Originally Posted by
Hermes
I live on many sites and see many different issues that exist with lowering your car. The most important (although not necessarily an E46 issue) is clearance for your oil pan.
The most common posting of this issue seems to be with the E30 guys as they have front pans. It is an issue as that is the last BMW that used that setup. You don't hear much from 02/E3/E9/E12 as there aren't as many of them.
I assume many of you have E30 longings, I do as well but I haven't found the right car to build yet. I would like to state my opinion even though it may not be agreed upon by most, but I know some of you will be on my side.
If your car is seriously low enough where clearance is an issue then your oil pan is extremely important to complete car health. A mere skid plate does not solve these issues, it just is an attempt to prevent bigger issues.
If you honestly wish to extend R.I.C.E. mods to your car, the most import one to deal with is dry sump lubrication. Coilovers, aero, widebody, adjustable toe, etc., are all nice but if your engine is dead then all your other mods are null and void.
[IMG]http://cdn.nexternal.com/vacmotors/images/s65dSK_600.jpg[/IMG
Yes, stance seems to be the thing right now. It didn't used to be to this extent. Lowering your car was always in the mix, but unless you were a lowrider you didn't 'lay frame' (as the phrase used to be). At least those guys use airbags or hydraulics to be able to clear obstacles.
Sorry, I'm old(er) and am getting quite annoyed by those who have issues with their lowered cars.
If you wish to have a car that low please think of all possible issues before dumping your car to the ground. Yes, it looks good. No, it's not worth all the new regular maintenance that is required because you didn't upgrade everything else to deal with your new ride height.
You have to pay to play...
Willing to listen to all your comments, but honestly it will be hard to convince me that race based modifications belong on street cars if you don't go all out on your mods.