First Post and a MOT question

[andyborris]

Hi,

First post, so be gentle.

Had lots of older BMWs (2002s & E28s) got my first E30 (a 318i) about 2 months ago as a cheap runaround and was converted within a mile!

Now just bought a M50 325 Touring and have a question, does a 1990 car need a cat?

Thanks
Andy

[Zayyan]

Nah.

Only losers with late K/L plate cars and newer need one.

[cliffybabe]

no cat for u how about a exhaust upgrade

welcome to the zone

[jmc330i]

As above, you dont need a Cat.
Even if the M50 had a Cat before, IIRC its down to the age of the car, not the engine - it still needs to pass the emission test though.

[andyborris]

Excellent! This is the first car I've owned that's been made after 1972!

Thanks for the info.

Andy

[Jhonno]

its down to which ever is oldest actually... engine or car

[jmc330i]

its down to which ever is oldest actually... engine or car

Ah, I knew it was something like that. I guess with my conversion I just thought car rather than engine.

[andyborris]

[quote="cliffybabe"]no cat for u how about a exhaust upgrade

Any suggestions? It's also on standard springs and dampers.......don't want to lose too much ride comfort, but would to like fling it around Cadwell once in a while too!

What's best value for the suspension and I know that's not necessarily the cheapest!

Andy

[Brianmoooore]

Touring suspension etc. is not bad in the first place - far better than the equivalent saloons, especially on the non 325 models.
Could use a bit of lowering, but don't use saloon rear springs. Cabrio ones are OK though.

[andyborris]

Touring suspension etc. is not bad in the first place - far better than the equivalent saloons, especially on the non 325 models.

What's the difference?
Or is just the extra power and weight pushes the suspnsion to it's limit?

I'm going to replace all the wear points in the suspension (bushes, balljoints) and at the same time fit new dampers (shocks). Any recommendations as to which ones and suppliers? Do M3 parts fit and are they a good choice? Or should I go with a polybush?

I'll probably fit new springs too, I'm thinking standard rates, but a little lower (25mm-ish)

Thanks

Andy

[Brianmoooore]

Tourings have Mtech uprated suspension as standard, rear ARB, vented front discs and solid rear discs. 325 touring also has alloy front control arms from the M3.
Don't like polybush personally. Go with OE, but use M3 front control arm bushes, either offset or not, and E46 cab rear damper top mounts.
H R cup kit from the zone shop gets good reviews.

[andyborris]

M3 offset bushes give more neg camber?


Andy