My Torrid Affair With A BMW E30 Track Car

"Andrew Fails" (fails) 09/15/2015 at 23:28 • Filed to: BMW, E30, 3 series, track car, racecar, becauseracecar, review, M3, street legal, Kansas City, KC, midwest

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My first reaction upon experiencing a full throttle pull from the passenger seat was to mutter, “fucking hell…”, and then burst out laughing.

I recently waxed poetically, or neurotically, about the purity of sensation. I spoke about sensation being a more prized trait than outright speed. That school of thought is what lead me to motorcycles and Mini Coopers. I used to tell everyone that the Cooper S drove like a go kart. I no longer think that. After crawling out of the BMW E30 track car built by Kingston Zellich, my little Mini feels as floaty as a Cadillac Deville. And I do mean crawling. Roll cages, plus six point harnesses, plus fixed bucket seats call for some contorting to extricate yourself.

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This car represented a lot of “first times” for me:

First time driving anything with a roll cage.

First time wearing six point harnesses.

First time driving on r-compound tires.

First time driving a gutted car.

First time driving a track car.

There were a lot of preconceived notions before I went for my first ride. I knew exactly what I was getting into. A track prepped E30, on city streets, in late summer, in Kansas City? This was going to be rough. I anticipated a raspy, crackling, backfiring exhaust, like on the rally cars I’d cheered on at the Rally in the 100 Acres Wood. I expected steering that would be exhausting to maneuver at lower speeds, like some of the karts I had raced. I foresaw an interior so loud and full of rattles that sitting inside a cement mixer might be a more pleasant evening. Lastly, I KNEW that the suspension would be positively spine crushing. The type of ride where every little pebble or grate was in danger of knocking a filling loose, or a kidney. The kind of experience where all you want to do afterwards is lay in the shower and cry, like the little nancy that you are.

But as the blacked out Bavarian rolled up, it sounded no louder than anything else on the street. Hell, my old pickup truck had probably made more noise. Was this the infamous Siobhan? I thought we were driving a track car: a caged up, battle hardened weapon of wheel to wheel aggression. This certainly did not seem like that. But then again, he did exit that traffic circle fairly quickly. Perhaps this might be more than meets the eye.

For a little background, this E30 started out as a humble 1988 BMW 325. Things have changed a bit since those early days of fuel efficiency commuting. Since then, it has commandeered the engine and transmission from an E36 M3. In addition to the sizeable power increase, there are also the usual suspects of Eibach, Sparco, AKG, Koni, Recaro, and Momo. I won’t go into too many specifics, because this car is so much more than the sum of its parts. When heavily modifying a car, especially the suspension, it is incredibly easy to make things worse. The original engineers spent years, and millions of dollars designing the initial setup. You can ruin it with a few hundred dollars and an eBay account. Luckily, Kingston did not. Every detail of this car has been achingly fine-tuned, from the degree of camber, to the springs on the shifter linkage.

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In the age of ADHD, everything has to have an infinite number of purposes. Your phone can’t be just a phone, it needs to send email, and direct traffic, and play games, and transfer money, and control your alarm, and start your car, and find you anonymous strangers to have filthy, filthy encounters with. All of that, and it tends to not be the best at making calls. It tries to do too much. It’s the same way that Applebee’s food is fair to middling, because they try to cater to every possible genre. Whereas Gates BBQ (local reference!) does one thing: barbecue. If you don’t like it, get out. Because of that narrow focus, the quality will always supersede that of a mass market appeal family restaurant. This particular E30 is the same way. It has one purpose: be as hilariously, irresponsibly as fun as possible. Not the fastest. Not the best cornering. Not even the loudest. Just the most fun. It succeeds admirably.

The experience inside the vehicle is so incongruous with that outside that it is downright jarring. The unusual decision to keep the stock exhaust keeps everything on the outside fairly tame. But inside is a different tale. All you hear is engine. Not exhaust, but combustion. This takes a bit of getting used to. There are plenty of cars that deafen by way of loud pipes. Look at anything from AMG. But this E30, with its gutted interior, pummels you with induction. The noise is all encompassing. Sit inside a Marshall half-stack, have someone hit a power chord, and you have an idea what it’s like. Everything resonates.

That powerplant is mated to the tightest shifter this side of a GSX-R. Every possible impediment to shifter feel has been removed. You hear that utterly satisfying metal-on-metal clack as you grab the next gear. But this isn’t your standard B&M short shifter. The shift lever sits up high, like the sequential lever in a WRC car. The throws are so short and tight, that it actually is worse the more you think about it. Stop fussing around. Grab that polyurethane knob, stomp the clutch to the bare floor, and bang it into another gear. Don’t ease into it. Don’t feather it. If you want a gear, reach into the whirring guts and grab it, you sissy. This is not a car of half measures.

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This car rewards decisiveness. Insecurity with the throttle causes the engine to stutter. If you want to speed up, keep that tach needle above four grand. If you want to slow down, square up the wheel and bury the brake pedal. You’re not going to lock up the Toyo RA1s. Trust me, I tried. But it is possible to spin them all the way through first gear. Ask me how I know.

The ride quality is honestly better than I expected. I’ve driven $90,000 cars that were worse on the broken pavement of the Midwest. That isn’t to say that the suspension is soft. Far from it. But unlike the vast majority of cars I drive, the E30 actually has a reasonable sidewall on the tire. This introduces just enough compliancy to make things tolerable. You still feel everything, and an errant speedbump or pothole might liberate you of your oil pan, but it is possible to drive it on public streets without internal hemorrhaging.

So, is the E30 fast? Well, there’s not much top end. At the far reaches of 5th gear, you might kiss 140. But the flip side of that short gearing is that it will reach 80 or 90 much quicker than you expect it to. But remember, while this is a track focused car, it is not developed for any specific racing series. So that means you’re not chasing every fraction of a horsepower, it just needs to make you smile. Which it does every single time you turn the wheel. The combination of low weight, high revs, and short gearing makes it feel fast. And isn’t that what we want at the end of the day?

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I routinely drive some fairly ridiculous cars. Less than 24 hours before climbing into the BMW, I was driving a 545 horsepower Nissan GT-R. Of course the GT-R is faster. It is a feat of engineering, and I didn’t want to give up the keys. But the GT-R is entertaining sheerly because of the technical prowess it brings to the table. Kingston’s E30 is a wonder because of what it forces me to bring to bear.

There are no traction control systems.
No torque vectoring.
No anti lock brakes.

It will do exactly what you tell it. No more. No less. Because of that, I love it. Each minute in wrapped in the deep bucket seats, surrounded by the half cage, brings that much more comfort, and confidence in the chassis. You start to get on the throttle a bit earlier, or carry a bit more speed through the chicane, or run the revs just a bit higher. That car is a blank canvas upon which you can create moving art. If you’ve got the nerves.

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Fails is a freelance photographer who sometimes pretends to be literate. You can see his portfolio at !!!error: Indecipherable SUB-paragraph formatting!!! . He is talking in third person because it makes him feel mysterious.

Gary Yogurt > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 08:51

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Four doors AND big bumpers! <3

PassionRedXC60RD > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 08:59

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I live in KC. I need to see this car.

Gary Yogurt > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:01

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Is it pretty common to ditch the ABS? Every US E30 after 1985 came with it. Mine actually worked and was nice to have on the street at least.

Fuzzy86 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:05

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I'm sitting here thinking that you could turn that into a pretty good sleeper if you remove the decals and put some stock looking wheels on it. You'd have to tint the window too. The cage makes it a bit obvious it's designed for the track.

Will with a W8 races an E30 > Gary Yogurt 09/16/2015 at 09:10

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The ABS is great on the track! If you hit it, you know you’ve gone too far, but without flat spotting your tires.

Andrew Fails > PassionRedXC60RD 09/16/2015 at 09:10

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That can probably be arranged.

Equana > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:11

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Thanks for the article on a car that requires a driver. No nannies to help... all driver.

I love a race car with license plates.

Andrew Fails > Fuzzy86 09/16/2015 at 09:11

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Normally it runs a different wheel and tire setup for the street, but the owner was nice enough to throw on the R compounds for me.

Insert Clever Name Here > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:12

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I completely understand. Everyone wants to know how “fast” it is...somehow my response of “ No, no...it’s a track car”, doesn’t really convey what I’m trying to say.

Gonemad > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:12

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He was right about the sidewalls. It has more shoulders than my bog standard 185/65 R 14 or an 80’s videoclip with women in fancy dresses.

Andrew Fails > Equana 09/16/2015 at 09:17

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I now need a street legal track car.

Andrew Fails > Insert Clever Name Here 09/16/2015 at 09:19

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Hnnngh.... Datsun track car...

The_Phalanx > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:20

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Nicely done! That looks like a lot of fun.

Alabimmer > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:21

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What a great story! I’m working on a 1987 BMW 325 myself, but I’m not making it a track car. If I were, I’d want one like this.

Laserz > Fuzzy86 09/16/2015 at 09:22

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sleeper implies the car is fast.....

Andrew Fails > The_Phalanx 09/16/2015 at 09:32

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That little thing was an absolute riot.

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:35

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I had a dream about my e30 last night. It was broken down in a parking lot, surrounded by high school girls. And for reasons only a dream interpreter can tell you, the fuel pump was mounted in the dash right above the steering colum, being shaken loose, and missing a hose clamp. It definitely was going to kill me.

For no reason I can surmise, the headlights would also stay on. Obviously, the only way to remedy my situation was to remove the rear seats and parcel shelf and do some dusting, obviously.

Dreams are weird.

berzerkley > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:35

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KC Native as well, second this!

The_Phalanx > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:38

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I just read your article about bikes too, well done! I too engage in mobile warfare with my CBR1100XX. I too hear the siren song of Speed and Risk. Strangely, the louder Speed calls the less I hear Risk. A dangerous dance indeed.

Insert Clever Name Here > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:39

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I know, not that unusual unless you live in Colorado where it’s all Subi’s and V8’s

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > Gary Yogurt 09/16/2015 at 09:40

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Not sure, my 85 doesn’t have such luxuries, but they were annoying as hell in my previous car. I’m thinking of removing the power steering, I hear it’s hard to tell the difference, and on my 205 3 seasons I probably can’t.

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > Laserz 09/16/2015 at 09:41

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Flagged for hate speech with intentions to incite a riot.

SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 09:42

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SpecE30?

Gary Yogurt > Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears 09/16/2015 at 09:45

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I should have been more clear, standard ABS started with the ‘86 model year. I’ve driven many cars without power steering, including a 318is E30 and a 325 E30. For city driving it’s almost unbearable, even with the lighter 318. Parallel parking in tight spaces can require pretty violent wheel turning. It’s annoying for a daily driver and even feels dangerous when you’re in a crowded environment.

Andrew Fails > The_Phalanx 09/16/2015 at 09:53

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Oh that looks like a spectacularly bad idea.

Andrew Fails > berzerkley 09/16/2015 at 09:55

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Also, I’m always looking for interesting stories. So if you, or anyone you know has an interesting vehicle, let me know.

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > Gary Yogurt 09/16/2015 at 09:57

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I knew what you meant, you were clear enough. My old civic didn’t have power steering and was a total breeze to drive. The previous owner called it the “bicep builder” but I just aired the tires up to the correct psi and it was just fine. Pretty sure it had 205 tires also. This e30, with a big steering wheel and about 40 turns lock to lock should be fine too, at least that's what all the forums say. I did drive a stripped and dumped 510 and it was a bitch to drive, no power anything, so yeah I can see some cars being worse than others.

Fuzzy86 > Laserz 09/16/2015 at 10:01

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Top speed isn’t everything. I loved my Mazda B2200 that would only do 85 going down hill with a tail wind. It handled hilariously well and got up to speed very quickly due to the 4.56 gears in the back. It didn't get particularly good mileage though.

akant > PassionRedXC60RD 09/16/2015 at 10:02

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Me too! Always cool to hear about local stuff

sobe_death > Insert Clever Name Here 09/16/2015 at 10:08

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I know the feeling! My ‘79 Civic slackens jaws around here. Lit’rally every WRX I see has wanted to race me because of the flares and wide tires.

KLMJR323M3 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 10:31

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I have a highly tuned suspension in my E36M3. Everything from all my bushings being updated poly, every suspension adjustment that can be made, sway and strut bars on every quadrant, and updated steering rack - and would still probably prefer driving the E30 with all of the same upgrades with the S52.

People can't truly understand the E30 and E36's handling until they've driven one.

bigrig3 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 10:36

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Any pics of the interior? I looked at the original source and your site but didn’t see any, just out of pure curiosity. Great writeup btw!

InfinityAero > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 10:38

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Every time I see an E30 I feel a sharp pang of regret and sadness. Somehow these lyrics feel fitting to the loved & lost relationship I have with this car:

And did they get you to trade
Your heroes for ghosts?
Hot ashes for trees?
Hot air for a cool breeze?
Cold comfort for change?
And did you exchange
A walk on part in the war
For a lead role in a cage?

After an E30, almost every car feels like a cage.

Andrew Fails > bigrig3 09/16/2015 at 10:43

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Thanks! And I think I took one of the gauge cluster, but that’s it. We were a bit crunched for time. Sorry!

Andrew Fails > InfinityAero 09/16/2015 at 10:46

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Beautiful words. My Mini felt so incredibly soft and numb after driving the E30.

WiscoProud > InfinityAero 09/16/2015 at 10:53

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I did not expect to see Floyd lyrics in the comment section. Well done.

Scaggnetti > PassionRedXC60RD 09/16/2015 at 11:05

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KC native as well, would love to see the car. There are not enough machines built like this around here!

nerelaru > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:06

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Start working at home with Google! It’s by-far the best job I’ve had. Last Wednesday I got a brand new BMW since getting a check for $6474 this - 4 weeks past. I began this 8-months ago and immediately was bringing home at least $77 per hour. I work through this link, go to tech tab for work detail.

+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+_+ http://www.online-jobs9.com

Scaggnetti > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:08

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A KC car and a Gates reference! Winning!

NotEnoughBMWs > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:11

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Since we are showing track riots, here is my work in progress. No cage yet. Stock M50NV with ZF 5speed swap and leaking head gasket mod. Stock auto 4.10 diff is a blast. It all sits on GC coilovers.

Rootbeer Racinette > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:13

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I’m driving a ‘77 930 with my dad from San Francisco to Vancouver along the coast highway in two weeks. It’s a former track car with a blown engine that was swapped for a late eighties 3.2 carrera engine. It’s been a process getting it running...and now we’re going to see if it can make the trip. We’re giving ourselves a week. Let me know if that’s of interest to you.

Andrew Fails > Rootbeer Racinette 09/16/2015 at 11:22

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I am 100% interested.

xXxGeNeRiCxXx > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:25

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If you’re in the KC area and would be interested, I could try and set you up with a guy who has a 458 italia, 360, and a Formula Mazda Racecar.

Andrew Fails > Scaggnetti 09/16/2015 at 11:26

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I debated going a bit more offbeat, and reference Bates City BBQ, but figured I should hit the big local name.

Andrew Fails > xXxGeNeRiCxXx 09/16/2015 at 11:34

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I am absolutely interested in all of those things. I’m in the Northland, but regularly roam all over KC for work. Feel free to hit me up at andrew@failsphotography.com

JustAnotherG6 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 11:45

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Gates has by far and away the best sauce in all of KC. Especially when it is late at night and you drove hours to KC and you find yourself mere blocks off of Broadway looking for barbecue.

Oklahoma Joe’s is a damn fine place as well.

dropdeaddate > SnapUndersteer, Italian Spiderman 09/16/2015 at 11:49

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Not with an E36 M3 engine and tranny...

PNW20v > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 12:07

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I can only imagine what this feels like lol. Lotsa fun. My only comparison is a 80’s, Volvo 240 I have that has everything behind the front seats stripped. That is easily 10 times more fun than a normal weight 240, so I cant fathom how much fun a prepped E30 like this would be..... Someday.

Andrew Fails > PNW20v 09/16/2015 at 12:09

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It’s quite possibly the most visceral car I’ve ever driven.

JMB > bigrig3 09/16/2015 at 12:16

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Here is the interior from last year (5/14):

http://thumbsnap.com/8MBmqcdn

or about 3/4 of the way down:

http://www.pistonheads.com/gassing/topic.…

I was expecting it to be a lot more gutted . . . but maybe it has been fully gutted.

But I like the gear shifter. :)

PNW20v > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 12:24

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That sounds just about like what I would expect. Glad you got to take it for a spin!

Achieve > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 12:28

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This article may, MAY have enticed me to build an E30 drift car. And I hate drifting. Until now’ish. Thank you. I think.

Andrew Fails > Achieve 09/16/2015 at 12:36

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You’re welcome? Let me know if you need a second opinion on it once it’s done.

gregoryw > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 12:49

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If you’re going to wreck on track, you’re better off wrecking in an E90.

AnonyMoose > Insert Clever Name Here 09/16/2015 at 13:04

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I usually reply with “through the corners and in the brake zones, itwill twist your neck and bang your helmet against the cage” when someone asks about my Spec Miata. “Of course, on the top end, I’m lucky to kiss 110mph on a long straight...”

zdkfocus > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 13:09

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Great story, and what an awesome car. I'd love to have a toy like this.

Mibo > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 13:21

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I have an E30 325is. It’s not a pretty car. A great many of it’s parts have been picked out of cadavers at the local bone yard. It leaks. I have to work on it most weekends. People ask all the time why I bother. Then I read this quote, “ It has one purpose: be as hilariously, irresponsibly as fun as possible. Not the fastest. Not the best cornering. Not even the loudest. Just the most fun.” This is exactly what I try to get across on the rare occasion I bother to try to explain myself.

Wilky Way > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 13:24

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Wohoo! Kansas City!

Andrew Fails > Wilky Way 09/16/2015 at 13:29

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KCMO!

PassionRedXC60RD > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 13:57

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I’m not sure how to take this private but I would literally love to see this car! I am in the overland park area.

PassionRedXC60RD > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 13:58

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I know a guy who built a water salvage 612 scagletti back to pristine OEM condition, drives a maseratti quattroporte and has an alpha 162 (I think?) He loves Pininfarina...

PassionRedXC60RD > xXxGeNeRiCxXx 09/16/2015 at 14:00

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I see this 458 nearly every nice weekend in the 135th/Metcalf area. Super nice looking car! Was he getting a windshield installed at KCTrends last week?

bigrig3 > JMB 09/16/2015 at 14:05

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Awesome - thanks for posting!

Andrew Fails > PassionRedXC60RD 09/16/2015 at 14:07

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That is an astounding collection. I got to drive a Quattroporte a few weeks ago, but just across town, so didn’t get a feel for it.

As for seeing the E30, shoot me an email at andrew@failsphotography.com and we can try to coordinate something with the owner.

rigidjunkie > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 14:48

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All this and no interior pics :( When car people ask me about my Miata I always struggle to explain why I prefer it to the more powerful cars I owned before, this article explains it. When you have a car that has to drive around with the family you can’t focus it enough to be as much fun as something purpose built to be fun. My car is probably half way to where I want it, with the goal being fun track car that can still be driven to tracks. I like that this car runs the same TR wheels I have :)

shhhh-I-Am-At-Work > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 15:07

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You make a whole section about talking how the interior is stripped ect. but no picture of it :(

Andrew Fails > rigidjunkie 09/16/2015 at 15:12

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I always forget to do interior stuff, as I never think people are going to be interested in it.

And I’m always proven wrong. Eventually I’ll learn.

Andrew Fails > shhhh-I-Am-At-Work 09/16/2015 at 15:14

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Sorry! I always forget to get interior shots.

Equana > Insert Clever Name Here 09/16/2015 at 15:23

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I’m drooling on my keyboard... Nice Car!

rigidjunkie > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 15:37

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When people say gutted I always want to see exactly what they mean. I have driven Miata’s with no carpets and on dashboard both were refereed to as gutted but the difference was amazing.

Kingston > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 15:41

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Hello! What an absolute thrill to see my car get featured here! I love the article that Andrew wrote! I will try to address a couple of comments on here...

The ABS never worked on the car under my ownership. The heavy ABS pump is still in the car; deleting that will happen soon. The car runs a Massive Engineering ‘Sport’ 300mm BBL up front, which utilizes Wilwood Superlite calipers. The street setup is EBC Green Stuffs front and rear. The track setup gets Hawk HT-10s... Rear brake calipers and rotors are OEM.

Regarding the interior, the dash is still in the car, as are the stock door cards (hey, I like old DTM E30 M3s). Power windows, locks, actuators, mirrors have all been deleted and the wiring removed. The sunroof remains...for now. The cage was welded in by Ross Gredys/Rebellion Forge (who also set up the strut housings up front for the coilover sleeves), and while there is a stock inertia reel seat belt for the driver, the passenger has to make do with G-Force 6-point harnesses (also installed on the driver’s side).

Laserz, the car is perhaps not geared for top end, but I can promise you, she dances a lot better than stock E30s. Fuzzy86 summed it up pretty well...

The final thing i want to say is that this car was not a solo effort; I had a lot of help from friends building her; In Kansas City, my friends Tim England, Anders Nelson and especially Bob Buxbaum helped with the build. And Levent Erhamza of Guten Parts in New Jersey found some of the coolest parts that made their way onto Siobhan. I have learned a ton from countless other enthusiasts, both locally and on forums.

Anyone who wants to see the car, feel free to reach out to me at rkzellich@gmail.com. I am flattered to hear that people like my car so much; I know I do, but you never know what other people will think of your pride and joy.

To anyone wanting to build a track E30...man, just do it! The smile that car puts on y face on the street or track is ridiculous!

Thanks again to Andrew Fails for making Siobhan look so good!!

Spitfi-r > Gary Yogurt 09/16/2015 at 16:33

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I drive my no power steering e30 with an e36 (“faster” rack) small diameter wheel and 225 RA1’s. Sure parallel parking is tough, but the rest is fine. As long as you are moving just a little bit I don’t even think about it.

PS: I work a white collar job and never go to the gym.

Kingston > Kingston 09/16/2015 at 18:05

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* BBK

Kingston > zdkfocus 09/16/2015 at 18:07

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Thank you! I think Andrew did a great job capturing the spirit of the car!

kess540 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 18:57

1

I’ve got a e34 540i6 you’re welcome to check out... usually gets a lot of looks, and comments at DE’s. Wondering what’s in it, but the drivetrain is pretty much stock. lol I know Kingston also

Gary Yogurt > Spitfi-r 09/16/2015 at 19:26

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I’m no slouch at a sturdy 6’3”. I really don’t think I’m quick enough without power steering in an E30.

Andrew Fails > kess540 09/16/2015 at 20:14

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Please email me at andrew@failsphotography.com, and we might be able to schedule something. I’m busy with photoshoots for a couple weeks, but want to start booking review stuff for after that.

6670charger > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 22:30

2

I daily drive an 88 E30 325ic and love it!!

x87172 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 22:39

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After crawling out of the BMW E30 track car built by Kingston Zellich, my little Mini feels as floaty as a Cadillac Deville.

This is so true of “modern” cars. My primary daily driver is an E30, and as a result, it honestly exhausts me to maneuver a 2015 Honda Civic - there’s so many computers involved it feels like fuzzy steering by wire.

In just 25 years, the driving experience has been lost. I’m not entranced by modern cars - even something as impressive as the GT-R. Sometimes (read: Veyron), I sometimes find myself simply saying, “Who cares?”

My E30 accelerates slower. It’s top speed is lower. It doesn’t have any color screens. It doesn’t have steering wheel controls, or Bluetooth. Hell, the doors don’t even lock!

I don’t want the best of 2015. I want the best of 1989, I want the best of 1959, I want the best of 1963.

I want something I can enjoy, not something I’ll hate and get rid of after 4 years for a quarter of what I paid. I want something I can pick up a wrench and fix myself.

To me, new or old, future or past, that’s the best of 2015.

(The X5 does have an awesome heads-up display though.)

CCarey35 > Kingston 09/16/2015 at 23:32

1

What are you running for suspension (if it isn’t top secret that is)? I daily drive (when its too snowy for the Ducati) an 87 325IS thats been my perepetual money pit/ track build for a few years now. I’ve currently got H&R race springs with Billstein Sports (Spec E30 setup) and its not as good on the battered streets of Boston, or the rougher tracks for that matter as I’d like it to be and am thinking about making the switch to coilovers.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > x87172 09/16/2015 at 23:42

1

I do understand what you’re saying but this is an enthusiast site. We are the last ones who want our cars to be driving machines and not washing machines. I’m not saying that car culture is dying. It’s still alive and well, but most people just want to listen to their music and get to work on time and not have to worry about much of anything. And they also don’t want this:

TL:DR

I understand your point and old cars are cool and fun but most people just want to check their TwitterFaceGram and not die in a crash. Not trying to take away from your point but just saying that enthusiasts are the only ones who really love old cars.

superdave847 > Andrew Fails 09/16/2015 at 23:49

0

I live in STL. I need to see this car.

x87172 > Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap 09/17/2015 at 00:58

0

Absolutely spot-on.

I do wish that more new cars were more like old cars in the sense that they were more than A-to-B machines (but of course with modern technology, safety, reliability).

The Civics and Corollas have essentially coasted off their reliability and resale value to create a culture of blandness, and most people don’t even know what they’re missing from the driving experience because they’re so pumped about their new gadgets.

But, of course, my pipe dream will never happen because driving will never be an experience for most people again. Texting, Snapchatting, and talking are now the main events and the (soon to be self-driving) car is the venue.

Sorry, I really need to get my ramblings under control. I always write these things on my phone too without realizing how long they’re going to be.

nordschleifeflo > Andrew Fails 09/17/2015 at 04:56

2

I have been Co-pilot in an E30 318is at Nürburgring Nordschleife in a series called RCN-GLP and it was a lot of fun. It also had a full roll cage and absolutely no unnecessary weight, so even with only 140 hp it was pretty fast around that legendary track.

Spitfi-r > Gary Yogurt 09/17/2015 at 08:05

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I also have the proper “bypass plate” so I’m not fighting fluid or pressure in the rack.

Daily Drives a Dragon - One Last Lap > x87172 09/17/2015 at 08:29

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It wasn't that out of control.

Gary Yogurt > Spitfi-r 09/17/2015 at 08:35

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I am not a smart man.

Kingston > CCarey35 09/17/2015 at 09:36

0

The suspension is essentially a Ground Control coilover kit that Ross Gredys in Omaha put together for his car, then I bought it when he decided to go 5 lug - it was never mounted on his car. The struts/shocks are Koni Yellows (single adjustable) with Eibach springs in 550# front and 650# rear rates. The rear spring perches are Ireland Engineering parts, the fronts are just generic ones that were the right diameter for the strut housings. I added the Ground Control ‘Race’ Camber/Caster plates up front, and am running the Caster maxxed out, and -3.5 degrees camber. The rear subframe bushings and trailing arm bushings are AKG poly parts; the front control arm bushings are M3-offset bushings, and are the only non-poly bushing left on the car. The Konis are set to about 80% to full firmness front and rear. Hope that helps!

xXxGeNeRiCxXx > PassionRedXC60RD 09/17/2015 at 10:36

0

Probably not, we’re up in the northland so that would be a bit of a drive to get down there. I could be wrong though, is it a white one with a black roof?

PassionRedXC60RD > xXxGeNeRiCxXx 09/17/2015 at 10:49

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Nope, the one I see is red.

phirzcol > Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears 09/17/2015 at 21:54

0

Your dreams are telling you to use protection and not be promiscuous

chiefstinky > Andrew Fails 09/18/2015 at 03:01

1

https://www.facebook.com/166923707518/p… Dinan liked your article!

Micro-dosing Gawker's Tears > phirzcol 09/18/2015 at 09:26

0

You're over sexed and weak from all the rich foods you eat.

Andrew Fails > chiefstinky 09/18/2015 at 11:22

0

Holy crap! Thanks for sharing!

BD > Andrew Fails 09/20/2015 at 14:44

1

Awesome story and car. Why cant Doug be more like you Pat