To Mtech or not - your views please - made up my mind

General E30 related discussions -
Please put technical questions in E30 Tech Help forum below

Moderator: martauto

User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:55 pm

Thinking of fitting a full Mtech II body kit, sports seats and Mtech II steering wheel to my Touring.

Would value your views - keep it standard or Mtech it?

It's my 40th this year and my wife is looking to get me something special for my car or buy me a project car.
Last edited by GC318 on Thu Jan 07, 2010 11:35 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Alex
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 22666
Joined: Fri Feb 11, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Johannesburg, South Africa

Tue Jan 05, 2010 6:59 pm

if you do it make sure you do it properly with all genuine parts etc, should look good
Joe-318i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 911
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Guildford/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:07 pm

probley the only things i would do, as it looks such a clean/tidy standard car
would be to lower it, just so it sits nicely on the bbs (if not already) and a set of sports seats :D
Last edited by Joe-318i on Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:09 pm, edited 1 time in total.
'83 320i chromie
'86 316 tech 1/M20B25 conversion

'91 318is touring
'87 chromie M10 rightness

Joe-318i
sihooker
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2172
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:07 pm

What wheels will be on the car?
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:08 pm

sihooker wrote:What wheels will be on the car?
BBS 15's
sihooker
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2172
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:10 pm

GC318 wrote:
sihooker wrote:What wheels will be on the car?
BBS 15's
No problems there then...Tech it! :D
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:29 pm

I Have some Mtech springs suitable for you car Graeme.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
capri_rob
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 9681
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: South Staffordshire

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:33 pm

I wouldn't bother with the bodykit - the car looks great as it is - but a set of undamaged sports seats will look great.

Maybe some SE skirts and an IS front lip if you feel that you absolutely have to stick stuff to that minty clean bodywork :mad:
Image

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
jonny323i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5428
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Stoke on trent

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:35 pm

i personally dont like the tech kits with bbs and slightly lowered i prefer the se kit
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:37 pm

bss325i wrote:I Have some Mtech springs suitable for you car Graeme.
hmmm, sounds good will have a chat when I pop down
Eddie25
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:37 pm

capri_rob wrote:I wouldn't bother with the bodykit - the car looks great as it is - but a set of undamaged sports seats will look great.

Maybe some SE skirts and an IS front lip if you feel that you absolutely have to stick stuff to that minty clean bodywork :mad:
+1

Failing that I think it would look great with some genuine Alpina morcels.
Eddie25
E30 Zone Newbie
E30 Zone Newbie
Posts: 37
Joined: Fri Dec 29, 2006 11:00 pm
Location: Gloucestershire

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:44 pm

Rightness.

Image
capri_rob
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 9681
Joined: Tue Feb 19, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: South Staffordshire

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:45 pm

If you want to make it a bit special and a bit different you could get a pair of Recaro's trimmed to match the rest of the interior ( or as near as you can get to BMW cloth ). BMW sports seats are nice but finding good ones seems to be getting harder - for what a mint set will cost you could probably pick up a pair of RS Turbo recaros and get a reasonable re-trim done.

A drop on the Mtech springs will look great with the BBS wheels 8)
Image

e30topless said : Proper BMW's have 4 headlights, last of the run was the E30 and E34/E32 anything after that is just complete shite
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 7:49 pm

Thanks for all the views so far guys, it's great help.

Looks like Mtech springs and sports seats are the front runners so far
jonny323i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5428
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Stoke on trent

Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:02 pm

mtec kits just trap water and rot
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:05 pm

jonny323i wrote:mtec kits just trap water and rot
good point
jonny323i
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Engaged to the E30 Zone
Posts: 5428
Joined: Mon Mar 14, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Stoke on trent

Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:07 pm

if you want a body kit and you can find one the hartge one is more subtle than the tech item
zaust
Zone day release
Posts: 13007
Joined: Sun Jan 09, 2005 11:00 pm
Location: Somewhere in Hertfordshire , or press Ctrl + W

Tue Jan 05, 2010 8:32 pm

Tech 1 kit :twisted:
M30 Tech 1 Touring on gas.
Image
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:07 pm

Looks like the springs could be sorted thanks to Barry
sihooker
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 2172
Joined: Fri Nov 07, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Hastings, East Sussex

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:12 pm

GC318 wrote:Looks like the springs could be sorted thanks to Barry
So now all you have to do is to decide how far you're going to go...
Ollie_bwoii
Married to the E30 Zone
Married to the E30 Zone
Posts: 8695
Joined: Sat May 17, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Northampton

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:15 pm

Never have been a great lover of Tec2 kits.

If it was my car I would just have an IS lip & Se skirts, lowered very subtly on 15" BBS. I have also found the jump from comfort seats to sports seats very worth while. 100% better.

I've also never been one for a Tec2 wheel, I tihnk the Tec1 wheels are much better looking.



Ask Alex for pics of his step dad's old touring, very nice. :drool:
Topblag
Old Skooler
Old Skooler
Posts: 7095
Joined: Wed Jul 30, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Fife - You got a problem with that ?

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:20 pm

jonny323i wrote:mtec kits just trap water and rot
Not if you put waxoyl in behind it and take it off once a year to check. If you leave it on and keep your fingers crossed, it'll lead to rot.

I've removed the Tech II kit from my Sport and there's no rot, and it hadn't been off for years (previous owner).
1990 325i Cab auto in Alpine White II
1988 Alpina C2.5 moredoor in Black, 71k
1990 325ix, moredoor auto in Laser Blue. 51k
1984 Hartge H35 in Black
2004 996 C4S in Silver 43k manual
2006 Audi S6 V10 in Black 58k
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:21 pm

hmmm I know Trevor has some SE sideskirts
e301988325i
E30 Zone Addict
E30 Zone Addict
Posts: 3701
Joined: Fri Feb 01, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Taunton, Somerset

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:23 pm

GC318 wrote:
jonny323i wrote:mtec kits just trap water and rot
good point
+3
I said:

Can anyone suggest how to test if the boot lights are staying on with the boot shut?

e30topless said:

lock the wife in there
Joe-318i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 911
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Guildford/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:27 pm

GC318 wrote:hmmm I know Trevor has some SE sideskirts
SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
'83 320i chromie
'86 316 tech 1/M20B25 conversion

'91 318is touring
'87 chromie M10 rightness

Joe-318i
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:30 pm

Joe-318i wrote:
GC318 wrote:hmmm I know Trevor has some SE sideskirts
SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
How easy was it Joe?
Joe-318i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 911
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Guildford/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:37 pm

GC318 wrote:
Joe-318i wrote:
GC318 wrote:hmmm I know Trevor has some SE sideskirts
SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
How easy was it Joe?
with the right clips, and a bit of time, it was'nt to bad, well worth doing i think :D
'83 320i chromie
'86 316 tech 1/M20B25 conversion

'91 318is touring
'87 chromie M10 rightness

Joe-318i
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:39 pm

Joe-318i wrote:
GC318 wrote:
Joe-318i wrote: SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
How easy was it Joe?
with the right clips, and a bit of time, it was'nt to bad, well worth doing i think :D
I have no mounts on the car at the moment, did you have to drill holes etc??
RicoSuave
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 270
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:40 pm

Joe-318i wrote: SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
I've got a pair of these skirts for sale in excellent original condition.

30 quid isn't a big cost for such a big improvement. PM me if you're interested. :wink:
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:41 pm

RicoSuave wrote:
Joe-318i wrote: SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
I've got a pair of these skirts for sale in excellent original condition.

30 quid isn't a big cost for such a big improvement. PM me if you're interested. :wink:
Thanks, will you in mind once I have decided which way I am going
RicoSuave
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 270
Joined: Tue Aug 04, 2009 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:43 pm

No worries dude. Whatever you decide to do I'm sure it will look ace seeing as you've got such a good base as it is.
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:50 pm

e301988325i wrote:
GC318 wrote:
jonny323i wrote:mtec kits just trap water and rot
good point
+3
They dont trap water as they are not water tight!

Its a comon misconception that they cause rot. They dont.

What happens is the car rots just like any other E30 but you dont notice it because its hidden by the kit. Then some poor soul removes the kit for whatever reason and finds the horrors that have built up over time.

Mines never been rusty and the kit haddn't been off for 18 years untill i had the car painted.

What can happen is if people retro fit them and dont protect the holes they have drilled and the rust and it spreads.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
User avatar
GC318
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 767
Joined: Sun May 25, 2008 11:00 pm

Tue Jan 05, 2010 9:52 pm

bss325i wrote:
e301988325i wrote:
GC318 wrote: good point
+3
They dont trap water as they are not water tight!

Its a comon misconception that they cause rot. They dont.

What happens is the car rots just like any other E30 but you dont notice it because its hidden by the kit. Then some poor soul removes the kit for whatever reason and finds the horrors that have built up over time.

Mines never been rusty and the kit haddn't been off for 18 years untill i had the car painted.

What can happen is if people retro fit them and dont protect the holes they have drilled and the rust and it spreads.
Cheers for that Barry, what's your view on my thoughts?
bss325i
E30 Zone Team Member
E30 Zone Team Member
Posts: 24536
Joined: Sat Jan 20, 2007 11:00 pm
Location: London/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:04 pm

Well, it all depends on what YOU want from your car as its yours. I'm all for a bit of speccing up from the options list and i too am fond of the tech 2 kit. A sterling silver tech 2 kitted touring on BBS looks stunning, a pait of sport front seats and rear head rests and a tech 2 wheel would be spot on, a tech 1 steering wheel is wrong for the year of the car.

If you do go the tech 2 kit route then holes will need to be drilled, use the propper BMW stencils for the holes and all new clips to get it to fit propperly. Any holes that are drilled must be primered, painted and waxoiled, its also a good idea to inject waxoil into the sills at the same time. I fitted a tech 2 kit to a friends malachite 2dr 325i and this is how it was done, the propper way and no council tigerseal/sikkaflex bodge.
http://www.bmrperformance.co.uk

BMW and MINI specialist - Gatwick
Joe-318i
E30 Zone Regular
E30 Zone Regular
Posts: 911
Joined: Sun Apr 06, 2008 11:00 pm
Location: Guildford/Surrey

Tue Jan 05, 2010 10:08 pm

Joe-318i wrote:
GC318 wrote:
Joe-318i wrote: SE sideskirts, make a big improvement i think, put them on to my tourer not that long ago, 1 the best things i did :D
How easy was it Joe?
with the right clips, and a bit of time, it was'nt to bad, well worth doing i think :D
the same way as barry has just said for the tech 2 kit, best way and only way really :D
'83 320i chromie
'86 316 tech 1/M20B25 conversion

'91 318is touring
'87 chromie M10 rightness

Joe-318i
Post Reply