The M3 shell is stiffer (IIRC around 30% stiffer) than a standard e30 2 dr shell...bss325i wrote:Why wont it handle as well? The floor pans, chassis rails, bulkhead, inner arches, inner wings, strut towers etc are the same between M3 shells and normal 2dr shells, so if they were equally upgraded as you say, there would be no difference.DawieM3 wrote:AlpineAde wrote:
There's no reason why a 318i could not be made to handle very well indeed.
second that!
I agree that you can improve the 318i and get it to handle well, but lets be serious here, its never going to handle to an equally upgraded m3. If it did then everyone would simply fit S14`s into a 318i as they are cheaper and easier to find. Just my 2p worth.
The improvements of an M3 shell over a standard shell were to accomodate wider wheels and improve aerodynamics.
Front and rear screens are bonded, different roofpanel, different rear screen rake, corresponding boot size opening smaller and different front and rear wings/qtrs...
Even the doors are slightly different (no trim mouldings)...In fact, only the bonnet lid is the same major bodywork part in common...
The front ARB pick ups are different and the strut angle is different. The wheel bearings are larger, too and the steering rack is quicker.
However, I'm sure that you could make a standard E30 (especially a LHD one) handle 99% as well as an M3 with similar mods.
For engine choice, personally I'd go for either an M10 (on carbs or slide throttles) or an M20b27 again on carbs or slide throttles/mechanical injection
If you were allowed (regulation wise) to change the engine type, then an S50b32 would be ideal...
Interesting to note, though, that E30 M3s are still competitive in the Kumho series (class A and B), whereas there aren't many non M3 e30s in the championship at all
