue, if its not grinding a hole in it, it's just falling off completely.

TSL: Was the Ruckus just an obvious extension of your quest to stay low? Or was it just that you had the need for more open air vehicles?

RA: I remember seeing my first modified ruckus and I fell in love. The long low look is just awesome and there's nothing really like it. Of course everything looks better as low as it can possibly be, it's just a little sketchy bottoming out on 2 wheels as opposed to 4.

TSL : You were actually the first person to ever introduce me to the sport of drifting. I remember when you took four people in your 240sx because it was raining and did a quick loop around campus (some of it sideways). I was sitting in the behind the passenger's seat and I remember feeling your shocks bottom out every time you pulled the e-brake. Do you still get your Miata sideways?

RA: Absolutely! Drifting stays with you, you can't really explain the feeling but there's nothing like it. Ill never stop sliding whatever vehicles I own. Big plans for the following year to pursue more of this actually. The miata itself is more difficult to slide due to its short wheelbase but its more challenging and a lot of fun.

TSL: How does the lowered stance on your car affect handling?

RA: It takes all the countless hours and money that Mazda engineers poured into suspension geometry, spits on it, lights it on fire, then pees on it to put it out. But at the end of the day it's still a Miata so it handles quite well for how low it is. I've surprised alot of people along spirited backroad runs and off ramps.

TSL: Are the modifications on your car purely for show or are there some hidden performance parts we wouldn't see?

RA: I mean, the suspension itself improves handling somewhat, even at its current state. There are simple bolt-on performance parts that give the car some extra pep for some fun. Again, more of this to come.

TSL: What was your most recent addition to your garage?

RA: I've recently purchased a 96' Honda Odyssey. And yes, it's maxxed out on coilovers, wheels, and has a lot of future plans to come!

TSL: How do your parents feel about your cars? Your girlfriend?

RA: My dads a car guy, he appreciates the work and time I put into the car. Regardless if he understands it or not. He's more worried about how the car damages the floor when I come over to work on it at the garage! (Sorry Dad!). My mom, just kinda shakes her head haha but recently she has told me how good my car looks! My girlfriend is the best, she puts up with my hobbies, pointless spending, and even deals with the terrifying noises the car makes. Most recently, a 2.5 hour ride home with no exhaust what-so-ever. We both thought we would be deaf.

TSL: Any big plans for the future?

RA: Always progressing. The car has been through 6 sets of wheels and 3 different colors within the past years, and I don't plan on stopping. Over winter the car is getting a brand new motor, Jackson racing supercharger, and other odds and ends to make the car more fun to slide. The Odyssey is getting a complete overhaul, and the ruckus will be enjoying some new flashy parts including a GY6 engine swap so it can actually keep up with traffic!

TSL: What would be your advice to anyone who wants to start lowering their car?

RA: Lower it, break things, make them unbreakable, repeat until necessary. More importantly, do whatever you want to do, not what everyone else is doing. Years ago me and a few friends were all about going low while everyone else wanted to go fast and all we caught was shit, but we kept doing what we did and now we own the kind of cars we looked up to years ago.

Ryan Automatic's Garage:

1993 Mazda Miata

-GT-R Midnight Purple

-Stock metal fenders flared out to accommodate wide wheels

-Custom Rokkor coilovers with raised tophats

-15x8.5 and 15x9.5 BBS RMs that I built from factory wheels

-Hard dog rollbar

-Raised motor 2.5 inches through the hood to avoid breaking the oilpan (again)

-LSD differential

-Garage vary replica lip

1996 Honda Odyssey

-Tein Coilovers

-17x8/9 Riverside Japan wheels

-Jdm corner lamps and taillights

-Carbon Honda accord lip custom fitted

2011 Honda Ruckus

-Custom air cylinder suspension setup

-Mojo Customs 12.5 inch extension

-Custom lowered mounting point forks to maintain full shock travel

-Purple Diamond Stitched seat from my friends in Texas

-Mojo customs front wheel insert

-Custom exhaust

-Shaved rear frame

-10x8 rear wheel with stretches tire

You can find more of Ryan's vehicles on Instagram @RyanAutomatic. All photos (except for the photo of the Odyssey) were taken by Some Guy Photography (who is seriously great. If you're in the New Jersey/Delaware/Maryland area, check him out. He does all his work purely for the love of cars). More of his photography work can be found at his Facebook page !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! .

DISCUSSION (68)

AbigGRNboot > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 10:25

Great read. Thanks.

Takuro Spirit > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 10:37

DAT ODY

I still want one, just like that, but with less midwest rust.

Brian Tschiegg > Takuro Spirit
09/12/2013 at 10:46

It is pretty sick. When he says he has big plans for it, I think he means low plans. Raised motor and probably an air suspension system. He uses it to take his ruckus to shows and such. He definitely got it for the NP too.

Brian Tschiegg > AbigGRNboot
09/12/2013 at 13:02

Thanks, man! I'm glad you liked it.

PS9 > Takuro Spirit
09/12/2013 at 19:29

Kinja'd!!!

offroadkarter > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 19:31

I wonder how long it'll be until this car fad goes the way of mini trucks and fast and furious style imports of the early 00's. You know... dead...

Blondude > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 19:32

Kinja'd!!!

This is the ultimate "I see what you did there" face.

GhostZ > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 19:33

Ryan Automatic: Why not? Everything looks better hammered to the ground!

No. This is my one huge problem against stance, a lot of people just automatically assume that 'lower=better looking' which is not true at all. For measurement, comparison, bragging rights? Yeah, lower might be better. But a car can be lower and a lot uglier and less appealing because of it, just as some cars can be lower and be fucking amazing looking .

Brian Tschiegg > GhostZ
09/12/2013 at 20:02

I guess this goes back to personal taste. Plus, I think the answer was kind of tongue in cheek considering the question he was answering. I'm with you though. I like my cars a bit more subtle, but I get the appeal of extremely lowered cars at the same time.

Squid > Brian Tschiegg
09/12/2013 at 20:54

I was wondering how many oil pans he's gone through. . . Some cars look good stanced but low to the point of dragging your $100 front lip around everywhere and being afraid to change lanes because if you hit a "cats eye" it will rip your lip off or if you're stupid to go really low without raising the motor, put a hole in the pan. Oil pans on Miata's are no fun and require a lift and a full drop of the front subframe or pulling the motor out completely.

But here I'm being logical about something that people obviously like taking hundred dollar bills out of their wallets and essentially lighting them on fire. I just don't get it.

thevegetable > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:36

Didn't read the interview, just here for the comments.

Have Jeep, will travel. > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:36

This fad ruins cars and has been dubbed the "new rice" by legitimate car fans. Cutting and notching unibody frames is completely safe, enough camber to be dangerous and eat tires, hack suspension mods and geometry, and parts of these turds getting ground off and left on the highway to find someone's tire. This fad is the reason I got out of the Euro scene completely and have a Jeep (and a nice E30..... that's not ruined).

xtrappedunderricex > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:45

i know a lot of people hate 'stance,' but when done right, it does look quite nice even though it is more form over function. this miata is a bit too aggressive for my taste. i like the flush look, but not insane negative camber. i'm sure he's put a ton of proper work into it assuming it was done correctly.

so is the love affair with the ruckus tied to the fact that there are so many parts for the thing? i've noticed that they're pretty popular with the kids in the stance/flush scene.

Iamopenlyjudgingyou > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:49

When I was younger, I'd get pissed when my hot wheels cars ended up with the wheels bent out. Usually after someone stepped on them or it some got crushed.

I usually chucked em. Either attaching fireworks to them in the back yard or set them up in demolition derbies so much that the paint faded. Eventually they would end up in the trash.

Who would have thought that some kids were picking up my trash and saying to themselves "Das cool mane"

As for the make it low movement...its reason #347 why you can find great unmolested cars on the used market anymore. they've usually be douched to death.

boxjohn > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:50

It is a car. I'll give him that. I guess a few points for it being a miata.

Other than that... yeah no.

This could be an interesting series, but try to find people who do things other than drift cars with 4 people in them around school campuses and lower miatas "until something breaks'.

boxjohn > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:51

Kinja'd!!!

In hindsight, I should have stoppe reading when I saw 10-15 degrees of camber on a Miata...

Carlitos the Fünfer > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:52

Kinja'd!!!

Needs more camber... Obviously.

LodestarRunner > Squid
09/13/2013 at 10:52

Did you read the article? The engine is raised and he has a welded-in skid pan.

Brian Tschiegg > boxjohn
09/13/2013 at 10:54

Next up: Donks.

ejp > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 10:55

Does anyone actually believe this statement? I'd love to see this assertion put to the test with lap times on any circuit or even an autocross course between a "stanced" and a stock Miata.

It's fine that you think that this looks good (although I've always contended stretched tires and outrageous negative camber settings to be, at best, unsafe on the street). I'm not trying to be the mod-police - after all, it's your money ...but improves handling? I find this extremely difficult to believe.

Brian Tschiegg > xtrappedunderricex
09/13/2013 at 10:58

He's definitely one of the more careful people I know when it comes to modifying his car. The guy knows what he's doing.

And yes, the Ruckus fad is because of the availibility of cheap aftermarket parts. Plus, they're hella fun to ride.

Xedicon > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:00

Lowered wrong:

Kinja'd!!!

Lowered right:

Kinja'd!!!

TylerLinner > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:00

Well, at least it has a Limited Slip Differential differential.

pdoten > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:03

Where's that kill it with fire when I need it....

Kinja'd!!!

TheLaughingMan1 > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:09

"Stance" is for flat-brimmed, bro-tastic, look-at-mes. Not sure if this trend is more retarded than the FnF trend of the late 90's. Either way it looks just as dumb and equally more impractical. "Stance" is just as bad as the bro-tastic mall crawler 4x4 craze.

endus > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:26

"I mean, the suspension itself improves handling somewhat"

Well...no...it actually kind of doesn't. Actually, it doesn't make it handle better at all...it makes it handle worse.

I don't think cars this low look good at all. The proportions are completely off. The lines don't flow at all. The work that goes in to lowering a car this much and trying to look different than everyone else is the real motivation of this. That's fine, I guess, but shitty fiberglass body kits and other nonsense like that are aimed at exactly the same ideal. What message does putting a ton of work into a car to make it look ridiculous and function demonstrably worse than it did from the factory really say about a person?

Cars are pieces of engineering, and the functionality and integrity of the car is part of the beauty too. This makes the car eat its own parts at a ridiculous rate. There's nothing beautiful about that at all. Maybe if our world was made up of ultra smooth Plexiglas roads this would make total sense...but it's not. You're setting the car up to fight its environment rather than achieve harmony within it and perform as well as possible within it.

Monsterajr > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:26

Nice job on the car. I like most Auto niches, but not so much this one as I feel that once you get too low and/or the camber gets kicked too much, the handling suffers exponentially equally to just how far you've gone. I can't imagine owning one of these in the NYC area even though I occasionally get stuck behind one who is literally crawling over crosswalk lines.

I once owned a Milano Verde that had been moderately lowered and it was frustrating as hell to have to slow down for road imperfections/potholes/bumps that would potentially hurt my car.

aaaaaaaaaa > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:28

You know, I feel like a car is more of a "piece of elegant machinery" when it works as intended and isn't dragging along the ground.

boxjohn > endus
09/13/2013 at 11:28

I love you.

Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:32

If you wanna drop your car, fine.. but what is with the ridiculous negative camber? Nothing makes a car look goofier imo than having the top of the wheel tucked way into the well. Never mind the odd tire wear and handling quirks that come from it. I often see a kid driving around in town with a late model Golf, with huge neg camber on the back wheels. It looks bizarre to me on a fwd car.

Years ago, a guy who restored Triumphs told me the reason for rear neg camber on a rwd IRS-equipped car was that the rear squatted under hard acceleration which made the tires point straight up increasing contact area.

Kinja'd!!!

WTH?

Brian Tschiegg > Monsterajr
09/13/2013 at 11:36

Thanks for the kind words. I definitely agree that it's not for everyone, but Ryan spent a lot of time and love on his car to get it the way that HE WANTED IT. I wouldn't drive it either, but I definitely appreciate all the effort that goes into his cars.

ChickinChipz > ejp
09/13/2013 at 11:36

While I see your point (and I agree with you, I'd love to see this actually tested just for giggles), isn't it possible that his quote just needs some context to make more sense? For example, one could make a pretty strong argument for "this Miata handles better on the stances than it do stock" if he purchased the car with a really worn out suspension; new coilovers are likely to afford better damping than blown out decade old stock dampers, even if lowered to geometry obliterating stature. The fact that he runs Rokkors doesn't help his argument, but just pretend he is running a TCK double adjustable setup for a minute and you might be able to make some room in the old Thinkerator for the possibility that this young man may just be telling the truth (kind of stretch but hey, you never know).

Michael H > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:39

Alot isn't a word.

Paul, Man of Mustangs > Turbineguy: Nom de Zoom
09/13/2013 at 11:46

That's, uh, backwards. That guy has never watched an overloaded Accord bouncing over freeway expansion joints, obviously. Those things have stupid camber gain in jounce.

Roadster Man > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:46

This is awesome. It's so badass that he used the stock M-edition BBS wheels and gave them huge barrels. I have always wanted to do this. Here's proof that the clubroadster-types aren't all bad. Slammed miatas have a nice look as long as they have the right wheels (NA miatas can't have anything over 15", it looks awful) and great fitment. This guy pulls them both off.

Dest > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:50

These stanced POSs are some of the ugliest things I've ever seen.

ament001 > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 11:50

I see just a string of bad taste. I get the being different thing, but you hit the point where your being different is actually a detriment to your hobby. This kind of stuff would be like a person cutting holes in the wings of their plane because they think it looks different. It doesn't handle better with these "improvements." And when I see the inside of the Miata all I can think is that he should just finish the damn thing before putting effort into something else. It looks like someone threw a diaper at his center console. So much money spent there that could have been towards something of quality.

ejp > ChickinChipz
09/13/2013 at 11:51

Yep...if the car was truly worn out - or was wearing heavy 17" aftermarket wheels - there are a number of likely scenarios to color his statements with some reality.

Still, the idea that these kind of mods make for good handling...come on. It just strikes me as a bit absurd.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:00

I have to doubt the owner's assertion that his ass-hackery of the suspension has made his car handle better. Too much camber, not enough ride height, and stretched tires? Sure, pal, it handles better. Just keep telling yourself that, over and over again, to justify this nonsense in your own head.

Brian Tschiegg > Roadster Man
09/13/2013 at 12:00

You might want to start running before the rest of Jalopnik attempts to burn you at the stake for heresy.

TheLaughingMan1 > offroadkarter
09/13/2013 at 12:01

Not soon enough.

Neutral President > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:01

Personally, i think the whole "stance" thing looks stupid. Flowing lines? I don't think so. Perfect flowing lines would be the wheels and tires being perfect concentric curves with the wheel arches, not half of the tire hidden and the rears buckling like the car has had its kneecaps taken out.

You got your car lower than anyone else's? Congrats. Now pull up your pants and get off my lawn. ;)

Brian Tschiegg > The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin
09/13/2013 at 12:03

He states that he has ruined the handling that Mazda has spent millions developing by lowering his car this way. He just said that it's a miata so even with ruined handling it is still pretty tight.

UKGTR335 > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:07

I can appreciate the time, effort, and total dedication to a particular look. Clearly a lot of money and work here. But I don't get this look/style. It seems that in the pursuit of being "different" things like practicality and utility are thrown out the window. If you ask "Why" the only answer is "Because."

It's like if someone sculpted a dog turd into a mini replica of Michelangelo's David, I would be impressed by the skill and effort involved. But I wouldn't put it on my mantle.

Built BMW Tough > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:11

Having a car that low on coilovers seems incredibly inconvenient. I wonder where it pays off.

Roadster Man > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:11

Bring it on! I'd never go that low myself, but my Miata is on some used Flyin' Miata springs so I'm lowered about 2". I can tell you there is no performance lost whatsoever- more like a performance gain since the guys at FM race Miatas and don't much care about stance. In my opinion, anyone who thinks that a Miata looks better with the stock monster truck stance than tastefully lowered is a bit nuts. Still, it's just fine with me and it all comes down to personal taste. People saying there's a "wrong" way to customize a Miata (or any car) need to get off that high horse.

And by the way, looks can be very deceiving- I'll bet that this dude can turn the wheels to full lock without rubbing. When the suspension is being compressed, that might be a different story... But if you put enough time and effort into the fitment, you can pull off some crazy stuff without any rubbing.

The Stig's Rustbelt Cousin > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:11

RA: I mean, the suspension itself improves handling somewhat, even at its current state.

And there, he claims he's improved the handling of his vehicle.

God, I can't wait until this stupid lowered/stanced/hellaflush nonsense fades away like the rest of the idiotic car fads that have come and gone.

DRobin78 > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:13

Good article but I completely hate this the whole concept of ruining a car because it "looks cool". It just seems asinine, you should appreciate a car for its own merits.

Maxaxle > Xedicon
09/13/2013 at 12:25

It's worth noting that lowering at all can be a pain when you're going over curbs.

Also: REALLY REALLY REALLY don't just chop the original suspension and call it a day. You get zero performance benefits from it.

DRobin78 > GhostZ
09/13/2013 at 12:26

Kinja'd!!!

DRobin78 > Roadster Man
09/13/2013 at 12:29

You're like the car equivalent of a Harley rider.

Brian Tschiegg > Roadster Man
09/13/2013 at 12:35

"People saying there's a "wrong" way to customize a Miata (or any car) need to get off that high horse."

THANK YOU! This is the point that I'm trying to get at with this series. We're all car guys and we should appreciate the time and effort that others put in even if you don't like the look personally.

PS. Your Miata sounds pretty cool. You should share over at Oppositelock. We'd like to see it and we (mostly) play nice.

United States Ghost > boxjohn
09/13/2013 at 12:43

Actually, I'd take points away for ruining an otherwise fine Miata. But that would leave us at less than zero, so, excuse me, I've got to go let my head explode.

boxjohn > United States Ghost
09/13/2013 at 12:45

Yeah I was being charitable.

Can there be a rule no one interviews an owner who implies the exhaust has fallen off MULTIPLE TIMES due to what he's done to a car?

Roadster Man > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:49

No, thank you! I'm glad that there's still a big presence of people simply admiring other peoples' dedication to their cars. It's what brings all of us together under the "car guy" umbrella, whether you are into Bosozoku style or you like to go mudding in your Jeep.

I'll definitely share my miata once I fix the fender and put a set of wheels on it. I had it parked in front of my house and it got hit by a trailer. Right now it's looking pretty Mad Max with a crunched fender exposing 2 different colored layers of plasti-dip.

Menebrio > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 12:49

Ryan has the worst transmission. If I where him, I'd change it to:

Ryan Manual

Ryan Three-pedals

Ryan Clutch

Ryan Shifter

Ryan Short-throw (actually scratch that one)

ED9man2 > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 13:20

This is a load of shit, a stock Miata would destroy this car in any objective handling measure.

The World of Vee > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 13:23

I know stance gets a lot of flak on here but I too love the way the cars just look like cohesive units when there isn't wheel gap then when there is. Case in point, over the years, cars have been eliminating wheel gap. even if you're not scraping the floor, wheel gap is the enemy.

My TL isn't stanced but it's on coils and it looks (imo) great and my old C5 S6 (RIP) was on coils as well. The E39M5 I bought to replace it is unmodified. but I think that there are tastes of every style in the world and lots of cars look good if done properly in a particular style

the only one I can't really understand? Donks, but hey people love em, so that's fine by me

Brian Tschiegg > Menebrio
09/13/2013 at 13:36

Hahahaha it's actually a play on his last name, Manuel. I would definitely not suggest that last one though.

Brian Tschiegg > The World of Vee
09/13/2013 at 13:39

Actually, I have some requests out for an interview with people who own Donks, so look for that coming up. The point of these articles is to give some insight into other car subcultures that we might not understand or like but should appreciate because they are people who love their cars as much as we do.

Scotty J > Brian Tschiegg
09/13/2013 at 13:49

Your car is too damn low.

Kinja'd!!!

Randomcomment > GhostZ
09/13/2013 at 14:16

Agreed. Stanced = Stupid. You functionally ruin a car for "aesthetic" reasons when honestly they look terrible. But hey if you want to piss away your money that way guys like him are happy to help.

Malforus > ejp
09/13/2013 at 14:18

Yeah its probably because the car's suspension was dead and now it at least has some spring to it.

That said, lowering the car that much as he stated throws the suspension tuning out the window. There is now way it can handle as good as a normal miata running the same rubber if only (but not soley) because his rear contact patches are compromised.

Squid > LodestarRunner
09/13/2013 at 14:20

Yeah I read that part. . . But did that happen before or after he put a hole in an oilpan?

Gloffgloff > Brian Tschiegg
09/14/2013 at 02:50

This is the car that got me to appreciate Stanced cars:

Kinja'd!!!

For the uninitiated, this is Mike Burroughs BMW E9. I also liked Rusty Slammington even though I first though "who would ruin an E28 like that" Now I appreciate the chopped look that it was before it was destroyed. He took a style that had never been implemented on a Euro Sedan (that I've seen) and implemented it. My E30 is lowered 1.5" and that's all I really need (besides camber plates up front to reduce the understeer this has caused.) I wouldn't go lower, but I can appreciate a Stanced car now.

Brian Tschiegg > Gloffgloff
09/14/2013 at 15:31

That car is absolutely gorgeous. Please excuse me, I'll be alone in my bunk.

jojowasher > Brian Tschiegg
09/14/2013 at 17:59

But even just a few years ago, seeing an e30 dragging its ass would have been a rare sight

huh? where have you been? car people have been lowering cars for years, in the early nineties I had an '84 CRX that was ridiculously low, hit the bump stops all the time, and my buddy had an '88 BMW 318 that was low enough that he cracked the oil pan on a speed bump.

Gloffgloff > Brian Tschiegg
09/16/2013 at 00:10

Read

The Story on this car is pretty good, lots of high res photos too.