Hello all. Im new to the site, and am looking around at what are my best options before starting a build.
I'm very interested in using a BMW 320, or 325 or 328 as my donor car for my build, but wondered is the running gear similar in the 5 series
BMW's?
Is there any other routes worth going down?
I have considered a Mazda MX5.
What ford options are viable other than sierra, and escort?
Sorry for all the questions, and thanks for all the information. Im really keen on getting started with my build. 
Should be able to use an E34 as everything apart from prop is the same as e30 iirc.
Sierra's are rare as hens teeth now, Escort's even more so. I decided on Sierra as that's what the Haynes Roadster book was written
around but I wish I'd done more research and gone with the Haynes/Saturn MX5 build as I think it would be easier and cheaper. BMW's have got
to be the donor cars of the future as they are about the only rear wheel drive car manufacturer (mass production) left. Since I've been on here
I've read about a few 5 series engined cars so I'm sure some of the regulars will set you straight. Good luck with your build.
[Edited on 23/11/11 by TAZZMAXX]
There are a couple of manafacturers designing around the BMW platform MK engineering was developing the Beemr and GD sportcars also developed one
I cant think of anything better, than to break a BMW up, and hopefully end its life
BMW = overated, overpriced, and overhere
Snobby rep mobiles, and that is all
Mind you, i doubt a BMW donor would pass an IVA, as they never had working inicators to start with!
Steve
Steve you have a problem.
Have you been driving in the BMW lane again on the motorway!!
you could use a GKD chassis with a 5 series donor.
I've thought long 'n hard on that subject too.
BMW's are attractive, they are also bloody everywhere .. no shortage and often surprisingly cheap.
Their diffs are being retro fitted to Caterhams as the Sierra ones are proving not to the liking of their owners (bmw diff is silent Sierra is not)
Dunno about the rest of the car though.
BMW engines are massive lumps and the things still have a chain driven oil sump pump .
Not yet driven a Beemer that genuinely impressed with it's shift /feel action either.
BMW front end bits are pretty well useless or at least a PITA to adapt. IMO. Little joy at that end of the donor car.
MX5's are everywhere as well and unless you've heard otherwise I believe are in current production with no plans to cease in the near
future.
Their diffs are good to 300 hp 'as is' Goofy Octopus difff mounting arms to deal with but then some BMW ones have similar growths. MX5
Front suspender and steering bits are directly useable Engines are a bit tall, sometimes causing some head scratching issues, but they are tough
lil rascals and even feature piston oilers :-) Trans shifting is nice, especially nice is the wee short throw stick which ends up placing itself
perfectly in our facsimile Sevens.
Ford has an affiliation with Mazda, at least to the point where Ford engines can bolt up. Two edged sword there tho.
Personally I'm planning on using ONLY the Japan made versions of the zetec/ or duratech If I go for a less tall than MX5 engine :-)
[Edited on 24/11/11 by Bare]
e60 5 series stuff is all very heavy. love the car as i have one myself but even the dust caps weigh 50kg's lol
3 series stuff is much easier and cheaper to get hold of and the engine is thinner so much better for the job.
quote:
Originally posted by Bare
I've thought long 'n hard on that subject too.
BMW's are attractive, they are also bloody everywhere .. no shortage and often surprisingly cheap.
Their diffs are being retro fitted to Caterhams as the Sierra ones are proving not to the liking of their owners (bmw diff is silent Sierra is not) Dunno about the rest of the car though.
BMW engines are massive lumps and the things still have a chain driven oil sump pump .
Not yet driven a Beemer that genuinely impressed with it's shift /feel action either.
BMW front end bits are pretty well useless or at least a PITA to adapt. IMO. Little joy at that end of the donor car.
MX5's are everywhere as well and unless you've heard otherwise I believe are in current production with no plans to cease in the near future.
Their diffs are good to 300 hp 'as is' Goofy Octopus difff mounting arms to deal with but then some BMW ones have similar growths. MX5 Front suspender and steering bits are directly useable Engines are a bit tall, sometimes causing some head scratching issues, but they are tough lil rascals and even feature piston oilers :-) Trans shifting is nice, especially nice is the wee short throw stick which ends up placing itself perfectly in our facsimile Sevens.
Ford has an affiliation with Mazda, at least to the point where Ford engines can bolt up. Two edged sword there tho.
Personally I'm planning on using ONLY the Japan made versions of the zetec/ or duratech If I go for a less tall than MX5 engine :-)
[Edited on 24/11/11 by Bare]
Thanks for the comments.
Im not too sure what to do. MX5 engines seem way too tall, from what ive seen!!
Does anyone know if the BMW front hubs etc can be used at all?
Descisions, descisions, descisions..........
Mk1 mx5 engines are shorter than a pinto.
BMW as a donor car:
Engine wise 5 series were S6 or larger
3 series 318I are 4's, 320s or higher numbers are S6.
The front suspension is Mcpherson strut.
There are two ways to resolve this issue.
1) is do what GKD have done, weld on an additional mount. Though that is not going to pass in Australia as the engineering sign off are not a fan of
welded attachments.
1b) is to do what "Stink BMW Locost" - google for the blog did which was make a bolt on attachment which is similar.
2) Do what Marlin did for there sportster which was cut down the strut, put a threaded insert in and use a ball joint at the top. Means you have an
odd (in locost terms) looking upper arm though.
2b) Do what PRB did on the S2, put in a insert with a thread sticking up and use a rose joint on the end of the a-arm.
Engine issues:
Sump hangs low - its possible gain 3/4 but cutting the middle out and reweld. Though its AL so not a home job for most sadly.
or dry sump which the oil pan is US$500.
The M44 is a tall engine but is easy to fit length wise.
Rear uprights:
E36 - will need to custom fab up something similar to what GKD did. No idea what Marlin have done. Bearings are a press fit type. I have seen someone
take the E36 rear hub cut it down and weld it to a plate to make it bolt onto the Gibbs set up.
E34 (5 Series) have bolt on bearings so can just modify the Gibbs rear upright.
Note: The E36 and E34 have different wheel bore centres so they cannot be swaped. The E34 is larger then the E36 (This rules out using spacers etc to
have an easy out when using the E36 as a donor).
Steering:
Rack is power steering - no attempted yet but should not be too hard to depower.
Lower steering arm is not extendable in its design. One method of overcoming this is to use the E34 lower section which can be extended for the last
section to the rack.
I only have a chassis on a jig at the moment so cant give too many more details on how to solve the BMW problems.
A good 4 pot solution might be a 5 series combined with an E36 M42/M44 engine.
Cheers,
Taffy
Edited: Wrote V6 after reading about millions of tax dollars being given to keep the falcon going.. had V6 on the brain. 
[Edited on 11/1/12 by ftaffy]
I think you mean straight 6 instead of V6
Thanks Mike, brain fade.
Cheers,
Taffy
quote:
Originally posted by Bare
Not yet driven a Beemer that genuinely impressed with it's shift /feel action either.
[Edited on 24/11/11 by Bare]