e36 compact update. BBS content...

[harry_p]

So, decided to pull the m3s style 5s out of the shed and rebuild them ready for the m3 going back on the road sometime soon. went for a different look again and painted the centres zinnobar red to match the m3s bodywork.

Once finished, and after a single wheel trial run last weekend, i couldnt resist sticking them on the compact for a few weeks.

I can't believe how perfect they look, they sit absolutely spot on in the arches. i had to fold the lip on the back flat, and pull them a couple of mm, but wanted to keep the arches looking as stock as possible.

So, some pics...

[ImysE30]

WOW, they look absolutely stunning

Deep Dish FTW

[GrindCulture]

I think the red and blue is something I'm yet to be convinced about, but the wheels do suit it very nicely. Sorted compacts look pretty

[Jhonno]

That looks awesome!! Loves it!

[harry_p]

I think the red and blue is something I'm yet to be convinced about, but the wheels do suit it very nicely. Sorted compacts look pretty

Tbh, the red wasn't chosen for he compact, if they were staying on it I probably would have chosen something different. As it turned out, I think the colours work well together, mainly because it's a fairly dark blue, and a deep dark red. If either were lighter shades I probably wouldn't like them. Also helps that there's enough silver detail to break up the colour.

The local yoofs seem to approve too, came back to the car in a carpark and some lads in a modified corolla were sat a couple of spaces away, parked almost diagonally and looked transfixed by it!

[dips346]

i think that looks cool

[harry_p]

That looks awesome!! Loves it!

Cheers, loved it on the turbines, but these are a whole new level. Amazing what a difference a set of coilovers and nice wheels and a couple of minor tweeks make to an otherwise bottom of the range 1.6 runabout.

Although part of me would still like to have seen in as it was but with the wheels and suspension. Orange indicators and grey bumpers

[Jon_Bmw]

Harry, you are one of those annoying people who likes to do things 'properly.' You should definatly be the 'zone wheel connoisseur.'

I have told you before, but I still think you are slightly colour blind though.

Come on then, whats involved in cleaning/polishing the outside rims to that level AND maintaining them. I have a set on the 5 series you see.

[harry_p]

polishing them up isnt too tricky, just very time consuming / boring!

assuming yours are still lacquered, youll have to strip all that off, then sand out any pitting , diamond cut lines etc. start with the highest grade paper you can get away with, aas you need to work your way up through the grades of wet and dry, ending up with an even, satin silver p1500 or p2000 finish.

be warned, that can take many hours of arm aching boredom! i've yet to find a good mechanical way of doing it without risking taking too much metal off.

after that i use a drill mounted polishing kit i bought from machine mart. a coarse wheel and compound all over starts the shine, a buffing wheel and finer compound improves it, then a final hand polish.

maintaining them is another ball ache, to keep them gleaming they'll need polishing at least weekly, to keep a proper deep mirror shine like c76jons on his m3 they need cleaning after every journey

i dont have the time or energy for all that, so a nice shine is enough for me.

and don't even think about using them on a daily through the winter. salt will start to pit them within hours

[oldroydsr4]

Pm sent-

Will you sell the style 5's or M5 turbines?

[Zizzle]

Im Not A Fan Of Compacts...
But Thats Very Tasty...!

[bss325i]

What coilovers are you using?

[pacerpete]

What coilovers are you using?

Show us your Hartgeeees !

[bss325i]

What coilovers are you using?

Show us your Hartgeeees !

The 'pact is covered in shite from the winter weather. Ill wash the turd this week and chuck some pics up.

[mabz]

i got rid of my compact.lovely cars but i got bored.harry yours looks v.tasty as usual,i know theyre for your m3 but imagine them powdercoated white with the polished lip.white/blue combo's look the tits

[harry_p]

Bss, they're everyones favourites, some el cheapo hottuning coilovers

actually, the front ones are superb, very nicely made and the spring rates seem to suit the car well, neat little helper springs too so even wound right down the springs don't drop loose.

The back ends not so good though, pretty bouncy, much better when the cars loaded up, I assume they were designed for the max power Market and cars with half a ton of phat soundz in the boot ;)

[bss325i]

How do you find the ride.

My 'pact needs to be lower!

[harry_p]

As above, the front end feels spot on for a road car, firm, well controlled but never harsh. Mine are wound right down and the tyres are smaller than those normally on an e36 on 17s so ground clearance is an issue, but being coilovers you can set the height wherever you want.

The rears have never quite felt right, they seem to bounce which can make the whole car feel like it's nodding front to back, I keep meaning to try swapping the dampers for standard rears and see how that feels, or swap the springs for standard but keep the hottuning dampers in.

It's awesome fun to drive in the dry, real gokart chuckable, rather lively in slippery conditions.

Still think they're great little cars though, I can imagine one with a decent engine and an LSD is a right laugh.

[oldroydsr4]

Would you like to sell the style 5s or turbines?

[Ali-bumble]

Love the dish and the colour. They really set the car off

[Kos]

with decent engine you mean an M52 b28 ;)

quick question, can the back go lower ?

[e30topless]

I fookin hate compacts but for some reason this appeals to me

it looks really really good whats under the bonnet?

[Kos]

compacts are

http://www.e30zone.net/modules.php?name ... light=hack

[WeBuyAnyCar]

whats under the bonnet?

im guessing its a 318ti

[harry_p]

with decent engine you mean an M52 b28 ;)

quick question, can the back go lower ?

the back will go a fair bit lower, from memory there's about 10mm left on the rear adjusters, which will be even more at the wheels.

It wouldn't go lower with those wheels and tyres though without serious arch work and under load they scuff the underside of the arch part. I also prefer a slightly nose down stance rather than having too much tyre hidden under the rear arch.

It's a 100% bog standard m43 316i lump under the bonnet, just s mini cooper S exhaust trim to fill the bumper cutout.

[harry_p]

How it sit on the standard wheels,

[Rory_O]

sorry bro, it dosnt push my buttons to much on the e36, i love a set of deep 18" split spoke wheels on this style of BM. these are the wheels that i think look best but this is my opinion. i like that you like your choice in wheel

http://www.topgear.co.uk/acatalog/20_In ... r_BMW.html

[leeparkes]

Ive got 18" staggered E46 style 32's on my compact but want to change as the price of tyres are horrific (255/35/18 ) and (225/35/18 )




Those style 5's look bang on and i think red centre's would match my red leather nicely




What size tyres were you running?

[dazleeds]

mmmmm looking very nice with the red centres

i wonder will an e46 compact interior incl dash fit in a 36
add an m52 and some wheels and a drop jobdone uber

[harry_p]

Tyres are 215 45 front on 8x17 et20, 235 40 rear on 9x17 et24. slightly smaller than you're supposed to run on an e36 on 17s, but they suit the wheels, I think the standard 225 45 17 all round would work ok but the arches might need a slight massage.

[Kos]

with decent engine you mean an M52 b28 ;)

quick question, can the back go lower ?

the back will go a fair bit lower, from memory there's about 10mm left on the rear adjusters, which will be even more at the wheels.

It wouldn't go lower with those wheels and tyres though without serious arch work and under load they scuff the underside of the arch part. I also prefer a slightly nose down stance rather than having too much tyre hidden under the rear arch.

It's a 100% bog standard m43 316i lump under the bonnet, just s mini cooper S exhaust trim to fill the bumper cutout.

i like the nose down look as well