Introducing the Kiev Express...

[320touring]

Right (after a 2 year delay!)
I'm in the slightly unusual position of having an almost Blank Canvas to work with here..

Background

The BMW e30 "touring" is a compact estate car built from 1988-1994. It was not exported to the US, so I'm sure it'll look odd to most folks!

The car I own was bought in 2005 for £300, and then thrashed heavily for the following 5 years. Its been used to move engines and soil, rallied round many a backroad and taken to Kiev in the Ukraine for fun..

I love this car- it's a joy to drive in a spirited manner, yet pleasant on the motorway just nursing along. I cant get enough of the RWD experience, and I intend to keep this car for quite some time.

She’s just been re-commissioned with all new suspension and brakes- including a swap to a much longer diff (3.73 instead of stock 4.27). This allows an engine speed of 2500rpm at an indicated 60mph.

Now she’s on the road I’m in a position to make this car an effective an frugal daily driver- And I need your help to do it! Please post up your ideas and experience


My thoughts:
1. Longer Diff (done)

2. Clean up the underbody- Re-fit a front tray, sort out rear bumper parachute

3. Aero mods (most of my miles are 55-60mph on Motorway)
Grill Block (lower is fairly simple- upper needs more thought)
Front Air dam (possibly based on a 318iS /Volvo 740 spoiler)
Rear view mirror swap (Look to find smaller mirrors (possibly e36 m3 style ones)
Lowering (done)
Tire Spats (attach to front undertray to deflect air round tyres)

4. Fluid swaps
Gearbox to ATF (as opposed to 80W90 presently in there)
Engine to 5w40 synth Oil (compared to the 10W40 mineral currently in use)
Diff oil needs to be LSD Oil

5. Mechanical
Full Service (sparks/air fliter/oil/filter/tappets set)
Advance timing if possible (need to inverstigate)
HOT air Intake
Electric Rad fan (reduce parasitic load on belt driving waterpump/alternator)
Insulate engine Bay
Insulate Rocker Cover
Insulate Sump
325i Intake/ Throttle body (better airflow, more power)
Swap to 4 hole injectors (from m50b20 having been cleaned) discussion here http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...age-20271.html
Re-Chip ECU (improve low down torque, and tighter fuelling map)

6. Wheels/tyres
Fit decent B rated fuel tyres (with good wet weather grip)
Try to develop a plexi- glass inner wheel cover (to fit behind the face of the wheel)

7. Electrical
Smallest battery possible
Switch out all possible lights to LED
Increase light output of Headlamps (stock are woeful)

Pictures Updated thanks to Xist!

Side view




Front View






Rear View


Side profile/ Wingmirrors

[Xist]

My work here is done!

[320touring]

Thanks for that- I couldnt get them to work!

[Xist]

Originally Posted by 320touring

Thanks for that- I couldnt get them to work!

Glad to help! If you click on this icon: , you can paste the image URL. I try to keep a blank space between images because Internet Explorer may try to load them side-by-side when you do not want it to.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by Xist

Glad to help! If you click on this icon: , you can paste the image URL. I try to keep a blank space between images because Internet Explorer may try to load them side-by-side when you do not want it to.

I copied your post into the original, and gave you a credit-seems to work well now, thanks

[Xist]

Originally Posted by 320touring

I copied your post into the original, and gave you a credit-seems to work well now, thanks

You are welcome! I deleted mine. I look forward to your updates!

[MetroMPG]

Once other nice thing about RWD: how easy it is to change final drive gearing (subject to availability).

Partial kammback? There's quite a slant to the rear glass -- in other words, a fair amount of distance in which to improve things without going past the end of the bumper.

[320touring]

Originally Posted by MetroMPG

Once other nice thing about RWD: how easy it is to change final drive gearing (subject to availability).

Partial kammback? There's quite a slant to the rear glass -- in other words, a fair amount of distance in which to improve things without going past the end of the bumper.

25 year old diff oil, and a archaic rear beam design makes it slightly less fun than it could be

Alas, due to Insurance/police constraints heavy visual mods are pretty much no go. I'd stick an aero trailer on it, but its slow enough already

Grill blocks etc are fair game however

I think there's fair mileage (see what I did there) in the drivetrain/engine and frontal/underside aero- If I post up a pic of the "parachute in the rear bumper it'll be apparent..

In the meantime here's pics of the front grill/behind grill areas- suggestions to create a grill block?

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[IMG][/IMG]

[MetroMPG]

You're probably safe to block those side grille sections from the rear -- I'd also look at adding weatherstripping around the edge to seal against the bodywork & headlights when installed. (I take it you'd have to remove that to change a light, so caulking isn't an option?)

I wouldn't rule out a partial Kammback/downswept "spoiler", if you've got the fabrication abilities. OEM ones of varying lengths are becoming commonplace on hatchbacks & estates. EG: Honda van, Mitsubishi Mirage.





They're not as conspicuous as they might have once been.

[AndrzejM]

Originally Posted by 320touring

She’s just been re-commissioned with all new suspension and brakes- including a swap to a much longer diff (3.73 instead of stock 4.27). This allows an engine speed of 2500rpm at an indicated 60mph.

You can try to use diff from e36 Compact 318 tds it's a 2.79:1