You're lucky. I'm still running 5-year-old Goodyear runflats which I'm sure are past their shelf life, not to mention loud. I'll be looking for new tires soon and they'll be quieter, jack-of-all trades type as I'm more a cruiser with occassional spirited/AutoX driving. I don't trust any tire's rain-performance claims until I can test its limits somewhere personally.
I hear you on that. The only tire in recent memory that impressed me in the rain were the S-drives and the nearly bald Star Specs on the basketweaves. I drove the car back from ATL on those and it rained pretty good the entire way. At 75-80 mph, I was expecting the Star Specs to hydroplane more than they did. The Michelins on the wifey's IS are pretty amazing in the rain, but lack a certain precision I am looking for in my e30.
No 15" available? I has a sad.
It's interesting you say that because I was originally looking at just putting new tires on the basketweaves. The selection of 15" tires compared to their pricing is CRAP. When I looked at 16" sizes, there were more options and the pricing was similar or LESS. I had this issue a couple of years ago with the 14" Watanabe wheels for the NA. There USED to be a GREAT selection, but I was limited to 2 or 3, unless I wanted to run r-comps. The e30 had a funky OE sizing anyways (195-65-14), so unless I was looking at 195-60-15, there weren't a lot of correct sizes available in a performance tire I wanted (205-55-15). Sure, I could go 205-50-15, but the speedo would be off quite a bit and still the selection isn't that great. Looking at 16", 205, 215, 225, hell even 195, there were tons of options and selections of reputable, modern tires.
It has made me consider looking at 16" wheels to use as DD on the NB.
And how she sits now with the Michelins and the suspension completed...
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The Driver (11-26-2013)
Very nice classic bmw you got there.
kung fu jesus (11-26-2013)
Thanks, Tom!
Next will be some interior mods. The lighting on the lower centerstack is out and the 12v cigarette lighter plug isn't working. The horn doesn't either, so I am going to look back under the dash. I remember seeing some aftermarket electrical stuff in there when I was doing the stereo. I will gather the electrical diagrams, go through them, remove the unrelated stuff, get it all working, and maybe address central locking. That would be nice.
I don't know if your car had it done, but I think the scariest thing to find on an older car is one of the 90's aftermarket alarm systems that had the capability of disabling the vehicle.Originally Posted by kung fu jesus
I agree. I will have to compare the factory diagrams to see what was done. The NB i have also has an aftermarket alarm I will remove at some point too.
Kung Fu, if you ever had to cash in on this car, please let me know. I'll make you a fair offer for it!
96 Montego, replacing a 95M... I miss: My running peeps in Tampa, running barefoot @ Clearwater Beach and First Choice BBQ, in Brandon. In So Cal I miss: The Malibu Canyons, CA 33 and In & Out Burgers ! I'm from Tampa, if I was from Tampa Bay, I'd be a fish!
I get random inquiries with some regularity. Previous owner gets first dibs, but will keep you in mind if it ever happens.
I do get a lot guys my age pulling up next to me in their new BMWs and just staring at the car. It's a little wierd, but it's similar to looks I would get in the NA. I have random guys asking me about it at stop lights. At last night's Miata meet, had a guy who chatted me up at a light 2 months ago stop to talk to me about agian because he happened to be there getting coffee. We also had some random BMW owner pull in to join our meet because he saw it from the street in the parking lot.
Just a few miles on the completed front end, tires, etc. The car is so solid on the freeway, feels like my M3 did, which is to say, it feels at home with high-speed freeway trips. I haven't fully scrubbed in the Pilots, but it did rain and they were fantastic. They feel like Star Specs with a touch less initial bite and much smoother, quieter ride.
Last edited by kung fu jesus; 11-26-2013 at 03:00 PM.
great find, I miss my e30 everyday
I want to reiterate...these Michelin Pilots A/S 3s are arguably the best rain tires I have ever driven. Phenomenal!
Drove through downtown, pst the capitol today and wound it out to 7k rpms. When I lifted the exhaust made all kinds of sounds that made my loins tingle. A cop gave me the stink eye, but his partner was all smiles as a rumbled past.
Picts of said tingling loins or it didn't happen.
I can say it slower if it helps...
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